Sports
No. 3 Iowa State bids to bounce back vs. Kansas State
Jan 27, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger looks toward the bench during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images No. 3 Iowa State hopes to start a new winning streak when it tips off against Kansas State in a Big 12 Conference showdown Saturday afternoon in Ames, Iowa.
The Cyclones (17-3, 7-2) are eager to move past an 86-75 overtime loss at Arizona on Monday in their most recent game. It marked their second loss in the past four games.
“We’ll be better for it,” coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “We’ll move on to the next thing here.”
That means a home-court test against Kansas State (9-11, 3-6), which is starting to climb out of a miserable start to the conference season. The Wildcats have won two games in a row after losing their previous six.
Kansas State coach Jerome Tang said his players have found more success since he and his assistants simplified the game plan. He conducted meetings with individual players and heard a consistent message that they had been confused with what they needed to do in the early part of the season.
Years ago, Tang said, it was easier to implement more complicated game plans because players stayed in the program for three or four years. But the more transient nature of today’s game creates extra importance for simplicity.
“We thought we were being simple with what we were providing them, but there was still confusion in what we were giving them,” Tang said. “Because we were probably giving them too much and thinking, ‘Man, … we’ve already toned it down, the number of sets we gave or what we are doing defensively.’ But that was still the common theme as I met with the players.
“So I went to the staff and said, ‘Look, we’ve got to make it even simpler.'”
The Wildcats responded with a 73-60 win over then-No. 23 West Virginia last Saturday and a resounding 85-57 victory over Oklahoma State on Wednesday.
Kansas State now will go for its first three-game winning streak of the season.
David N’Guessan leads the Wildcats with an average of 12.3 points per game. Brendan Hausen is second at 12.0, and Coleman Hawkins ranks third at 10.9 points to go with a team-high 7.1 rebounds.
Otzelberger said Hawkins’ value goes beyond his statistics.
“Hawkins is a terrific mismatch player, and they use him in a lot of ways,” Otzelberger said. “The way that he can shoot it, post at the mid-post, drive it (and) beat you off the dribble to the rim — he creates a matchup situation. You’ve got to be intentional guarding him.”
Iowa State is led in scoring by Curtis Jones, who is averaging 18.1 points a game. Keshon Gilbert (15.6), Joshua Jefferson (12.9) and Tamin Lipsey (10.4) round out the team’s top four scorers.
The Cyclones will remain without Milan Momcilovic, who has missed the past five games because of a hand injury. The sophomore is averaging 10.3 points per game and is shooting 44.3 percent from beyond the arc.
“(His) cast is off,” Otzelberger said. “He’s doing strengthening exercises. I don’t know where we’re at in that time right now. Where are we at? Week 3? I would say four (weeks) is probably aggressive, but we’ll see.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Red Bulls' struggling defense clashes with woeful D.C. offense
Apr 4, 2026; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; Red Bull New York forward Emil Forsberg (10) tries to gain control of the ball against FC Cincinnati during the second half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls are struggling at the opposite ends of the pitch.
Over their last four MLS matches, D.C. United have failed to score. Meanwhile, over the Red Bulls’ last four league games, they have surrendered 14 goals.
When the teams meet Wednesday night in Harrison, N.J., they will be seeking answers for their recent woes.
The lack of scoring punch is nothing new for D.C. United (2-4-2, 8 points). Last year, the club scored 30 goals, the fewest in MLS. D.C. also failed to score in four straight league matches from May 10-24, 2025.
It’s been a challenge for the Black and Red to remain positive. In addition to going 0-2-2 during their scoreless MLS run, they fell last week on penalty kicks to One Knoxville SC in a U.S. Open Cup match in which they put up three goals.
“I think we’ve shown we can create. I think it’s just about being very precise in some moments on both sides of the ball,” said D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who had four saves in a scoreless draw Saturday at the Philadelphia Union.
The offensive struggles of D.C. were evident as it took just six shots against Philadelphia, none of which were on frame. Coach Rene Weiler said he expects a similar challenge against New York (3-3-2, 11 points).
“You have to find ways to score goals,” Weiler said. “First of all, you have to accept the fight and the physical game because most of the teams on our side of the league are very physical.”
The Red Bulls look to rebound from a dispiriting 4-1 loss Saturday at CF Montreal in which their lone tally was an own goal.
Lowly CF Montreal has just two wins this season, both against the Red Bulls, who they have outscored 7-1.
Julian Hall (five goals, two assists) and Emil Forsberg (one goal, two assists) provide firepower for New York, which hopes to rediscover its defense against its longtime MLS rival.
“Games against D.C. United always carry extra weight,” Red Bulls manager Michael Bradley said. “We’re gonna step on the field at home on Wednesday night ready to give everything we have to respond in a really strong way.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Apr 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Truist Park. All players are wearing number 42 today in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with discomfort in his right (throwing) shoulder.
Iglesias has said he’s felt the discomfort since sleeping on his shoulder wrong Friday night. But the Braves conducted an MRI that found no structural damage.
“There’s some inflammation there,” Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters. “We feel like we’re getting out in front of this thing a little bit.”
Iglesias, 36, has amassed a 42-55 record, 258 saves and a 2.86 ERA in his 12 major league seasons, including four-plus years in Atlanta. He was off to a perfect start to the season, with five saves and no runs allowed over eight games (8 2/3 innings). He’s tossed 11 strikeouts to only one walk.
While Iglesias is sidelined, Robert Suarez will take over closing duties. Suarez led the National League with 40 saves while serving as the San Diego Padres’ closer last season; then he signed a three-year, $45 million deal to join the Braves and their bullpen.
The right-handed Suarez has gone 2-0 with one save and an 0.93 ERA for Atlanta in 10 appearances, used mostly as a setup man. He was an All-Star in 2024 and 2025 for the Padres.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) shoots on goal during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Orlando City will be hoping for a much-needed attacking breakthrough on Wednesday night when they host a Charlotte FC side in search of a second consecutive away victory.
Orlando (1-6-1, 4 points) has been one of Major League Soccer’s most disappointing teams this season, costing former manager Oscar Pareja his job last month.
But there is some evidence that maybe the Lions have at least righted the ship defensively. After conceding 23 times in their first six games, interim manager Martin Perelman’s group has allowed only two goals in the last three fixtures across all competitions.
“I think we organize the team. It never is enough, always (important) to improve things,” Perelman said. “We are in that part. Last details. But yes, the structure is there. In the offensive side as well, we are working. Hopefully we can get the shape we want, that we are used to. Because in this club we have been scoring a lot for the last two years.”
So far, though, the attacking end remains pretty dire. After Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic combined for 28 MLS goals a season ago, they only have two apiece for a team with six goals total.
Pasalic also missed last week’s 1-0 home loss to Houston on Saturday night with a leg injury.
Charlotte (4-2-2, 14 points) makes the journey south following a 2-1 victory at New York City FC on Saturday, one that came despite holding a season-low 36% possession.
Defender Tim Ream exited that match at halftime and will miss roughly a week with an adductor strain, Charlotte manager Dean Smith said.
Idan Toklomati scored early in the second half and Kerwin Vargas added a goal late before NYCFC pulled one back in second-half stoppage time. And Charlotte created a similar number of chances to NYCFC despite having less of the ball.
Smith hopes the performance sets the tone for upcoming travels, with Charlotte to play its next three league games away after five of its first eight came at home.
“There’s not plenty of away games we’ve played so far, such is the fixture list,” Smith said. “We didn’t start on the road well, but we showed loads of characteristics that I liked on Saturday. And we need to continue to do that in the next three away games as well.”
–Field Level Media
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Red Bulls' struggling defense clashes with woeful D.C. offense
