Sports
Rams visit Seahawks, look to gain ground in NFC West
Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images How tight is the NFC West race?
The Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals are tied for the division lead with 4-4 records, while the Los Angeles Rams are a half-game back at 3-4.
That will make for an intriguing matchup Sunday in Seattle, when the Rams visit Lumen Field.
The Rams were just 1-4 going into their bye week before winning two games in five days, beating Las Vegas 20-15 on Oct. 20 and Minnesota 30-20 last Thursday, both at home.
“I believe in this group,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “I believe in the coaches. I believe in the players. I saw resolve. I didn’t see a flinch. And we still have a long way to go. We’ve won two games in five days, but it is just two games. We’ve done a good job of getting ourselves back to where we wanted to be.”
The return of wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua from lengthy injury absences helped L.A.’s offense get untracked against the Vikings.
“They brought a lot of energy to our team, and a ton of confidence,” said Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 279 yards and four TDs against Minnesota after having just three scoring strikes in the previous six games combined. “It’s not only just the offense. I know the defense feels it too when those guys are out there making plays.”
The Seahawks have been headed in the opposite direction, losing four of five games since a 3-0 start. That includes a 31-10 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills last Sunday.
“We got outplayed and we got outcoached, and we’ve got to go make it right,” Seahawks first-year coach Mike Macdonald said.
The Seahawks had their chances in the first half, but one drive stalled on second-and-goal from the Buffalo 3-yard line when center Connor Williams’ snap sailed over quarterback Geno Smith’s head. Another ended when Williams stepped on Smith’s foot on a fourth-and-goal play from the 1, causing the QB to fall backward.
“When you talk about all the things that we want to do, well, I don’t think we did any of those (last Sunday),” Smith said. “So we’ve got to look at ourselves, look in the mirror, and take it from there.”
Linebacker Ernest Jones IV, making his debut for the Seahawks after being acquired from Tennessee, made 15 tackles. Jones played the previous three seasons with the Rams before being dealt to the Titans less than two weeks before the season opener after failing to come to terms on a contract extension.
“I know who he is as a player,” Stafford said. “Physically, really talented. Mentally and emotionally, really gifted. Loved being a teammate with him. Have a ton of respect for who he is as a person and as a player. I don’t think there’s any disadvantage or advantage. I just know it’s a challenge going against him.”
The Seahawks hope to get DK Metcalf (knee) back after he missed last week’s game, though he and fellow wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (knee) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (foot) have missed practice time this week.
Nose tackle Neville Gallimore (shoulder) was the only Rams player to miss an entire practice in preparation for the game against Seattle.
–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
