Sports
High-scoring Whitecaps, NYCFC set to clash for the first time since '23
Apr 4, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Sebastian Berhalter (16) celebrates scoring in added time against the Portland Timbers at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images It would have been difficult to have scripted a much better start to the Whitecaps’ season, as Vancouver has won five of its first six matches and boasts the highest-scoring offense in Major League Soccer.
Coach Jesper Sorensen’s confident club will look for more of the same against visiting New York City FC on Saturday.
Fresh off its run to the MLS Cup final last season, Vancouver (5-1-0, 15 points) has just one blemish on the early season — a 1-0 home loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on March 21. The Whitecaps have an MLS-best 17 goals, and the team trails only Los Angeles FC in the Western Conference standings.
Vancouver got goals from Thomas Muller and Sebastian Berhalter in second-half stoppage time to propel grab a 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers last weekend. Sorensen’s team has also received reinforcements, as 21-year-old Bruno Caicedo made his MLS debut last week after signing with Vancouver in January.
Caicedo took three shots in an effective first impression with his new club.
“Bruno Caicedo’s debut was amazing,” Sorensen said. “He hasn’t been here for long, but everybody can see what he can do. He was really hungry to make an impact and he did. If this is what we can expect from him from the start of his career for the Whitecaps, then we have exciting things to look forward to.”
Veteran Brian White leads Vancouver with five goals, while Berhalter has three goals and a team-best four assists.
New York City (3-1-2, 11 points) hits the road after four consecutive home games. NYCFC are eager to remove the bad taste that a 1-1 draw to St. Louis City left last weekend. Coach Pascal Jansen’s team surrendered an equalizing goal in the sixth minute of added time.
Despite earning at least a point in five of its first six outings — including against St. Louis — New York City is far from satisfied with its recent play.
“It’s one point, but it felt like a loss,” Jansen said. “To concede the way we did in the final part of the game is simply impossible. You have to put your life on the line.”
Nicolas Fernandez’s five goals spearhead a New York team that isn’t going to put added stress on itself ahead of Saturday, even on the heels of back-to-back disappointments. For the St. Louis matchup, NYCFC fell 3-2 to Inter Miami.
“The pressure is always there for us because we want to play our ‘A’ game every time,” Jansen said. “It was a tough draw against St. Louis, but there’s no more pressure than usual going into the Vancouver game.”
The two teams have not met since the 2023 season, when they played to a 1-1 draw in New York.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Texas AG launches probe into FIFA's ticket practices
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at Texas Tech University’s chapter of Turning Point USA’s event for speakers at Cook’s Garage in Lubbock, Texas, Oct. 7, 2025. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into FIFA over alleged deceptive ticketing practices for World Cup matches in his state.
Paxton announced his probe into international soccer’s governing body Tuesday, claiming that FIFA misled fans about the location and quality of seats sold for upcoming matches.
“I will work to ensure that FIFA is engaging in ethical and honest business practices so that Texas fans are treated fairly,” he said in a statement. “Sports have a unique power to bring people together, and FIFA must understand that Texans take their competition — and their consumer rights — seriously.”
Seven matches are taking place at Houston’s NRG Stadium and nine are being played at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, including a semifinal on July 14.
In one example provided by Paxton’s office to USA Today, a fan purchased “Category 1” seats expecting premium views of the field. However, Paxton’s office said FIFA allegedly later adjusted the seat maps to move the fan’s seats to “Category 2,” which have worse views of the action.
FIFA did not respond to a request for comment from USA Today.
State attorneys general in California, New York and New Jersey have launched similar investigations.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Victoria Mboko, Serena Williams' doubles partner, injured
Mar 24, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Victoria Mboko (CAN) hits a forehand against Karolina Muchova (CZE) (not pictured) on day eight of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Serena Williams’ London comeback may have ended prematurely Wednesday when doubles partner Victoria Mboko sustained a knee injury while playing singles at the HSBC Championships.
Mboko grabbed at her left knee after slipping on the grass at the Queen’s Club and was forced to retire. The 19-year-old Canadian was trailing 6-2, 3-4 to Karolina Pliskova, who advanced to the quarterfinals.
“She was improving as the match was going, so it would have been a nice match, but I wish her only the best,” Pliskova said. “Of course, this is not the way I want to win, so hopefully she’s going to be fine for Wimbledon.”
Playing for the first time in nearly four years, the 44-year-old Williams paired with Mboko to win their first doubles match on Tuesday with a 7-6 (2), 6-2 result against third-seeded Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe.
Williams and Mboko are scheduled to face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund in the quarterfinals on Thursday night.
Mboko, ranked No. 9 in the world, was the No. 3 seed in the singles draw. It was the first retirement of her career at the WTA Tour level.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam winner in singles, had not played professionally since the 2022 U.S. Open.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Wave sign Spanish GK Sandra Panos to 3-year deal
Sep 4, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; Club America goalkeeper Sandra Panos (1) looks on before the match against Portland Thorns FC at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images The San Diego Wave announced the signing Wednesday of decorated Spanish goalkeeper Sandra Panos.
Panos, 33, arrives from Liga MX Femenil side Club America on a three-year deal through the 2028 NWSL season.
She previously starred at FC Barcelona as a three-time Champions League winner and five-time Liga F champion.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Sandra to San Diego,” sporting director and general manager Camille Ashton said. “She is a world-class goalkeeper with experience and leadership at the highest levels of the game, which will be a tremendous addition to our team. Bringing a player of her caliber to the Wave reflects the ambition of our Club as we continue working toward winning a championship, and we’re thrilled to have her join this team.”
Panos allowed just 13 goals in 72 matches across three seasons at Club America from 2024-26.
She earned 54 caps with the Spanish national team from 2012-22, including four starts at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
–Field Level Media
Texas AG launches probe into FIFA's ticket practices
Victoria Mboko, Serena Williams' doubles partner, injured
