Sports
Toronto FC chasing critical points against visiting Crew
Sep 14, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) acknowledges the crowd at the end of the second half against Austin FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images Toronto FC look to continue their push for their first playoff appearance since 2020 when they host the Columbus Crew on Wednesday.
A 2-1 victory over Austin FC last Saturday has Toronto (11-15-3, 36 points) thinking big even though the Crew (14-5-8, 50 points) have their own aspirations.
Toronto sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, which would put the Reds in the play-in match against D.C. United for the final spot in Round One. Toronto is two points back of Charlotte FC and four behind Orlando City SC and New York City FC for fifth.
With four wins in the past six matches, Toronto coach John Herdman is confident heading into the midweek match against the defending MLS Cup champions.
“We’ve got to embrace the challenge,” he said. “It’s an exciting opportunity to have Columbus at home. Not many people give you much chance against that team, the quality they have.”
Toronto will go for the win without defender Shane O’Neill because of a yellow-card accumulation suspension.
The Crew know overtaking Inter Miami for the Supporters’ Shield is unlikely with a 12-point deficit and seven matches left, but making up the two points needed to pass second-place FC Cincinnati is a possibility considering Columbus has played one fewer match.
That’s why the scoreless draw at Cincinnati last Saturday was such a disappointment.
Still, the Crew clinched a playoff spot. While it was a foregone conclusion, head coach Wilfried Nancy was pleased, nonetheless.
“We cannot take everything for granted because it’s been a long season, this is not done and the players are real competitors,” he said. “They deserve it. … Now we’re going to be able to go all in and to push a little bit more.”
Crew midfielder Alexandru Matan agreed.
“Being there is the first step,” he said. “Now the sky is the limit. We’re going to go like we went last season with the same amount of belief. Hopefully, we’re going to go win it again.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
