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Deadspin | Diamondbacks optimistic offense surge can continue vs. Mets  Apr 8, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Jorge Barrosa (1) reacts after hitting a two RBI double against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images   The Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping their much-needed offensive outburst on Wednesday is a sign of things to come.  The New York Mets are hoping David Peterson’s struggles aren’t a harbinger of rotation-depth issues.  The Diamondbacks and Mets will each be looking to win a series Thursday night, when Arizona visits New York in the finale of the three-game set.  Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is slated to start for the Diamondbacks against Mets right-hander Nolan McLean (1-0, 2.61) in a rematch of the pitchers who started the Venezuela-Team USA World Baseball Classic championship game last month.  Corbin Carroll and Jorge Barrosa each had two-run doubles Wednesday for the Diamondbacks, who rolled to a 7-2 win.  The seven runs were the most for the Diamondbacks since a 7-5 win over Detroit on March 31 and two runs shy of their season high set in a 9-6 win over the Tigers on March 30.  Arizona went 3-3 in its previous six games entering Wednesday despite scoring just 14 runs in that stretch. Diamondbacks starters posted a 1.95 ERA in the six games.  The Diamondbacks wasted no time supporting Ryne Nelson on Wednesday, when Corbin doubled with one out in the first and scored on Gabriel Moreno’s sacrifice fly. Arizona added four runs off Peterson in the second, when Carroll’s two-RBI double was sandwiched by Ketel Marte’s run-scoring single and Geraldo Perdomo’s sacrifice fly.  “Offensively, we’ve been really grinding,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “And I think we just set a really good tone that we put runners on, we executed, scored (runs). It kind of gives you a little bit of good feeling to know that you stepped on the field and you’re able to contribute offensively.”  The result snapped a four-game winning streak for the Mets, who outscored the Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants 28-8 during the surge. New York hadn’t lost since April 2, when Peterson gave up six runs (five earned) over 4 1/3 innings before Sean Manaea threw the final 3 2/3 frames in a 7-2 loss to the Giants.   Peterson and Manaea covered all nine innings again on Wednesday. Peterson allowed five runs in five frames, and Manaea surrendered Barrosa’s two-run hit in the eighth.  The latest long-relief outing by Manaea — who served as a starter in 44 of his 47 appearances for the Mets the previous two seasons but has displayed diminished velocity this year– came hours after manager Carlos Mendoza said New York did not plan to utilize a sixth starter during its current stretch of nine games in as many days.  Later Wednesday, Mendoza said the Mets weren’t considering a change in the rotation. Peterson has a 6.14 ERA through three starts while fellow starters McLean, Clay Holmes, Freddy Peralta and Kodai Senga have compiled a 3.08 ERA in nine starts.  “If he’s healthy, which he is, there’s no concern.” Mendoza said, referring to Peterson. “He’s too good of a pitcher. He’s been our guy. We’ve just got to make a couple of adjustments there.”  Rodriguez didn’t factor into the decision despite authoring a second straight stellar outing on Friday, when he allowed four hits over seven innings in the Diamondbacks’ 2-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves.  McLean earned a win on Friday after giving up two runs (one earned) over 5 1/3 innings in the Mets’ 10-3 victory over the Giants.  Rodriguez is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA in four career starts against the Mets. McLean has never opposed the Diamondbacks.  Neither pitcher got a decision in Venezuela’s 3-2 win in the WBC title game on March 17, when Rodriguez gave up one hit over 4 1/3 scoreless innings and McLean allowed two runs over 4 2/3 frames for Team USA.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Diamondbacks #optimistic #offense #surge #continue #Mets

Deadspin | Diamondbacks optimistic offense surge can continue vs. Mets
Deadspin | Diamondbacks optimistic offense surge can continue vs. Mets  Apr 8, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Jorge Barrosa (1) reacts after hitting a two RBI double against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images   The Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping their much-needed offensive outburst on Wednesday is a sign of things to come.  The New York Mets are hoping David Peterson’s struggles aren’t a harbinger of rotation-depth issues.  The Diamondbacks and Mets will each be looking to win a series Thursday night, when Arizona visits New York in the finale of the three-game set.  Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is slated to start for the Diamondbacks against Mets right-hander Nolan McLean (1-0, 2.61) in a rematch of the pitchers who started the Venezuela-Team USA World Baseball Classic championship game last month.  Corbin Carroll and Jorge Barrosa each had two-run doubles Wednesday for the Diamondbacks, who rolled to a 7-2 win.  The seven runs were the most for the Diamondbacks since a 7-5 win over Detroit on March 31 and two runs shy of their season high set in a 9-6 win over the Tigers on March 30.  Arizona went 3-3 in its previous six games entering Wednesday despite scoring just 14 runs in that stretch. Diamondbacks starters posted a 1.95 ERA in the six games.  The Diamondbacks wasted no time supporting Ryne Nelson on Wednesday, when Corbin doubled with one out in the first and scored on Gabriel Moreno’s sacrifice fly. Arizona added four runs off Peterson in the second, when Carroll’s two-RBI double was sandwiched by Ketel Marte’s run-scoring single and Geraldo Perdomo’s sacrifice fly.  “Offensively, we’ve been really grinding,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “And I think we just set a really good tone that we put runners on, we executed, scored (runs). It kind of gives you a little bit of good feeling to know that you stepped on the field and you’re able to contribute offensively.”  The result snapped a four-game winning streak for the Mets, who outscored the Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants 28-8 during the surge. New York hadn’t lost since April 2, when Peterson gave up six runs (five earned) over 4 1/3 innings before Sean Manaea threw the final 3 2/3 frames in a 7-2 loss to the Giants.   Peterson and Manaea covered all nine innings again on Wednesday. Peterson allowed five runs in five frames, and Manaea surrendered Barrosa’s two-run hit in the eighth.  The latest long-relief outing by Manaea — who served as a starter in 44 of his 47 appearances for the Mets the previous two seasons but has displayed diminished velocity this year– came hours after manager Carlos Mendoza said New York did not plan to utilize a sixth starter during its current stretch of nine games in as many days.  Later Wednesday, Mendoza said the Mets weren’t considering a change in the rotation. Peterson has a 6.14 ERA through three starts while fellow starters McLean, Clay Holmes, Freddy Peralta and Kodai Senga have compiled a 3.08 ERA in nine starts.  “If he’s healthy, which he is, there’s no concern.” Mendoza said, referring to Peterson. “He’s too good of a pitcher. He’s been our guy. We’ve just got to make a couple of adjustments there.”  Rodriguez didn’t factor into the decision despite authoring a second straight stellar outing on Friday, when he allowed four hits over seven innings in the Diamondbacks’ 2-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves.  McLean earned a win on Friday after giving up two runs (one earned) over 5 1/3 innings in the Mets’ 10-3 victory over the Giants.  Rodriguez is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA in four career starts against the Mets. McLean has never opposed the Diamondbacks.  Neither pitcher got a decision in Venezuela’s 3-2 win in the WBC title game on March 17, when Rodriguez gave up one hit over 4 1/3 scoreless innings and McLean allowed two runs over 4 2/3 frames for Team USA.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Diamondbacks #optimistic #offense #surge #continue #MetsApr 8, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Jorge Barrosa (1) reacts after hitting a two RBI double against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

The Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping their much-needed offensive outburst on Wednesday is a sign of things to come.

The New York Mets are hoping David Peterson’s struggles aren’t a harbinger of rotation-depth issues.

The Diamondbacks and Mets will each be looking to win a series Thursday night, when Arizona visits New York in the finale of the three-game set.

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is slated to start for the Diamondbacks against Mets right-hander Nolan McLean (1-0, 2.61) in a rematch of the pitchers who started the Venezuela-Team USA World Baseball Classic championship game last month.

Corbin Carroll and Jorge Barrosa each had two-run doubles Wednesday for the Diamondbacks, who rolled to a 7-2 win.

The seven runs were the most for the Diamondbacks since a 7-5 win over Detroit on March 31 and two runs shy of their season high set in a 9-6 win over the Tigers on March 30.

Arizona went 3-3 in its previous six games entering Wednesday despite scoring just 14 runs in that stretch. Diamondbacks starters posted a 1.95 ERA in the six games.

The Diamondbacks wasted no time supporting Ryne Nelson on Wednesday, when Corbin doubled with one out in the first and scored on Gabriel Moreno’s sacrifice fly. Arizona added four runs off Peterson in the second, when Carroll’s two-RBI double was sandwiched by Ketel Marte’s run-scoring single and Geraldo Perdomo’s sacrifice fly.

“Offensively, we’ve been really grinding,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “And I think we just set a really good tone that we put runners on, we executed, scored (runs). It kind of gives you a little bit of good feeling to know that you stepped on the field and you’re able to contribute offensively.”


The result snapped a four-game winning streak for the Mets, who outscored the Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants 28-8 during the surge. New York hadn’t lost since April 2, when Peterson gave up six runs (five earned) over 4 1/3 innings before Sean Manaea threw the final 3 2/3 frames in a 7-2 loss to the Giants.

Peterson and Manaea covered all nine innings again on Wednesday. Peterson allowed five runs in five frames, and Manaea surrendered Barrosa’s two-run hit in the eighth.

The latest long-relief outing by Manaea — who served as a starter in 44 of his 47 appearances for the Mets the previous two seasons but has displayed diminished velocity this year– came hours after manager Carlos Mendoza said New York did not plan to utilize a sixth starter during its current stretch of nine games in as many days.

Later Wednesday, Mendoza said the Mets weren’t considering a change in the rotation. Peterson has a 6.14 ERA through three starts while fellow starters McLean, Clay Holmes, Freddy Peralta and Kodai Senga have compiled a 3.08 ERA in nine starts.

“If he’s healthy, which he is, there’s no concern.” Mendoza said, referring to Peterson. “He’s too good of a pitcher. He’s been our guy. We’ve just got to make a couple of adjustments there.”

Rodriguez didn’t factor into the decision despite authoring a second straight stellar outing on Friday, when he allowed four hits over seven innings in the Diamondbacks’ 2-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

McLean earned a win on Friday after giving up two runs (one earned) over 5 1/3 innings in the Mets’ 10-3 victory over the Giants.

Rodriguez is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA in four career starts against the Mets. McLean has never opposed the Diamondbacks.

Neither pitcher got a decision in Venezuela’s 3-2 win in the WBC title game on March 17, when Rodriguez gave up one hit over 4 1/3 scoreless innings and McLean allowed two runs over 4 2/3 frames for Team USA.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Diamondbacks #optimistic #offense #surge #continue #Mets

Apr 8, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Jorge Barrosa (1) reacts after hitting a two RBI double against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

The Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping their much-needed offensive outburst on Wednesday is a sign of things to come.

The New York Mets are hoping David Peterson’s struggles aren’t a harbinger of rotation-depth issues.

The Diamondbacks and Mets will each be looking to win a series Thursday night, when Arizona visits New York in the finale of the three-game set.

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is slated to start for the Diamondbacks against Mets right-hander Nolan McLean (1-0, 2.61) in a rematch of the pitchers who started the Venezuela-Team USA World Baseball Classic championship game last month.

Corbin Carroll and Jorge Barrosa each had two-run doubles Wednesday for the Diamondbacks, who rolled to a 7-2 win.

The seven runs were the most for the Diamondbacks since a 7-5 win over Detroit on March 31 and two runs shy of their season high set in a 9-6 win over the Tigers on March 30.

Arizona went 3-3 in its previous six games entering Wednesday despite scoring just 14 runs in that stretch. Diamondbacks starters posted a 1.95 ERA in the six games.

The Diamondbacks wasted no time supporting Ryne Nelson on Wednesday, when Corbin doubled with one out in the first and scored on Gabriel Moreno’s sacrifice fly. Arizona added four runs off Peterson in the second, when Carroll’s two-RBI double was sandwiched by Ketel Marte’s run-scoring single and Geraldo Perdomo’s sacrifice fly.

“Offensively, we’ve been really grinding,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “And I think we just set a really good tone that we put runners on, we executed, scored (runs). It kind of gives you a little bit of good feeling to know that you stepped on the field and you’re able to contribute offensively.”

The result snapped a four-game winning streak for the Mets, who outscored the Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants 28-8 during the surge. New York hadn’t lost since April 2, when Peterson gave up six runs (five earned) over 4 1/3 innings before Sean Manaea threw the final 3 2/3 frames in a 7-2 loss to the Giants.

Peterson and Manaea covered all nine innings again on Wednesday. Peterson allowed five runs in five frames, and Manaea surrendered Barrosa’s two-run hit in the eighth.

The latest long-relief outing by Manaea — who served as a starter in 44 of his 47 appearances for the Mets the previous two seasons but has displayed diminished velocity this year– came hours after manager Carlos Mendoza said New York did not plan to utilize a sixth starter during its current stretch of nine games in as many days.

Later Wednesday, Mendoza said the Mets weren’t considering a change in the rotation. Peterson has a 6.14 ERA through three starts while fellow starters McLean, Clay Holmes, Freddy Peralta and Kodai Senga have compiled a 3.08 ERA in nine starts.

“If he’s healthy, which he is, there’s no concern.” Mendoza said, referring to Peterson. “He’s too good of a pitcher. He’s been our guy. We’ve just got to make a couple of adjustments there.”

Rodriguez didn’t factor into the decision despite authoring a second straight stellar outing on Friday, when he allowed four hits over seven innings in the Diamondbacks’ 2-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

McLean earned a win on Friday after giving up two runs (one earned) over 5 1/3 innings in the Mets’ 10-3 victory over the Giants.

Rodriguez is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA in four career starts against the Mets. McLean has never opposed the Diamondbacks.

Neither pitcher got a decision in Venezuela’s 3-2 win in the WBC title game on March 17, when Rodriguez gave up one hit over 4 1/3 scoreless innings and McLean allowed two runs over 4 2/3 frames for Team USA.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Diamondbacks #optimistic #offense #surge #continue #Mets

Deadspin | Knicks finish off Hawks with record-setting 51-point blowout  Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the first quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images   OG Anunoby scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half to lead visiting New York to a historic 140-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday as the Knicks won their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-2.  It was the most points scored by the Knicks in a playoff game and their largest winning margin in the postseason. The only bigger victory margin in club history came earlier this year, when New York routed the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 on Jan. 21.  The Hawks endured the second-worst postseason defeat in franchise history. The then-St. Louis Hawks lost 133-75 to the Minneapolis Lakers on March 19, 1956.  New York, who produced a 63-11 first-half run, led by as many as 61 and beat the Hawks for the third straight game to advance to the conference semifinals for the fourth straight year. The third-seeded Knicks next will face either the second-seeded Boston Celtics or the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.  Anunoby shot 11-for-14 from the field and added seven rebounds and four steals.  “I work hard on my game and the ball finds me,” Anunoby said.  New York’s Mikal Bridges scored 24 points, Jalen Brunson had 17 points and eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had his second career playoff triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, with three steals. The starters were out of the game midway in the third quarter.  “I thought we did a great job with our defense,” Towns said. “You know, I thought our offense was created by our defense (which) did a great job of causing turnovers, upping the pressure, and we executed offensively. It’s a great recipe for success.”   Sixth-seeded Atlanta was led by Jalen Johnson with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.  “I did not see it going down like this tonight,” said Atlanta’s CJ McCollum, who scored 11 points. “None of us did.”  The Knicks took control early and showed their dominance in the first quarter, taking a 40-15 lead into the second. New York shot 69.2% from the field (18-for-26) and was helped greatly by eight Atlanta turnovers. Anunoby scored 14 in the opening quarter.  The Knicks finished the first quarter on a 31-4 run, which became a 39-4 run as the lead continued to grow.  Tempers flared in the second quarter and resulted in New York’s Mitchell Robinson and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels being ejected for a fracas with 4:39 left in the half.  While battling for position on a free throw, Daniels hit Robinson with a high elbow. Pushing ensued and official Brent Barnaky was knocked to the ground, but no punches were thrown and order was quickly restored. Both players were assessed a technical foul and ejected.  The Knicks’ 47-point halftime lead (83-36) was an NBA postseason record.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Knicks #finish #Hawks #recordsetting #51point #blowoutApr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the first quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

OG Anunoby scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half to lead visiting New York to a historic 140-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday as the Knicks won their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-2.

It was the most points scored by the Knicks in a playoff game and their largest winning margin in the postseason. The only bigger victory margin in club history came earlier this year, when New York routed the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 on Jan. 21.

The Hawks endured the second-worst postseason defeat in franchise history. The then-St. Louis Hawks lost 133-75 to the Minneapolis Lakers on March 19, 1956.

New York, who produced a 63-11 first-half run, led by as many as 61 and beat the Hawks for the third straight game to advance to the conference semifinals for the fourth straight year. The third-seeded Knicks next will face either the second-seeded Boston Celtics or the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.

Anunoby shot 11-for-14 from the field and added seven rebounds and four steals.

“I work hard on my game and the ball finds me,” Anunoby said.

New York’s Mikal Bridges scored 24 points, Jalen Brunson had 17 points and eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had his second career playoff triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, with three steals. The starters were out of the game midway in the third quarter.


“I thought we did a great job with our defense,” Towns said. “You know, I thought our offense was created by our defense (which) did a great job of causing turnovers, upping the pressure, and we executed offensively. It’s a great recipe for success.”

Sixth-seeded Atlanta was led by Jalen Johnson with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

“I did not see it going down like this tonight,” said Atlanta’s CJ McCollum, who scored 11 points. “None of us did.”

The Knicks took control early and showed their dominance in the first quarter, taking a 40-15 lead into the second. New York shot 69.2% from the field (18-for-26) and was helped greatly by eight Atlanta turnovers. Anunoby scored 14 in the opening quarter.

The Knicks finished the first quarter on a 31-4 run, which became a 39-4 run as the lead continued to grow.

Tempers flared in the second quarter and resulted in New York’s Mitchell Robinson and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels being ejected for a fracas with 4:39 left in the half.

While battling for position on a free throw, Daniels hit Robinson with a high elbow. Pushing ensued and official Brent Barnaky was knocked to the ground, but no punches were thrown and order was quickly restored. Both players were assessed a technical foul and ejected.

The Knicks’ 47-point halftime lead (83-36) was an NBA postseason record.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Knicks #finish #Hawks #recordsetting #51point #blowout">Deadspin | Knicks finish off Hawks with record-setting 51-point blowout  Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the first quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images   OG Anunoby scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half to lead visiting New York to a historic 140-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday as the Knicks won their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-2.  It was the most points scored by the Knicks in a playoff game and their largest winning margin in the postseason. The only bigger victory margin in club history came earlier this year, when New York routed the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 on Jan. 21.  The Hawks endured the second-worst postseason defeat in franchise history. The then-St. Louis Hawks lost 133-75 to the Minneapolis Lakers on March 19, 1956.  New York, who produced a 63-11 first-half run, led by as many as 61 and beat the Hawks for the third straight game to advance to the conference semifinals for the fourth straight year. The third-seeded Knicks next will face either the second-seeded Boston Celtics or the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.  Anunoby shot 11-for-14 from the field and added seven rebounds and four steals.  “I work hard on my game and the ball finds me,” Anunoby said.  New York’s Mikal Bridges scored 24 points, Jalen Brunson had 17 points and eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had his second career playoff triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, with three steals. The starters were out of the game midway in the third quarter.  “I thought we did a great job with our defense,” Towns said. “You know, I thought our offense was created by our defense (which) did a great job of causing turnovers, upping the pressure, and we executed offensively. It’s a great recipe for success.”   Sixth-seeded Atlanta was led by Jalen Johnson with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.  “I did not see it going down like this tonight,” said Atlanta’s CJ McCollum, who scored 11 points. “None of us did.”  The Knicks took control early and showed their dominance in the first quarter, taking a 40-15 lead into the second. New York shot 69.2% from the field (18-for-26) and was helped greatly by eight Atlanta turnovers. Anunoby scored 14 in the opening quarter.  The Knicks finished the first quarter on a 31-4 run, which became a 39-4 run as the lead continued to grow.  Tempers flared in the second quarter and resulted in New York’s Mitchell Robinson and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels being ejected for a fracas with 4:39 left in the half.  While battling for position on a free throw, Daniels hit Robinson with a high elbow. Pushing ensued and official Brent Barnaky was knocked to the ground, but no punches were thrown and order was quickly restored. Both players were assessed a technical foul and ejected.  The Knicks’ 47-point halftime lead (83-36) was an NBA postseason record.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Knicks #finish #Hawks #recordsetting #51point #blowout

South Africa plans to arrive in Mexico almost a fortnight before the opening game of ​the World Cup in order to acclimatise to the altitude, coach ‌Hugo Broos said. Co-host Mexico opens the tournament on ​June 11 with a Group A match against ⁠South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is 2,200m (7,216 feet) above sea level.

While most of the South African players ‌are based at clubs in Johannesburg, which has an altitude of 1,753m, Broos says his squad needs ‌time to adjust to the conditions in Mexico before ‌the ⁠opening game.

The squad will travel on May 30 to ⁠their base in Pachuca, which is around 200 metres higher than Mexico City. The city is less than 100 km from Mexico City.

“The first ​days it will be difficult ‌to train at 100 per cent because of the altitude, so that is what we will do in the second week,” Broos said in a radio interview.

READ: Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026

South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.

“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.

South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.

Published on May 01, 2026

#South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener">South Africa plans early Mexico arrival to adapt for World Cup opener  South Africa plans to arrive in Mexico almost a fortnight before the opening game of ​the World Cup in order to acclimatise to the altitude, coach ‌Hugo Broos said. Co-host Mexico opens the tournament on ​June 11 with a Group A match against ⁠South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is 2,200m (7,216 feet) above sea level.While most of the South African players ‌are based at clubs in Johannesburg, which has an altitude of 1,753m, Broos says his squad needs ‌time to adjust to the conditions in Mexico before ‌the ⁠opening game.The squad will travel on May 30 to ⁠their base in Pachuca, which is around 200 metres higher than Mexico City. The city is less than 100 km from Mexico City.“The first ​days it will be difficult ‌to train at 100 per cent because of the altitude, so that is what we will do in the second week,” Broos said in a radio interview.READ: Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.Published on May 01, 2026  #South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener

Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026

South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.

“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.

South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.

Published on May 01, 2026

#South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener">South Africa plans early Mexico arrival to adapt for World Cup opener

South Africa plans to arrive in Mexico almost a fortnight before the opening game of ​the World Cup in order to acclimatise to the altitude, coach ‌Hugo Broos said. Co-host Mexico opens the tournament on ​June 11 with a Group A match against ⁠South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is 2,200m (7,216 feet) above sea level.

While most of the South African players ‌are based at clubs in Johannesburg, which has an altitude of 1,753m, Broos says his squad needs ‌time to adjust to the conditions in Mexico before ‌the ⁠opening game.

The squad will travel on May 30 to ⁠their base in Pachuca, which is around 200 metres higher than Mexico City. The city is less than 100 km from Mexico City.

“The first ​days it will be difficult ‌to train at 100 per cent because of the altitude, so that is what we will do in the second week,” Broos said in a radio interview.

READ: Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026

South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.

“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.

South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.

Published on May 01, 2026

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