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Deadspin | Real Salt Lake stay hot, hand San Diego 3rd straight loss  Apr 18, 2026; Sandy, Utah, USA; San Diego FC forward Lewis Morgan (9) and Real Salt Lake defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) play for a head ball during the first half at America First Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images   Sergi Solans recorded two goals and one assist and Real Salt Lake scored twice in the game’s first six minutes en route to a stellar 4-2 victory over San Diego FC on Saturday night at Sandy, Utah.  Diego Luna had one goal and two assists and Morgan Guilavogui added one goal and one assist for Real Salt Lake (5-1-1, 16 points), who have a six-match unbeaten stretch (5-0-1).  The seven-game start matches the best of Salt Lake’s 22-season franchise history. The 2011 squad also started 5-1-1.  Marcus Ingvartsen and Anders Dreyer scored goals for San Diego FC (3-3-2, 11 points), who are winless in their past five matches (0-3-2). San Diego has lost its last three by a combined 9-3 score.  Duran Ferree had five saves for San Diego as Real Salt Lake held a 15-9 edge in shots. RSL placed nine on target to San Diego’s five.  Rafael Cabral made three saves for Salt Lake.  Real Salt Lake got the blowout started with goals in back-to-back minutes.  The first occurred on a massive mistake by Ferree, who lazily tried to pass the ball to his left to teammate Manu Duah. Luna timed it perfectly and dashed forward to intercept the pass and poke the ball with his right foot into the net in the fifth minute.   One minute later, Luna was on the right and sent a cross-field pass to Solans, who headed the ball inside the left post to make it 2-0.  San Diego displayed life in the 14th minute as Lewis Morgan’s run created a chance for Ingvartsen, who sent a left-footed shot into the right side of the net.  Salt Lake pushed its lead back to two in the 37th minute as Zavier Gozo sent a pass to Solans, who knocked a header past Ferree.  RSL made it 4-1 in the 45th minute when Solans fed Guilavogui, who booted a shot into the right corner.  San Diego trimmed its deficit to two just before the midway point of the second half. Dreyer and Salt Lake’s Justen Glad were battling for the ball in the 62nd minute and Dreyer fell to the turf.  After a review, a penalty kick was awarded. Dreyer stood at the spot in the 66th minute and easily booted a left-footed shot past Cabral.  Cabral made a big forearm save of Dreyer’s left-footed blast in the 88th minute. He also made a point-blank save of Amahl Pellegrino’s right-footer just before time was called in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Real #Salt #Lake #stay #hot #hand #San #Diego #3rd #straight #loss

Deadspin | Real Salt Lake stay hot, hand San Diego 3rd straight loss
Deadspin | Real Salt Lake stay hot, hand San Diego 3rd straight loss  Apr 18, 2026; Sandy, Utah, USA; San Diego FC forward Lewis Morgan (9) and Real Salt Lake defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) play for a head ball during the first half at America First Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images   Sergi Solans recorded two goals and one assist and Real Salt Lake scored twice in the game’s first six minutes en route to a stellar 4-2 victory over San Diego FC on Saturday night at Sandy, Utah.  Diego Luna had one goal and two assists and Morgan Guilavogui added one goal and one assist for Real Salt Lake (5-1-1, 16 points), who have a six-match unbeaten stretch (5-0-1).  The seven-game start matches the best of Salt Lake’s 22-season franchise history. The 2011 squad also started 5-1-1.  Marcus Ingvartsen and Anders Dreyer scored goals for San Diego FC (3-3-2, 11 points), who are winless in their past five matches (0-3-2). San Diego has lost its last three by a combined 9-3 score.  Duran Ferree had five saves for San Diego as Real Salt Lake held a 15-9 edge in shots. RSL placed nine on target to San Diego’s five.  Rafael Cabral made three saves for Salt Lake.  Real Salt Lake got the blowout started with goals in back-to-back minutes.  The first occurred on a massive mistake by Ferree, who lazily tried to pass the ball to his left to teammate Manu Duah. Luna timed it perfectly and dashed forward to intercept the pass and poke the ball with his right foot into the net in the fifth minute.   One minute later, Luna was on the right and sent a cross-field pass to Solans, who headed the ball inside the left post to make it 2-0.  San Diego displayed life in the 14th minute as Lewis Morgan’s run created a chance for Ingvartsen, who sent a left-footed shot into the right side of the net.  Salt Lake pushed its lead back to two in the 37th minute as Zavier Gozo sent a pass to Solans, who knocked a header past Ferree.  RSL made it 4-1 in the 45th minute when Solans fed Guilavogui, who booted a shot into the right corner.  San Diego trimmed its deficit to two just before the midway point of the second half. Dreyer and Salt Lake’s Justen Glad were battling for the ball in the 62nd minute and Dreyer fell to the turf.  After a review, a penalty kick was awarded. Dreyer stood at the spot in the 66th minute and easily booted a left-footed shot past Cabral.  Cabral made a big forearm save of Dreyer’s left-footed blast in the 88th minute. He also made a point-blank save of Amahl Pellegrino’s right-footer just before time was called in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Real #Salt #Lake #stay #hot #hand #San #Diego #3rd #straight #lossApr 18, 2026; Sandy, Utah, USA; San Diego FC forward Lewis Morgan (9) and Real Salt Lake defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) play for a head ball during the first half at America First Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Sergi Solans recorded two goals and one assist and Real Salt Lake scored twice in the game’s first six minutes en route to a stellar 4-2 victory over San Diego FC on Saturday night at Sandy, Utah.

Diego Luna had one goal and two assists and Morgan Guilavogui added one goal and one assist for Real Salt Lake (5-1-1, 16 points), who have a six-match unbeaten stretch (5-0-1).

The seven-game start matches the best of Salt Lake’s 22-season franchise history. The 2011 squad also started 5-1-1.

Marcus Ingvartsen and Anders Dreyer scored goals for San Diego FC (3-3-2, 11 points), who are winless in their past five matches (0-3-2). San Diego has lost its last three by a combined 9-3 score.

Duran Ferree had five saves for San Diego as Real Salt Lake held a 15-9 edge in shots. RSL placed nine on target to San Diego’s five.

Rafael Cabral made three saves for Salt Lake.

Real Salt Lake got the blowout started with goals in back-to-back minutes.


The first occurred on a massive mistake by Ferree, who lazily tried to pass the ball to his left to teammate Manu Duah. Luna timed it perfectly and dashed forward to intercept the pass and poke the ball with his right foot into the net in the fifth minute.

One minute later, Luna was on the right and sent a cross-field pass to Solans, who headed the ball inside the left post to make it 2-0.

San Diego displayed life in the 14th minute as Lewis Morgan’s run created a chance for Ingvartsen, who sent a left-footed shot into the right side of the net.

Salt Lake pushed its lead back to two in the 37th minute as Zavier Gozo sent a pass to Solans, who knocked a header past Ferree.

RSL made it 4-1 in the 45th minute when Solans fed Guilavogui, who booted a shot into the right corner.

San Diego trimmed its deficit to two just before the midway point of the second half. Dreyer and Salt Lake’s Justen Glad were battling for the ball in the 62nd minute and Dreyer fell to the turf.

After a review, a penalty kick was awarded. Dreyer stood at the spot in the 66th minute and easily booted a left-footed shot past Cabral.

Cabral made a big forearm save of Dreyer’s left-footed blast in the 88th minute. He also made a point-blank save of Amahl Pellegrino’s right-footer just before time was called in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Real #Salt #Lake #stay #hot #hand #San #Diego #3rd #straight #loss

Apr 18, 2026; Sandy, Utah, USA; San Diego FC forward Lewis Morgan (9) and Real Salt Lake defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) play for a head ball during the first half at America First Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Sergi Solans recorded two goals and one assist and Real Salt Lake scored twice in the game’s first six minutes en route to a stellar 4-2 victory over San Diego FC on Saturday night at Sandy, Utah.

Diego Luna had one goal and two assists and Morgan Guilavogui added one goal and one assist for Real Salt Lake (5-1-1, 16 points), who have a six-match unbeaten stretch (5-0-1).

The seven-game start matches the best of Salt Lake’s 22-season franchise history. The 2011 squad also started 5-1-1.

Marcus Ingvartsen and Anders Dreyer scored goals for San Diego FC (3-3-2, 11 points), who are winless in their past five matches (0-3-2). San Diego has lost its last three by a combined 9-3 score.

Duran Ferree had five saves for San Diego as Real Salt Lake held a 15-9 edge in shots. RSL placed nine on target to San Diego’s five.

Rafael Cabral made three saves for Salt Lake.

Real Salt Lake got the blowout started with goals in back-to-back minutes.

The first occurred on a massive mistake by Ferree, who lazily tried to pass the ball to his left to teammate Manu Duah. Luna timed it perfectly and dashed forward to intercept the pass and poke the ball with his right foot into the net in the fifth minute.

One minute later, Luna was on the right and sent a cross-field pass to Solans, who headed the ball inside the left post to make it 2-0.

San Diego displayed life in the 14th minute as Lewis Morgan’s run created a chance for Ingvartsen, who sent a left-footed shot into the right side of the net.

Salt Lake pushed its lead back to two in the 37th minute as Zavier Gozo sent a pass to Solans, who knocked a header past Ferree.

RSL made it 4-1 in the 45th minute when Solans fed Guilavogui, who booted a shot into the right corner.

San Diego trimmed its deficit to two just before the midway point of the second half. Dreyer and Salt Lake’s Justen Glad were battling for the ball in the 62nd minute and Dreyer fell to the turf.

After a review, a penalty kick was awarded. Dreyer stood at the spot in the 66th minute and easily booted a left-footed shot past Cabral.

Cabral made a big forearm save of Dreyer’s left-footed blast in the 88th minute. He also made a point-blank save of Amahl Pellegrino’s right-footer just before time was called in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Real #Salt #Lake #stay #hot #hand #San #Diego #3rd #straight #loss

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Manchester City vs Arsenal — Master and Apprentice meet again, this time in Premier League <div id="content-body-70880347" itemprop="articleBody"><p>The destiny of the Premier League title is at stake on Sunday as Arsenal aim to halt an alarming slump and hold off the charge of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.</p><p>Mikel Arteta’s Gunners still hold a six-point advantage at the top of the table, but have wobbled across all competitions in recent weeks to put their quest for a first league title in 22 years at risk.</p><p>City’s victory when the sides met last month in the League Cup final has sparked a run of just one win in five games for Arsenal.</p><p>That also included a FA Cup exit to second-tier Southampton and a crucial home defeat to Bournemouth last weekend to give City fresh hope in the title race.</p><p>Arsenal is the only English side still standing in the Champions League but even progressing to the semifinals was underwhelming as it squeezed past Sporting Lisbon 1-0 over two legs.</p><p>Jaded by a brutal schedule, the leader has also been hindered by injury.</p><p>Bukayo Saka is set to miss the trip to the Etihad Stadium, while captain Martin Odegaard and first choice full-backs Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are doubts.</p><p>Yet, Arteta is attempting to focus his players on the opportunity that awaits rather than the fear of another shot at the title slipping away.</p><p>“We see this as a big opportunity for us,” said Guardiola’s former assistant at his pre-match press conference.</p><p>“We have earned the right to be in this position and to be challenging, with an opportunity to win, against arguably the best team and best manager this league has ever seen.”</p><p>Arsenal has finished second in each of the past three seasons and history could be about to repeat itself.</p><p>In both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, City reeled in the Gunners after Arsenal began the campaign stronger.</p><p>City’s early exit from the Champions League has given them a free week to prepare and Guardiola’s men have been gaining momentum as Arsenal have faltered.</p><p>Since lifting the League Cup, City has thrashed Liverpool 4-0 to reach the FA Cup semifinals and Chelsea 3-0.</p><p>“If you could buy confidence in a supermarket we would buy it immediately. It is one of the most important aspects,” said Guardiola about his side’s sudden upturn in form.</p><p>“The reality is there are seven games left in the Premier League and that is the decisive moment.”</p><p>Indeed City is just nine games away from matching its own achievement seven years ago of being the only English side to win the domestic treble.</p><p>It is the big favourite to add the FA Cup to the League Cup, with Southampton to come in the last four next weekend.</p><p>And it controls its own destiny in the title race.</p><p>Victory over Arsenal and Burnley in midweek will take City top of the table for the first time this year.</p><p>“We all know the importance of this game. It’s like a final,” said City striker Erling Haaland. “It’s probably the biggest and the best game there will be, so hopefully it can be an amazing game.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 19, 2026</p></div> #Manchester #City #Arsenal #Master #Apprentice #meet #time #Premier #League

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Indore News: इंदौर में 9 हजार सफाईकर्मियों के घर सोलर से होंगे रोशन, 270 करोड़ रुपयों की होगी बचत

কানাডার ভ্যাঙ্কুভারের বিখ্যাত বিসি প্লেস স্টেডিয়ামে গ্রুপ জি-এর সবচেয়ে বড় বাঁচা-মরার লড়াইয়ে মুখোমুখি হচ্ছে ওশেনিয়ার প্রতিনিধি নিউ জিল্যান্ড এবং ইউরোপের ‘রেড ডেভিলস’ বেলজিয়াম। প্রথম দুই ম্যাচে মিশর এবং ইরানের বিপক্ষে হতাশাজনক ড্রয়ের পর আজ নকআউটের আশা বাঁচিয়ে রাখতে বেলজিয়ামের সামনে জয় ছাড়া কোনো রাস্তা নেই।

ক্রিস উড এবং জোড়া গোল করা এলিজা জাস্টের দুর্দান্ত আক্রমণভাগকে কাজে লাগিয়ে প্রথম ঐতিহাসিক জয়ের খোঁজে মাঠে নামছে অল হোয়াইটসরা। অন্যদিকে, মাঝমাঠের জাদুকর কেভিন ডি ব্রুইনে, লিয়েনড্রো ট্রোসার্ড এবং সন্তান জন্মের পর চোট সারিয়ে দলে ফেরা জেরেমি ডোকুর গতির ওপর ভর করে কাঙ্ক্ষিত ৩ পয়েন্টের লক্ষ্যেই ছক কষছে বেলজিয়াম। খেলার সবকটি গোল, অফসাইড রিভিউ, প্রতি মিনিটের কমেন্ট্রি এবং ম্যাচ শেষের চূড়ান্ত পয়েন্ট টেবিলের রিয়েল-টাইম আপডেট এখানে লাইভ দেওয়া হচ্ছে।

#বলজযম #বনম #নউজলযনড #হইলইটস #ফফ #বশবকপ #২০২৬ #৫১ #বযবধন #জয় #বলজযম #নশচত #করল #নকআউট #পরবর #টকট">বেলজিয়াম বনাম নিউজিল্যান্ড হাইলাইটস, ফিফা বিশ্বকাপ ২০২৬: ৫-১ ব্যবধানে জয়ী বেলজিয়াম, নিশ্চিত করল নকআউট পর্বের টিকিট।  Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku during training. 
                                                                          | Photo Credit:  
                                      REUTERS
                                                                      
                        Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku during training.
                                                  | Photo Credit:  
                          REUTERS
                                              কানাডার ভ্যাঙ্কুভারের বিখ্যাত বিসি প্লেস স্টেডিয়ামে গ্রুপ জি-এর সবচেয়ে বড় বাঁচা-মরার লড়াইয়ে মুখোমুখি হচ্ছে ওশেনিয়ার প্রতিনিধি নিউ জিল্যান্ড এবং ইউরোপের ‘রেড ডেভিলস’ বেলজিয়াম। প্রথম দুই ম্যাচে মিশর এবং ইরানের বিপক্ষে হতাশাজনক ড্রয়ের পর আজ নকআউটের আশা বাঁচিয়ে রাখতে বেলজিয়ামের সামনে জয় ছাড়া কোনো রাস্তা নেই। ক্রিস উড এবং জোড়া গোল করা এলিজা জাস্টের দুর্দান্ত আক্রমণভাগকে কাজে লাগিয়ে প্রথম ঐতিহাসিক জয়ের খোঁজে মাঠে নামছে অল হোয়াইটসরা। অন্যদিকে, মাঝমাঠের জাদুকর কেভিন ডি ব্রুইনে, লিয়েনড্রো ট্রোসার্ড এবং সন্তান জন্মের পর চোট সারিয়ে দলে ফেরা জেরেমি ডোকুর গতির ওপর ভর করে কাঙ্ক্ষিত ৩ পয়েন্টের লক্ষ্যেই ছক কষছে বেলজিয়াম। খেলার সবকটি গোল, অফসাইড রিভিউ, প্রতি মিনিটের কমেন্ট্রি এবং ম্যাচ শেষের চূড়ান্ত পয়েন্ট টেবিলের রিয়েল-টাইম আপডেট এখানে লাইভ দেওয়া হচ্ছে।  #বলজযম #বনম #নউজলযনড #হইলইটস #ফফ #বশবকপ #২০২৬ #৫১ #বযবধন #জয় #বলজযম #নশচত #করল #নকআউট #পরবর #টকট

For all the fun of the new 48-team World Cup format so far, there is a sense that the tournament is a little too forgiving, with 32 teams surviving the initial group phase.

But there’s good news for those of you who need bit more cruelty with your sporting spectacle: That all ends after Saturday, when the new, and obviously larger and better (this is America after all) knockout phase begins Sunday with Canada facing South Africa.

Here’s everything you need to know about the business end of the World Cup, which begins to look a lot more like the playoff formats we know and love in American sports.

Who gets in?

Every team that finishes first or second in group play gets into the knockout phase. Of course, that would only be 24 teams, so in this expanded World Cup, the top eight third-place group finishers also receive a berth.

Those third-place teams are ranked by points they earn in their respective groups. For those finishing on the same number of points, the tiebreakers go in this order: Total goal difference, total goals scored, best discipline record (yellow and red cards), and then FIFA World Rankings.

The first- and second-place finishers have dedicated, pre-determined slots in the bracket. Those third-place teams that qualify are sorted into the remaining spots by that Ghanaian witch doctor who put a curse on Harry Kane.

OK, so they’re actually sorted by a complicated formula that merely feels like a creation of sorcery. But for American fans, the important thing to know is the U.S. men’s national team will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.

How does it work?

Unlike the group stage that may feel foreign to fans of American sports, this is good, old-fashioned, single-elimination knockout play. The winner moves on. The loser goes home, though the wealthier players might stop off for a confusingly unappealing vacation in July in South Florida.

Also, the bracket is completely fixed, similar to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament, rather than the NFL, NBA or NHL Playoffs. There is no re-seeding after each round.

What if the match finishes tied?

In single-elimination matches in the World Cup and most other major competitions, teams play 30 minutes of extra time to decide a tie after 90. Teams switch ends after 15 minutes plus stoppage time, but it’s only a momentary pause.

Extra time is not a sudden-death format In other words, play continues after a goal, allowing a losing team to tie the match again or the winning team to add insurance.

For example, in the 1966 final, England defeated West Germany 4-2 in a final that was tied 2-2 after 90 minutes, and England’s fourth goal lives on as one of the most iconic moments in their national team history.

In the 2022 final, Argentina and France each scored in extra time before Argentina eventually won on penalties following an enthralling 3-3 draw.

The match goes to penalties if still tied after 120 minutes.

What happens in penalties?

Usually, Emi Martinez. Or Croatia.

Oh, the format. Each team takes five kicks from the spot, and the team that makes more moves on. If tied after five kicks, they go to a sixth, seventh, and so on in a manner similar to extra-inning baseball, where each team gets an additional attempt until there is a winner.

How long does this all take?

With the knockout phase doubled in size, there is an additional round and the process takes a little bit longer. The bracket and schedule is designed so that, at a minimum, every team has three off days between its last match and its next one (with the exception of the third-place match played a day before the World Cup final).

Unlike the NCAA Tournaments or the NFL Playoffs, the bracket so the games feel continuous. The first truly unscheduled day of the tournament won’t come until July 8. And there will only be five idle days in total until the final on July 19.

#FIFA #World #Cup #Knockout #Guide #Deadspin.com">FIFA World Cup Knockout Round Guide: Everything You Need to Know | Deadspin.com   For all the fun of the new 48-team World Cup format so far, there is a sense that the tournament is a little too forgiving, with 32 teams surviving the initial group phase.But there’s good news for those of you who need bit more cruelty with your sporting spectacle: That all ends after Saturday, when the new, and obviously larger and better (this is America after all) knockout phase begins Sunday with Canada facing South Africa.Here’s everything you need to know about the business end of the World Cup, which begins to look a lot more like the playoff formats we know and love in American sports.Who gets in?Every team that finishes first or second in group play gets into the knockout phase. Of course, that would only be 24 teams, so in this expanded World Cup, the top eight third-place group finishers also receive a berth.Those third-place teams are ranked by points they earn in their respective groups. For those finishing on the same number of points, the tiebreakers go in this order: Total goal difference, total goals scored, best discipline record (yellow and red cards), and then FIFA World Rankings.The first- and second-place finishers have dedicated, pre-determined slots in the bracket. Those third-place teams that qualify are sorted into the remaining spots by that Ghanaian witch doctor who put a curse on Harry Kane.OK, so they’re actually sorted by a complicated formula that merely feels like a creation of sorcery. But for American fans, the important thing to know is the U.S. men’s national team will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.How does it work?Unlike the group stage that may feel foreign to fans of American sports, this is good, old-fashioned, single-elimination knockout play. The winner moves on. The loser goes home, though the wealthier players might stop off for a confusingly unappealing vacation in July in South Florida.Also, the bracket is completely fixed, similar to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament, rather than the NFL, NBA or NHL Playoffs. There is no re-seeding after each round.What if the match finishes tied?In single-elimination matches in the World Cup and most other major competitions, teams play 30 minutes of extra time to decide a tie after 90. Teams switch ends after 15 minutes plus stoppage time, but it’s only a momentary pause.Extra time is not a sudden-death format In other words, play continues after a goal, allowing a losing team to tie the match again or the winning team to add insurance.For example, in the 1966 final, England defeated West Germany 4-2 in a final that was tied 2-2 after 90 minutes, and England’s fourth goal lives on as one of the most iconic moments in their national team history.In the 2022 final, Argentina and France each scored in extra time before Argentina eventually won on penalties following an enthralling 3-3 draw.The match goes to penalties if still tied after 120 minutes.What happens in penalties?Usually, Emi Martinez. Or Croatia.Oh, the format. Each team takes five kicks from the spot, and the team that makes more moves on. If tied after five kicks, they go to a sixth, seventh, and so on in a manner similar to extra-inning baseball, where each team gets an additional attempt until there is a winner.How long does this all take?With the knockout phase doubled in size, there is an additional round and the process takes a little bit longer. The bracket and schedule is designed so that, at a minimum, every team has three off days between its last match and its next one (with the exception of the third-place match played a day before the World Cup final).Unlike the NCAA Tournaments or the NFL Playoffs, the bracket so the games feel continuous. The first truly unscheduled day of the tournament won’t come until July 8. And there will only be five idle days in total until the final on July 19.   #FIFA #World #Cup #Knockout #Guide #Deadspin.com

48-team World Cup format so far, there is a sense that the tournament is a little too forgiving, with 32 teams surviving the initial group phase.

But there’s good news for those of you who need bit more cruelty with your sporting spectacle: That all ends after Saturday, when the new, and obviously larger and better (this is America after all) knockout phase begins Sunday with Canada facing South Africa.

Here’s everything you need to know about the business end of the World Cup, which begins to look a lot more like the playoff formats we know and love in American sports.

Who gets in?

Every team that finishes first or second in group play gets into the knockout phase. Of course, that would only be 24 teams, so in this expanded World Cup, the top eight third-place group finishers also receive a berth.

Those third-place teams are ranked by points they earn in their respective groups. For those finishing on the same number of points, the tiebreakers go in this order: Total goal difference, total goals scored, best discipline record (yellow and red cards), and then FIFA World Rankings.

The first- and second-place finishers have dedicated, pre-determined slots in the bracket. Those third-place teams that qualify are sorted into the remaining spots by that Ghanaian witch doctor who put a curse on Harry Kane.

OK, so they’re actually sorted by a complicated formula that merely feels like a creation of sorcery. But for American fans, the important thing to know is the U.S. men’s national team will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.

How does it work?

Unlike the group stage that may feel foreign to fans of American sports, this is good, old-fashioned, single-elimination knockout play. The winner moves on. The loser goes home, though the wealthier players might stop off for a confusingly unappealing vacation in July in South Florida.

Also, the bracket is completely fixed, similar to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament, rather than the NFL, NBA or NHL Playoffs. There is no re-seeding after each round.

What if the match finishes tied?

In single-elimination matches in the World Cup and most other major competitions, teams play 30 minutes of extra time to decide a tie after 90. Teams switch ends after 15 minutes plus stoppage time, but it’s only a momentary pause.

Extra time is not a sudden-death format In other words, play continues after a goal, allowing a losing team to tie the match again or the winning team to add insurance.

For example, in the 1966 final, England defeated West Germany 4-2 in a final that was tied 2-2 after 90 minutes, and England’s fourth goal lives on as one of the most iconic moments in their national team history.

In the 2022 final, Argentina and France each scored in extra time before Argentina eventually won on penalties following an enthralling 3-3 draw.

The match goes to penalties if still tied after 120 minutes.

What happens in penalties?

Usually, Emi Martinez. Or Croatia.

Oh, the format. Each team takes five kicks from the spot, and the team that makes more moves on. If tied after five kicks, they go to a sixth, seventh, and so on in a manner similar to extra-inning baseball, where each team gets an additional attempt until there is a winner.

How long does this all take?

With the knockout phase doubled in size, there is an additional round and the process takes a little bit longer. The bracket and schedule is designed so that, at a minimum, every team has three off days between its last match and its next one (with the exception of the third-place match played a day before the World Cup final).

Unlike the NCAA Tournaments or the NFL Playoffs, the bracket so the games feel continuous. The first truly unscheduled day of the tournament won’t come until July 8. And there will only be five idle days in total until the final on July 19.

#FIFA #World #Cup #Knockout #Guide #Deadspin.com">FIFA World Cup Knockout Round Guide: Everything You Need to Know | Deadspin.com

For all the fun of the new 48-team World Cup format so far, there is a sense that the tournament is a little too forgiving, with 32 teams surviving the initial group phase.

But there’s good news for those of you who need bit more cruelty with your sporting spectacle: That all ends after Saturday, when the new, and obviously larger and better (this is America after all) knockout phase begins Sunday with Canada facing South Africa.

Here’s everything you need to know about the business end of the World Cup, which begins to look a lot more like the playoff formats we know and love in American sports.

Who gets in?

Every team that finishes first or second in group play gets into the knockout phase. Of course, that would only be 24 teams, so in this expanded World Cup, the top eight third-place group finishers also receive a berth.

Those third-place teams are ranked by points they earn in their respective groups. For those finishing on the same number of points, the tiebreakers go in this order: Total goal difference, total goals scored, best discipline record (yellow and red cards), and then FIFA World Rankings.

The first- and second-place finishers have dedicated, pre-determined slots in the bracket. Those third-place teams that qualify are sorted into the remaining spots by that Ghanaian witch doctor who put a curse on Harry Kane.

OK, so they’re actually sorted by a complicated formula that merely feels like a creation of sorcery. But for American fans, the important thing to know is the U.S. men’s national team will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.

How does it work?

Unlike the group stage that may feel foreign to fans of American sports, this is good, old-fashioned, single-elimination knockout play. The winner moves on. The loser goes home, though the wealthier players might stop off for a confusingly unappealing vacation in July in South Florida.

Also, the bracket is completely fixed, similar to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament, rather than the NFL, NBA or NHL Playoffs. There is no re-seeding after each round.

What if the match finishes tied?

In single-elimination matches in the World Cup and most other major competitions, teams play 30 minutes of extra time to decide a tie after 90. Teams switch ends after 15 minutes plus stoppage time, but it’s only a momentary pause.

Extra time is not a sudden-death format In other words, play continues after a goal, allowing a losing team to tie the match again or the winning team to add insurance.

For example, in the 1966 final, England defeated West Germany 4-2 in a final that was tied 2-2 after 90 minutes, and England’s fourth goal lives on as one of the most iconic moments in their national team history.

In the 2022 final, Argentina and France each scored in extra time before Argentina eventually won on penalties following an enthralling 3-3 draw.

The match goes to penalties if still tied after 120 minutes.

What happens in penalties?

Usually, Emi Martinez. Or Croatia.

Oh, the format. Each team takes five kicks from the spot, and the team that makes more moves on. If tied after five kicks, they go to a sixth, seventh, and so on in a manner similar to extra-inning baseball, where each team gets an additional attempt until there is a winner.

How long does this all take?

With the knockout phase doubled in size, there is an additional round and the process takes a little bit longer. The bracket and schedule is designed so that, at a minimum, every team has three off days between its last match and its next one (with the exception of the third-place match played a day before the World Cup final).

Unlike the NCAA Tournaments or the NFL Playoffs, the bracket so the games feel continuous. The first truly unscheduled day of the tournament won’t come until July 8. And there will only be five idle days in total until the final on July 19.

#FIFA #World #Cup #Knockout #Guide #Deadspin.com
The 2026 NHL Draft comes to us from Buffalo on Friday night for one of the biggest nights in hockey. It’s an opportunity for teams to find their stars of the future, and always rewards the organizations who have invested resources into their scouting departments, while identifying the most-talented scouts along the way.

Unlike any other major sport, the NHL Draft boasts selections across five-plus nations, two continents, and trying to mesh all that together with being able to successfully project who can transition to the NHL after playing under different rules. All we know about this draft is that LW Gavin McKenna will likely be the No. 1 overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and from there it could be anarchy.

One thing to watch is how many veteran players could be dealt tonight. Mammoth names like Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, and Zach Werenski are potentially finding new homes — and that adds a lot of intrigue to a class that is already deep on talent.

We’re following the first round live to grade this year’s picks.

No. 1: Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State

The Leafs didn’t overthink this process and got the most dynamic skater in this class. A selfless wing, McKenna has an incredible eye for passing and a gift for setting his teammates up for success. A fluid skater who is light on his feet, McKenna does need to add some muscle to his frame to be more of a force against agressive defenders, and there’s work on the forecheck to be done — but the stage is set for McKenna to be an impact player as soon as he arrives in the NHL.

#NHL #draft #instant #grades #firstround #pick">NHL draft instant grades for every 2026 first-round pick  The 2026 NHL Draft comes to us from Buffalo on Friday night for one of the biggest nights in hockey. It’s an opportunity for teams to find their stars of the future, and always rewards the organizations who have invested resources into their scouting departments, while identifying the most-talented scouts along the way.Unlike any other major sport, the NHL Draft boasts selections across five-plus nations, two continents, and trying to mesh all that together with being able to successfully project who can transition to the NHL after playing under different rules. All we know about this draft is that LW Gavin McKenna will likely be the No. 1 overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and from there it could be anarchy.One thing to watch is how many veteran players could be dealt tonight. Mammoth names like Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, and Zach Werenski are potentially finding new homes — and that adds a lot of intrigue to a class that is already deep on talent.We’re following the first round live to grade this year’s picks.No. 1: Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn StateThe Leafs didn’t overthink this process and got the most dynamic skater in this class. A selfless wing, McKenna has an incredible eye for passing and a gift for setting his teammates up for success. A fluid skater who is light on his feet, McKenna does need to add some muscle to his frame to be more of a force against agressive defenders, and there’s work on the forecheck to be done — but the stage is set for McKenna to be an impact player as soon as he arrives in the NHL.  #NHL #draft #instant #grades #firstround #pick

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