Sports
Whitecaps, Cincinnati bring explosive attacks into return from break
Jul 8, 2026; Burnaby, BC, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps FC offense Brian White (24) celebrates scoring during the second half against Calvary FC during the Canadian Championship Quarterfinals at Swangard Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images The Vancouver Whitecaps and host FC Cincinnati look to unleash their respective explosive offenses against each other on Wednesday when they resume MLS play after the international break.
The Western Conference co-leading Whitecaps (10-2-2, 32 points) were scheduled to return to the pitch last week, but their match against the host Chicago Fire was postponed due to air quality concerns. That match has been rescheduled for Oct. 6 in Chicago.
Vancouver head coach Jesper Sorensen was quick to put that match in the rear-view mirror, as his club faces road matches this week against FC Cincinnati (5-5-5, 20 points) and Minnesota United.
“For us it’s about having a good plan ready but also not avoiding too much from what we’re used to,” Sorensen said. “I think we’ve been doing well with the way we approach games and the way of playing, and we won’t change that. We’ll be aggressive, obviously, but it’s gonna be tough — they have a lot of good players.”
Vancouver is tied for third in goals (34), just two shy of FC Cincinnati. The Whitecaps, however, are stingier than FC Cincinnati, conceding a league second-best 12 goals, while the latter has yielded a third-worst total of 37.
Brian White has scored double-digit goals in each of his last four seasons, with his current total of 10 just six shy of his career-high from last year.
White has one more goal than both Kevin Denkey and Evander, who share top honors for Cincinnati.
“My goal is to be the top scorer (in the league) at the end of the season,” Denkey said. “I need to score goals, starting from Wednesday.”
FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan confirmed Monday that his team is healthy and ready to contribute. That includes center back Miles Robinson, who returned from playing with the U.S. Men’s National Team in the World Cup.
“When we’re healthy, we’re always one of the best teams in the league,” Robinson said. “It’s just about getting some type of consistency while playing.”
Forward Kristian Fletcher is ready to make his team debut after being sidelined due to an ACL tear.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Aces face Mystic while searching for 'championship' form
Jul 20, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) reacts against the Toronto Tempo during the third quarter at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images The Las Vegas Aces and Washington Mystics have something in common as they prepare for Wednesday night’s meeting in Washington.
Both teams are coming off high-scoring outings in victories Monday night.
Las Vegas scored 60 first-half points on the way to a 109-83 road victory in Toronto. A’ja Wilson finished with 26 points to lead the Aces in scoring for the fourth consecutive game and put her league-leading scoring average at 25.6 points per game.
The Aces (18-7) have won three of their last four games.
“We just want to continue to gain momentum,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said. “We’re still in the process of trying to get better. We’re not a championship product yet.”
Washington secured a 90-82 triumph at Golden State to match its highest scoring game that did not go into overtime. The Mystics finished off the victory with 36 fourth-quarter points.
The Mystics (13-12) are scoring a league-low 79.6 points per game, although an 18-3 run late in Monday’s game gave them a much-needed boost.
“This team is sizing up to be one of the mentally toughest teams I’ve ever coached,” Mystics coach Sydney Johnson said. “It’s inspiring. There’s a togetherness and toughness that we’re rooted in.”
Kiki Iriafen poured in 23 points on Monday after managing a combined eight points in her previous two games. She has reached at least 23 points in three of her last eight games.
Keeping the Aces under control will be vital for the Mystics. Las Vegas is third in the WNBA in scoring at 90.7 points per game.
“We’re fortunate to have the third-best defense in the league,” Johnson said.
Las Vegas connected on 14 shots from 3-point range Monday, while Wilson was 3-of-3 from long range.
“Even for (Wilson), it makes her off the dribble even more dangerous,” Hammon said of the ability for her star player to stretch out defenses.
Sonia Citron is Washington’s top scorer at 17.0 points per outing — a number she matched against Golden State.
The Mystics are 3-3 in home games across the past month.
This will mark the first meeting of the season between the teams, who will face each other three times across a stretch of about three weeks.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Yankees-Pirates postponed due to inclement weather
Jul 20, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero (72) forces out Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Ryan O’Hearn (29) at second base and throws to first to complete the double play on a ball hit by designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Tuesday’s game between the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees has been postponed because of inclement weather.
Heavy rain is forecast for the New York area, with a flash flood warning issued Tuesday morning. The game was postponed about five hours before the 7:05 p.m. first pitch, and the teams will play a split doubleheader on Wednesday starting at 1:05 p.m.
Will Warren (7-4, 4.03 ERA) was expected to start Tuesday for the Yankees against Pittsburgh’s Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.77). New York’s Gerrit Cole (3-5, 3.93) was slated to face the Pirates’ Mitch Keller (6-7, 5.14) in Wednesday afternoon’s game. Pitching plans for the doubleheader haven’t been formally announced.
The Yankees opened the series with an 8-5 victory on Monday as Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered in consecutive at-bats off Braxton Ashcraft in the first and third innings. Chisholm also hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning of a 2-1 win over the Dodgers on Sunday night.
The Yankees are set to play the second of at least four doubleheaders in the second half of the season. New York split two games with the Dodgers on Sunday and will host the Red Sox and Rays in day-night doubleheaders on Aug. 29 and Sept. 22.
Despite Monday’s loss, the Pirates are 8-4 in their past 12 games. Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez hit a two-run homer Monday, has an RBI in eight straight games and 13 homers in his first 32 games since debuting in May.
–Field Level Media
Sports
White Sox place C Kyle Teel (ankle) on injured list
Jul 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (8) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The Chicago White Sox placed catcher Kyle Teel on the injured list Tuesday with a left ankle sprain while catcher Edgar Quero was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte.
Teel, 24, departed Monday’s road win against the Texas Rangers after he rolled his ankle on a play at the plate in the second inning.
Teel has dealt with hamstring and knee injuries this season that have limited him to 19 games. He is batting .190 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in his second major league season.
“It’s really tough, as much passion as he has for the game, as hard as he works,” White Sox manager Will Venable said of Teel after Monday’s game. “You feel bad for any of these guys when they go down, but Kyle, having to deal with so many things here and so many setbacks is really tough.”
Quero, 23, is batting .187 with two home runs and 15 RBIs in 55 games for the White Sox this season after making his major league debut in 2025.
–Field Level Media
Aces face Mystic while searching for 'championship' form
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 22, 2026
