Sports
Surging Sounders shut out struggling Rapids
Oct 5, 2024; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Obed Vargas (18) battles Colorado Rapids forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes (27) for control of a ball during the second half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Albert Rusnak scored his 10th goal of the season and the visiting Seattle Sounders continued their second-half surge with a 1-0 victory over the struggling Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.
Rusnak joined Jordan Morris as the only double-digit goal scorers for Seattle this season and reached the mark for the fourth time in his MLS career.
It was enough to preserve Seattle’s third consecutive victory and 11th in 14 games, and ensure that the Sounders (16-9-8, 56 points) enter the final game of the season in third place in a tight battle for Western Conference seeding.
The win also guaranteed Seattle will finish no worse than fourth, meaning it will have home-field advantage in Round 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Colorado (15-13-5, 50 points) edged Seattle in shots on goal (3-2), but rarely mounted a serious threat against Stefan Frei, who kept the clean sheet with three saves.
The Rapids lost their third straight and fourth out of five to remain sixth in the West and only one point in front of seventh-place Minnesota.
Rusnak put Seattle in front in the 48th minute after a misplayed Colorado pass in its own half.
Morris was first to it, and he took an excellent touch to evade defender Lalas Abubakar and create a one-on-one against goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
Morris shot low and Steffen made the save with an outstretched leg, but Rusnak reached the rebound, composed himself and guided a low finish into the net despite a touch from defender Andreas Maxso attempting a desperate clearance.
Colorado struggled to mount pressure for an equalizer and probably should’ve trailed by two after a 76th-minute counterattack.
Paul Rothrock engineered an excellent run down the left and used his pace to create a two-on-two opportunity, then at full sprint, he rolled a pass to Morris across the box.
Morris lunged at the ball but couldn’t get enough of it to send it goalbound, instead seeing his one-time finish attempt fly just wide of the target.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mavericks introduce Masai Ujiri as team president
Sep 30, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Raptors vice chairman and team president Masai Ujiri talks to the media during media day at Scotiabank Area. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Dallas Mavericks hired former Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as their new team president and alternate governor on Monday.
Ujiri, 55, spent 12 seasons in the Raptors’ front office (2013-25) and was the architect of the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2018-19.
“The Dallas Mavericks are committed to being a world-class organization with a strong culture and focused on winning championships. Masai Ujiri is one of the great basketball leaders of this generation and his addition to our franchise is a critical step in meeting our goals,” said Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont. “We are honored to have him join the Mavs family. We welcome his energy and determination along with his leadership, experience and many accomplishments as a basketball executive. We are very excited about the future of our team.”
Before joining Toronto, Ujiri was general manager of the Denver Nuggets from 2010-13 and was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year for 2012-13. The Raptors and Nuggets were a combined 690-504 with 12 playoff appearances in his 15 seasons in charge.
“I’m honored to join the Dallas Mavericks and step into this role at such an important time for the organization,” Ujiri said. “This is a franchise with a proud history, passionate fans, and a commitment to winning. I look forward to working with our players, coaches, and leadership team to build something that reflects that standard and competes at the highest level. We will win in Dallas.”
Ujiri’s hiring ends a six-month search process for a new leader in Dallas, which fired general manager Nico Harrison on Nov. 11. Harrison’s tenure ended after a 3-8 start to the 2025-26 season and the continued fan backlash over the February 2025 trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi ran the Dallas front office as co-interim general managers following the dismissal of Harrison.
The Mavericks finished 26-56 this season, the team’s worst record since 2017-18 (24-58), despite the play of Rookie of the Year and No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg. The 19-year-old forward averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Sabres F Sam Carrick (arm) could practice on Tuesday
Mar 31, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick (10) goes off the ice with an injury during the third period against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Carrick is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a left arm injury and could return to practice on Tuesday.
Carrick, 34, initially was expected to miss the Eastern Conference second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens. The best-of-seven set begins Wednesday night in Buffalo.
“(He’s) going to see our doctors today and thinks he’s further along than maybe I portrayed yesterday,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Monday. “So, with good news, he could join our team back in practice tomorrow, which is great news. That would put him a little bit ahead of schedule.”
Carrick has not played or practiced since he was injured in a March 31 fight against the New York Islanders.
Acquired from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, Carrick recorded five goals and one assist in 13 games for the Sabres.
Carrick has 89 points (43 goals, 46 assists) and 439 penalty minutes in 393 career games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, Rangers and Sabres.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Panthers add longtime S Mike Adams to coaching staff
Nov 4, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers free safety Mike Adams (29) on the sidelines with defensive tackle Dontari Poe (95) in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images The Carolina Panthers will hire longtime NFL safety Mike Adams to assist the coaching staff, multiple outlets reported Monday.
Adams, 45, began his NFL career in 2004 with the San Francisco 49ers and played for two seasons (2017-18) for the Panthers. He had 935 tackles and 30 interceptions over 16 seasons and 228 games with the 49ers (2004-06), Cleveland Browns (2007-11), Denver Broncos (2012-13), Indianapolis Colts (2014-16), Panthers and Houston Texans (2019).
He was named to consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014-15 with the Colts.
Adams will initially join the staff as a Bill Walsh coaching fellow, in an initiative to promote diversity in the coaching ranks. He will be utilized during offseason workout programs and in training camp.
–Field Level Media
Mavericks introduce Masai Ujiri as team president
Sabres F Sam Carrick (arm) could practice on Tuesday
