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Deadspin | D.C. United scores two late goals to rally past Orlando City   Apr 25, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Orlando City SC midfielder Tiago Souza (11) controls the ball defended by D.C. United midfielder Jackson Hopkins (25) during the first half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Foslien-Imagn Images   Kye Rowles scored on a header in the 90th minute as D.C. United overcame its home-field jinx, rallying for a 3-2 win over injury-riddled Orlando City SC Saturday on a chilly night in Washington, D.C.  Jackson Hopkins and Louis Munteanu also scored for D.C. (3-4-3, 12 points), which snapped a six-game winless run in all competitions and won for just the second time in its last 15 MLS matches at home.  Sean Johnson added five saves as D.C. United won without their top scorer Tai Baribo, who was out with a thigh injury after scoring a hat trick in a 4-4 draw Wednesday at the New York Red Bulls.  After entering the week with an MLS-low four goals, D.C. put up seven in a four-day span.  The winning goal came off a corner kick to the opposite post by Keisuke Kurokawa. Jacob Murrell headed the ball to the middle of the box to a cutting Rowles, who scored for the first time in his two seasons as a starting defender for D.C.  Justin Ellis and Tyrese Spicer scored second-half goals to provide a 2-1 lead for Orlando City (2-7-1, 7 points), which is winless in five road games having been outscored 20-3.   Maxime Crepeau had five saves as the Lions were without three injured starters including dangerous threat Marco Pasalic, who missed his third straight MLS match, also with a thigh injury.  Hopkins scored the only goal of the first half when he took a pass from Kurokawa just outside the penalty arc, turned and fired a left-footed laser into the bottom right corner in the 10th minute.  In the 57th minute, the 18-year-old Ellis scored the first goal of his professional career, notching the equalizer on a right-footed shot from the middle of the box. Ellis’ goal came as he cleaned up a rebound from close range after Johnson stopped a header by Griffin Dorsey.  Ten minutes later, Spicer put Orlando in front when he ran down a long pass from Adrian Marin. Spicer’s shot from a tough angle deep on the left wing caromed off the inside of the top left post and into the net.  In the 84th minute, Munteanu tied it back up, 2-2, scoring his first-ever goal for D.C. when his right-footed shot from outside the box was deflected by a defender and bounced just inside the left post.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #D.C #United #scores #late #goals #rally #Orlando #City

Deadspin | D.C. United scores two late goals to rally past Orlando City
Deadspin | D.C. United scores two late goals to rally past Orlando City   Apr 25, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Orlando City SC midfielder Tiago Souza (11) controls the ball defended by D.C. United midfielder Jackson Hopkins (25) during the first half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Foslien-Imagn Images   Kye Rowles scored on a header in the 90th minute as D.C. United overcame its home-field jinx, rallying for a 3-2 win over injury-riddled Orlando City SC Saturday on a chilly night in Washington, D.C.  Jackson Hopkins and Louis Munteanu also scored for D.C. (3-4-3, 12 points), which snapped a six-game winless run in all competitions and won for just the second time in its last 15 MLS matches at home.  Sean Johnson added five saves as D.C. United won without their top scorer Tai Baribo, who was out with a thigh injury after scoring a hat trick in a 4-4 draw Wednesday at the New York Red Bulls.  After entering the week with an MLS-low four goals, D.C. put up seven in a four-day span.  The winning goal came off a corner kick to the opposite post by Keisuke Kurokawa. Jacob Murrell headed the ball to the middle of the box to a cutting Rowles, who scored for the first time in his two seasons as a starting defender for D.C.  Justin Ellis and Tyrese Spicer scored second-half goals to provide a 2-1 lead for Orlando City (2-7-1, 7 points), which is winless in five road games having been outscored 20-3.   Maxime Crepeau had five saves as the Lions were without three injured starters including dangerous threat Marco Pasalic, who missed his third straight MLS match, also with a thigh injury.  Hopkins scored the only goal of the first half when he took a pass from Kurokawa just outside the penalty arc, turned and fired a left-footed laser into the bottom right corner in the 10th minute.  In the 57th minute, the 18-year-old Ellis scored the first goal of his professional career, notching the equalizer on a right-footed shot from the middle of the box. Ellis’ goal came as he cleaned up a rebound from close range after Johnson stopped a header by Griffin Dorsey.  Ten minutes later, Spicer put Orlando in front when he ran down a long pass from Adrian Marin. Spicer’s shot from a tough angle deep on the left wing caromed off the inside of the top left post and into the net.  In the 84th minute, Munteanu tied it back up, 2-2, scoring his first-ever goal for D.C. when his right-footed shot from outside the box was deflected by a defender and bounced just inside the left post.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #D.C #United #scores #late #goals #rally #Orlando #CityApr 25, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Orlando City SC midfielder Tiago Souza (11) controls the ball defended by D.C. United midfielder Jackson Hopkins (25) during the first half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Foslien-Imagn Images

Kye Rowles scored on a header in the 90th minute as D.C. United overcame its home-field jinx, rallying for a 3-2 win over injury-riddled Orlando City SC Saturday on a chilly night in Washington, D.C.

Jackson Hopkins and Louis Munteanu also scored for D.C. (3-4-3, 12 points), which snapped a six-game winless run in all competitions and won for just the second time in its last 15 MLS matches at home.

Sean Johnson added five saves as D.C. United won without their top scorer Tai Baribo, who was out with a thigh injury after scoring a hat trick in a 4-4 draw Wednesday at the New York Red Bulls.

After entering the week with an MLS-low four goals, D.C. put up seven in a four-day span.

The winning goal came off a corner kick to the opposite post by Keisuke Kurokawa. Jacob Murrell headed the ball to the middle of the box to a cutting Rowles, who scored for the first time in his two seasons as a starting defender for D.C.


Justin Ellis and Tyrese Spicer scored second-half goals to provide a 2-1 lead for Orlando City (2-7-1, 7 points), which is winless in five road games having been outscored 20-3.

Maxime Crepeau had five saves as the Lions were without three injured starters including dangerous threat Marco Pasalic, who missed his third straight MLS match, also with a thigh injury.

Hopkins scored the only goal of the first half when he took a pass from Kurokawa just outside the penalty arc, turned and fired a left-footed laser into the bottom right corner in the 10th minute.

In the 57th minute, the 18-year-old Ellis scored the first goal of his professional career, notching the equalizer on a right-footed shot from the middle of the box. Ellis’ goal came as he cleaned up a rebound from close range after Johnson stopped a header by Griffin Dorsey.

Ten minutes later, Spicer put Orlando in front when he ran down a long pass from Adrian Marin. Spicer’s shot from a tough angle deep on the left wing caromed off the inside of the top left post and into the net.

In the 84th minute, Munteanu tied it back up, 2-2, scoring his first-ever goal for D.C. when his right-footed shot from outside the box was deflected by a defender and bounced just inside the left post.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #D.C #United #scores #late #goals #rally #Orlando #City

Apr 25, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Orlando City SC midfielder Tiago Souza (11) controls the ball defended by D.C. United midfielder Jackson Hopkins (25) during the first half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Foslien-Imagn Images

Kye Rowles scored on a header in the 90th minute as D.C. United overcame its home-field jinx, rallying for a 3-2 win over injury-riddled Orlando City SC Saturday on a chilly night in Washington, D.C.

Jackson Hopkins and Louis Munteanu also scored for D.C. (3-4-3, 12 points), which snapped a six-game winless run in all competitions and won for just the second time in its last 15 MLS matches at home.

Sean Johnson added five saves as D.C. United won without their top scorer Tai Baribo, who was out with a thigh injury after scoring a hat trick in a 4-4 draw Wednesday at the New York Red Bulls.

After entering the week with an MLS-low four goals, D.C. put up seven in a four-day span.

The winning goal came off a corner kick to the opposite post by Keisuke Kurokawa. Jacob Murrell headed the ball to the middle of the box to a cutting Rowles, who scored for the first time in his two seasons as a starting defender for D.C.

Justin Ellis and Tyrese Spicer scored second-half goals to provide a 2-1 lead for Orlando City (2-7-1, 7 points), which is winless in five road games having been outscored 20-3.

Maxime Crepeau had five saves as the Lions were without three injured starters including dangerous threat Marco Pasalic, who missed his third straight MLS match, also with a thigh injury.

Hopkins scored the only goal of the first half when he took a pass from Kurokawa just outside the penalty arc, turned and fired a left-footed laser into the bottom right corner in the 10th minute.

In the 57th minute, the 18-year-old Ellis scored the first goal of his professional career, notching the equalizer on a right-footed shot from the middle of the box. Ellis’ goal came as he cleaned up a rebound from close range after Johnson stopped a header by Griffin Dorsey.

Ten minutes later, Spicer put Orlando in front when he ran down a long pass from Adrian Marin. Spicer’s shot from a tough angle deep on the left wing caromed off the inside of the top left post and into the net.

In the 84th minute, Munteanu tied it back up, 2-2, scoring his first-ever goal for D.C. when his right-footed shot from outside the box was deflected by a defender and bounced just inside the left post.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #D.C #United #scores #late #goals #rally #Orlando #City

The Los Angeles Lakers are fully committed to building around Luka Doncic with LeBron James departing in free agency. Doncic has been clamoring for the team to add a talented young center, and the Lakers delivered on Wednesday afternoon with an incredibly bold deal that mortgages four years of draft control for an effective if often injured big man.

The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.

This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Lakers grade for Walker Kessler trade

Kessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.

Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.

Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.

This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.

Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, $130 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.

The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.

Jazz grade for Walker Kessler trade

Talk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.

Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.

This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.

#Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah">Walker Kessler trade grades for Lakers, Jazz after LA sends massive picks haul to Utah  The Los Angeles Lakers are fully committed to building around Luka Doncic with LeBron James departing in free agency. Doncic has been clamoring for the team to add a talented young center, and the Lakers delivered on Wednesday afternoon with an incredibly bold deal that mortgages four years of draft control for an effective if often injured big man.The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, 0 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.Lakers grade for Walker Kessler tradeKessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, 0 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.Jazz grade for Walker Kessler tradeTalk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.  #Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah

according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.

This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Lakers grade for Walker Kessler trade

Kessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.

Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.

Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.

This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.

Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, $130 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.

The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.

Jazz grade for Walker Kessler trade

Talk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.

Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.

This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.

#Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah">Walker Kessler trade grades for Lakers, Jazz after LA sends massive picks haul to Utah

The Los Angeles Lakers are fully committed to building around Luka Doncic with LeBron James departing in free agency. Doncic has been clamoring for the team to add a talented young center, and the Lakers delivered on Wednesday afternoon with an incredibly bold deal that mortgages four years of draft control for an effective if often injured big man.

The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kessler, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers that includes a player option in the final season.

This is a stunning price to pay for a big man at first blush. The Lakers now have a defensive anchor to play alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Jazz recouped a tremendous amount of future draft capital to continue their rebuild. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Lakers grade for Walker Kessler trade

Kessler is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA when he’s healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy very often. Kessler only played five games last season as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s only met the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility one time in his four-year career, and that came as a rookie. Utah’s tanking shenanigans contributed to Kessler missing games, but he’ll need to stay on the court and play at an elite level for this deal to work out for the Lakers.

Kessler has two main strengths as a player: rebounding and blocking shots. He averages 4.5 blocks per 100 possessions for his career, an elite number. He also led the NBA in offensive rebound rate back in the 2024-25 season, when he posted a wild 16.6 percent o-board rate in 58 games. He’s a fantastic defensive rebounder as well, which plays into his reputation as one of the game’s top defensive bigs.

Kessler’s offense is a much bigger question outside of generating extra possessions on the glass. He’s a total non-shooter from three-point range with 17 made threes in 201 career games, however he did make six threes in five games last season before the injury. He’s a career 54 percent free throw shooter, making him one of the NBA’s worst from the foul line. He can finish dunks and putbacks inside, and that’s about it. He hasn’t added much value as a passer throughout his career, either.

This is the Lakers’ big swing to build a championship team around Luka. Los Angeles obviously needed a strong defensive center to pair with two weak defenders in Doncic and Reaves, and they paid a massive price to get one. Usually a trade like this returns a superstar. Instead, the Lakers acquired someone who fits the team well but doesn’t have the production you typically associate with this type of trade.

Big men are getting huge deals all around the NBA this summer, and Kessler’s is the most jarring yet. The four-year, $130 million contract feels fair for both sides. The amount of draft capital given up to get him is what’s so surprising.

The Lakers way overpaid in my view. It could work out for them because Kessler is really good at protecting the rim and cleaning the glass if he stays healthy, but it’s hard to see how this elevates LA into championship contention, and they don’t have many assets left to keep building the team.

Jazz grade for Walker Kessler trade

Talk about a sell-high trade. It’s amazing the Jazz were able to get this type of return for Kessler after he only played five games last season. He’s not an elite center in my view, but the Jazz certainly got elite value back for him.

Utah is set up so well for the future now. They have No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson as their new franchise star alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. I honestly don’t think losing Kessler makes Utah that much worse for next season given all their front court depth. They are now stocked with assets to continue to build out the team as Peterson reaches his prime.

This is an amazing move for the Jazz. They robbed the Lakers blind. If Peterson reaches his ceiling, Utah will be set up to be a Western Conference contender for years to come. Their ascent should start this season with what looks like a play-in team at least.

#Walker #Kessler #trade #grades #Lakers #Jazz #sends #massive #picks #haul #Utah

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