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Good morning! We’re going to get more penalty kicks, aren’t we?
While you are sleeping
New England enters the playoff picture
The Patriots rallied to beat the Cardinals An ugly edition of “Monday Night Football,” Set up an intriguing final stretch of the season for New England (7-6). If the playoffs started tomorrow, They are in as the number 7 seed.
Arizona (4-9) and Kyler Murray, meanwhile, can’t catch a break. The fourth-year quarterback injured his knee during the game’s opening drive and did not return. His initial prognosis looks grim. Keep going. Your ball, Colt McCoy.
Grab your popcorn
Reyna addresses the World Cup controversy
USMNT forward Gio Reyna said yesterday “Let (his) emotions get the best of (him)” After saying before the World Cup that he would play a limited role in Qatar, in response to reports on Sunday that he Had to apologize to the US team Over his lack of effort in training.
- As a reminder, the situation came to light after comments made by American coach Gregg Berhalter at a leadership summit in which he appeared to refer to it, without naming Reyna, were made public on Sunday (the summit was supposed to to be off the record).
- Raina wrote In an Instagram post Monday that he was “absolutely surprised that anyone on the U.S. men’s team staff would contribute” to coverage of the matter and that Berhalter “has always said that issues that come up with the team will stay ‘in house.'” Whoops!
Blockbusters
What exactly happened in Oakland?
(Photo: Kelley L Cox/USA Today)
The A’s are at it again: Oakland deals star catcher Sean Murphy, easily the team’s best player in 2022, to the Braves in a three-team deal with the Brewers. We’re still not entirely sure what the brewers were up to here, but hilariously — tragically, for this author — Milwaukee somehow ends up the winner? Let’s unpack:
- The A’s have quantity without quality, at least in terms of high-end prospects, Keith Law Write. This return did not include anyone on Law’s most recent 100 prospect list or who will appear on it this year … or even close. Six.
- The Brewers, who only gave up center fielder Esturi Rose, left with 25-year-old catcher William Contreras, who is three years younger and can hit. Milwaukee also got some useful arms.
Oakland’s willingness to deal Murphy was to stop the free-agent market for catchers. The move should have cascading effects – Christian Vázquez signed with the Twins Just a few hours after the trade, to name one.
World Capdate
An important semi-final – and a modest name
Argentina and Croatia meet this afternoon (2 p.m. ET) in the first World Cup semifinal, with a legend’s international career — Lionel Messi or Luka Modric — potentially coming to an end. Meanwhile, the cynic in us wonders if we should just fast-forward to penalty kicks.
- Croatia is all about PCs. They won in regular time just once in five matches, drawing twice in the group stage and winning both knockout matches on penalty kicks. Our Michael Cox even asked this week: Are they really good?
- Morocco will also need to park the bus against France. The best defense of the World Cup Has allowed just nine shots on goal in five matches. The only goal was his own goal. The onus will be on France to break through a wall.
All this makes us question whether penalty kicks – in their current form – are the best way to end such a meaningful game. The pressure and the drama are great, but is there more merit to a golden goal format? Or, hear us out: Bringing back the 35-yard hockey-style shootout from MLS? (We can see This on a loop.) So it’s past time for another Pulse poll: What is your preferred ending? Speak up. We have no draw.
More cap reading:
Sad news
Latest on Mike Leach
Mike Leach remained in “critical condition” Monday After being taken to the hospital due to a “personal health issue” on Sunday, Mississippi State said. The 61-year-old coach, known for his legendary aerial offense and sometimes hilarious interviews, sits at the top of a far-reaching coaching tree that includes Kliff Kingsbury and Lincoln Riley.
Briefs
Texas beard arrested
Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Bird was arrested on Monday and charged with assault by strangulation/suffocation – family violence, a third-degree felony assault charge, yesterday morning in Austin. The 49-year-old was booked into the Travis County Jail. Later on Monday, the school suspended Bord without pay.
Pistons’ Cunningham done for season
Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, will Undergo season-ending shin surgery and miss the rest of the season, James L. Edwards III reports. The Pistons already have the worst record in the NBA. But it is a misconception that this news will help their chances Landing Victor Vembanyama: Remember, the three worst teams all get the same lottery odds (14 percent).
pulse peaks
(Top photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
