NWSL players pause games to demonstrate solidarity
PORTLAND, ORE. >> Players stopped on the field in the sixth minute of Wednesday night’s National Women’s Soccer League games and linked arms in a circle to demonstrate solidarity with two former players who came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against a prominent coach.
The actions came during games between Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit in Philadelphia and between the North Carolina Courage and Racing Louisville in Cary, North Carolina.
“Tonight, we reclaim our place on the field, because we will not let our joy be taken from us,” the NWSL Players’ Association said in a statement released Wednesday night. “But this is not business as usual.”
The league had just returned to the field after calling off last weekend’s games while it came to terms with the allegations leveled last week against former Courage coach Paul Riley, who was subsequently fired.
Earlier in the day, the owner of the Courage apologized for the franchise’s “failure” to create an environment where players felt safe in coming forward. ITALY’S RECORD RUN ENDED BY NATIONS LEAGUE LOSS TO SPAIN >> Spain ended Italy’s record unbeaten run of 37 matches by beating the European champion 2-1 in the Nations League semifinals after Roberto Mancini’s team was reduced to 10 men.
Mancini’s side fell to its first loss in more than three years, since being beaten by Portugal in September 2018. Its unbeaten streak was a world record in international soccer.
MLB
PADRES FIRE MANGER JAYCE TINGLER AFTER SECONDHALF COLLAPSE >> The San Diego Padres have fired Jayce Tingler, who presided over the biggest collapse in franchise history just a season after finishing second in voting for NL Manager of the Year.
General manager A.J. Preller announced the move, three days after the Padres finished 79-83 and in third place in the NL West, 28 games behind San Francisco. Preller said Tingler will be given the opportunity to remain in the organization.
NFL MATT NAGY MAKES JUSTIN FIELDS NO. 1 BEARS QUARTERBACK >>
Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy has changed his mind and made Justin Fields the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback going forward.
On Monday, Nagy had said Fields was still the backup and playing only because of Andy Dalton’s knee injury. But on Tuesday he told both quarterbacks of the change and announced it Wednesday. Dalton will return to practice this week after suffering a bone bruise to his left knee and will be the backup.
PANTHERS ACQUIRE GILMORE FROM PATS FOR 6THROUND PICK IN ‘23 COLLEGE FOOTBALL >>
The Carolina Panthers have acquired veteran cornerback and 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore from the New England Patriots for a 2023 sixthround draft pick.
Pro basketball
CHICAGO BEATS CONNECTICUT, HEADS TO WNBA FINALS >> Courtney Vandersloot scored 19 points and Kahleah Copper added 18 to help the Chicago Sky beat the top-seeded Connecticut Sun 79-69 and advance to the WNBA Finals.
Chicago is back in the finals for the first time since 2014 despite finishing the regular season with a .500 record.
Chicago now awaits the winner of the other semifinal between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury.
NBA WILL NOT RANDOMLY TEST PLAYERS FOR MARIJUANA >> The NBA has agreed to not randomly test players for marijuana this season, a continuation of the policy that was put in place last year for the
COVID-19 “restart bubble” and has remained since.
Drug testing will continue for things such as human growth hormone and performance-enhancers, along with what the league calls “drugs of abuse” — such as methamphetamine, cocaine and opiates.
Tennis STEPHENS OUTLASTS WATSON IN INDIAN WELLS OPENER >>
Sloane Stephens outlasted Heather Watson 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-1 in her opening match at the BNP Paribas Open.
Stephens advanced to a second-round match against fellow American Jessica Pegula.
Men’s main draw play begins Thursday.
College football
N COLORADO REPRIMANDS MAX MCCAFFREY FOR CLIPBOARD INCIDENT >> The University of Northern Colorado has reprimanded offensive coordinator Max McCaffrey for tossing a broken clipboard into the stands that hit a spectator during a game at Montana State.
The Bears’ athletics department, in conjunction with Montana State and the Big Sky Conference, finished a review of the incident involving McCaffrey, concluding that throwing the clipboard to a fan as a souvenir showed “a lack of judgment but no malicious intent.”