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Deadspin | Offensive eruption helps Orlando City take down Charlotte FC  Apr 22, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City SC defender Zakaria Taifi (19) celebrates a goal by midfielder Luis Otavio (5) against Charlotte FC in the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images   Martin Ojeda scored his third and fourth goals of the season early in the second half to help Orlando City to a 4-1 victory over visiting Charlotte FC on Wednesday night.  Luis Otavio added his first career MLS goal early and Ignacio Gomez added his first late for Orlando (2-6-1, 7 points), which had scored only six times before Wednesday’s victory.  The 20-year-old Gomez was making only his second MLS appearance, playing on a short-term loan from Orlando’s MLS NEXT Pro reserve team.  The Lions also continued their recent defensive improvement, allowing only one goal in each of their last three matches after conceding 23 in their first six.  Morrison Agyemang’s header pulled Charlotte (4-3-2, 14 points) level late in the first half in their second of three consecutive away matches.  Charlotte conceded three or more goals for only a second time this season, the first coming in a 3-0 loss at the LA Galaxy in their second match of the campaign.  Ojeda’s multi-goal performance was his first since a brace in last season’s 3-2 win over Nashville on Sept. 20, the final two tallies of a 16-goal campaign.  Wednesday’s tallies came 12 minutes apart, with the first arriving in the 49th minute.   As Orlando worked the ball down the left flank, Ojeda drifted into space in front of Charlotte’s back line, which appeared to lose sight of him.  Eventually, the ball came to Justin Ellis, who drew multiple defenders on the left side of the penalty area, then dropped a pass to Ojeda near the penalty arc.  Ojeda hit it with his left foot, guiding his finish beyond Kristijan Kahlina’s dive and inside the right post.  His second came from a free kick earned when Zakaria Taifi absorbed Harry Tofolo’s foul above the right side of the penalty area.  Charlotte set up a three-man defensive wall. But Ojeda was able to curl a low, left-footed shot around it and into the bottom right corner.  This time, the lunging Kahlina reached it, but without enough power to push it clear of danger.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Offensive #eruption #helps #Orlando #City #Charlotte

Deadspin | Offensive eruption helps Orlando City take down Charlotte FC
Deadspin | Offensive eruption helps Orlando City take down Charlotte FC  Apr 22, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City SC defender Zakaria Taifi (19) celebrates a goal by midfielder Luis Otavio (5) against Charlotte FC in the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images   Martin Ojeda scored his third and fourth goals of the season early in the second half to help Orlando City to a 4-1 victory over visiting Charlotte FC on Wednesday night.  Luis Otavio added his first career MLS goal early and Ignacio Gomez added his first late for Orlando (2-6-1, 7 points), which had scored only six times before Wednesday’s victory.  The 20-year-old Gomez was making only his second MLS appearance, playing on a short-term loan from Orlando’s MLS NEXT Pro reserve team.  The Lions also continued their recent defensive improvement, allowing only one goal in each of their last three matches after conceding 23 in their first six.  Morrison Agyemang’s header pulled Charlotte (4-3-2, 14 points) level late in the first half in their second of three consecutive away matches.  Charlotte conceded three or more goals for only a second time this season, the first coming in a 3-0 loss at the LA Galaxy in their second match of the campaign.  Ojeda’s multi-goal performance was his first since a brace in last season’s 3-2 win over Nashville on Sept. 20, the final two tallies of a 16-goal campaign.  Wednesday’s tallies came 12 minutes apart, with the first arriving in the 49th minute.   As Orlando worked the ball down the left flank, Ojeda drifted into space in front of Charlotte’s back line, which appeared to lose sight of him.  Eventually, the ball came to Justin Ellis, who drew multiple defenders on the left side of the penalty area, then dropped a pass to Ojeda near the penalty arc.  Ojeda hit it with his left foot, guiding his finish beyond Kristijan Kahlina’s dive and inside the right post.  His second came from a free kick earned when Zakaria Taifi absorbed Harry Tofolo’s foul above the right side of the penalty area.  Charlotte set up a three-man defensive wall. But Ojeda was able to curl a low, left-footed shot around it and into the bottom right corner.  This time, the lunging Kahlina reached it, but without enough power to push it clear of danger.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Offensive #eruption #helps #Orlando #City #CharlotteApr 22, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City SC defender Zakaria Taifi (19) celebrates a goal by midfielder Luis Otavio (5) against Charlotte FC in the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Martin Ojeda scored his third and fourth goals of the season early in the second half to help Orlando City to a 4-1 victory over visiting Charlotte FC on Wednesday night.

Luis Otavio added his first career MLS goal early and Ignacio Gomez added his first late for Orlando (2-6-1, 7 points), which had scored only six times before Wednesday’s victory.

The 20-year-old Gomez was making only his second MLS appearance, playing on a short-term loan from Orlando’s MLS NEXT Pro reserve team.

The Lions also continued their recent defensive improvement, allowing only one goal in each of their last three matches after conceding 23 in their first six.

Morrison Agyemang’s header pulled Charlotte (4-3-2, 14 points) level late in the first half in their second of three consecutive away matches.

Charlotte conceded three or more goals for only a second time this season, the first coming in a 3-0 loss at the LA Galaxy in their second match of the campaign.

Ojeda’s multi-goal performance was his first since a brace in last season’s 3-2 win over Nashville on Sept. 20, the final two tallies of a 16-goal campaign.


Wednesday’s tallies came 12 minutes apart, with the first arriving in the 49th minute.

As Orlando worked the ball down the left flank, Ojeda drifted into space in front of Charlotte’s back line, which appeared to lose sight of him.

Eventually, the ball came to Justin Ellis, who drew multiple defenders on the left side of the penalty area, then dropped a pass to Ojeda near the penalty arc.

Ojeda hit it with his left foot, guiding his finish beyond Kristijan Kahlina’s dive and inside the right post.

His second came from a free kick earned when Zakaria Taifi absorbed Harry Tofolo’s foul above the right side of the penalty area.

Charlotte set up a three-man defensive wall. But Ojeda was able to curl a low, left-footed shot around it and into the bottom right corner.

This time, the lunging Kahlina reached it, but without enough power to push it clear of danger.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Offensive #eruption #helps #Orlando #City #Charlotte

Apr 22, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City SC defender Zakaria Taifi (19) celebrates a goal by midfielder Luis Otavio (5) against Charlotte FC in the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Martin Ojeda scored his third and fourth goals of the season early in the second half to help Orlando City to a 4-1 victory over visiting Charlotte FC on Wednesday night.

Luis Otavio added his first career MLS goal early and Ignacio Gomez added his first late for Orlando (2-6-1, 7 points), which had scored only six times before Wednesday’s victory.

The 20-year-old Gomez was making only his second MLS appearance, playing on a short-term loan from Orlando’s MLS NEXT Pro reserve team.

The Lions also continued their recent defensive improvement, allowing only one goal in each of their last three matches after conceding 23 in their first six.

Morrison Agyemang’s header pulled Charlotte (4-3-2, 14 points) level late in the first half in their second of three consecutive away matches.

Charlotte conceded three or more goals for only a second time this season, the first coming in a 3-0 loss at the LA Galaxy in their second match of the campaign.

Ojeda’s multi-goal performance was his first since a brace in last season’s 3-2 win over Nashville on Sept. 20, the final two tallies of a 16-goal campaign.

Wednesday’s tallies came 12 minutes apart, with the first arriving in the 49th minute.

As Orlando worked the ball down the left flank, Ojeda drifted into space in front of Charlotte’s back line, which appeared to lose sight of him.

Eventually, the ball came to Justin Ellis, who drew multiple defenders on the left side of the penalty area, then dropped a pass to Ojeda near the penalty arc.

Ojeda hit it with his left foot, guiding his finish beyond Kristijan Kahlina’s dive and inside the right post.

His second came from a free kick earned when Zakaria Taifi absorbed Harry Tofolo’s foul above the right side of the penalty area.

Charlotte set up a three-man defensive wall. But Ojeda was able to curl a low, left-footed shot around it and into the bottom right corner.

This time, the lunging Kahlina reached it, but without enough power to push it clear of danger.

–Field Level Media

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Sunil Gavaskar: Domestic cricketers deserve more than applause and sparse crowds <div id="content-body-70895808" itemprop="articleBody"><p>The Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) announcement that they will now contract their players, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does, is excellent news. This is yet another example of an administration that is alert and alive to the needs of its players, giving them the security to play the game without worrying about where the next pay cheque is coming from.</p><p>A couple of years ago, after Mumbai won the Ranji Trophy, the Association not only matched the prize money that the winners receive from the BCCI but also announced that it would pay players what the BCCI pays. This latter part is very important, as players now receive payment from the MCA immediately after a match finishes. BCCI payments do take a little time, as there are payments to be made not just to one team but to several, and determining what each player should receive involves some delay, given the slabs based on the number of matches played. By paying players immediately after the game is over, the wait for BCCI payments becomes a little easier. Who does not like to be paid immediately after the work is complete?</p><p>Today, corporate jobs for players to participate in inter-company tournaments are drying up, so this immediate payment is a boon. It is understood that two other progressive-minded associations, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and the Karnataka State Cricket Association, also pay players for every game, apart from BCCI payments. Other associations, which receive a handsome subsidy each year from the BCCI, would do well to match these payments. What is the point of showing crores in the bank when players could perform with far greater freedom if they were better looked after?</p><p>That said, even players from teams that reach the Ranji Trophy final do not end up earning the base price of Rs. 30 lakh that an IPL player receives. This, mind you, is for playing around 40 days of cricket, while an IPL player earns the same for 16 matches, out of which he may not even play one.</p><p>Yes, one can argue that it is market forces that fetch an uncapped IPL player the crores he commands, but it is still disappointing to see that those who give everything to compete in the National Championships, across different weather conditions and often in front of sparse crowds, do not even earn the base price of an IPL player.</p><p>The BCCI must be complimented on its decision to continue providing pensions to the widows of retired international players if, unfortunately, the player passes away. This is truly magnanimous, as without the support and backing of players’ better halves, they would not have been able to perform at their best. Hopefully, the MCA will take the lead here as well and ensure that the widows of its retired Ranji, Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy players continue to receive pension payments. This would be another generous gesture by the Association, expressing its gratitude for the service these players have given.</p><p>Times have changed for the better, and that is exactly how it should be.</p><p>Was it not the great Sir Don Bradman who said, “Each player should endeavour to leave the game better than he found it”?</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 23, 2026</p></div> #Sunil #Gavaskar #Domestic #cricketers #deserve #applause #sparse #crowds

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PSG bounces back to open 4-point lead in Ligue 1; Strasbourg reaches French Cup final <div id="content-body-70895877" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain recovered from its Ligue 1 loss to Lyon with a 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Nantes on Wednesday.</p><p>PSG’s home win – in a game postponed from mid-March to allow the team to better prepare for its Champions League last-16 clash with Chelsea – keeps it four points above Lens with four rounds of the French league remaining.</p><p>Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 13th minute. It was awarded after a VAR check penalized Nantes defender Frédéric Guilbert for handball because Marquinhos’ header brushed against his arm.</p><p>Louis Leroux thought he’d equalized when he fired in a loose ball after PSG failed to deal with a free kick, but the next VAR decision also went against the visitors. After a lengthy delay, the goal was ruled out for offside.</p><p>There was nothing wrong with Desiré Doué’s brilliant goal in the 37th, when Achraf Hakimi played him through before he left fly with a fierce strike from a difficult angle inside the far corner.</p><p><b>ALSO READ </b>| <b><a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/epl/chelsea-fc-sacks-liam-rosenior-cfc-news-premier-league-table/article70894261.ece" target="_blank">Chelsea sacks Liam Rosenior after poor run of results</a></b></p><p>Kvaratskhelia grabbed his second after the break, shimmying past two defenders and poking the ball past Anthony Lopes in the Nantes goal.</p><p>Guilbert caught Doué with a bad challenge late on but the winger was able to continue.</p><p>PSG, the title holder, faces Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals with the first leg in Paris on Tuesday.</p><p>There were clashes during the match between Nantes supporters and stewards, who intervened to remove huge banners the fans unfurled that were critical of PSG-backer Qatar and the French league.</p><p>“Qatar demands, the LFP obeys, French football suffers, we’re sick of you,” the banners read in big yellow capital letters before they were taken down. Some fans lit flares while others fought with the stewards.</p><p>Elye Wahi scored twice – the second a penalty – to steer Strasbourg into the French Cup final with a 2-0 win over visiting Nice.</p><p>Strasbourg will play Lens in the May 22 decider in the Stade de France, after Lens defeated Toulouse 4-1 in the first semifinal on Tuesday.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 23, 2026</p></div> #PSG #bounces #open #4point #lead #Ligue #Strasbourg #reaches #French #Cup #final

International Cricket Council CEO Sanjog Gupta on Thursday described the groundbreaking of the cricket venue for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as the fulfilment of a long-awaited “promise”, marking the sport’s return to the Games after 128 years.

“This is a moment in history because what we are breaking ground on today is not simply a cricket field. We are breaking ground on a promise. A promise that took 128 years to keep,” Gupta said at the ceremony.

Cricket’s inclusion was approved by the International Olympic Committee, a move Gupta said reflects the sport’s global appeal.

“That’s how long the world’s second most popular sport, a game played and passionately followed by more than 2.5 billion people, has been missing from the Olympic stage.

“When the International Olympic Committee formally approved cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Games, it wasn’t just a scheduling announcement. It was a recognition that the Olympics should reflect the sports that billions of people love,” he said.

The venue at Pomona, which also serves as the home of the Los Angeles Knight Riders, was chosen for its community-driven legacy.

“I can’t imagine a better venue than Pomona for the coming together of this promise… There is something fitting, almost poetic, about the fact that a venue built on the idea of community coming together will now host a sport that, at its very core, is all about community.”

Gupta credited the Knight Riders group for helping grow cricket in the United States and emphasised the Olympic stage’s reach.

“When the LA28 Games take place in July 2028, the eyes of four billion Olympic viewers will be on Los Angeles… That is not just a sporting moment, it is a cultural one.”

“The Olympics remind us why sport matters… Two years from now, at this very ground, it will finally have it on the world’s biggest sporting stage.”

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Olympic #cricket #venue #takes #shape #LA28 #countdown #begins">Olympic cricket venue takes shape as LA28 countdown begins  International Cricket Council CEO Sanjog Gupta on Thursday described the groundbreaking of the cricket venue for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as the fulfilment of a long-awaited “promise”, marking the sport’s return to the Games after 128 years.“This is a moment in history because what we are breaking ground on today is not simply a cricket field. We are breaking ground on a promise. A promise that took 128 years to keep,” Gupta said at the ceremony.Cricket’s inclusion was approved by the International Olympic Committee, a move Gupta said reflects the sport’s global appeal.“That’s how long the world’s second most popular sport, a game played and passionately followed by more than 2.5 billion people, has been missing from the Olympic stage.“When the International Olympic Committee formally approved cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Games, it wasn’t just a scheduling announcement. It was a recognition that the Olympics should reflect the sports that billions of people love,” he said.The venue at Pomona, which also serves as the home of the Los Angeles Knight Riders, was chosen for its community-driven legacy.“I can’t imagine a better venue than Pomona for the coming together of this promise… There is something fitting, almost poetic, about the fact that a venue built on the idea of community coming together will now host a sport that, at its very core, is all about community.”Gupta credited the Knight Riders group for helping grow cricket in the United States and emphasised the Olympic stage’s reach.“When the LA28 Games take place in July 2028, the eyes of four billion Olympic viewers will be on Los Angeles… That is not just a sporting moment, it is a cultural one.”“The Olympics remind us why sport matters… Two years from now, at this very ground, it will finally have it on the world’s biggest sporting stage.”Published on Apr 23, 2026  #Olympic #cricket #venue #takes #shape #LA28 #countdown #begins

Deadspin | Rapids’ defense rises up in scoreless draw vs. LAFC  Apr 22, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA;  LAFC forward Son Heung-Min (7) fight for the ball against Colorado Rapids midfielder Hamzat Ojediran (8) during the first half at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images   The visiting Colorado Rapids delivered one of their best defensive performances of the season and continued Los Angeles FC’s offensive doldrums as the teams played to a scoreless draw on Wednesday.  The Rapids (4-4-1, 13 points) have allowed 15 goals this season, tied for fourth most in the Western Conference entering play Wednesday. Colorado notched its second shutout of the season.  Zack Steffen made one save for Rapids, who allowed a combined seven goals over their previous three MLS games while going 1-2-0.  After a dominating start to the season, LAFC (5-2-2, 17 points) have struggled to find the same form of late. The club is 0-2-1 over its past three league games, although LAFC did advance into the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals during that stretch.  Hugo Lloris made two saves for LAFC, and he didn’t allow a goal for the seventh time in his eight league game this season. Lloris did see his 593-minute scoreless streak end in a 4-1 home loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.  Lloris stepped up in a game when Colorado dominated possession at 71.3%. Each team had five total shots, with Colorado making 789 total passes to 301 for LAFC.   The Rapids earned a draw against one of the top teams in the Western Conference after they found positives from a 3-2 home loss to Inter Miami on Saturday.  LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos derided his team’s play over the weekend and failed to see any improvement from his offense just a few days later. Los Angeles FC forward Heung-Min Son remains scoreless through eight league games but does have seven assists.  LAFC continued to show their defensive prowess, as they have yielded just six goals this season. They are one of four teams in the Western Conference with single-digit goals allowed and one of six in the entire league.  Colorado forward Rafael Navarro has an MLS co-leading 10 goal contributions (six goals) but was kept off the scoresheet.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rapids #defense #rises #scoreless #draw #LAFCApr 22, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; LAFC forward Son Heung-Min (7) fight for the ball against Colorado Rapids midfielder Hamzat Ojediran (8) during the first half at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The visiting Colorado Rapids delivered one of their best defensive performances of the season and continued Los Angeles FC’s offensive doldrums as the teams played to a scoreless draw on Wednesday.

The Rapids (4-4-1, 13 points) have allowed 15 goals this season, tied for fourth most in the Western Conference entering play Wednesday. Colorado notched its second shutout of the season.

Zack Steffen made one save for Rapids, who allowed a combined seven goals over their previous three MLS games while going 1-2-0.

After a dominating start to the season, LAFC (5-2-2, 17 points) have struggled to find the same form of late. The club is 0-2-1 over its past three league games, although LAFC did advance into the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals during that stretch.

Hugo Lloris made two saves for LAFC, and he didn’t allow a goal for the seventh time in his eight league game this season. Lloris did see his 593-minute scoreless streak end in a 4-1 home loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.


Lloris stepped up in a game when Colorado dominated possession at 71.3%. Each team had five total shots, with Colorado making 789 total passes to 301 for LAFC.

The Rapids earned a draw against one of the top teams in the Western Conference after they found positives from a 3-2 home loss to Inter Miami on Saturday.

LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos derided his team’s play over the weekend and failed to see any improvement from his offense just a few days later. Los Angeles FC forward Heung-Min Son remains scoreless through eight league games but does have seven assists.

LAFC continued to show their defensive prowess, as they have yielded just six goals this season. They are one of four teams in the Western Conference with single-digit goals allowed and one of six in the entire league.

Colorado forward Rafael Navarro has an MLS co-leading 10 goal contributions (six goals) but was kept off the scoresheet.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rapids #defense #rises #scoreless #draw #LAFC">Deadspin | Rapids’ defense rises up in scoreless draw vs. LAFC  Apr 22, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA;  LAFC forward Son Heung-Min (7) fight for the ball against Colorado Rapids midfielder Hamzat Ojediran (8) during the first half at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images   The visiting Colorado Rapids delivered one of their best defensive performances of the season and continued Los Angeles FC’s offensive doldrums as the teams played to a scoreless draw on Wednesday.  The Rapids (4-4-1, 13 points) have allowed 15 goals this season, tied for fourth most in the Western Conference entering play Wednesday. Colorado notched its second shutout of the season.  Zack Steffen made one save for Rapids, who allowed a combined seven goals over their previous three MLS games while going 1-2-0.  After a dominating start to the season, LAFC (5-2-2, 17 points) have struggled to find the same form of late. The club is 0-2-1 over its past three league games, although LAFC did advance into the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals during that stretch.  Hugo Lloris made two saves for LAFC, and he didn’t allow a goal for the seventh time in his eight league game this season. Lloris did see his 593-minute scoreless streak end in a 4-1 home loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.  Lloris stepped up in a game when Colorado dominated possession at 71.3%. Each team had five total shots, with Colorado making 789 total passes to 301 for LAFC.   The Rapids earned a draw against one of the top teams in the Western Conference after they found positives from a 3-2 home loss to Inter Miami on Saturday.  LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos derided his team’s play over the weekend and failed to see any improvement from his offense just a few days later. Los Angeles FC forward Heung-Min Son remains scoreless through eight league games but does have seven assists.  LAFC continued to show their defensive prowess, as they have yielded just six goals this season. They are one of four teams in the Western Conference with single-digit goals allowed and one of six in the entire league.  Colorado forward Rafael Navarro has an MLS co-leading 10 goal contributions (six goals) but was kept off the scoresheet.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rapids #defense #rises #scoreless #draw #LAFC

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