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Deadspin | Timbers hand Sounders club-record sixth straight loss  Aug 1, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder David Da Costa (10) controls the ball during the first half against Seattle Sounders FC defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (85) at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images   Brandon Bye scored in the 82nd minute as the Portland Timbers rallied for a 2-1 victory against the visiting Seattle Sounders in a Cascadia Cup clash Saturday night.  Kevin Kelsy scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season for the Timbers (7-8-3, 24 points), who improved to 3-0-1 under interim coach Jack Cassidy. Goalkeeper James Pantemis made two saves.  Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored for Seattle (7-7-3, 24 points), which suffered its franchise-record sixth straight defeat. Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas was credited with three saves.  The go-ahead goal came after Portland’s Cole Bassett passed to David Da Costa at the top left corner of the 18-yard box. Da Costa spun and sent a pass across the top of the penalty area to Bye, whose right-footed shot from 20 yards eluded a pair of defenders and a diving Thomas on its way into the lower left corner of the net.  The Sounders opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Paul Rothrock’s cross from the left wing for Osaze De Rosario was headed away from the top of the 6-yard box by Timbers defender Kamal Miller. The ball fell to Kossa-Rienzi and his left-footed shot from 18 yards out found the lower right corner of the net.   The Timbers tied it in the 41st minute after working the ball down the left wing. Kristoffer Velde’s cross from the edge of the penalty area was slightly deflected by Sounders defender Stuart Hawkins before glancing off Kelsy’s left thigh and into the net from close range. A video review determined Kelsy was just onside on the play.  Rusnak had a chance in the dying seconds of the half, but his shot from the top right of the 6-yard box sliced into the side netting.  Seattle’s Paul Arriola, getting the start at right back, had to come off in the seventh minute because of an apparent lower right leg injury and was replaced by Kossa-Rienzi.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Timbers #hand #Sounders #clubrecord #sixth #straight #loss

Deadspin | Timbers hand Sounders club-record sixth straight loss
Deadspin | Timbers hand Sounders club-record sixth straight loss  Aug 1, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder David Da Costa (10) controls the ball during the first half against Seattle Sounders FC defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (85) at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images   Brandon Bye scored in the 82nd minute as the Portland Timbers rallied for a 2-1 victory against the visiting Seattle Sounders in a Cascadia Cup clash Saturday night.  Kevin Kelsy scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season for the Timbers (7-8-3, 24 points), who improved to 3-0-1 under interim coach Jack Cassidy. Goalkeeper James Pantemis made two saves.  Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored for Seattle (7-7-3, 24 points), which suffered its franchise-record sixth straight defeat. Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas was credited with three saves.  The go-ahead goal came after Portland’s Cole Bassett passed to David Da Costa at the top left corner of the 18-yard box. Da Costa spun and sent a pass across the top of the penalty area to Bye, whose right-footed shot from 20 yards eluded a pair of defenders and a diving Thomas on its way into the lower left corner of the net.  The Sounders opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Paul Rothrock’s cross from the left wing for Osaze De Rosario was headed away from the top of the 6-yard box by Timbers defender Kamal Miller. The ball fell to Kossa-Rienzi and his left-footed shot from 18 yards out found the lower right corner of the net.   The Timbers tied it in the 41st minute after working the ball down the left wing. Kristoffer Velde’s cross from the edge of the penalty area was slightly deflected by Sounders defender Stuart Hawkins before glancing off Kelsy’s left thigh and into the net from close range. A video review determined Kelsy was just onside on the play.  Rusnak had a chance in the dying seconds of the half, but his shot from the top right of the 6-yard box sliced into the side netting.  Seattle’s Paul Arriola, getting the start at right back, had to come off in the seventh minute because of an apparent lower right leg injury and was replaced by Kossa-Rienzi.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Timbers #hand #Sounders #clubrecord #sixth #straight #lossAug 1, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder David Da Costa (10) controls the ball during the first half against Seattle Sounders FC defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (85) at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Brandon Bye scored in the 82nd minute as the Portland Timbers rallied for a 2-1 victory against the visiting Seattle Sounders in a Cascadia Cup clash Saturday night.

Kevin Kelsy scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season for the Timbers (7-8-3, 24 points), who improved to 3-0-1 under interim coach Jack Cassidy. Goalkeeper James Pantemis made two saves.

Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored for Seattle (7-7-3, 24 points), which suffered its franchise-record sixth straight defeat. Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas was credited with three saves.

The go-ahead goal came after Portland’s Cole Bassett passed to David Da Costa at the top left corner of the 18-yard box. Da Costa spun and sent a pass across the top of the penalty area to Bye, whose right-footed shot from 20 yards eluded a pair of defenders and a diving Thomas on its way into the lower left corner of the net.


The Sounders opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Paul Rothrock’s cross from the left wing for Osaze De Rosario was headed away from the top of the 6-yard box by Timbers defender Kamal Miller. The ball fell to Kossa-Rienzi and his left-footed shot from 18 yards out found the lower right corner of the net.

The Timbers tied it in the 41st minute after working the ball down the left wing. Kristoffer Velde’s cross from the edge of the penalty area was slightly deflected by Sounders defender Stuart Hawkins before glancing off Kelsy’s left thigh and into the net from close range. A video review determined Kelsy was just onside on the play.

Rusnak had a chance in the dying seconds of the half, but his shot from the top right of the 6-yard box sliced into the side netting.

Seattle’s Paul Arriola, getting the start at right back, had to come off in the seventh minute because of an apparent lower right leg injury and was replaced by Kossa-Rienzi.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Timbers #hand #Sounders #clubrecord #sixth #straight #loss

Aug 1, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder David Da Costa (10) controls the ball during the first half against Seattle Sounders FC defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (85) at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Brandon Bye scored in the 82nd minute as the Portland Timbers rallied for a 2-1 victory against the visiting Seattle Sounders in a Cascadia Cup clash Saturday night.

Kevin Kelsy scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season for the Timbers (7-8-3, 24 points), who improved to 3-0-1 under interim coach Jack Cassidy. Goalkeeper James Pantemis made two saves.

Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored for Seattle (7-7-3, 24 points), which suffered its franchise-record sixth straight defeat. Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas was credited with three saves.

The go-ahead goal came after Portland’s Cole Bassett passed to David Da Costa at the top left corner of the 18-yard box. Da Costa spun and sent a pass across the top of the penalty area to Bye, whose right-footed shot from 20 yards eluded a pair of defenders and a diving Thomas on its way into the lower left corner of the net.

The Sounders opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Paul Rothrock’s cross from the left wing for Osaze De Rosario was headed away from the top of the 6-yard box by Timbers defender Kamal Miller. The ball fell to Kossa-Rienzi and his left-footed shot from 18 yards out found the lower right corner of the net.

The Timbers tied it in the 41st minute after working the ball down the left wing. Kristoffer Velde’s cross from the edge of the penalty area was slightly deflected by Sounders defender Stuart Hawkins before glancing off Kelsy’s left thigh and into the net from close range. A video review determined Kelsy was just onside on the play.

Rusnak had a chance in the dying seconds of the half, but his shot from the top right of the 6-yard box sliced into the side netting.

Seattle’s Paul Arriola, getting the start at right back, had to come off in the seventh minute because of an apparent lower right leg injury and was replaced by Kossa-Rienzi.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Timbers #hand #Sounders #clubrecord #sixth #straight #loss

Deadspin | Trade target Kevin Gausman pitches Jays past Cardinals  Aug 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) pitches to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images   In possibly his final start for Toronto, Kevin Gausman allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings as the Blue Jays defeated the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Saturday to clinch the three-game series.   Gausman (5-10), a pending free agent who may be dealt by the trade deadline on Monday, scattered nine hits, walked one and struck out four.  George Springer had two hits and two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who have won three in a row. Alejandro Kirk added a two-run single.  Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Blaze Jordan each had two hits for the Cardinals, who lost their third straight despite outhitting Toronto 11-9. St. Louis was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11.  Gausman survived three singles in the third with the help of a double play grounder.  The Blue Jays scored once in third against Quinn Mathews (0-1), who was making his major league debut. Davis Schneider led off with a walk, took second on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s one-out single to right and scored on Springer’s two-out single past shortstop Masyn Winn.   Toronto took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Ernie Clement singled to lead off and took third on a double by Myles Straw on a drive that popped out of the glove of diving center fielder Nathan Church approaching the warning track. With one out, Luis Urias lofted a sacrifice fly to center.  The Cardinals scored their only run in the sixth. Ivan Herrera doubled to left-center and scored on Winn’s one-out double to right-center. After Church grounded out, Gausman left to a long standing ovation and Braydon Fisher took over.  Mathews was replaced by Luis Gastelum after Daulton Varsho’s bunt single opened the sixth. Matthews allowed two runs, six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five-plus innings.  Toronto stretched the lead to 5-1 in the seventh.  Gastelum plunked pinch hitter Andres Gimenez, Guerrero followed with an infield hit to shortstop and Springer sliced a double to the right field corner past a diving Walker. Peter Strzelecki came in and gave up Kirk’s two-run single to right.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Trade #target #Kevin #Gausman #pitches #Jays #CardinalsAug 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) pitches to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

In possibly his final start for Toronto, Kevin Gausman allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings as the Blue Jays defeated the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Saturday to clinch the three-game series.

Gausman (5-10), a pending free agent who may be dealt by the trade deadline on Monday, scattered nine hits, walked one and struck out four.

George Springer had two hits and two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who have won three in a row. Alejandro Kirk added a two-run single.

Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Blaze Jordan each had two hits for the Cardinals, who lost their third straight despite outhitting Toronto 11-9. St. Louis was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11.

Gausman survived three singles in the third with the help of a double play grounder.


The Blue Jays scored once in third against Quinn Mathews (0-1), who was making his major league debut. Davis Schneider led off with a walk, took second on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s one-out single to right and scored on Springer’s two-out single past shortstop Masyn Winn.

Toronto took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Ernie Clement singled to lead off and took third on a double by Myles Straw on a drive that popped out of the glove of diving center fielder Nathan Church approaching the warning track. With one out, Luis Urias lofted a sacrifice fly to center.

The Cardinals scored their only run in the sixth. Ivan Herrera doubled to left-center and scored on Winn’s one-out double to right-center. After Church grounded out, Gausman left to a long standing ovation and Braydon Fisher took over.

Mathews was replaced by Luis Gastelum after Daulton Varsho’s bunt single opened the sixth. Matthews allowed two runs, six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five-plus innings.

Toronto stretched the lead to 5-1 in the seventh.

Gastelum plunked pinch hitter Andres Gimenez, Guerrero followed with an infield hit to shortstop and Springer sliced a double to the right field corner past a diving Walker. Peter Strzelecki came in and gave up Kirk’s two-run single to right.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Trade #target #Kevin #Gausman #pitches #Jays #Cardinals">Deadspin | Trade target Kevin Gausman pitches Jays past Cardinals  Aug 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) pitches to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images   In possibly his final start for Toronto, Kevin Gausman allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings as the Blue Jays defeated the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Saturday to clinch the three-game series.   Gausman (5-10), a pending free agent who may be dealt by the trade deadline on Monday, scattered nine hits, walked one and struck out four.  George Springer had two hits and two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who have won three in a row. Alejandro Kirk added a two-run single.  Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Blaze Jordan each had two hits for the Cardinals, who lost their third straight despite outhitting Toronto 11-9. St. Louis was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11.  Gausman survived three singles in the third with the help of a double play grounder.  The Blue Jays scored once in third against Quinn Mathews (0-1), who was making his major league debut. Davis Schneider led off with a walk, took second on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s one-out single to right and scored on Springer’s two-out single past shortstop Masyn Winn.   Toronto took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Ernie Clement singled to lead off and took third on a double by Myles Straw on a drive that popped out of the glove of diving center fielder Nathan Church approaching the warning track. With one out, Luis Urias lofted a sacrifice fly to center.  The Cardinals scored their only run in the sixth. Ivan Herrera doubled to left-center and scored on Winn’s one-out double to right-center. After Church grounded out, Gausman left to a long standing ovation and Braydon Fisher took over.  Mathews was replaced by Luis Gastelum after Daulton Varsho’s bunt single opened the sixth. Matthews allowed two runs, six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five-plus innings.  Toronto stretched the lead to 5-1 in the seventh.  Gastelum plunked pinch hitter Andres Gimenez, Guerrero followed with an infield hit to shortstop and Springer sliced a double to the right field corner past a diving Walker. Peter Strzelecki came in and gave up Kirk’s two-run single to right.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Trade #target #Kevin #Gausman #pitches #Jays #Cardinals

Amid the usual litany of off-court storylines, it’s been a superb on-court season for the Fever star.

Clark is averaging 21.5 points per game, the third-most in the league, and 7.9 assists per game, the second-most in the league. (In other words, no single player creates more on offense than she does).

She’s also quietly upped her efficiency — in her rookie season (in which she was named to the All-WNBA First Team), she shot 41.7% from the field and 34.4% from three. In her sophomore season (in which she appeared in just 13 games due to a myriad of injuries), she shot worse, hitting 36.7% of her shot attempts and 27.9% of her threes.

And, this year, she’s shooting 44.3% from the field and 35.4% from three, both career-highs. While turnovers continue to be an Achilles heel, she’s averaging fewer per game this year (4.7) than in her rookie campaign (5.6).

Clark now has the 31st-best true shooting percentage in the WNBA (60.3%), which means she’s been more efficient than a long list of top guards that includes Marina Mabrey, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Veronica Burton, Courtney Williams, and dozens of others. (Kelsey Plum, Sonia Citron, Kelsey Mitchell, Kayla McBride, Paige Bueckers, and Olivia Miles have all been more efficient, however).

It still feels like there’s another gear Clark can reach from beyond the arc — she shot 37.7% from three in college — but even if that doesn’t happen, she’s established herself as one of the league’s best guards just a season removed from a campaign in which she missed time due to groin and ankle injuries.

Most importantly, the Fever are winning. They currently have the 5th-best record in the WNBA, but they’re only a game and a half removed from second place, where the Las Vegas Aces currently sit. They have the second-highest point differential in the league (+6), which trails only the Minnesota Lynx. They’re averaging 95.8 points per game, which is 4 more points than the team with the next-highest points per game average (Minnesota).

Clark is still just 24 years old — and will likely get a lot better before she peaks. But, as strange as it is to say about the most polarizing player in basketball, she’s quietly already having a career year.

#Caitlin #Clark #playing #basketball #career">Caitlin Clark is playing the best basketball of her career  In Tuesday night’s Indiana Fever win over the Seattle Storm, Caitlin Clark was on one. Clark tallied 32 points on 9-14 shooting to go along with 7 assists and 4 rebounds, and the Fever improved to 18-10 on the season.Amid the usual litany of off-court storylines, it’s been a superb on-court season for the Fever star.Clark is averaging 21.5 points per game, the third-most in the league, and 7.9 assists per game, the second-most in the league. (In other words, no single player creates more on offense than she does).She’s also quietly upped her efficiency — in her rookie season (in which she was named to the All-WNBA First Team), she shot 41.7% from the field and 34.4% from three. In her sophomore season (in which she appeared in just 13 games due to a myriad of injuries), she shot worse, hitting 36.7% of her shot attempts and 27.9% of her threes.And, this year, she’s shooting 44.3% from the field and 35.4% from three, both career-highs. While turnovers continue to be an Achilles heel, she’s averaging fewer per game this year (4.7) than in her rookie campaign (5.6).Clark now has the 31st-best true shooting percentage in the WNBA (60.3%), which means she’s been more efficient than a long list of top guards that includes Marina Mabrey, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Veronica Burton, Courtney Williams, and dozens of others. (Kelsey Plum, Sonia Citron, Kelsey Mitchell, Kayla McBride, Paige Bueckers, and Olivia Miles have all been more efficient, however).It still feels like there’s another gear Clark can reach from beyond the arc — she shot 37.7% from three in college — but even if that doesn’t happen, she’s established herself as one of the league’s best guards just a season removed from a campaign in which she missed time due to groin and ankle injuries.Most importantly, the Fever are winning. They currently have the 5th-best record in the WNBA, but they’re only a game and a half removed from second place, where the Las Vegas Aces currently sit. They have the second-highest point differential in the league (+6), which trails only the Minnesota Lynx. They’re averaging 95.8 points per game, which is 4 more points than the team with the next-highest points per game average (Minnesota).Clark is still just 24 years old — and will likely get a lot better before she peaks. But, as strange as it is to say about the most polarizing player in basketball, she’s quietly already having a career year.  #Caitlin #Clark #playing #basketball #career

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