Sports
Heavy favorite Argentina 'not surprised' to face Cape Verde in round of 32
June 29, 2026; Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi during training. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Argentina will be heavy favorites when they face World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their round of 32 match on Friday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
But Argentine boss Lionel Scaloni says meeting their African foes at this stage, instead of Uruguay or Saudi Arabia as some predicted, is far from a shock.
“We’ve already watched them, not just because we are playing against them, but because we were analyzing potential opponents (earlier on),” Scaloni said via an interpreter. “And then they qualified. And we are not surprised, to be honest.
“They are a good team, and they are not here by chance. We must respect them, and that’s what we will do.”
So far, La Albiceleste have done pretty well at that, defeating all three of their group opponents by multiple goals. And at age 39, Lionel Messi is having arguably the best individual World Cup of his storied career.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner already has six goals, tied with France’s Kylian Mbappe for the tournament lead, and he’s currently the World Cup leader with 19 all-time, having passed Germany’s Miroslav Klose with his brace against Austria. Mbappe is right on Messi’s heels with 18 all-time.
If there was any temptation to overlook an unfancied opponent like Cape Verde — the smallest nation by population ever to reach the knockout phase — it is tempered by the knowledge that one bad performance could mean the end of Messi’s World Cup career.
“We have no idea about how many matches we might have to play,” said Messi’s international and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul. “It’s not good to think this way. For me, the main thing is to enjoy Leo Messi every single day, just as every Argentinian citizen.
“Of course, we always value those things more that we don’t have anymore. That’s part of life. But we are all enjoying having him around. And of course, we need to always remember our main goal is tomorrow’s match.”
Cape Verde drew all three of their group matches, including an attention-grabbing defensive performance in a 0-0 tie with tournament favorites Spain and a 2-2 result against Uruguay, another South American power.
Those showings have endeared the island nation off Africa’s Atlantic coast to the world, and they’ve reinforced the confidence of their manager — who goes by the singular name Bubista — in his tactical approach against more heralded opponents.
“We, as a team, have our own strategy, not only against Messi, but the whole team,” Bubista said through an interpreter. “We know they are the current world champions, one of the best teams in the tournament. And we will play against the whole team. We know Messi is one of the best players in the world. But we will play organized and against the whole team.”
Veteran fullback Stopira says his team’s business remains unfinished. It’s a group that does not want to be broken up by the force of a tournament-ending defeat.
“We are always united as a team,” Stopira said via an interpreter. “We play with each other in the dressing room, and we are very united as we always have been. And today even more, because we are getting closer to the most important match in our history.
“So we are being responsible and also trying to enjoy the match. We did not reach the stage by chance. It was our own merit. And we want to show the world our qualities, our values. And there’s a lot of quality in Cape Verdean football.”
–Ian Nicholas Quillen, Field Level Media
Sports
Ice bucket challenge gaining steam after Chris Johnson ALS diagnosis
Former Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson was diagnosed with ALS. Former NFL running back Chris Johnson announced Monday on “Good Morning America” that he is battling ALS. Two days after that interview with former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, Johnson followed up by requesting that supporters revive a viral trend that has been on ice since 2014.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge swept the nation in summer 2014, raising $115 million for the ALS Association, according to the organization’s website.
“Years ago, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge united millions of people around one cause and helped change the fight against this disease,” Johnson wrote in his post. “Today, I’m asking you to help me do it again.”
Three men with ALS, Anthony Senerchia, Pete Frates and Pat Quinn, launched the 2014 campaign that inspired 17 million people to dump ice water on their heads and donate to an ALS charity. In addition to the monetary achievement, the campaign raised awareness of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Funds were invested in research and care for people living with the disease.
In the post, Johnson thanked fans for their support and explained that his idea to revive the Ice Bucket Challenge was inspired by Hunter Mecum, a former Utah basketball player. Mecum posted a video of himself doing the challenge in honor of Johnson, then nominated the “2,000 active NFL players” to follow his lead and take on the challenge, a reference to Johnson’s 2,000-yard rushing season.
Johnson has nominated former NFL players LenDale White, Marshawn Lynch and Adam “Pacman” Jones to take part in the challenge. White was Johnson’s backfield mate in Tennessee.
Johnson also posted a video of himself completing the challenge and requesting that donations be made to Massachusetts General Hospital’s Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS. As of Thursday, more than $33,000 has been raised by Johnson’s campaign.
Lynch and White have each responded by posting videos of themselves completing the challenge. White subsequently nominated Deion Sanders, Vince Young and Mike Sims-Walker.
Johnson’s daughter has also joined in the cause and nominated her brothers and LeBron James to take part.
Johnson was the 24th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. In his second season in 2009, he became the sixth running back in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season, rushing for 2,006 yards on 358 carries. The achievement earned him the nickname CJ2K.
He had 2,163 carries for 9,651 yards and 55 touchdowns during his 10-year NFL career for the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals.
The ALS Association website explains that the disease causes “a person’s brain (to lose) connection with the muscles, slowly taking away their ability to walk, talk, eat and eventually breathe. Although there is still no cure or treatment that halts progression, new treatments are helping to slow and ease symptoms.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jarred Kelenic, Joe Ross, Chris Paddack elect free agency from Rangers
Jun 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Joe Ross (41) throws to the plate against the San Diego Padres during the tenth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images Veteran right-handed pitchers Joe Ross and Chris Paddack and outfielder Jarred Kelenic all rejected outright assignments by the Texas Rangers and became free agents on Thursday.
Paddack spent less than four days with the club. He signed on Monday and appeared that night in a bulk relief role against the Cleveland Guardians. After spreading two runs and seven hits over four innings, Paddack was designated for assignment the next day before passing through waivers.
Paddack, 30, has already spent time with the Miami Marlins, Cincinnati Reds and Rangers this season. He is 0-7 with a 6.79 ERA in 14 games (nine starts).
Ross, 33, got into five games for Texas and allowed four earned runs over eight innings (4.50 ERA) with one loss. He started the season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has a 9.26 ERA in eight total relief appearances (11 2/3 innings).
Kelenic, 26, also didn’t last long with his second team of the season and the fourth of his MLB career. A former top prospect for the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners, Kelenic began this year with the Chicago White Sox and was granted free agency at the end of May. He soon signed with Texas and only played in seven games, batting 1-for-8.
In other moves, the Rangers selected the contract of right-hander Ben Peoples from Triple-A Round Rock, optioned right-hander Winston Santos to Round Rock and transferred left-hander Jordan Montgomery’s rehab assignment from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A.
The Rangers acquired Peoples, 25, from the White Sox for catcher Ben Hartl this week and could make his major league debut with Texas. He was 5-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 29 relief appearances for Triple-A Charlotte, striking out 45 with 21 walks.
Santos, 24, made his MLB debut Wednesday and allowed two runs on two hits in two innings of relief in a 9-4 loss at Cleveland.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Dodgers recall RHP Paul Gervase
May 22, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Paul Gervase (65) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right-handed relief pitcher Paul Gervase from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday for his third stint with the team this season.
Gervase, 26, has a 1.80 ERA and five strikeouts across five innings in two appearances for the Dodgers this season.
He has a career 3.38 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings across eight major league appearances. In Triple-A in 2026, Gervase is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 25 innings across 19 games.
In a corresponding move, the Dodgers optioned left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes to Triple-A. Barnes, 30, was called up Wednesday and took down the bulk of the innings in a planned bullpen game, which the Dodgers lost 7-1 to the A’s in Sacramento. Barnes allowed seven runs on 12 hits in seven innings with two strikeouts and two walks.
He has a 0-1 record with a 7.00 ERA in nine innings across three relief appearances for the Dodgers this season. He has played 13 games in parts of two seasons with the Minnesota Twins (2021), Chicago Cubs (2026) and Dodgers (2026), compiling a career 0-4 record with a 6.30 ERA in 50 innings.
–Field Level Media
Ice bucket challenge gaining steam after Chris Johnson ALS diagnosis
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