Sports
Kristijan Kahlina's net play helps Charlotte tie St. Louis City
Feb 21, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis CITY SC defender Jaziel Orozco (99) slide tackles Charlotte FC forward Wilfried Zaha (10) in the first half at Energizer Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images Kristijan Kahlina made 10 saves, including three crucial late denials, to help Charlotte FC preserve a 1-1 draw at St. Louis City in both teams’ season opener on Saturday afternoon.
Pep Biel scored in the second half of his first appearance since last September for Charlotte, which extended St. Louis’ winless streak in home openers to three seasons and spoiled Yoann Damet’s full-time managerial debut.
Marcel Hartel, who had nine goals and six assists last season, put St. Louis in front early in the second half as the club began a new era with Damet and new sporting director Corey Wray.
Both teams had chances to win late, but it was Kahlina who was the busier of the two goalkeepers. His best denial came against Cedric Teuchert in the seventh-minute of second-half stoppage time, and he also had to deny Brendan McSorley before referee Ismail Elfath finally blew for full time.
Biel was one of Charlotte’s three double-digit goal scorers in 2025, but he played only 48 MLS minutes after late July as he dealt with a hamstring strain and then eventually a knee injury that ended his season prematurely. Without him, Charlotte fell in the first round of the MLS playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Biel showed few signs of rust on the goal that pulled the visitors level.
Wilfried Zaha picked him out in the left side of the penalty area with a clever pass that split multiple St. Louis defenders. Biel then finished past Roman Burki from a close but tricky angle, dispatching his effort around the ‘keeper and inside the far right post.
Hartel put St. Louis in front on the hour mark after his side’s most crisp attack of the match.
Daniel Edelman played a ball forward from the right toward Simon Becher, who had space to push into the penalty area. Instead, Becher cut a first-touch pass across his body into Hartel’s run at the top of the penalty arc, and Hartel connected on a first-time finish past Kahlina’s dive.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Guardians signing 1B Rhys Hoskins to minor league deal
Jul 2, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (12) watches from the dugout prior to game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Cleveland Guardians are signing free-agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins to a minor league contract, The Athletic reported Sunday.
He will earn a $1.5 million base salary should he make the major league roster, per the report. He still must pass a physical but was in the Guardians clubhouse at spring training in Arizona on Sunday.
Hoskins, who turns 33 next month, spent the past two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers after six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He missed the 2023 season due to a torn ACL suffered in spring training.
He has a career batting average of .238 with 186 home runs and 530 RBIs.
He played just 90 games for the Brewers last season, sidelined because of a left thumb UCL sprain and bone bruise. He hit .237 with 12 homers and 43 runs driven in. Andrew Vaughn, acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, took over at first base.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: MLS reviewing Lionel Messi's post-match actions
Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) moves the ball against Los Angeles FC midfielder Mathieu Choinière (66) during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images Lionel Messi could face a suspension from MLS after the Inter Miami superstar was seen following referees through a door after Saturday night’s 3-0 loss at Los Angeles FC, per The Athletic.
FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazaga was investigated and suspended three matches for “misconduct” after entering the referees’ locker room in 2023 following a playoff match.
In the video, which was posted by Sintesis Deportes, Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez appears to attempt to prevent Messi from entering the room. Messi escapes Suarez’s grasp before reappearing eight seconds later, joining his teammates walking to their locker room. It’s unknown if the room Messi walked into was the referees’ locker room.
MLS has yet to issue a statement, and its disciplinary committee usually issues decisions — which include suspensions and fines — by the middle of the week following the previous weekend’s games.
Messi has never been suspended for any incident involving a referee, but he was suspended last summer for one match after being a no-show at the MLS All-Star Game. Also last season, he was fined “for violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy” after a game.
Messi and Inter Miami are off until next Sunday, when the club takes on visiting Orlando City.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Conor McGregor teases 'no name' foe for UFC comeback
March 8, 2024; Austin TX; Conor McGregor speaks to press on the red carpet before the premiere of Roadhouse at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas on the first day of South by Southwest, Friday, March 8, 2024. McGregor plays the character “Knox” in the movie.. Mandatory Credit: Sara Diggins-USA TODAY NETWORK Former two-division champion Conor McGregor claims he’s ready to return to the UFC, and this time against a “no name” foe.
Sidelined since July 2021, McGregor has been rather vocal about returning to the Octagon.
McGregor (22-6) went so far as to take to social media on Saturday and note that he’s just waiting for a contract to sign.
“It’s a no name up next for me possibly, folks. … I ACCEPT. Send the contract, lads,” the 37-year-old Irishman wrote in a now-deleted post.
UFC CEO Dana White poured cold water on McGregor’s claim, however.
“If it was done and he accepted it, I would announce it,” White said.
McGregor has not competed in the Octagon since sustaining a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in Las Vegas in 2021. His planned bout with Michael Chandler for UFC 303 in 2024 was canceled after McGregor withdrew with an injury.
–Field Level Media
Report: Guardians signing 1B Rhys Hoskins to minor league deal
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