Sports
Robert Lewandowski set for MLS debut with Fire vs. Inter Miami
Jul 30, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski (9) gets ready to take a penalty kick in a tie breaker during a Champions Tour friendly match against Manchester City at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Star striker Robert Lewandowski will finally make his MLS debut when his Chicago Fire visit Inter Miami in their return to league play on Wednesday night.
The 37-year-old Lewandowski joined Chicago (8-4-2, 26 points) earlier this month to bring an end to a glittering 20-year European career that included extended stays at Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and most recently FC Barcelona.
He was scheduled to make his first appearance last Thursday at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps and former Bayern teammate Thomas Muller, but smoke from Canadian wildfires affecting the Midwest led to a postponement.
Now, he’ll face the defending MLS Cup champions, though this version of the team will be without Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul.
Chicago manager Gregg Berhalter tried to downplay the impact of those absences.
“They have great players, and they are champions for a reason because they have a good mindset, good mentality, they compete,” he said. “For us, it’s about how do we take advantage of some of their weaknesses, and that’s what we’re going to be looking to exploit.”
Lewandowski joins a team that was on a three-match winning streak heading into the World Cup break, climbing to third place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Meanwhile, Miami (9-2-4, 31 points) will play without Messi for only the second time this season.
The 39-year-old leads the Herons with 12 goals and eight assists. According to reporting from ESPN, Messi and De Paul will miss at least Miami’s next two matches and the MLS All-Star Game on July 29 as they take time to recharge following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final.
Up front, interim manager Guillermo Hoyos will likely lean on the combination of veteran Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Argentine-Mexican attacker German Berterame, who have combined to score 13 times.
The Herons will also look to continue growing into their new home stadium, which was opened only this April and has seen crowds near capacity for each of its first six MLS matches.
“If the fans come out and support us, it will help us tremendously,” Hoyos said. “I think both teams will step on the field with the desire and determination to win. Inter Miami is a club that always wants to be the protagonist and always looks to take control of the game.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Azzi Fudd lone rookie to compete in WNBA 3-point contest
Jul 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) warms up before the game against the New York Liberty at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images Rookie Azzi Fudd is accustomed to being in the national limelight after winning an NCAA championship with UConn in 2025 and being drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings last April.
On Friday night in Chicago, Fudd will be back in the spotlight as one of six WNBA players participating in the 3-Point Contest during All-Star weekend festivities.
Also competing is Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard, who, like Fudd, was a rookie the first time she took part in 2022. Rounding out the field are Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo, Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire, Natisha Hiedeman of the Seattle Storm, and Janelle Salaun of the Golden State Valkyries.
Only Mabrey and Howard have competed in the past.
Defending champion Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty declined to take part.
The 3-point contest is a two-round event, with all six players getting their turn in the first round. The championship round will be the top two finishers only.
The contest is set to start at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, and it will be televised by ESPN. The All-Star Game will be played Saturday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Game time is 8:30 p.m.
–Field Level Media
Sports
A's place top pitcher J.T. Ginn (blister) on 15-day IL
Jul 18, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher J.T. Ginn (35) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The Athletics placed right-hander J.T. Ginn on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a blister on his right middle finger.
The move is retroactive to Saturday for Ginn, who leads the team’s starters in wins (eight), ERA (3.46) and strikeouts (100) while making 22 appearances (19 starts) this season.
Ginn, 27, allowed just one hit and struck out seven batters over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in a 15-1 romp over the Washington Nationals in his last trip to the mound.
He is 13-14 with a 4.20 ERA in 53 career games (41 starts) with the Athletics.
Also on Wednesday, the A’s recalled right-hander Mason Barnett from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Barnett, 25, is 1-0 with two saves and a 4.64 ERA in 13 relief appearances with the Athletics this season. He is 3-1 with a 4.34 ERA in 10 games (all starts) with the Aviators.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jasper Philipsen wins Stage 17 of Tour de France
Premier Tech’s Jasper Philipsen reacts after winning stage 17 of the Tour de France. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool Jasper Philipsen won his first Tour de France stage of 2026 and the 11th of his career on Wednesday to extend a win streak by Belgian riders.
Philipsen’s victory in Stage 17 from Chambery to Voiron followed countryman Remco Evenepoel’s back-to-back triumphs in Stages 15 and 16, the longest streak for Belgium since 1981.
Philipsen, 28, completed the flat 174.7-kilometer trek just ahead of Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid and the Netherlands’ Olav Kooij.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia maintained the overall leader’s yellow jersey. His lead over Evenepoel is 4 minutes and 32 seconds, with Mexico’s Isaac del Toro in third place.
Stage 18 on Thursday is a mountainous 185.2-kilometer journey from Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette. The 113th edition of the Tour de France concludes on Sunday in Paris.
–Field Level Media
Azzi Fudd lone rookie to compete in WNBA 3-point contest
A's place top pitcher J.T. Ginn (blister) on 15-day IL
