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MONTERREY, Mexico — Alex Morgan converted on a penalty in the 78th minute and the U.S. national team won the CONCACAF W Championship 1-0 over Canada on Monday night to secure one of the region’s spots in the 2024 Olympics.As FIFA President Gianni Infantino watched from a private box, the United States finally broke a stalemate when Rose Lavelle was fouled in the box and Morgan fooled Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan on the penalty. It was Morgan’s 118th career goal.AdvertisementJamaica defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in overtime earlier Monday to claim third place in the tournament.The four semifinalists all earlier earned spots in the 2023 World Cup next summer in Australia and New Zealand. Runner-up Canada will play Jamaica in a playoff for the region’s other Olympic bid in September 2023.AdvertisementThe United States is now 33-0 in World Cup or Olympic qualifying matches since losing to Mexico 2-1 in advance of the 2011 World Cup.The game was a rematch of the Olympic semifinal a year ago in Tokyo. Canada edged the United States 1-0 on a late penalty kick to advance to the final, its first victory over the Americans in 20 years.The Canadians went on to win the gold medal on a penalty shootout with Sweden. The U.S. team finished with the bronze.Alyssa Naeher was in goal for the United States instead of Casey Murphy, who started the previous game in the tournament. Defender Emily Fox also returned to the lineup from COVID-19 protocol.Temperatures hovered in the low 90s at the start of the match at Estadio BBVA. Sheridan had a big save in the 31st minute when Mallory Pugh made a break down the right side and took a hard shot at the goal.She made another in the 45th, with an assist from teammate Kadeisha Buchanan, on Sophia Smith’s scramble to score at the goal line. Smith had another chance in the 64th, but it went wide.Canada had a flurry of late opportunities, including a header from Jordyn Huitema that went wide.Kalyssa van Zanten scored in the 102nd minute to give Jamaica the edge in the earlier game. Van Zanten, who plays for Notre Dame, came into the game as a substitute in the 99th minute and scored on a well-placed pass from Drew Spence.Advertisement“I talked to her before she goes in and told her there’s a goal in those boots and she nodded to me and it gave her some confidence,” said Jamaica coach Lorne Donaldson, who took over the Reggae Girlz early last month amid upheaval.Costa Rica had perhaps the best opportunity in the first half when Melissa Herrera faced Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer alone, but her shot went wide left.Rocky Rodriguez, who plays for the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League, hit the post with a shot in stoppage time, and the game went to overtime.Costa Rica fell to the United States 3-0 in the semifinals, while Jamaica lost to Canada 3-0. Jamaica and Costa Rica each have been to the World Cup once before.The United States has been to every World Cup since the tournament started in 1991. The Americans have four titles, including the last two in 2015 and 2019.

LOS ANGELES — Juan Soto’s name came up recently in trade speculation after he reportedly turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract offer to stay with the Washington Nationals.The outfielder was in the spotlight during Monday’s media sessions.AdvertisementAnd Monday night, he took center stage by winning the Home Run Derby.Soto tossed his bat high in the air after his 19th homer in the finals, surpassing Seattle Mariners rookie Julio Rodríguez to win by one.Advertisement“It feels amazing,” Soto told ESPN in an on-field interview.Nationals outfielder Juan Soto, right, celebrates afer winning the Home Run Derby on Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Abbie Parr/AP)Soto, 23, and the 21-year old Rodríguez are examples of some of the game’s young talent. One of the game’s all-time greats — 42-year old Albert Pujols — also provided highlights.Players on the National League All-Star team gathered around Pujols before the St. Louis Cardinals great began his bonus round in his opening-round matchup with Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies.Players on the American League roster ran over from near the other dugout to show appreciation for Pujols, who is in his 22nd major-league season.Soon, every All-Star who was at the Home Run Derby circled Pujols in an impromptu salute.“That was pretty awesome,” Pujols said when interviewed on the field immediately after his round.Albert Pujols of the Cardinals, left, is hugged by National League teammates during the Home Run Derby on Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)Pujols wasn’t finished. The former Cub Schwarber, the event’s top seed, also finished his round with 13 home runs, leading to a one-minute “swing-off.”Chants of “Albert Pujols” echoed throughout the ballpark. Cheers grew louder with each homer.AdvertisementPujols finished the first-round matchup with one more homer than Schwarber before losing in the semifinals to Soto.Rodríguez reached the finals after hitting 32 homers in his opening-round win against Corey Seager of the Texas Rangers and 31 in the semifinals, denying the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso the chance for a three-peat.Rodríguez went first in the finals and hit 18 home runs. Soto knew what he had to reach and celebrated between home and the mound after coming out on top.

LOS ANGELES — Willson and William Contreras sat back to back in booths Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium’s Center Field Plaza, answering questions from reporters.Tuesday, the brothers will be batting back to back in the All-Star Game.AdvertisementWillson, the Chicago Cubs catcher, is sixth in the National League lineup. William, of the Atlanta Braves, is slotted seventh as the designated hitter.“This is one in a lifetime,” Willson said on All-Star workout day. “This is one experience that we will never forget. This is amazing for me and my family. Real proud of what we’ve done together.Advertisement“And hopefully we can keep that coming. Hopefully it’s not only one. Hopefully we get to spend more All-Star Games together.”William didn’t know how the lineup stacked up until a reporter asked him about it.“That was something we were talking (Sunday night) at dinner,” William said through an interpreter. “It’s really something happy for us to share.”It’s the first time since Roberto and Sandy Alomar Jr. in 1992 that brothers will start an All-Star Game together.Willson’s Cubs teammate Ian Happ, a first-time All-Star, predicted “a lot of tears.”“It’s going to be so cool for them,” Happ said. “Just seeing them in the clubhouse being able to say hello to each other. What a really special moment for those two to be able to put on the same All-Star jersey and share that field.”National League All-Star William Contreras of the Atlanta Braves looks on during All-Star workout day at Dodger Stadium on July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)Late in Monday’s media session, William walked over to his older brother’s booth and the two took questions.“We saw each other last night and we hugged each other and said, ‘We finally did it,’” Willson said. “It was a dream come true. I’m really proud of my brother because I have shared a lot of experiences with him and he’s making the adjustments at the right time. That’s why I think he deserves to be in the All-Star Game.”AdvertisementThe White Sox shortstop doesn’t have a particular National League pitcher he’d like to face.“It don’t matter,” Anderson said with a laugh. “I just want to get in the box.”Voted the American League’s starting shortstop, Anderson is the No. 7 batter in the AL lineup. It’s his second All-Star Game and first start. He was on deck when the ninth inning ended last year in Denver. This year he’s in line for at least one plate appearance.“It means a lot,” Anderson said of being a starter. “It hasn’t happened in 50-plus years in White Sox history (Luis Aparicio in 1970), so it’s definitely a blessing. It’s definitely a dream come true.“I never imagined being a starter or even being at an All-Star Game. I’ll always be thankful.”Anderson appreciated the support from fans.Advertisement“The class is deep,” Anderson said. “Shortstop is a hot positon and for me to be able to start is crazy. I’m just having fun and enjoying the moment.”While the Sox didn’t live up to expectations in the first half, they won five of their last six before the All-Star break. That included taking three of four against the first-place Minnesota Twins to get within three games in the AL Central standings.“That was definitely huge to finish out that way against a good ballclub,” Anderson said. “You saw what they did to us when they came to our place (the Twins won two of three July 4-6). Hopefully we continue to keep playing that way and hopefully get back in this thing.”During last year’s All-Star Monday at Coors Field, Kris Bryant answered questions about his future with the Cubs.Contreras and Happ, this year’s Cubs representatives, fielded similar questions Monday.Contreras, an impending free agent, was asked if it had gone through his mind that his third All-Star appearance might be his last as a Cub.Advertisement“It’s not like I haven’t thought of that,” he said. “But this is my third time as a Cubs player and I’m really proud and thankful because the Chicago Cubs were the first team that saw me in Venezuela. They were the first team that gave me the opportunity to be a pro baseball player and I will always be thankful, no matter what happens.“No matter what the future holds, no matter what the outcome is, I feel like Chicago will always be my home, even if I end up playing in a different city.”National League All-Stars Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs and Jake Cronenworth of the San Diego Padres during All-Star workout day at Dodger Stadium on July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)Happ is a free agent after the 2023 season.“The connection that I have to Chicago, the city, the organization, I put this jersey on every day,” he said. “Wrigley Field is a place you go to work and it’s pretty special.” Asked what he learned from watching former teammates navigate through uncertainty, Happ said: “The thing I took away from it, as tough as it was to lose friends, those guys are still playing baseball and doing really well.“Joc (Pederson is) an All-Star. (Anthony Rizzo) has (22) homers before the break. Kris is happy where he is, Javy (Báez) is happy where he is. Guys end up being OK and playing baseball and still having a great time.”AdvertisementAs for the present, Happ is having a great time sharing the All-Star experience with his family.“You can’t put into words how awesome it is to get to share that with the family and with those people who have been there through everything,” he said. “They’ve been there through the great moments, when I played as a kid, all the travel and the struggles all the way through. So to be able to enjoy this together is really, really special.”The Sox closer found out Sunday morning that he had been added to the AL All-Star roster. A lot of planning quickly followed.“Trying to figure out flights, figuring out my parents’ flights, trying to get the dogs to sitters and someone to take care of the cats,” Hendriks said. “My wife, who was in Chicago at the time, getting out here. Her flight was delayed, she booked another flight to make sure she got here on time.He added with a laugh, “Other than that, it’s been fun.”Hendriks was not needed in relief Sunday, as the Sox beat the Twins 11-0 at Target Field.Advertisement“So I didn’t have to worry about adding stress and pitching as well,” he said.Hendriks said all the last-minute planning was well worth it.“Without a doubt,” he said. “You go through the stress levels of that, it’s always an honor to be out here and experience this. Whether it be the first day (named to the roster) or the last day, it’s always an honor to come here and represent the White Sox in back-to-back years.”

In a potentially seismic event in the Chicago sports market, the Blackhawks and TV analyst Eddie Olczyk appear to be parting ways.Olczyk likely won’t return as a color commentator for Hawks games on NBC Sports Chicago, the Tribune confirmed. The Athletic first reported the expected split Monday.AdvertisementAccording to The Athletic, “negotiations stalled” before the Hawks could officially renew Olczyk’s contract, which expired June 30.Olczyk could not be reached for comment.AdvertisementA Hawks source said the team believed it had given the former Hawks forward an “above-market offer” on a multiyear contract extension that “significantly” increased his salary per game.Team officials thought they had reached a verbal agreement weeks ago and were awaiting Olczyk’s signature, the source said, and they were “blindsided” by Monday’s development.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.Under his old contract, Olczyk was paid for a full 82-game schedule, though each year he would bow out of local games on occasion to work for TNT and other national hockey broadcasts as well as to handicap horse racing for NBC.The new wrinkle was the Hawks wanted to switch to a per-game rate, though they sweetened the offer for each game. According to the team source, “Eddie still would have been one of the highest-paid broadcasters across the league.”The Hawks hadn’t been calling possible replacements for Olczyk, the source said, but exploring fill-ins for those occasions when he would be assigned to national broadcasts.Olczyk has been the Hawks color commentator since the 2006-07 season, when he was paired with Dan Kelly.But it was the combination of Olczyk and Pat Foley, who joined him in 2008, that became synonymous with Hawks broadcasts.Foley stepped away from his play-by-play duties after last season’s farewell tour. Despite speculation that he was pushed out, both Foley and the Hawks said his exit was amicable.AdvertisementChris Vosters was named Foley’s successor and will need a new partner if Olczyk doesn’t return next season.

The North Carolina woman who sued the Chicago Bears and defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. last year voluntarily dismissed her complaint earlier this month, according to Mecklenburg County court records.On Oct. 14, Joann Blakney filed a civil complaint that accused Edwards of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress and the Bears of negligent supervision and defamation relating to an altercation at a Charlotte, N.C., hotel on Oct. 17, 2020.AdvertisementThe Bears filed a motion to dismiss their case, but Blakney withdrew her complaint before the team’s motion was to be heard in court this month. A Bears source said the team did not attempt to reach a settlement with Blakney. Edwards also did not attempt to settle, according to his agent, Peter Schaffer.Blakney also dismissed complaints against Bears vice president of security John Tarpey and Stanford Hotels Corporation employees Paul Horner and Jeffrey A. Burton, court records show.AdvertisementCriminal charges against both Edwards and Blakney from the October 2020 incident are still pending, according to the Mecklenburg County district attorney’s office.Blakney’s attorney, Arcangela Mazzariello, said in an email she plans to refile the civil complaint after dealing with her client’s criminal charge of misdemeanor simple assault. Mazzariello said the criminal case is on the court docket this week.Edwards faces a criminal charge of misdemeanor assault on a female, but the summons has not been served because he has not returned to North Carolina.The incident happened the night before the Bears played the Carolina Panthers in October 2020.[ [Don’t miss] Chicago Bears take Mario Edwards Jr.’s assault charge ‘very seriously,’ Matt Nagy says. The team was informed of incident the night it happened. ]According to the suit, Blakney said she engaged in consensual oral sex with Edwards but he became violent when she rejected his request to have intercourse. Schaffer said last year that Edwards engaged in consensual sexual activity with Blakney and left when she became angry over a disagreement about the extent of their relationship.Blakney alleged in the complaint that shortly after the incident Bears employees asked if she wanted or needed money, brought Edwards to her despite her wishes and falsely said publicly she was a prostitute.A police report obtained by the Tribune listed Edwards and a 28-year-old woman as victims and said officers were responding to a report of “a female hitting a male with her hand and scratching his forehead.” The report stated that Blakney went to the hospital for her injuries, which were listed as “bruises/scratches.” She said in the suit the injuries included a concussion and trauma to her vision and abdomen.The NFL completed an investigation of the incident last summer and concluded “there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that there was a violation of the Personal Conduct Policy.”AdvertisementEdwards is in the second year of a three-year, $11.66 million contract with the Bears.

J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School (GBN) graduate, brought the Stanley Cup to Northbrook on July 15.The Colorado Avalanche recently clinched the 2022 NHL championship and Stanley Cup. Compher is a center for the Colorado Avalanche.AdvertisementCompher shared the Stanley Cup at a Friday Northbrook Park District event at the Northbrook Sports Center on the same rink where Compher experienced ice hockey as a Northbrook Bluehawks youth player.“To be in Northbrook for today is super special to me,” Compher said. “I grew up here, I played all sports here, played hockey in this rink for a long time, just super excited to see everyone that’s helped me get to this point.AdvertisementHolding the Stanley Cup is J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate, pictured with the Glenbrook North High School hockey team. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)“There’s been people that played large roles, small roles, all important though, to make sure I was able to, first, live my dream as a professional hockey player and now as a Stanley Cup champion.“This is why it feels as good as it does because of the support that I get from people in this town,” Compher said. “That’s what makes it so special, is how many people helped me get here.”Compher made an afternoon visit with the Stanley Cup to the Landmark Inn Bar and Grille in downtown Northbrook, surprising diners.Earlier, Compher brought the cup to a Northbrook fire station, then to the 11:15 a.m. sports center where a large turnout awaited.There, Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla presented Compher with a village proclamation featuring a red and white ribbon gold seal, proclaiming July 15, 2022 as J.T. Compher Day.Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla takes a Stanley Cup photo with J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate and member of the 2022 championship team, the Colorado Avalanche. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)Also present were Compher’s parents Bob and Valerie Compher plus siblings Morgan Compher, 25, and Jesse Compher, 23, who won an Olympic silver medal with the 2022 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey team at last winter’s Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China.J.T. Compher’s girlfriend Sydney Badger of Las Vegas, Nevada also attended.“This is the best part of living in a town like Northbrook where it’s just wholesome, it’s excellent,” Ciesla said.Advertisement“A kid, a family, right? … of great athletes, comes back and shares their happiness with us, it’s perfect,” Ciesla said with a smile.“It’s wonderful, like this is exactly what the town needs and I think especially after recent events in Highland Park, I think it’s really nice to remember but move forward in a positive way,” Ciesla said, referring to the recent mass shooting at the July 4 parade in downtown Highland Park. “I think kids need it, parents need it.”At the sports center podium, J.T. Compher called for a moment of silence for Highland Park.The GBN ice hockey team was present along with Northbrook Bluehawks youth athletes.Center, Ryan Sandler, 16, of Northbrook, a rising junior at Glenbrook North High School and on the GBN hockey team, is seen through the Stanley Cup and on right is J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate and member of the Colorado Avalanche.  Images from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)“What he’s doing is amazing,” said hockey player Ryan Sandler, 16, of Northbrook, a rising junior at GBN.“Seeing a Northbrook kid like us doing something on a stage this big is great.”AdvertisementEli Firsel, 12, of Northbrook, a rising seventh-grader and Northbrook Bluehawks player, said, “I think that it shows people that you can keep chasing your dream.”J.T. Compher said the Stanley Cup arrived about 8:30 a.m. on Friday at the family’s west Northbrook residence. Compher took the Stanley Cup upstairs to his childhood bedroom during the visit.His mother Valerie made chocolate chip pancakes, serving the hot cakes with syrup and butter in the top bowl of the Stanley Cup.“My mom’s made those (chocolate chip pancakes) since we were kids,” J.T. Compher said.The taste of chocolate chip pancakes from the Stanley Cup, “was really good,” Jesse Compher said.“It’s nice to have everyone back home.”AdvertisementLeft, J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate, shares a moment with sister U.S. Olympian women’s hockey silver medalist Jesse Compher, 23, a 2017 Glenbrook North High School graduate. Images from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)While at home that morning, “She (Jesse) put the (silver Olympic) medal around the Stanley Cup and we were talking (about) how many siblings have an Olympic hockey medal and the Stanley Cup.“We don’t think there’s that many so it’s special and I’m super proud of her,” J.T. Compher added.Valerie Compher said about chocolate chip pancakes, “It’s the all time family favorite so having to share that in the Stanley Cup, I mean, how could that be bad?“We all took a fork and we all took bites out of it.”Bob Compher said, “It’s one of our go-to meals before hockey tournaments,” adding the approximate 10 chocolate chip pancakes that Friday with “no whipped cream, just syrup straight” are, “part of the tradition.”Photo opportunity donations at the sports center benefited Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook (of Glenview).Advertisement“It’s just awesome to have an event like this with the Stanley Cup in our backyard,” said Amy O’Leary, Youth Services executive director.J.T. Compher joined the Buffalo Sabres via the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft and was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2015. His name will be engraved with the Colorado Avalanche on the bottom rim of the Stanley Cup.“Sixty years they said it’ll be on there,” J.T. Compher said.J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate, kisses the Stanley Cup. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)“I still have to pinch myself sometimes.“It comes in waves, excitement and then it sometimes feels weird to even be by it (Stanley Cup).“It’s just crazy right now,” Compher added.Advertisement“To see how excited people get, kids, grown adults, everyone, their eyes light up and they say how shiny it is,” Compher also said about the Stanley Cup.“This thing’s a rock star.”Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.Here are a few more photos from Friday:With the Compher family of Northbrook. From left, Sydney Badger of Las Vegas, Nevada, Morgan Compher, 25, Bob Compher, J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate and member of the 2022 NHL championship team, the Colorado Avalanche, Valerie Compher and U.S. Olympian women’s hockey silver medalist Jesse Compher, 23, a 2017 Glenbrook North High School graduate. Imagefrom the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)During a moment of silence for the July 4, 2022 victims of the Highland Park mass shooting is J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)People wait to have photos taken with the Stanley Cup and J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate and member of the 2022 championship team, the Colorado Avalanche. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate, carries in the Stanley Cup in a surprise entrance for fans before stepping onto the ice for a presentation. The Stanley Cup will soon have Compher’s name engraved on the trophy due to the 2022 championship win of the Colorado Avalanche. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate, points to the spot on the Stanley Cup which will have Compher’s name on it as part of the 2022 championship team, the Colorado Avalanche. Compher’s name will be on the cup for 60 years, Compher said. Imagefrom the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

Relatives of people killed on Sept. 11, 2001, are urging former President Donald Trump to cancel a Saudi-backed golf tournament set to be held this month at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.In a letter dated Sunday, members of the group 9/11 Justice asked to meet with Trump and urged him not to host the event, set for July 29-31, noting that Trump has blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack.Advertisement“We simply cannot understand how you could agree to accept money from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s golf league to host their tournament at your golf course, and to do so in the shadows of ground zero in New Jersey, which lost over 700 residents during the attacks,” they wrote in the letter.“It is incomprehensible to us that a former president of the United States would cast our loved ones aside for personal financial gain,” they wrote to Trump, who is expected to run for president again in 2024. “We hope you will reconsider your business relationship with the Saudi golf league and will agree to meet with us.”AdvertisementIn the letter, the group noted that Trump told Fox News in February 2016: “Who blew up the World Trade Center? It wasn’t the Iraqis. It was Saudi. Take a look at Saudi Arabia.” He went on to say: “The people came, most of the people came from Saudi Arabia. They didn’t come from Iraq.”On Sunday night, Brett Eagleson, the president of 9/11 Justice, said he emailed the letter to a Trump aide in the afternoon and had not received a response.Eagleson, who was 15 when his father died on Sept. 11, said the stakes here were clear. It is “allowing the Saudis to literally get away with murder if this golf tournament is allowed to proceed,” he said in an interview.“It just sends a message that with the right amount of money, you can make people forget about anything,” he said, adding, “If anyone knows the extent of the Saudi role in 9/11, it’s Trump.”Messages left at Trump’s club in Bedminster, and with a spokesman for Trump, were also not immediately answered.The Saudi-sponsored golf league is part of a campaign by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to refresh the kingdom’s image in the eyes of the world.The man who defeated Trump in 2020, President Joe Biden, has recently faced criticism for his own connection to Saudi Arabia. Last week during a Middle East trip, Biden fist-bumped Crown Prince Mohammed, who was judged responsible by the CIA for the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Biden said he confronted Crown Prince Mohammed about the killing during a closed-door meeting with him; Saudi officials contradicted his account.Advertisementc.2022 The New York Times Company

The trade deadline became a bit more suspenseful this past weekend when the Athletic reported that Washington outfielder Juan Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year contract offer to stay with the Nationals.Suddenly, social media was ablaze with talk of Soto possibly being traded, and what kind of incredible offer it might take to acquire him.AdvertisementA deal involving the 23-year-old superstar would be seismic because of his talent, his youth and the fact that he’s not due to be a free agent until after the 2024 season. Any team considering acquiring Soto would have to weigh how likely he’d be to stay there, but even 2 1/2 years of him could be worth quite a bit.It’s moments like these that online trade simulators were meant for, and baseballtradevalues.com was probably getting a lot of hits Saturday. That site tries to put a figure on a player’s value, while accounting for his contract status. For example, Soto’s trade value (his projected on-field worth minus his salary) is listed on the site as $193.7 million, trailing only Wander Franco ($286 million), Ronald Acuña Jr. ($221.2 million) and José Ramírez ($209 million) in all of baseball.AdvertisementSo when using the site’s trade simulator, the goal is to line up a deal in which the Nationals get around $193.7 million in value in exchange for Soto. Let’s have some fun with this.For the purposes of this exercise, we’ll assume all no-trade clauses will be waived as needed. All prospect rankings are from MLB Pipeline, and trade value figures in parentheses are in millions:Deal No. 1: Soto ($193.7) to the Red Sox for SS Marcelo Mayer ($55.4), 1B Trison Casas ($39.7), RHP Brayan Bello ($28.8), RHP Tanner Houck ($27.1), 2B Nick Yorke ($25.2) and SS Xander Bogaerts ($22)If a player like Soto comes available, you immediately start thinking about wealthy teams already in contention – the franchises that can benefit right away from adding him and have the wherewithal to keep him long term. The Dodgers and Yankees fit that description, but they only have one top-25 prospect each.In this deal, Boston would be giving up the No. 10, 14, 44 and 64 prospects — and Bogaerts, a four-time All-Star who can become a free agent after this season. If Washington feels it can extend him, would a trade like this make sense?Deal No. 2: Soto ($193.7) to the Cardinals for OF Dylan Carlson ($72.8), 3B Jordan Walker ($61.6), 2B Nolan Gorman ($32.4) and OF Tyler O’Neill ($28.3)Walker is the game’s ninth-ranked prospect, and Carlson and Gorman are high draft picks who have reached the big leagues but haven’t turned 24 yet. O’Neill hit 34 homers last year.Deal No. 3: Soto ($193.7) to the Tigers for OF Riley Greene ($72), 1B Spencer Torkelson ($64.1) and LHP Tarik Skubal ($55)AdvertisementWashington would receive baseball’s No. 1 prospect (Greene), the top pick in the 2020 draft (Torkelson) and a 25-year-old (Skubal) who has shown promise in the majors. Detroit made a deal like this when it acquired Miguel Cabrera, but that only worked out because the Tigers were able to keep him long term. It makes little sense for them to bring in Soto unless they’re prepared to spend what it takes to hold on to him.Deal No. 4: Soto ($193.7) to the Giants for RHP Logan Webb ($79), SS Marco Luciano ($54.3), LHP Kyle Harrison ($39.2) and OF Luis Matos ($19.3)San Francisco has come back to earth after its 107-win campaign a year ago, so perhaps the Giants would want to pursue a reboot with Soto. In this deal, they’d have to trade two top-25 prospects and an impressive young pitcher in Webb, but if they could keep Soto they’d have a lengthy window to build a good roster around him.Deal No. 5: Soto ($193.7) to the Padres for 2B Jake Cronenworth ($54.5), SS C.J. Abrams ($52.1), LHP MacKenzie Gore ($42.4) and OF Robert Hassell III ($38.7)Even if San Diego only had Soto for a couple years, teaming him up with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado is an enticing idea. And the Padres can afford to move Abrams because of Tatis’ presence. Whether this package is enough to move the needle for Washington is another matter.Deal No. 6: Soto ($193.7) to the Marlins for RHP Eury Pérez ($68.8), LHP Trevor Rogers ($61.6), OF Jesús Sánchez ($31.5) and RHP Max Meyer ($29)AdvertisementThis seems far fetched, in part because Miami is in Washington’s division, but if the Marlins want to shed their reputation as a franchise that lets superstars go, there’s no time like the present. The value numbers line up for this trade, and Miami could pull it off while still having a nucleus of Sandy Alcantara, Jazz Chisholm and Pablo López waiting to play with Soto. The Nationals get two top-25 prospects in Pérez and Meyer, plus two 24-year-old big leaguers in Rogers and Sánchez.Deal No. 7: Soto ($193.7) to the Angels for OF Mike Trout ($115.7), OF Taylor Ward ($59.3) and LHP Reid Detmers ($21)Now we’re into fantasyland — or are we? Having largely wasted a decade of Trout’s greatness, would the the Angels hit the reset button by dealing him for another star outfielder seven years younger? Trout has a huge contract of his own, but if the Nationals were prepared to give one to Soto, perhaps they’d be willing to pay Trout and hope he can keep playing at an MVP level well into his 30s.And last but not least, a bonus deal for those of you who just like to watch the world burn:Soto ($193.7) to the Phillies for OF Bryce Harper ($70), RHP Mick Abel ($28.2), SS Bryson Stott ($26.7), RHP Andrew Painter ($25.8), 3B Alec Bohm ($23.1) and LHP Ranger Suárez ($20.4).

After holding this year’s WNBA All-Star Game at Wintrust Arena, the Chicago Sky are playing host once again for the second Commissioner’s Cup championship. Here’s what you need to know about it.The Commissioner’s Cup was added to the WNBA schedule last year as a way for players to make additional money during the season. The winning team splits $500,000 among the players.AdvertisementThe matchup is determined by which two teams have the most wins in Commissioner’s Cup play in each conference. This year, the Sky and Las Vegas Aces each went 9-1 in CC play.Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird holds the trophy after the Commissioner’s Cup game against the Connecticut Sun on Aug. 12, 2021, in Phoenix. (Matt York/AP)The Comissioner’s Cup championship will be played July 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Wintrust Arena.AdvertisementBecause the Aces and Sky have the same Commissioner’s Cup record, home-court advantage was determined by the head-to-head regular-season record, then overall regular-season play. The Sky were a half-game ahead of the Aces heading into the All-Star break.Amazon Prime will air the event.When these two teams tip off, it could very well be a preview of this season’s WNBA Finals.The Sky have won 12 of their last 14 games and have the best net rating in the league. Opponents haven’t been able to stop their motion offense that is third in points per game since June 10. Candace Parker has been playing like an MVP candidate, averaging 19 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists over a five-game stretch before going scoreless in the Sky’s 80-68 win Thursday over the Los Angeles Sparks.Las Vegas has looked vulnerable on defense at times this season but still has one of the best starting units in the league. A’ja Wilson is the early favorite to win her second MVP award, while Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young are playing at an All-WNBA level.The biggest hole the Aces needed to fill was their lack of depth. Through June 11, Las Vegas was the only team to average single-digit bench points per game. After adding Iliana Rupert, getting Riquna Williams back in the rotation and having Theresa Plaisance emerge, the Aces are in better shape as the postseason nears.Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot, right, fouls Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the second half, June 21, 2022, in Las Vegas. (John Locher/AP)The rise of these two franchises came at about the same time. The San Antonio Stars moved to Las Vegas in 2018 to become the Aces, who drafted Wilson as the face of the franchise. The same year, the Sky drafted 2019 All-Star Diamond DeShields. The teams played each other in the second round of the 2019 playoffs and the Aces won on Dearica Hamby’s half-court shot with 4.8 seconds remaining.[embedded content]The Aces also had the advantage in 2020, but the Sky now have bragging rights as the reigning champions. However, Las Vegas received a lot of attention early in the 2022 season after starting 9-2. The teams played earlier in the year when Sky coach and general manager James Wade went off in his postgame news conference after the Sky lost 83-76.Advertisement“The best team,” Wade said May 28. “The best team in the league. Keep that narrative all year. I hear y’all. They are the best team in the league. Keep that (expletive). I ain’t going to forget it.”The Sky evened the season series June 21 by completing the largest comeback in WNBA history, storming back from 28 points down in the second quarter.There is one tier at the top of the WNBA right now, and it boasts only these two teams. It should be a playoff atmosphere at Wintrust Arena come the Commissioner’s Cup championship.The Sky have been heralded for having an “everybody eats” offense, but they’ve won games by containing their opponents. That’s where Rebekah Gardner comes in. She very well could end up on a WNBA all-defensive team despite coming off the bench.According to the league’s on/off data, the Sky have an 85.2 defensive rating in the fourth quarter when Gardner is on the floor. She has been tasked with defending some of the best guards in the league, including Plum. If Gardner can contain the Aces guard, an All-Star starter this year, the Sky frontcourt has the size and versatility to match up with Wilson and Hamby.If the Aces are going to win the Commissioner’s Cup, they can’t rely on only their starters. Their starting five had played a league-high 419 minutes together entering Friday (for context: the second-most was the Seattle Storm with 277 minutes). That’s where Williams comes in.AdvertisementAfter missing most of June with a foot injury, Williams has slowly started to look like her 2021 self. If she can provide some fire off the bench, Plum and Chelsea Gray won’t have to play deep into this game. Against the Sky on June 21, the starting backcourt duo looked exhausted trying to stave off the Sky’s comeback efforts. The Aces need only 20 minutes from Williams to avoid the same problem they dealt with less than a month ago in Las Vegas.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 18Chicago Sky’s Candace Parker celebrates a layup after missing a couple shots during the first half of the WNBA All-Star Game at Wintrust Arena on July 10, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

MINNEAPOLIS — The Chicago White Sox selected left-handed pitcher Noah Schultz with the No. 26 pick in the Major League Baseball draft Sunday.The 6-foot-9 Schultz, from Oswego East High School, signed with Vanderbilt. He was ranked No. 49 in MLB.com’s list of the top 200 draft prospects.AdvertisementThis is the second straight year the Sox selected a high school player with their first-round pick. Last year, they drafted shortstop Colson Montgomery at No. 22.Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley said during a video conference call Friday, “At the end of the day, the preference may be a pitcher, but that doesn’t mean if the right position player is available that we will not walk down that road.”AdvertisementThe Sox indeed went the pitching route.The Sox have the third-smallest bonus pool ($6,289,100) to be used on the top 10 rounds, according to MLB.com. The No. 26 pick is valued at $2,788,000.Schultz was the second Chicago-area high school pitcher to be picked in the first round. The Atlanta Braves drafted Riverside-Brookfield right-hander Owen Murphy at No. 20.