Matchups we'll soon see in 2023 MLS Cup playoffs.

Megan Rapinoe’s final run on the global stage begins Saturday when the United States opens its quest to win an unprecedented third consecutive Women’s World Cup title

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — José Abreu hit a three-run homer right after Yordan Alvarez’s tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and the Houston Astros pulled even in the AL Championship Series with a 10-3 victory over the Texas Rangers in Game 4 on Thursday night.

Wales are back in Euro 2024 qualifying action away to Turkey on Monday. Rob Page’s side are bidding to recover from their shock home defeat to Armenia on Friday against the Group D leaders. Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the crunch game in Samsun. Page must strike right balance This time last year Wales boss Page was basking in the glow of guiding Wales to their first World Cup for 64 years. How times have changed. Wales have won only once in 11 games and Page’s tactics have come under intense scrutiny. Reverting to three at the back and playing two holding midfielders in front of them might provide Wales with the solidity they have so woefully lacked over the past 12 months. Counter-attack best form of defence There is no Kieffer Moore after the Bournemouth targetman was sent off against Armenia to earn a ban. Moore’s absence might actually work in Wales’ favour in this instance should Page bolster his defence and pack the midfield. That could give Wales a strong base to release the pace of Brennan Johnson and Daniel James on the break. Should Danny ward off Wayne? Danny Ward’s miserable season suffered further indignity as four goals flashed past him in Armenia’s stunning Cardiff success. Ward’s struggle for form at relegated Leicester saw him lose his place there towards the end of the season and his confidence levels must be a real concern for Page. Wayne Hennessey is the obvious replacement but the 108-times capped veteran – sent off on his last appearance at the World Cup in Qatar – has spent most of the season warming the bench at Nottingham Forest. Revenge or repeat? The two nations have met seven times with Wales winning four games to Turkey’s two and one draw. Their last meeting came two years ago as Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts scored in a 2-0 Wales victory at the delayed 2020 European Championship, securing qualification for the knockout stage at Turkey’s expense. So Turkey have that extra motivation of avenging that Baku defeat in front of what is sure to be a volatile crowd at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium. Balance of power This contest has the appearance of a defining fixture to make next summer’s European Championship finals in Germany. Wales’ promising start with four points from two games, which included a bonus draw away to group favourites Croatia, was blown apart by the Armenia defeat. Turkey are now on the front foot after grabbing a stoppage-time winner to beat Latvia 3-2 on Friday, and victory would take them five points clear of Wales in a potential race behind Croatia for the second qualifying spot. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live A great experience – Doug Watson relishing chance to guide Scotland to World Cup On this day in 2019: Eoin Morgan hits record number of sixes in ODI innings US Open Wrap: Rickie Fowler nails 70 foot putt, shares lead with Wyndham Clark

Manchester City are still on the hunt for a potential treble as they travel to face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. A third Premier League title in a row is looking ever more likely, but Pep Guardiola’s side are also major contenders for a first continental crown. To get to the Istanbul final, though, they will have to get past the defending champions, with Carlo Ancelotti’s serial winners back in the last four and likely to provide a stern test. With their league hopes over, Real Madrid can focus fully on this two-legged affair as they look to set up a final against either Inter or AC Milan. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Real Madrid vs Manchester City? Real Madrid vs Manchester City is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 9 May at the Bernabeu in Madrid. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the first leg live on BT Sport 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via the BT Sport app or online player. Team news Real Madrid are dealing with a couple of defensive issues, with Eder Militao suspended for this fixture and Ferland Mendy still battling a calf injury. Luka Modric should, however, be fit to start after overcoming his hamstring issue to feature in the Copa del Rey win on Sunday. Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting Manchester City side against Leeds in a timely boost for Pep Guardiola, though Nathan Ake’s second half substitution during that encounter is cause for concern. The Dutch defender’s hamstring injury could rule him out. Predicted line-ups Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Modric, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr. Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland. Odds Real Madrid win 9/4 Draw 47/17 Manchester City win 5/4 Prediction A draw leaves things intriguingly poised ahead of the second leg. Real Madrid 2-2 Manchester City Read More Why Man City vs Real Madrid is the ‘real’ Champions League final The six types of Pep Guardiola full-back, and what each says about Man City’s evolution Pep Guardiola ready to stare down his managerial nemesis once again

A certain section of athletes getting ready for the upcoming Pan American Games find their focus is constantly being pulled in different directions

All-Stars Sean Murphy and Matt Olson homered as the Atlanta Braves bounced back from one of their rare losses over the past month by beating the Cleveland Guardians 8-1

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Damon Hill has praised Lewis Hamilton for the “admirable” way he “kept his chin up” after the controversy of Abu Dhabi – and believes the Mercedes man is “absolutely motivated” to win a record eighth world title. Eighteen months have passed since Hamilton lost out to Max Verstappen at the contentious season finale, with his Dutch rival going on to take last year’s title too. And Verstappen, 69 points clear in this season’s championship, is primed to complete his hat-trick. Hamilton, 38, has not won a race since the penultimate round of the 2021 campaign – the longest losing streak of his career – but he heads to this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix following two consecutive podium finishes in his revamped Mercedes machine. “It is admirable the way Lewis kept his chin up after what happened in Abu Dhabi,” Hill, the 1996 world champion, told the PA news agency. “He got back on with the task in hand and he is driving better again this year than he has done before. He is starting to gel with that car now and he has solved some of the problems he faced. “So I would be amazed if he doesn’t want to go out on a high by winning that eighth title, and he is absolutely motivated by that. He has got that longevity and he looks after himself. “He needs a competitive car, half-a-chance, and someone like Lewis will rise up to that challenge and find more in himself. At the moment we are seeing a happier Hamilton, and a happy Hamilton is a fast Hamilton.” The British driver’s future on the grid, however, remains a hot topic of speculation. Hamilton has entered the final six months of his current £40million-a-season contract with Mercedes. But despite a string of recent discussions with team principal Toto Wolff, a conclusion to the saga is not understood to be imminent. “The talk is that Lewis is finalising a much longer-term deal that goes beyond his racing career,” added Hill, 62. “The car company itself is involved, so there is a bit more bureaucracy in this deal.” Hamilton is already 93 points behind Verstappen in the standings after the Red Bull driver raced to his sixth victory from eight rounds to equal Ayrton Senna’s career tally of 41 wins last time out in Canada. Following Verstappen’s triumph, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said his star driver must now be considered among Formula One’s all-time greats. “Comparing different eras is quite difficult,” said Hill, who was speaking at his Halow Project charity event in Sandown following a world-first kart run on Zero synthetic fuel. “They do many more races than they used to in the sport. But, nevertheless, in every era there are one or two drivers who are the cream of the crop, and you have to say Max is one of them, along with Lewis and Fernando (Alonso). “I certainly see him having his own era called ‘the Max Verstappen era’ where he wins practically everything. “If you appreciate great drivers and the job they do then it is great to watch. But I understand people want to see a race and not a demonstration and we have to be patient and hope the others catch him up pretty quickly.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Horner details what makes ‘mega talent’ Verstappen so special Max Verstappen aims to ‘keep winning’ after matching Ayrton Senna’s 41 victories Max Verstappen claims pole position during rain-hit qualifying for Canadian GP

Kyle Isbel hit a liner that crashed through a red light near the base of the Green Monster at Fenway Park and lodged inside the broken light for a ground-rule double on Wednesday night

World number one Carlos Alcaraz said Thursday he won't get ahead of himself as he seeks to defend his title at the US Open, where...