Sports
NWSL Power Rankings: San Diego becomes KC’s closest challenger
It’s Tuesday, and another week of NWSL action is in the books, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Who’s climbing the table? Who’s in free fall? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 16 to come up with this week’s order of all 14 teams in the league. Let’s dive in.
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Saturday at Portland Thorns, 10 p.m. ET
When the Current’s matchup with Orlando finally kicked off after a three-hour delay due to extreme heat, the game sure felt like … both teams had been sitting around for hours, getting stiff and waiting to play. There were very few clear-cut chances in Saturday’s 0-0 draw, with shots between the penalty spot and the goalline a downright rarity. Still, you won’t find anyone ready to downgrade Kansas City from its spot as the NWSL’s top dog. Uncertainty about when — or if — the match would take place mixed with a strong opponent makes a home point a respectable result.
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Sunday vs. Racing Louisville, 8 p.m. ET
Unbeaten in its past five games, San Diego bested Bay FC on the road by a 2-1 scoreline on Saturday. Kenza Dali was an especially bright presence going forward, showing off her dazzling one-v-one ability, passing range and scoring chops throughout the night. It was Dali’s strike from range that gave the Wave a two-goal cushion, one large enough to survive a penalty concession in the second half. Between their attacking joy and sharp transition defending that kept Racheal Kundananji quiet, it was a good outing for the visitors.
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Thursday at Angel City, 10:30 p.m. ET
There’s no perfect way to prepare for a road clash with Kansas City, but a lengthy weather delay due to extreme heat is just about the worst-case scenario. Still, those were the cards dealt to the Pride on Saturday, and the visitors managed to play things out to a 0-0 draw. That star striker Barbra Banda was forced to exit the field less than 15 minutes into the match due to injury put a damper on an otherwise positive result.
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Saturday at Bay FC, 4 p.m. ET
The Spirit’s 2-2 draw with Louisville on Friday was full of twists and turns. After Washington took the lead in the first half via a wonder strike from Sofia Cantore, it conceded two goals in the second half before a 100th-minute equalizer from Rosemonde Kouassi. Although they only earned a point, the Spirit were unfortunate with their concessions: a heavily deflected own goal and a penalty kick. That their allowed goals were fluky and that Trinity Rodman played more minutes — she featured for the entire second half — means there are reasons for optimism in the nation’s capital.
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Saturday vs. Kansas City Current, 10 p.m. ET
Every now and then, Olivia Moultrie pulls out a jaw-dropping moment to remind us all of her astonishing potential. The 19-year-old showed off one of those moments in the Thorns’ 1-1 draw on the road against North Carolina on Saturday. Moultrie keyed Portland’s entire goal sequence, spraying a gorgeous diagonal from central midfield out to the left wing before crashing the box to score the goal herself. You’ll be hard-pressed to find many better individual moments from any player this season.
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Sunday at San Diego Wave, 8 p.m. ET
Louisville’s 2-2 draw with the Spirit was about as far from conventional as they come. Despite taking the lead via a wicked deflection on a Taylor Flint shot and a Savannah DeMelo penalty, Racing couldn’t escape Audi Field with all three points. Deep in stoppage time, a costly turnover from Ary Borges in midfield allowed Rosemonde Kouassi to net an equalizer in the 100th minute. Louisville will regard Friday night as an opportunity lost, but a point on the road against the Spirit is nothing to sneeze at.
1:09
Washington Spirit grab late equalizer in stoppage time
Rosemonde Kouassi scores late in stoppage time to level Washington with Racing Louisville before the final whistle.
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Sunday at Houston Dash, 7 p.m. ET
The Reign have the unfortunate distinction of being the latest NWSL team to concede a goalkeeper goal, with Alyssa Naeher‘s equalizer in the 99th minute turning three points into one for Seattle on Monday. That goal from the U.S. women’s national team legend was the finishing touch in a series of disappointing events: the hosts allowed three straight goals in the second half and watched as their 3-0 lead over Chicago turned into a 3-3 draw before the final whistle. Make that back-to-back games where Laura Harvey’s team has conceded at least three goals.
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Friday at Chicago Stars, 8 p.m. ET
Searching for their first victory since parting ways with coach Sean Nahas, the Courage hosted Portland on Saturday and had to settle for a 1-1 draw. North Carolina kept most of the ball, but there were chances at both ends: the two teams combined for 31 shots, the joint-highest total of the weekend. Jaedyn Shaw provided a real boost off the bench for the Courage, finding chances for both herself and her teammates — it was Shaw’s shot that created the rebound opportunity for Tyler Lussi‘s equalizer. Still, wins are proving elusive for North Carolina.
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Saturday vs. Utah Royals, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Houston was a full-on nightmare for Gotham. Despite Rose Lavelle getting up to her usual tight-space tricks and Esther González finding the opener via a finish in the eighth minute, a brutal own goal on a misplaced back pass from Emily Sonnett and a 93rd minute allowance turned a should-be victory into a surefire defeat. Inconsistency has become a worrying trend for Gotham, who have dropped points in seven of their past 10 regular season matches.
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Thursday vs. Orlando Pride, 10:30 p.m. ET
With both teams on long winless streaks, Friday’s meeting between Angel City and Utah had the potential to be a get-right game. Instead, those streaks continued thanks to a 0-0 draw. Alyssa Thompson and Christen Press posed the occasional threat on the counterattack and long throws into the box showed flashes of potential. On the whole, though, the visitors created precious few chances and totaled 0.4 xG, according to FBref. Angel City’s struggles continue.
1:08
Utah Royals vs. Angel City FC – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Utah Royals vs. Angel City FC, 08/16/2025
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Sunday vs. Seattle Reign, 7 p.m. ET
The Dash needed just two shots to take down Gotham by a 2-1 scoreline on Sunday — and only one of those shots found the back of Ann-Katrin Berger‘s net. Thanks to a goal from substitute Michelle Alozie that was preceded by an own goal from Emily Sonnett, the Dash pulled out one of the NWSL’s all-time most efficient wins. Of course, barely troubling the opposition isn’t a recipe for sustained success, but the points? They all count the same.
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Saturday vs. Washington Spirit, 4 p.m. ET
Try as they might, Bay FC had very little going for them in the attack in a 2-1 home loss to San Diego on Saturday. They managed just nine shots, one of which was Caroline Conti‘s penalty in the 75th minute, and struggled to cap off their sporadic counterattacks with actual shots towards Kailen Sheridan‘s goal. There is good news, though: while they’ve gone five games without a win, Bay FC still find themselves just three points out of the final playoff spot.
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Friday vs. North Carolina Courage, 8 p.m. ET
Alyssa. Naeher. Goal.
The Stars capped off the long weekend’s NWSL action in style by scoring a goalkeeper goal. Trailing by one deep into second half stoppage time, the shot-stopper bagged an equalizer to rescue a point for Chicago in the 99th minute. Even more impressive, the visiting Stars clawed out of a three-goal hole in the second half, scoring all three of their goals after the 70th minute. There’s plenty to criticize about Chicago, but being dull wasn’t on the list on Monday.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Saturday at Gotham FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
Utah simply can’t find a way to put three points on the board. Well, that’s not entirely true: the Royals have put up three combined points in their past 11 games, but Friday’s clash with Angel City was another winless effort in a 0-0 draw at home. While Utah out-shot their opponents 14 to 10 and created the odd high-quality chance in transition or from a set piece, it didn’t do enough with its 56% possession on the evening. At this point, is anyone surprised?
Sports
Secretary Doug Burgum expects Teddy Roosevelt’s induction into Pro Football Hall of Fame: report
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Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum reportedly said at a Bank of America reception Thursday that he thinks President Teddy Roosevelt will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year, according to the New York Post.
“Roger Goodell was in the White House in the Oval Office. I had a chance to be with him there, because we, the National Park Service, control the National Mall,” Burgum said, according to the outlet.
“The draft for the NFL is being held on the Mall a year from now, (and) the Capitol will be in the background.
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“Keep it a secret. Keep your fingers crossed, but I think we’re going to see Theodore Roosevelt inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. … It’s going to be announced on the Mall when Roger Goodell is conducting the draft.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the secretary, the White House and the NFL for comment.
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt at his Washington, D.C., office Feb. 10, 1903. (History Archive/Universal Images Group)
Teddy Roosevelt is credited with saving football in 1905–1906 by forcing college leaders to reform the game’s rules after frequent injury-related deaths of players.
The reforms led to the creation of the forward pass and the banning of dangerous formations.
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Fans after a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Scott Galvin/Imagn Images)
The 2027 Pro Football Hall of Fame class is headlined by first-year eligible legends Rob Gronkowski, Adrian Peterson and Ben Roethlisberger. Bill Belichick and Eli Manning are also candidates to get in after missing out on first-ballot entry.
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Sports
NJ Transit CEO explains World Cup fare hike as NJ Gov again implores FIFA to pay for $150 train tickets
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An already-expensive trip to the World Cup just got even more costly, as NJ Transit and the FIFA New York New Jersey Host Committee announced fare hikes to attend eight matches at MetLife Stadium this year.
The East Rutherford, New Jersey, stadium will host those matches, beginning June 13 and ending with the final on July 19, but a roundtrip train ticket to and from New York Penn Station and MetLife Stadium will be $150, up from the usual $12.90. Shuttles are also available for $80.
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri defended the fare hikes on Friday, saying that the ultimate cost to the public transportation company should not be the burden of New Jersey commuters.
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NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri and Alex Lasry, CEO of the 2026 FIFA World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee, speak during a press briefing on the regional mobility plan for the World Cup in Newark, New Jersey, on April 17, 2026. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
“It is an exciting moment for New Jersey to showcase New Jersey’s diversity as well as its economic standing in the country and in the world. Equally important, she has said that New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the movement of fans going to the game, because that would not be fair,” Kolluri said, reiterating that the tournament will cost NJ Transit $48 million.
“In order to move 40,000 people and to pay for the cost of $6 million (per game), we have to charge $150.”
The CEO said that if the regular $12.90 fare were put in place, commuters would subsidize the $48 million bill by 92%.
“No one that I have spoken to thinks that’s fair or reasonable. Commuters in New Jersey should not carry the cost years into the future for a wonderful event, no doubt. But the fans going to the games should burden the cost, that’s all we’re trying to say,” Kolluri added.
Days after New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said that FIFA should pay for commuters’ costs, she did so again shortly after the fare hikes were announced.
“New Jersey is ready and excited to host eight FIFA World Cup matches this summer – including the World Cup Final,” Sherrill began in a social media post Friday.
A general view of MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Train Station is seen from a NJ Transit train before the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 9, 2025. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“Since I took office, my Administration has been working to prepare for the biggest sporting event our state has ever seen – and today, NJ TRANSIT released their Mobility Plan to move 40,000 fans to and from each match safely and efficiently. In the FIFA World Cup agreement that my Administration inherited, FIFA put zero dollars towards transporting World Cup fans. It also eliminated parking at MetLife Stadium, putting the burden of transporting four times more matchday riders than typical for an event at the stadium on NJ TRANSIT. This agreement will cost NJ TRANSIT at least $48 million, while FIFA is positioned to make $11 billion during the World Cup.
“As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day.”
The fare hikes, however, did not please FIFA. In a scathing statement to Fox News Digital, World Cup COO Heimo Schirgi said the “current pricing model will have a chilling effect,” including congestion, late arrivals, and “broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup.”
Schirgi also ripped Sherrill for her “unprecedented” ask to make FIFA pay for the commuting costs.
“No other global event, concert or major sporting promoter has faced such a demand. While FIFA is projected to generate approximately $11 billion in revenue, not profit, as the Governor incorrectly claims, FIFA has always been a not-for-profit organization as per our statutes. Revenues from the FIFA World Cup are reinvested into developing the game of football, particularly for youth and women, worldwide,” Schirgi said.
Commuters move through the NJ Transit section of Penn Station in New York City on May 20, 2025, after NJ Transit resumed operations following a tentative deal to end a three-day strike by train engineers. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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Parking has been barred from MetLife Stadium, and rideshare will be extremely limited, both of which will result in increased NJ Transit commutes.
New York Penn Station will also only be open to matchgoers beginning four hours prior to the start of games, and fans were urged to avoid nonessential NJ Transit travel on game days.
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- Lahore Qalandars defeat Rawalpindiz by 32 runs.
- Chasing 211, Rawalpindiz were restricted to 178-9.
- Fakhar Zaman gets Player of the Match award.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars secured their third victory of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 on Saturday, defeating Rawalpindiz by 32 runs at the National Bank Stadium Karachi to eliminate them from the tournament.
Chasing 211, Rawalpindiz were restricted to 178-9 in their 20 overs, courtesy of an excellent bowling performance by the Qalandars’ attack.
Pindiz made a poor start as opener Shahzaib Khan became the first batter dismissed in the third over, falling to skipper Shaheen Afridi.
Afridi struck again in the same over, removing captain Mohammad Rizwan for a run-a-ball nine, which included two boundaries, leaving the side struggling at 17-2 in 2.3 overs.
Daryl Mitchell and Yasir Khan then steadied the innings with a crucial partnership, taking the score past the 50-run mark. The duo added a 50-run stand as Yasir played positively, bringing up his fourth PSL half-century.
However, their 71-run partnership was broken when Haris Rauf dismissed Mitchell for 11 off 15 balls, including one four, leaving Pindiz at 88-3 in 9.2 overs.
Rauf struck again in the same over, removing Yasir after a brilliant 58 off 29 deliveries, which included six fours and three sixes.
Sam Billings and Dian Forrester attempted to rebuild the innings and took the score past 100. However, Sikandar Raza broke the stand by dismissing Billings via stumping for just seven runs.
RawalPindiz continued to lose wickets as Usama Mir joined the attack, removing Dian Forrester for eight off 10 balls, leaving the side at 110-6 in 12.5 overs.
Usama struck again, dismissing Colin McConchie for three off five deliveries. Daniel Sams then removed Razaullah cheaply for five off 10 balls, adding further pressure on the batting side.
Saad Masood fought hard with a spirited knock, pushing the total past 150 and bringing up his maiden PSL half-century.
In the final over, Haris Rauf picked up his third wicket by ending Saad’s impressive innings of 54 off 26 balls, which included nine fours and one six, while Asif Afridi hit a four off the last delivery.
Batting first, Lahore Qalandars finished their innings at 210-4 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of outstanding performances by their opening batters Mohammad Farooq and Fakhar Zaman.
The pair began scoring at regular intervals, with Farooq leading from the front as runs flowed quickly through boundaries, putting early pressure on the Pindiz bowling attack as the score crossed the 50-run mark inside the powerplay.
Farooq was in top-notch form with the bat, while Fakhar contributed steadily from the other end, which also helped the young batter raise his bat for his maiden PSL fifty.
The duo troubled the opposition and showed no signs of slowing down as they brought up their 100-run stand, showcasing their brilliance while aiming to post a mammoth total to defend.
However, the 121-run partnership was broken when Mohammad Amir struck on the fifth delivery of the 11th over, dismissing the prized wicket of Farooq, who played an exceptional knock of 63 off 41 deliveries, including five fours and the same number of sixes.
Fakhar remained composed at the crease and kept the scoreboard moving for his side, which not only helped the team’s total surge past the 150-run mark but also saw the left-handed batter raise his bat for his 25th PSL half-century.
Abdullah Shafique came to the crease and started piling on runs, notching up a 50-run stand alongside Fakhar as the duo remained dominant with their batting approach.
However, Razaullah struck to break the 70-run partnership, dismissing Abdullah Shafique, who played a vital knock of 26 off 18 deliveries, including one four and two sixes.
Raza then dealt RawalPindiz another blow as he picked up his second wicket of the match, removing Sikandar Raza for a first-ball duck, leaving the team at 191-3 after 18 overs.
Qalandars lost their fourth wicket in the 19th over as Mohammad Amir struck to end Fakhar Zaman’s brilliant innings. He played an exceptional knock of 84 off 54 deliveries, featuring 11 fours and one six.
Charith Asalanka and Asif Ali came to the crease in the final over to finish the Qalandars’ innings.
Asif struck back-to-back sixes to push the team’s total past the 200-run mark and remained unbeaten on 14 off six deliveries, while Asalanka added one run.
Razaullah and Mohammad Amir led the bowling attack, picking up two wickets each during their spells.
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