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England to face New Zealand and Costa Rica ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 England will play New Zealand ​and Costa Rica in ‌Tampa and Orlando in ​its final ⁠preparatory games before this summer’s World Cup campaign, the ‌English FA said on Thursday.New ‌Zealand, playing in its ⁠first World Cup ⁠since 2010, will play England on June 6 before ​Thomas Tuchel’s ‌side faces Costa Rica, which reached the quarterfinals in 2014, four ‌days later.ALSO READ: Harry Maguire desperate to be part of England FIFA World Cup 2026 squad“Both fixtures ​will form a key part of ⁠England’s preparation camp in South Florida ahead of ‌moving to the squad’s base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, for the duration of the tournament,” ‌the FA said in ​a statement.England, which reached the quarterfinals in ⁠the previous edition, begins ⁠its Group L campaign against Croatia ‌on June 17.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #England #face #Zealand #Costa #Rica #ahead #FIFA #World #Cup

England to face New Zealand and Costa Rica ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

England will play New Zealand ​and Costa Rica in ‌Tampa and Orlando in ​its final ⁠preparatory games before this summer’s World Cup campaign, the ‌English FA said on Thursday.

New ‌Zealand, playing in its ⁠first World Cup ⁠since 2010, will play England on June 6 before ​Thomas Tuchel’s ‌side faces Costa Rica, which reached the quarterfinals in 2014, four ‌days later.

ALSO READ: Harry Maguire desperate to be part of England FIFA World Cup 2026 squad

“Both fixtures ​will form a key part of ⁠England’s preparation camp in South Florida ahead of ‌moving to the squad’s base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, for the duration of the tournament,” ‌the FA said in ​a statement.

England, which reached the quarterfinals in ⁠the previous edition, begins ⁠its Group L campaign against Croatia ‌on June 17.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#England #face #Zealand #Costa #Rica #ahead #FIFA #World #Cup

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England will play New Zealand ​and Costa Rica in ‌Tampa and Orlando in ​its final ⁠preparatory games before this summer’s World Cup campaign, the ‌English FA said on Thursday.

New ‌Zealand, playing in its ⁠first World Cup ⁠since 2010, will play England on June 6 before ​Thomas Tuchel’s ‌side faces Costa Rica, which reached the quarterfinals in 2014, four ‌days later.

ALSO READ: Harry Maguire desperate to be part of England FIFA World Cup 2026 squad

“Both fixtures ​will form a key part of ⁠England’s preparation camp in South Florida ahead of ‌moving to the squad’s base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, for the duration of the tournament,” ‌the FA said in ​a statement.

England, which reached the quarterfinals in ⁠the previous edition, begins ⁠its Group L campaign against Croatia ‌on June 17.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

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Deadspin | Nico Hoerner’s big night helps Cub clinch series vs. Rays <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28686390.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28686390.jpg" alt="MLB: Chicago Cubs at Tampa Bay Rays" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 8, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) hits a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Nico Hoerner homered to highlight his three-hit performance and Michael Conforto drove in a pair, fueling the visiting Chicago Cubs to a 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Hoerner added an RBI double during a five-run fifth inning for the Cubs, who recorded consecutive wins for the first time this season and notched their first series victory of 2026.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Colin Rea (1-0) allowed one run on two hits in five innings while taking the spot in the rotation of Cade Horton. The latter is nursing a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and will undergo season-ending surgery.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Hoby Milner retired the side in order in the sixth and Ben Brown followed suit in the seventh before permitting a two-out RBI single to Jake Fraley in the eighth. Hunter Harvey retired the side in the ninth to seal the victory.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Jonathan Aranda had a sacrifice fly in the third for the Rays, who committed three errors en route to losing for the fifth time in their last eight games. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Chicago quickly loaded the bases in the fifth before Conforto sent a drive that caromed off the glove of center fielder Jonny DeLuca. The play initially plated a pair of runs, however right fielder Fraley’s throw sailed past the cutoff man and rolled into the infield, allowing an alert Dansby Swanson to scamper home and give the Cubs a 4-1 lead.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Hoerner stepped up two batters later and plated Conforto with an RBI double down the right field line. Hoerner didn’t stay on second base for long, as he came around to score on catcher Hunter Feduccia’s throwing error.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>That spelled the end for Tampa Bay starter Joe Boyle (0-1), who was charged with six runs (five earned) on four hits in 4 1/3 innings.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Leading off the game, Hoerner fouled off three consecutive pitches before depositing a 1-2 curveball from Boyle over the wall in left field. The homer was the first of the season for Hoerner.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Tampa Bay forged a 1-1 tie in the third. DeLuca singled off Rea to lead off the inning, stole second base, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on Aranda’s sacrifice fly.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Nico #Hoerners #big #night #helps #Cub #clinch #series #Rays

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भारतीय रेलवे की बड़ी छलांग: मोदी कैबिनेट ने 9,072 करोड़ की 3 रेल परियोजनाओं को दी मंजूरी; MP-महाराष्ट्र समेत 4 राज्यों को मिलेगा ‘मल्टी-ट्रैकिंग’ का तोहफा – Vindhya Bhaskar

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Deadspin | Scottie Scheffler to skip Truist Championship in run-up to PGA Apr 30, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Scottie Scheffler watches his tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Cadillac Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images The field list for the Truist Championship is out and, once again, Scottie Scheffler is not on it. The World No. 1 opted not to compete at the million signature event one week before the second major of the season, the PGA Championship. The rest of the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking are in the field, announced Friday, except for eighth-ranked Russell Henley. The tournament will be played May 7-10 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C. Scheffler also opted out of the Truist in 2025, when it was moved to Philadelphia Cricket Club for one year because Quail Hollow hosted the PGA Championship the following week. Scheffler went on to claim his third major and first PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, but that wasn’t enough to entice him to play the course again this year. Scheffler has won just once on tour this year — at The American Express in January — but he has four other top-five finishes that include back-to-back second-place showings at the Masters and the RBC Heritage. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who’s sitting out this week’s Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, will endeavor to win his fifth tournament at Quail Hollow. When the Truist was known as the Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy lifted the trophy in 2010, 2015, 2021 and 2024. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Scottie #Scheffler #skip #Truist #Championship #runup #PGAApr 30, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Scottie Scheffler watches his tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Cadillac Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images

The field list for the Truist Championship is out and, once again, Scottie Scheffler is not on it.

The World No. 1 opted not to compete at the $20 million signature event one week before the second major of the season, the PGA Championship.

The rest of the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking are in the field, announced Friday, except for eighth-ranked Russell Henley. The tournament will be played May 7-10 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.


Scheffler also opted out of the Truist in 2025, when it was moved to Philadelphia Cricket Club for one year because Quail Hollow hosted the PGA Championship the following week.

Scheffler went on to claim his third major and first PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, but that wasn’t enough to entice him to play the course again this year.

Scheffler has won just once on tour this year — at The American Express in January — but he has four other top-five finishes that include back-to-back second-place showings at the Masters and the RBC Heritage.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who’s sitting out this week’s Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, will endeavor to win his fifth tournament at Quail Hollow. When the Truist was known as the Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy lifted the trophy in 2010, 2015, 2021 and 2024.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Scottie #Scheffler #skip #Truist #Championship #runup #PGA">Deadspin | Scottie Scheffler to skip Truist Championship in run-up to PGA Apr 30, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Scottie Scheffler watches his tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Cadillac Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images The field list for the Truist Championship is out and, once again, Scottie Scheffler is not on it. The World No. 1 opted not to compete at the million signature event one week before the second major of the season, the PGA Championship. The rest of the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking are in the field, announced Friday, except for eighth-ranked Russell Henley. The tournament will be played May 7-10 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C. Scheffler also opted out of the Truist in 2025, when it was moved to Philadelphia Cricket Club for one year because Quail Hollow hosted the PGA Championship the following week. Scheffler went on to claim his third major and first PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, but that wasn’t enough to entice him to play the course again this year. Scheffler has won just once on tour this year — at The American Express in January — but he has four other top-five finishes that include back-to-back second-place showings at the Masters and the RBC Heritage. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who’s sitting out this week’s Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, will endeavor to win his fifth tournament at Quail Hollow. When the Truist was known as the Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy lifted the trophy in 2010, 2015, 2021 and 2024. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Scottie #Scheffler #skip #Truist #Championship #runup #PGA

Deadspin | Mets, Angels aim to change fortunes at other’s expense Apr 30, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) tags out Washington Nationals second baseman Nasim Nunez (26) trying to score on a fielder’s choice by Nationals center fielder Jacob Young (not pictured) during the ninth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images A scheduling coincidence will ensure that either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Angels will win on Friday night. Good thing, because both teams need all the help they can get. The Mets will begin a nine-game road trip Friday by visiting the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., in an interleague matchup between two struggling teams. Christian Scott (0-0, 6.75 ERA) is slated to start for New York against fellow right-hander Walbert Urena (0-3, 4.76). The Angels were off Thursday after sustaining their sixth straight loss Wednesday with a 3-2 setback in 10 innings to the Chicago White Sox. The Mets headed west after closing a discouraging homestand Thursday with a 5-4 loss to the Washington Nationals. New York lost six of nine games on the homestand and have lost 17 of their last 20 games overall to fall to a majors-worst 10-21 this season. The 20-game span is the worst for the Mets since a 3-17 skid from May 25 through June 15, 2018, while the 31-game start is the third-worst in franchise history. Even the 1962 club, which lost a then-modern-record 120 games, was 12-19 through 31 games. The Mets squandered a 4-3 advantage on Thursday, the eighth time they’ve led in a defeat during their 20-game tailspin. New York has scored four runs or less 17 times in the last 20 games. “Not good enough, obviously — not a secret,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “That’s not going to do it. You’ve got to start winning series. Period.” The Angels arrived home in the throes of a similar slump. The three-game sweep by the White Sox marked the fourth straight series loss for Los Angeles, which has dropped 10 of its last 11 games. The Angels have scored three runs or less eight times in the 11 games and have squandered a lead five times in the 10 defeats. Los Angeles was one out away from victory in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s series finale vs. Chicago before Ryan Zeferjahn gave up a game-tying RBI triple to Sam Antonacci. Zeferjahn, Drew Pomeranz and Joey Lucchesi were charged with a combined four blown saves in the last four games as the Angels search for a closer to replace Jordan Romano, who was designated for assignment Sunday and released a day later. Lucchesi also was designated for assignment Wednesday. “It’s really tough — especially just one more out and I couldn’t do it,” Zeferjahn said. “We battled all day today, and it really (stinks). But we’re picking each other up still no matter what. I think we’ll get back on track soon.” Scott, who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse when Kodai Senga (lumbar spine inflammation) was placed on the injured list Tuesday, hasn’t pitched since April 23. He didn’t factor into the decision on that day after giving up one run while walking five over 1 1/3 innings in the Mets’ 10-8 win over the Minnesota Twins. The start was the first in the majors for Scott since he underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2024. Urena took the defeat in his most recent start last Saturday after allowing four runs over 3 2/3 innings in the Angels’ 12-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Both Scott and Urena will make their first career starts against the opposition on Friday. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mets #Angels #aim #change #fortunes #expenseApr 30, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) tags out Washington Nationals second baseman Nasim Nunez (26) trying to score on a fielder’s choice by Nationals center fielder Jacob Young (not pictured) during the ninth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

A scheduling coincidence will ensure that either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Angels will win on Friday night.

Good thing, because both teams need all the help they can get.

The Mets will begin a nine-game road trip Friday by visiting the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., in an interleague matchup between two struggling teams.

Christian Scott (0-0, 6.75 ERA) is slated to start for New York against fellow right-hander Walbert Urena (0-3, 4.76).

The Angels were off Thursday after sustaining their sixth straight loss Wednesday with a 3-2 setback in 10 innings to the Chicago White Sox.

The Mets headed west after closing a discouraging homestand Thursday with a 5-4 loss to the Washington Nationals. New York lost six of nine games on the homestand and have lost 17 of their last 20 games overall to fall to a majors-worst 10-21 this season.

The 20-game span is the worst for the Mets since a 3-17 skid from May 25 through June 15, 2018, while the 31-game start is the third-worst in franchise history.

Even the 1962 club, which lost a then-modern-record 120 games, was 12-19 through 31 games.


The Mets squandered a 4-3 advantage on Thursday, the eighth time they’ve led in a defeat during their 20-game tailspin. New York has scored four runs or less 17 times in the last 20 games.

“Not good enough, obviously — not a secret,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “That’s not going to do it. You’ve got to start winning series. Period.”

The Angels arrived home in the throes of a similar slump. The three-game sweep by the White Sox marked the fourth straight series loss for Los Angeles, which has dropped 10 of its last 11 games.

The Angels have scored three runs or less eight times in the 11 games and have squandered a lead five times in the 10 defeats. Los Angeles was one out away from victory in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s series finale vs. Chicago before Ryan Zeferjahn gave up a game-tying RBI triple to Sam Antonacci.

Zeferjahn, Drew Pomeranz and Joey Lucchesi were charged with a combined four blown saves in the last four games as the Angels search for a closer to replace Jordan Romano, who was designated for assignment Sunday and released a day later. Lucchesi also was designated for assignment Wednesday.

“It’s really tough — especially just one more out and I couldn’t do it,” Zeferjahn said. “We battled all day today, and it really (stinks). But we’re picking each other up still no matter what. I think we’ll get back on track soon.”

Scott, who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse when Kodai Senga (lumbar spine inflammation) was placed on the injured list Tuesday, hasn’t pitched since April 23. He didn’t factor into the decision on that day after giving up one run while walking five over 1 1/3 innings in the Mets’ 10-8 win over the Minnesota Twins. The start was the first in the majors for Scott since he underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2024.

Urena took the defeat in his most recent start last Saturday after allowing four runs over 3 2/3 innings in the Angels’ 12-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

Both Scott and Urena will make their first career starts against the opposition on Friday.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mets #Angels #aim #change #fortunes #expense">Deadspin | Mets, Angels aim to change fortunes at other’s expense Apr 30, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) tags out Washington Nationals second baseman Nasim Nunez (26) trying to score on a fielder’s choice by Nationals center fielder Jacob Young (not pictured) during the ninth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images A scheduling coincidence will ensure that either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Angels will win on Friday night. Good thing, because both teams need all the help they can get. The Mets will begin a nine-game road trip Friday by visiting the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., in an interleague matchup between two struggling teams. Christian Scott (0-0, 6.75 ERA) is slated to start for New York against fellow right-hander Walbert Urena (0-3, 4.76). The Angels were off Thursday after sustaining their sixth straight loss Wednesday with a 3-2 setback in 10 innings to the Chicago White Sox. The Mets headed west after closing a discouraging homestand Thursday with a 5-4 loss to the Washington Nationals. New York lost six of nine games on the homestand and have lost 17 of their last 20 games overall to fall to a majors-worst 10-21 this season. The 20-game span is the worst for the Mets since a 3-17 skid from May 25 through June 15, 2018, while the 31-game start is the third-worst in franchise history. Even the 1962 club, which lost a then-modern-record 120 games, was 12-19 through 31 games. The Mets squandered a 4-3 advantage on Thursday, the eighth time they’ve led in a defeat during their 20-game tailspin. New York has scored four runs or less 17 times in the last 20 games. “Not good enough, obviously — not a secret,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “That’s not going to do it. You’ve got to start winning series. Period.” The Angels arrived home in the throes of a similar slump. The three-game sweep by the White Sox marked the fourth straight series loss for Los Angeles, which has dropped 10 of its last 11 games. The Angels have scored three runs or less eight times in the 11 games and have squandered a lead five times in the 10 defeats. Los Angeles was one out away from victory in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s series finale vs. Chicago before Ryan Zeferjahn gave up a game-tying RBI triple to Sam Antonacci. Zeferjahn, Drew Pomeranz and Joey Lucchesi were charged with a combined four blown saves in the last four games as the Angels search for a closer to replace Jordan Romano, who was designated for assignment Sunday and released a day later. Lucchesi also was designated for assignment Wednesday. “It’s really tough — especially just one more out and I couldn’t do it,” Zeferjahn said. “We battled all day today, and it really (stinks). But we’re picking each other up still no matter what. I think we’ll get back on track soon.” Scott, who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse when Kodai Senga (lumbar spine inflammation) was placed on the injured list Tuesday, hasn’t pitched since April 23. He didn’t factor into the decision on that day after giving up one run while walking five over 1 1/3 innings in the Mets’ 10-8 win over the Minnesota Twins. The start was the first in the majors for Scott since he underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2024. Urena took the defeat in his most recent start last Saturday after allowing four runs over 3 2/3 innings in the Angels’ 12-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Both Scott and Urena will make their first career starts against the opposition on Friday. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mets #Angels #aim #change #fortunes #expense

Deadspin | Surging Sounders primed to avoid ‘trap’ vs. lowly Sporting KC Apr 25, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Paul Rothrock (14) celebrates during the second half against FC Dallas at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images The surging Seattle Sounders will try to continue their excellent away form when they visit struggling Sporting Kansas City on Saturday afternoon. The Sounders (6-1-1, 19 points) tied the best eight-game start in club history with a 2-1 home victory over FC Dallas last Saturday, powered by first-half goals from Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris. Away from home, Seattle is unbeaten in its last four in the league since a loss at Real Salt Lake on Feb. 28. The Sounders’ bright start comes despite a lengthy injury list that last weekend included center backs Yeimar and Kim Kee-hee as well as attacking midfielders Albert Rusnak and Paul Arriola. The latter three were questionable for this weekend, manager Brian Schmetzer suggested to reporters this week. Whoever suits up, Schmetzer admitted the journey to the Midwest to play Kansas City, amid its six-match losing streak across all competitions, could be mentally challenging, especially with three big home matches against San Diego FC, the San Jose Earthquakes and the LA Galaxy to follow. “It makes them dangerous,” Schmetzer said of Kansas City’s struggles. “… It’s a trap game in some ways. I don’t want (my team) thinking about the home games. We have to continue — because we’ve been very good on the road this year — we have to continue good road form.” Dejan Joveljic has four goals for SKC (1-7-1, 4 points) but his teammates have combined for only three, contributing to what is now a three-match scoreless streak in all competitions. First-year manager Raphael Wicky saw his side succumb to its worst defeat yet last weekend, a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Chicago Fire. Wicky thought a scoreless first half against Chicago might have been one of his side’s top showings, only for the Fire to take the lead and begin a second-half onslaught when Philip Zinckernagel scored on the rebound of a saved penalty in the 51st minute. “I felt like from a defensive standpoint, this has probably been the best 45 minutes from our team,” Wicky said of the first half. ” … With that, we stay in games. With that, we are competitive. And that was the plan. The plan worked really well until the penalty, and then we lose ourselves and that is obviously also a pattern.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #Sounders #primed #avoid #trap #lowly #SportingApr 25, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Paul Rothrock (14) celebrates during the second half against FC Dallas at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

The surging Seattle Sounders will try to continue their excellent away form when they visit struggling Sporting Kansas City on Saturday afternoon.

The Sounders (6-1-1, 19 points) tied the best eight-game start in club history with a 2-1 home victory over FC Dallas last Saturday, powered by first-half goals from Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris. Away from home, Seattle is unbeaten in its last four in the league since a loss at Real Salt Lake on Feb. 28.

The Sounders’ bright start comes despite a lengthy injury list that last weekend included center backs Yeimar and Kim Kee-hee as well as attacking midfielders Albert Rusnak and Paul Arriola. The latter three were questionable for this weekend, manager Brian Schmetzer suggested to reporters this week.

Whoever suits up, Schmetzer admitted the journey to the Midwest to play Kansas City, amid its six-match losing streak across all competitions, could be mentally challenging, especially with three big home matches against San Diego FC, the San Jose Earthquakes and the LA Galaxy to follow.


“It makes them dangerous,” Schmetzer said of Kansas City’s struggles. “… It’s a trap game in some ways. I don’t want (my team) thinking about the home games. We have to continue — because we’ve been very good on the road this year — we have to continue good road form.”

Dejan Joveljic has four goals for SKC (1-7-1, 4 points) but his teammates have combined for only three, contributing to what is now a three-match scoreless streak in all competitions.

First-year manager Raphael Wicky saw his side succumb to its worst defeat yet last weekend, a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Chicago Fire.

Wicky thought a scoreless first half against Chicago might have been one of his side’s top showings, only for the Fire to take the lead and begin a second-half onslaught when Philip Zinckernagel scored on the rebound of a saved penalty in the 51st minute.

“I felt like from a defensive standpoint, this has probably been the best 45 minutes from our team,” Wicky said of the first half. ” … With that, we stay in games. With that, we are competitive. And that was the plan. The plan worked really well until the penalty, and then we lose ourselves and that is obviously also a pattern.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Surging #Sounders #primed #avoid #trap #lowly #Sporting">Deadspin | Surging Sounders primed to avoid ‘trap’ vs. lowly Sporting KC Apr 25, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Paul Rothrock (14) celebrates during the second half against FC Dallas at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images The surging Seattle Sounders will try to continue their excellent away form when they visit struggling Sporting Kansas City on Saturday afternoon. The Sounders (6-1-1, 19 points) tied the best eight-game start in club history with a 2-1 home victory over FC Dallas last Saturday, powered by first-half goals from Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris. Away from home, Seattle is unbeaten in its last four in the league since a loss at Real Salt Lake on Feb. 28. The Sounders’ bright start comes despite a lengthy injury list that last weekend included center backs Yeimar and Kim Kee-hee as well as attacking midfielders Albert Rusnak and Paul Arriola. The latter three were questionable for this weekend, manager Brian Schmetzer suggested to reporters this week. Whoever suits up, Schmetzer admitted the journey to the Midwest to play Kansas City, amid its six-match losing streak across all competitions, could be mentally challenging, especially with three big home matches against San Diego FC, the San Jose Earthquakes and the LA Galaxy to follow. “It makes them dangerous,” Schmetzer said of Kansas City’s struggles. “… It’s a trap game in some ways. I don’t want (my team) thinking about the home games. We have to continue — because we’ve been very good on the road this year — we have to continue good road form.” Dejan Joveljic has four goals for SKC (1-7-1, 4 points) but his teammates have combined for only three, contributing to what is now a three-match scoreless streak in all competitions. First-year manager Raphael Wicky saw his side succumb to its worst defeat yet last weekend, a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Chicago Fire. Wicky thought a scoreless first half against Chicago might have been one of his side’s top showings, only for the Fire to take the lead and begin a second-half onslaught when Philip Zinckernagel scored on the rebound of a saved penalty in the 51st minute. “I felt like from a defensive standpoint, this has probably been the best 45 minutes from our team,” Wicky said of the first half. ” … With that, we stay in games. With that, we are competitive. And that was the plan. The plan worked really well until the penalty, and then we lose ourselves and that is obviously also a pattern.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #Sounders #primed #avoid #trap #lowly #Sporting

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