Sports
Nashville SC surging ahead of visit from fading LAFC
Apr 18, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Nashville SC forward Hany Mukhtar (10) kicks the ball to a teammate during the game against the Atlanta United during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images Nashville SC will be out to build on their Eastern Conference lead when they play host to Los Angeles FC on Sunday night.
Nashville SC (8-1-3, 27 points) entered the weekend atop the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of Inter Miami. One of the stingiest sides around, the club has conceded only eight goals, tied with Seattle for fewest in MLS at the start of Saturday’s play.
Like elite teams do, Nashville is getting contributions from everywhere. With central midfielders Eddi Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek sidelined due to injury Wednesday at New England, replacement Bryan Acosta stepped in and delivered two goals during a 3-0 victory.
Both goals Acosta were assisted by Cristian Espinoza, whose acquisition from the San Jose Earthquakes in the offseason provided another dangerous player to go along with Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar and Warren Madrigal. The foursome has combined for 20 goals and 15 assists.
Nashville SC coach B.J. Callaghan said Mukhtar, who’s been with the club since its first match in 2020, continues to lead the way.
“He’s just been so selfless in doing a lot of work to open up the opportunities for other guys,” Callaghan said.
LAFC (6-4-3, 21 points) fell 2-1 at St. Louis City SC on Wednesday for their first loss to the four-year old franchise. LAFC owned an 18-7 advantage in shots but got only four toward net and marked poorly in key situations, allowing defenders to log both St. Louis City goals.
First-year LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos said his team is worn down physically from playing twice a week since the season started in late February because of CONCACAF Champions Cup commitments.
“None of our players right now are at 100% and it’s just a reality that we’re facing,” said Dos Santos, whose team is winless over its last four matches across all competitions. “Sometimes, there are moments that are just difficult for a team and don’t go your way. Right now, we’re in a moment like that.”
LAFC forward Hueng-Min Son remains without a goal in 11 league matches (10 starts) this season but does have eight assists.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Rain wipes out Indy 500 practice, delays qualifying
Fans move through the rain Friday, May 15, 2026, before Fast Friday practice ahead of the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rain washed out morning practice and delayed Saturday’s qualifying session for the May 24 Indianapolis 500.
The IndyCar Series canceled the full-field practice session scheduled for 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. ET.
The 11 a.m. start for the time trials, scheduled to run through 5:50 p.m., was also delayed.
Scattered showers and storms are expected throughout the day and into the early evening at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
If all 33 drivers are unable to complete one qualifying run on Saturday, the whole process would be pushed back to Sunday.
“That would make for a long and busy day, considering one full round of qualifying runs takes roughly 3 hours, followed by three knockout rounds to determine the starting grid,” the Indianapolis Star reported.
The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 is at 12:30 p.m. ET on May 24. Spain’s Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing is the defending champion.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Orioles signing veteran OF Tommy Pham
Aug 28, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Tommy Pham (28) high fives teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images The Baltimore Orioles are signing veteran outfielder Tommy Pham to a minor league deal, multiple outlets reported Saturday.
Pham, 38, was hitless (0-for-13) in nine games with the New York Mets last month before being designated for assignment on April 27.
The 13-year veteran has played for 10 teams since making his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014.
Pham is a career .256/.344/.421 hitter with 149 homers, 522 RBIs and 131 stolen bases in 1,250 games. He last played in the American League in 2024 with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals.
The Orioles are looking for outfield depth after placing Dylan Beavers on the 10-day injured list this week due to a right oblique strain.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Road-tested Aces aim to spoil Dream's home opener
May 13, 2026; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) reacts after a play against the Connecticut Sun in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images Entering the final contest of a four-game road trip, the Las Vegas Aces look more than comfortable away from home.
The reigning league champions will aim to complete the road sweep Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Dream.
After flushing a 33-point season-opening home loss to the Phoenix Mercury, Las Vegas (3-1) posted a win over the Los Angeles Sparks before earning back-to-back victories against the Connecticut Sun.
Four-time league MVP A’ja Wilson had 45 points on Friday in the Aces’ 101-94 triumph over the Sun, going 15-for-18 from the floor.
Wilson continues to evolve as a 3-point shooter, according to head coach Becky Hammon. Wilson had a career-year behind the arc last season, shooting 42.4%, and made both of her attempts Friday, adding to her offensive arsenal.
“Her ability to step out and make someone guard her out there, you leave her open and she’s going to knock that down,” Hammon said. “She’s shooting over 40%, obviously not a high volume (4-for-7 this season). I’d like to get that volume up a little bit more, but as long as she’s shooting it efficiently, I think it puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”
Behind Wilson’s 26.3 points per game, Chennedy Carter adds 19.3 and Jackie Young averages 14.0 points and 6.0 assists per contest.
Atlanta (2-0) will make its home debut after setting a franchise record with 30 wins in 2025. The Dream went 16-6 at home in head coach Karl Smesko’s first year at the helm.
The game is sold out.
Atlanta has picked up a pair of road wins to begin the year, despite a lackluster shooting performance. The team is shooting just 40.1% from the field and has made only 16 of its 62 (25.8%) 3-point attempts.
“We realize that if we’re going to beat Vegas, we’re probably going to have to shoot the ball better than we have so far,” Smesko said. “I’m hoping to continue to see the improvement of one or two things that we really want to see get better for the Vegas game and hopefully that can make the difference.”
Allisha Gray is averaging a team-high 25.0 points per game, while Jordin Canada chips in 15.5. Offseason addition Angel Reese has posted 11.5 points and 15.0 boards through her first two games with Atlanta.
–Field Level Media
Rain wipes out Indy 500 practice, delays qualifying
Reports: Orioles signing veteran OF Tommy Pham
