Sports
Cristian Espinoza scores twice as Earthquakes dump Timbers
May 3, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza (10) controls the ball during the first half against the Portland Timbers at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images Cristian Espinoza scored his third and fourth goals of the season for his first brace in nearly two years, and the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the visiting Portland Timbers 4-1 on Saturday night.
Espinoza also had an assist, while Cristian Arango scored his seventh goal, tied atop MLS, and assisted two more as the Earthquakes (4-6-1, 13 points) snapped a three-match losing streak.
Ousseni Bouda added a late insurance tally for San Jose on a night they were out attacker Josef Martinez to a lower body injury. Martinez is second on the team with six goals. DeJuan Jones had his first two assists since joining the Earthquakes from the Columbus Crew.
Daniel made four stops for the Earthquakes.
Felipe Mora scored his team-leading fifth goal for Portland (5-3-3, 18 points), which had been unbeaten in its last seven matches.
San Jose has proven a capable attacking team in their first year under MLS all-time wins leader Bruce Arena, but their opening half-hour might be the best they’ve played this season.
Espinoza had completed his first two-goal performance in MLS since May 6, 2023, by the 24th minute.
Arango was at the root of Espinoza’s opening goal in the 16th minute, playing a give-and-go through midfield before spraying the ball to Jones striding down the right.
Jones dragged a low cross back into the top of the penalty area, where Espinoza met it for a first-time finish inside the bottom left corner.
Eight minutes later, Espinoza played the give-and-go, receiving the return pass and then dribbling into the penalty area before curling his effort past stranded goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (four saves).
Arango finished the ambush in the 27th minute, playing a give-and-go with Jones down the right before driving a low finish through the charging Crepeau.
Mora got a goal back just before halftime with his one-time finish of David Da Costa’s cross to the near post. But Portland rarely looked threatening after halftime and were probably fortunate to concede only once more before the night ended.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Best Value Betting Picks Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
It’s hard to believe that the 2026 NFL Draft is already almost here. It’s the perfect time to cash in on some draft betting picks.
Over the last few months, countless NFL mock drafters have taken stabs at where these top prospects could be selected.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best value on the board, utilizing FanDuel Sportsbook odds. Remember, this doesn’t mean that we’re predicting these players will be drafted in these spots.
Rather, we’re going to try to cash in on some valuable plus money opportunities for the NFL Draft, an event that is always capable of a few surprises.
No. 3 Overall: Francis Mauigoa (+650)
The Arizona Cardinals have the No. 3 overall pick – and they have needs all over their roster.
David Bailey (+110) and Arvell Reese (+260) are the betting favorite to come off of the board in this spot. But what if the Cardinals want to hook up new offensive minded head coach Mike LaFleur with a player to help fix his offense?
That could lead the Cardinals to Mauigoa, who was a standout right tackle for the Miami Hurricanes. 31-year-old veteran Elijah Wilkinson is expected to start at right tackle for the Cardinals.
They’ll probably take an edge rusher. But if they don’t Mauigoa would be the play at +650.
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No. 6 Overall: Caleb Downs (+1200)
The Cleveland Browns don’t need a defensive player. But Browns general manager Andrew Berry continues to float the idea of the team trading down. It’s a safe bet to expect the Browns to try and trade back.
Who would be worth another organization deciding to trade up for? Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs, who should still be on the board if the New York Giants select his Buckeyes teammate, Sonny Styles, at No. 5 overall.
Obviously, a lot has to go right for this selection to cash. But Downs is one of the best players in the draft. If he’s still available outside of the top five selections, he won’t last much longer.
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No. 10 Overall: Jordyn Tyson (+440)
Tyson is the one player in this class that could cause a major shakeup inside the top 10 picks.
According to reports, 20 teams attended the Arizona State star’s private workout, where the consensus seemed that most teams were comfortable with his medical situation.
The Giants just acquired the No. 10 selection from the Cincinnati Bengals. The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Giants GM Joe Schoen had dinner with Tyson the night before the private workout.
If Tyson is still available at No. 10 overall, the Giants could load up on offense for Jaxson Dart.
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Sports
Timberwolves look to shake off rust in Game 2 vs. Nuggets
Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles the ball up the court during the first half against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images The Denver Nuggets’ halftime adjustments in Game 1 on Saturday spurred them to a 116-105 win over Minnesota. Now, it’s the visiting Timberwolves’ turn to adjust for Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Monday night.
Minnesota missed 14 of its first 16 shots in the third quarter, when Denver built a 15-point lead. The Timberwolves cut it to 97-95 in the fourth quarter, but two turnovers contributed to a Nuggets’ run that put it away.
It is only one game, and No. 6 Minnesota has an opportunity to steal one from No. 3 Denver before heading home for Games 3 and 4.
“No one wants to have a moral victory, but we understand we had every opportunity to win that game and down the stretch, we cut it to two,” Ayo Dosunmu said. “We just have to be better.”
Composure and the ability to defend without fouling will be vital if the Timberwolves want to even the series. Jaden McDaniels hit a turnaround jumper that ended a Minnesota drought in the third quarter, and then drew a technical for pushing Nuggets star Nikola Jokic in the back after the bucket.
The Timberwolves had 25 personal fouls that led to 33 free-throw attempts for Denver, 16 by Jamal Murray. He didn’t miss from the line, and the Nuggets missed just three overall.
Minnesota’s chances to pull off the upset in the series hinge on star guard Anthony Edwards. He missed 11 of the final 14 games of the regular season due to a balky right knee, and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said Edwards looked “rusty” Saturday.
Edwards acknowledged he struggled.
“I haven’t played in like a month, month and a half, so, I was a little fatigued,” he said despite tallying 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.
Denver is hoping to get fully healthy for the rest of the series if forward Peyton Watson can return from a right hamstring strain. Watson has not played since aggravating the hamstring injury on April 1. He initially sustained the injury Feb. 4 and missed more than six weeks.
The Nuggets do have Jokic and Murray healthy, and they were a force in Game 1. Jokic recorded the 22nd triple-double of his playoff career, and Murray scored 30 points despite going 7-for-22 from the field. He did most of his damage from the line and disputed Minnesota’s grumblings in the disparity of foul calls.
“I thought I got fouled on every single one of them. I don’t know what everybody is talking about,” Murray said. “They were real fouls.”
Denver has been on a roll since losing to Memphis on March 18. The Nuggets won their final 12 games of the regular season to overtake the Los Angeles Lakers for the third seed and secure a third playoff meeting in four years against the Timberwolves to build on a budding rivalry.
“I think some people say it’s the same teams. I don’t think it’s the same teams,” Jokic said. “People are more experienced, different players. One player can change the whole situation, the whole rotation, the whole momentum of the team.”
–Field Level Media
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East-leading Nashville might be without Sam Surridge at Atlanta
Apr 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC defender Jack Elliott (3), defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi (4) and Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge (9) battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images If Nashville SC intend to extend their lead atop the MLS Eastern Conference standings with a win against host Atlanta United on Saturday night, they might have to do it without their leading scorer for a second straight match.
Sam Surridge was sidelined with a hamstring injury on Tuesday when Nashville (5-1-1, 16 points) defeated Liga MX side Club America 1-0 in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal tie and secured passage to the semifinals. The Englishman, tied atop the MLS leaderboard with seven goals, is questionable for Saturday.
“He’s made some good progress … and so, right now, it’s just (him having to) clear a few hurdles with medical and performance to see if we can get him ready for (Atlanta),” Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan said.
Though Atlanta (1-5-1, 4 points) ranks near the bottom of the East, Callaghan does not take the latest chapter in the clubs’ Southeastern derby lightly.
“It doesn’t matter where anybody is on the table. The table doesn’t really matter this early in the season, anyway,” Callaghan said. “They’re going to bring out their best. We’ve had good games in the past (during) the history of both clubs, so the expectation is going to be nothing short of that.”
Atlanta United defeated Chattanooga FC 3-1 on Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32, snapping a three-match losing streak across all competitions (0-2-1).
Atlanta has won just once in MLS play, but it can gain momentum with a positive result against Nashville in front of a home crowd.
“The poor results are something we can resolve before the World Cup break, but it’s also important to confidence and the emotional state of the team,” Atlanta head coach Tata Martino said through an interpreter. “What we also have to work on is not just trying to solve the results, but (improving the) confidence and emotional state of the team.”
The Five Stripes will be without Miguel Almiron (knee irritation) for up to two weeks after he felt leg discomfort during the match against Chattanooga. Steven Alzate (adductor) will be unavailable as well.
Nashville and Atlanta are deadlocked at 4-4-5 in their 13 previous regular-season matches.
–Field Level Media
