Keito Nakamura was not guaranteed to start for Japan at the World Cup. But he is now emerging as a pivotal figure.

U.S. defender Alex Freeman celebrated a "full circle family moment" on Friday, scoring a goal in the Americans' 2-0 win over Australia on the same field -- kind of -- where his father, Antonio Freeman, Jr. once had a banner day for the Green Bay Packers.

UNC and Oklahoma have been here before. But who will leave victorious, and who will suffer another heartbreak?

Veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is exercising his $21.6 million player option with the Grizzlies for the 2026-27 season, sources tell ESPN.

Iran's soccer federation said it will lodge a complaint with FIFA after its request to travel to Los Angeles two days before Sunday's World Cup match against Belgium was denied.

Who made big jumps in the top 25? Where do Dybantsa and Peterson land? Here's our final big board of 2026.

The USMNT were without Christian Pulisic on Friday, but it didn't matter: they found a way to beat Australia for their second win of this World Cup.

Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander has a left hamstring strain and likely will be out "weeks," according to manager A.J. Hinch.

Strong performances from Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman also earned high USMNT ratings, but it was Alex Freeman who stood out in a win over Australia.

Alex Freeman put the U.S. 2-0 up against Australia after a VAR review. Here's why the goal was correctly ruled.

The U.S. shook off the absence of Christian Pulisic to beat Australia 2-0 in Seattle on Friday and clinch a spot in the World Cup knockout rounds.

The Titans and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons have agreed to a 3-year, $105.8M extension, his agents told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.per Ian Rapoport.

Spain forward Lamine Yamal said that he's "ready" to play against Saudi Arabia on Sunday but also acknowledged that now "isn't the moment to play a full game."

Wyndham Clark followed up a 6-under 64 on Thursday with a 1-under 69 Friday on his way to breaking the 36-hole scoring record for a U.S. Open at Shinnecock.

Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft this past April, will play in Project B this offseason, she announced on social media Friday.

Five-star prospect John Meredith III, ESPN's No. 1 cornerback in the 2027 class, announced his commitment to Texas.

United States star Christian Pulisic is out of their World Cup clash with Australia due to a calf injury, with Giovanni Reyna starting in his place.

Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb has agreed to a contract extension that takes his deal through the 2030-31 season.

Jonathan Toews, a 3-time Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks and 2-time Olympic gold medalist with Canada, announced his retirement on Friday.

The league offered up a plan that would add an international draft and shake up the domestic version.

The summer trade season is heating up! Find grades for each GM involved in all the big swaps here.

French tennis player Corentin Moutet has been fined $40,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct after using profane language in a postmatch interview at Queen's Club this week.

As the party rolls on, Scotland are getting down to business with World Cup history in sight, writes ESPN's Tom Hamiltion, previewing the Morocco test.

Toronto's Brittney Sykes (plantar fascia) and Kiki Rice (ankle) are expected to miss extended time, the Tempo announced Friday.