After 34 Little League World Series games, the initial field of 20 teams representing the United States and International teams has been narrowed down to the top two teams competing for the championship title on Sunday.

The action kicked off with the third-place game between Venezuela and Texas at Lamade Stadium, setting the stage for the main event. Venezuela managed to take down Texas 4-3.

The Little League World Series Championship Game followed, featuring the undefeated Chinese Taipei, who showcased their prowess all tournament, and will play against Florida, who enters the game 6-1 in the tournament.

A pitcher’s duel ensued as only one run was scored heading into the sixth inning, but in classic Florida fashion, the team from Lake Mary would come from behind at the last second to push the game to extras. In the eighth, a defensive miscue for Chinese Taipei would wind up winning the game for Florida. 2-1, the final.

Here’s everything that happened in today’s LLWS action.

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Florida wins its first-ever LLWS title

It was a wild championship game at the 2024 Little League World Series. Lake Mary, Florida needed to win four elimination games and come from behind in both the semifinals and finals to secure the championship, but thanks to a perfect bunt and a defensive miscue, they won it all. Here’s the bunt that won Florida their first LLWS title.

Final: Florida 2, Chinese Taipei 1

With a runner starting the inning at second base, Florida opted to sac bunt the runner to third. However, miscommunication on Chinese Taipei’s end would have the pitcher throwing the ball to first base when nobody was there to cover. The ball ended up in right field, and the runner from second was able to score easily. It was a wild finish to an insane LLWS final.

Florida keeps the U.S. streak of six straight champions intact. 2-1 the final over Chinese Taipei.

Chinese Taipei cannot score

With two outs and a runner on second, Zhuang Jie-En tattoeed a ball to deep left field, but Jacob Bibaub was able to snag it at the warning track to keep the game tied at 1 heading into the bottom of the eighth.

Florida unable to score again

Another inning, another chance to end the game for Florida. Despite getting runners to second and third thanks to a double from Chikodroff, Latham Norton would strike out to end the inning, letting another chance for Florida to win go by.

Taipei threatens but does no damage

Taipei threatened early in the seventh, so much so that the team even considered removing pitcher Latham Norton from the game. Norton would get out of the inning unscathed though. In fact, after allowing two baserunners, Norton would secure each of the next two outs without allowing either baserunner to advance. Florida needs just one run to win, going into the bottom of the seventh.

Florida finally breaks through!

After a leadoff HBP put Chase Anderson on base, Chiu Wei-Che was able to get JJ Feliciano to fly out to center, and then got Garrett Rohozen to strike out on a controversial check swing call.

After a walk to Landon Bono, the game came down to DJ Mieses, who’d become well-known in Williamsport for doing the Juan Soto shuffle at the plate. Mieses would work a 2-0 count, and then Mieses would be bloop a single to left center. Anderson would score from second, and the ball would go to third, where Bono would slide in safely. Mieses would reach second as well.

The next man up was Jacob Bibaub, who led the Florida team in hits coming into the game with eight. Unfortunately for Florida, Bibaub would ground out to third, stranding both runners. But after innings of knocking on the door, Florida finally broke through and got on the board at the last second.

We’re headed to extras tied at 1.

Norton retires Chinese Taipei in order

After a terrific fifth, Florida’s Latham Norton gave his offense one more opportunity to score some runs down just one. Norton went three-up, three-down in the top of the sixth. Florida has just three outs to secure at least one run.

Chiu Wei-Che delivers Chinese Taipei’s best inning

Florida had managed at least two baserunners or a runner on third in each of the previous four innings, but the fifth was different. Taipei changed pitchers, opting for Chiu Wei-Che, who did surrender a hit, but kept that runner from advancing to third, only allowing him to reach scoring position due to a rare pass ball. After five innings, Taipei still leads 1-0. It’s been the same score since the top of the first.

Lathan Norton takes over in fifth

After four strong innings from Jacob Bibaub, Chinese Taipei finally started to get some offense going against him in the fifth, getting runners to second and third with only one out.

Norton came in and surrendered a walk, loading the bases. He’d get the next Chinese Taipei hitter to pop out to shallow left, and with the game on the line Norton would get Lin Chun-Yi to fly out to Morrissey in center. It remains 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Florida strands another at third

Florida has been knocking on the scoreboard every inning, and the fourth was no different. Florida got center fielder Liam Morrissey to third base with two outs. Luis Calo drilled a line drive to right field, but right to the Taipei right fielder. The bottom of the fourth was the first inning where Florida failed to get two baserunners, but it was the third straight inning they’d found a runner at third base only to come away scoreless.

With two innings left to play, it’s 1-0 Chinese Taipei.

Chase Anderson makes it 10 straight Chinese Taipei outs

During the first inning, Florida’s head coach told his pitcher Jacob Bibaub just to throw strikes and let his defense make plays. They’ve done that so far. The top of the fourth inning came to a close after shortstop Chase Anderson made a sliding grab and nice throw to first. That’s ten straight outs for Bibaub, but Florida still trails 1-0.

Florida can’t score again

Florida has mustered at least two baserunners in each of the first three innings, but after Landon Bono, the 2024 Little League Home Run Derby champ grounded out to first with runners on second and third, Florida is still scoreless. Despite hits from Chase Anderson and JJ Feliciano, Florida still has a goose egg on the board. After three, it’s 1-0 Chinese Taipei.

Another quick inning for Florida

Since the first, Florida’s Jacob Bibaub has gone six-up, six-down to keep Florida in this game. Now, it’s the offense’s turn to help him out.

Great defensive play at third saves run for Chinese Taipei

Florida seemed prime to score their first run of the game in the bottom of the second. Florida had the bases loaded with no outs with tournament hero Teraj Alexander up to the plate. Alexander hit a bouncer to third, where Taipei’s third baseman Yu Teng-Hao not only stepped on third, but was able to get the runner on third before he reached home as well.

Although Florida was able to load the bases yet again before the end of the inning, Zhi-Kai was able to strike out Florida’s Lathan Norton to leave them loaded. After two, it’s still 1-0 Chinese Taipei.

Quick inning for Florida

After surrendering the first run of the game in the first, Jacob Bibaub bounced back for a terrific second inning, going three-up, three-down. While he did need a solid play in right from Luis Calo to end the inning, it was still a tremendous bounce back for Bibaub who sits at 40 pitches through two frames.

Florida threatens, unable to score

After two quick outs to start the bottom of the first, Florida started to get something going, as Taipei starter Ciou Zhi-Kai walked each of the next two batters. DJ Mieses came to the plate with an opportunity to tie the game up. Mieses has been one of Florida’s best hitters throughout the tournament. Unfortunately, Zhi-Kai’s curveball seems to be on point today. He was getting swings and misses left and right, and that’s what happened to Mieses as well.

Florida went by quietly. After one inning, it’s 1-0 Chinese Taipei.

Chinese Taipei being very patient at the plate

Florida pitcher Jacob Bibaub is having a tough time with his control early on. Chinese Taipei started the game off with two straight walks, rarely taking the bat off their shoulders. After the walks, Taipei opted for a sac bunt to put runners on second and third with no outs.

Although Florida would secure a second out, a base hit from Hu Yen-Chun off the glove of Florida’s third baseman would drive in the first run of the game. After the top of the first, Chinese Taipei leads 1-0.

Why didn’t Texas get a second loss?

Prior to their loss against Florida in the U.S. Championship, Burney, TX was arguably the best team in the tournament. They hadn’t lost a single game all tourney long, but unfortunately, their loss against Florida took them out of the running for the 2024 LLWS title. Given that the LLWS is a double-elimination tournament, that begs the question: ‘Why didn’t Texas get another chance?’ After all, this was the same Texas team that beat Florida earlier in the tournament. Why don’t they get the same chance that Florida got?

It’s an unfortunate circumstance, but the 2024 LLWS is not a true double-elimination tournament. The championship games are final, and while that may seem unfair to Texas fans, it is really the only way to do this tournament in a timely manner given ESPN coverage and scheduling. Texas still had a remarkable tournament and, although they lost to Venezuela in the consolation game, will be remembered for their incredible run when play began in Williamsport.

Chinese Taipei’s path to the Finals

Chinese Taipei’s path to the LLWS Finals was pretty straightforward. They simply won every game they played, and pretty handily too. In fact, Chinese Taipei has not allowed more than two runs in any game they’ve played in this tournament. In the five games they’ve played, they’ve outscored their opponents by a combined total of 36-4.

This team took down Canada, Australia, Cuba, Japan, and Venezuela in that order to finally reach Lake Mary, FL in these Finals.

Florida’s path to the Finals

Florida has had a rather indirect path to the LLWS Finals. After winning their first two games of the tournament over the Midwest and Northwest representatives, the team lost to Texas and was forced into the loser’s bracket. Since then though, Florida has won four straight games, including a 10-7 win in their rematch against Texas in the U.S. Finals. In their last four games, they’ve only surrendered more than three runs once.

When is the LLWS championship game?

Chinese Taipei and Florida will face off in the 2024 LLWS championship game at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.

Venezuela defeats Texas, 4-3, for third place at the 2024 LLWS

Collins drove a 3-1 pitch to the right side in the top of the sixth inning, but Vicheria was right there to snag the line drive. The international runners-up defeat the U.S. runners-up to take the victory in the third-place game.

Bases loaded for Texas

A couple of walks bookend a strikeout to raise the stakes in the top of the sixth inning. The bases are loaded with two outs as Gray Collins steps up to bat. With Venezuela holding a one-run lead, something’s got to give.

Willian’s Mora exits

The Venezuelan starter hits his pitch limit as he collects his eighth strikeout of the day in the sixth inning. He finishes his day having allowed four hits, three runs (none earned), no walks and eight Ks. Carrasquel enters with two outs to get in the top of the final frame.

Inning-ending double play keeps Texas within reach

Muñoz fields a ground ball and shortstop Jett Matthews gets the put-out and an assist by turning an excellent double play that keeps a run off of the board. It’s 4-3 Venezuela as Texas heads to the plate for one last chance in the top of the sixth inning.

Mora avoids trouble in the fifth

Mora allows runners to reach second and third but none to score in the top of the fifth inning. He strikes out Gabe Steubing for his seventh K of the day. It’s still 4-3 Venezuela.

Aiden Muñoz throws out runner at the plate

Joshua Durán hits a ground ball that glances off of first base for a single, but Muñoz, Texas’ second baseman, positioned himself well to field the carom. He throws out Santiago Bello, who was trying to score from second base, at the plate. It keeps this a one-run game as the fifth inning begins.

Caden Guffey exits in the top of the fourth

After 3 2/3 innings, Texas’ starter hits his pitch limit. He departs the game with two runners on and two outs. Cooper Hastings takes the mound in relief.

Vicheria helps Mora get through another perfect inning

The Venezuelan second baseman gets the third out of another 1-2-3 inning by diving to his right to trap a ground ball then making a nice throw from his knees to get the batter out at first. It extends Mora’s streak to 11 straight batters retired.

Bases-loaded walk gives Venezuela its first lead

On a full count with the bases loaded, Carrasquel watches a pitch narrowly miss the strike zone. It brings home Zarraga for Venezuela’s second run of the inning, and the team takes a 4-3 lead over Texas after three innings.

Venezuela ties the game

Beiker Zarraga lays down a bunt and reaches first on a throwing error by Guffey. The errant throw allows Jonathan Landaeta to score from second base and ties the game for Venezuela.

Mora Ks two more in another perfect inning

The Venezuelan starter appears to have recovered from a shaky beginning to this game. Mora has retired eight of Texas’ hitters in a row after working another 1-2-3 inning in the third. He also tallies his fourth and fifth strikeouts on the day in the frame.

Simón Vicheria adds another for Venezuela

With the bases loaded and one out, Vicheria hits a ground ball to second base but hustles down the line to beat the potential double play. It allows Barrieta to score, and it’s a one-run game entering the third inning. Texas leads, 3-2.

Diego Biarreta gets one back for Venezuela

The first baseman drives a pitch into the gap in left-center field and plates Samuel Carrasquel with the double. It cuts Venezuela’s deficit to two, but Texas still leads, 3-1.

Mora throws perfect second inning

After allowing a crooked number in the first, Mora throws a 1-2-3 inning that features his third strikeout of the day in the second.

Caden Guffey pitches out of trouble

Venezuela gets its first two batters aboard on singles, but Guffey strikes out the third and gets a double play from the fourth to emerge unscathed from the inning. Texas still leads, 3-0, through one inning.

Texas takes advantage of Venezuela miscues for early lead

With runners on first and second, a Doc Mogford ground ball back to pitcher Willian’s Mora ended in disaster for the international bracket runners-up. Mora overthrew third base, both runners scored and Mogford made it to third.

A couple of pitches later, Venezuelan catcher Jesús Díaz couldn’t hold on to the offering from Mora, and Mogford scored on the passed ball. It’s 3-0 Texas after the top of the first inning.

Venezuela and Texas ready to face off in third-place game

The two teams that finished as runners-up in the international and U.S. sides of the bracket will square off in the Little League World Series’ third-place game. Venezuela fell to Chinese Taipei in the international bracket final, and Texas lost to Florida in the U.S. bracket final, so they’ll play for the last spot on the LLWS podium on Sunday.

2024 Little League World Series: Time, TV, streaming and how to watch

All third-place and final game of the Little League World Series will be broadcast on one of ESPN2 and ABC, with streaming options including ESPN+, the ESPN app and Fubo, which offers a free trial. Coverage begins at 10 a.m. ET with te consolation game on ESPN 2. That will follow with the championship game, airing on ABC at 3 p.m. ET.

What teams remain at the Little League World Series?

Chinese Taipei
Venezuela
Texas
Florida

Little League World Series schedule and bracket:

(All times in ET)

Wednesday, Aug. 14:

Game 1: Mexico 2, Caribbean 0
Game 2: West 3, New England 1
Game 3: Asia-Pacific 8, Canada 0
Game 4: Southeast 2, Midwest 1

Thursday, Aug. 15:

Game 5: Japan 11, Puerto Rico 0
Game 6: Mountain 9, Metro 1
Game 7: Cuba 4, Europe-Africa 1
Game 8: Southwest 9, Mid-Atlantic 0

Friday, Aug. 16:

Game 9: Latin America 10, Mexico 0
Game 10: West 5, Great Lakes 0
Game 11: Asia-Pacific 11, Australia 0
Game 12: southeast 6, Northwest 1

Saturday, Aug. 17:

Game 13: Canada 12, Puerto 5
Game 14: Metro 6, Midwest 3
Game 15: Caribbean 8, Europe-Africa 3
Game 16: Mid-Atlantic 5, New England 0

Sunday, Aug. 18:

Game 17: Metro 4, Great Lakes 0
Game 18: Mexico 8, Canada 0
Game 19: Mid-Atlantic 12, Northwest 2

Monday, Aug. 19:

Game 20: Caribbean 11, Australia 0
Game 21: Japan 2, Latin America 1
Game 22: Mountain 3, West 2
Game 23: Asia-Pacific 10, Cuba 2
Game 24: Southwest 4, Southeast 1

Tuesday, Aug. 20:

Game 25: Latin America 2, Caribbean 1
Game 26: West 3, Mid-Atlantic 1
Game 27: Mexico 6, Cuba 4
Game 28: Southeast 6, Metro 1

Wednesday, Aug. 21:

Game 29: Chinese Taipei 3, Japan 1
Game 30: Texas 5, Nevada 2
 Game 31: Mexico 3, Venezuela 11
Game 32: Florida 4, Hawai’i 3

Thursday, Aug. 22:

Game 33: Venezuela 3, Japan 2
T-Mobile Little League Home Run Derby
Game 34: Florida 6, Nevada 3

Saturday, Aug. 24:

International Championship: Chinese Taipei 4, Venezuela 1
U.S. Championship: Florida 10, Texas 7

Sunday, Aug. 25:

Third-place game: Venezuela vs. Texas on ESPN2 at 10 a.m.
World Series Championship: Chinese Taipei vs. Flordia on ABC at 3 p.m.

Who is in the Little League World Series Championship Game?

The Little League World Series (LLWS) championship game between Chinese Taipei and Florida on Sunday, August 25th at 3 p.m. ET. The third-place consolation game is set to take place the same day at 10 a.m. ET.

What time is the Little League World Series Championship Game?

The Little League World Series Championship Game between Chinese Taipei and Florida will begin at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.

What is the Little League World Series consolation game?

The third-place consolation game will take place on Sunday, August 25 at 10 a.m. ET. This year’s consolation game will be between Venezuela, who lost to Chinese Taipei 4-1, and Texas, who lost to Florida, on Saturday.

How does the Little League World Series work?

The Little League World Series is divided into two brackets: the United States bracket and the international bracket. Each bracket will conduct its own individual tournament, and the winner from each bracket will face off in the championship.

The U.S. and international brackets are double-elimination brackets. This means that a team can still advance in a separate elimination bracket even after losing its first game. The winner of the elimination bracket then plays against the winner of the winners’ bracket in the U.S. or international final for the opportunity to compete in the LLWS championship.

In other words, a team must lose twice to be eliminated from the tournament.

What is the winner of the Little League World Series awarded?

This year, the grand prize awarded to the Little League World Series winner is a Musco Little League Lighting System for a 200′ field. Musco Sports Lighting has been the official lighting system for Little League Baseball and Softball since 1992.

Little League World Series: Aug. 25 schedule

Saturday’s action begins at 10:30 a.m., here’s a rundown of the games:

All times Eastern.

Texas vs. Venezuela, 10 a.m. | Lamade Stadium | ESPN2
Chinese Taipei vs. Florida, 3 p.m. | Lamade Stadium | ABC

Follow Sunday’s LLWS games with an ESPN+ subscription

The 2024 U.S. Regional Champions

Great Lakes – Hinsdale Little League – Hinsdale, Illinois
Metro – South Shore Little League – Staten Island, New York
Mid-Atlantic – Council Rock Newtown Little League – Newtown, Pennsylvania
Midwest – Sioux Falls Little League – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Mountain – Paseo Verde Little League – Henderson, Nevada
New England – Salem Little League – Salem, New Hampshire
Northwest – South Hill Little League – Puyallup, Washington
Southeast – Lake Mary Little League – Lake Mary, Florida
Southwest – Boerne Little League – Boerne, Texas
West – Central East Maui Little League – Wailuku, Hawaii

The 2024 International Regional Champions

Asia-Pacific – Kuei-Shan Little League – Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei
Australia – Hills Little League – Sydney, New South Wales
Canada – Whalley Little League – Surrey, British Columbia
Caribbean – Aruba Center Little League – Santa Cruz, Aruba
Cuba – Santa Clara Little League – Villa Clara, Cuba
Europe-Africa – South Czech Republic Little League – Brno, Czech Republic
Japan – Johoku Little League – Tokyo, Japan
Latin America – Cardenales Little League – Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Mexico – Matamoros Little League – Tamaulipas, Mexico
Puerto Rico – Radames Lopez Little League – Guayama, Puerto Rico

Past Little League World Series results

In recent years, teams from the United States have been very successful in the Little League World Series, winning the last five championships since 2017. The most recent international team to win the tournament was Japan, who defeated Lufkin, Texas 12-2 in the 2017 final, which lasted just five innings.

List of past winners:

Results date back to 2010 LLWS.

2023: El Segundo, Calif.
2022: Honolulu
2021: Taylor, Mich.
2020: Canceled due to COVID
2019: River Ridge, La.
2018: Honolulu
2017: Tokyo
2016: Maine-Endwell, N.Y.
2015: Tokyo
2014: Seoul, South Korea
2013: Tokyo
2012: Tokyo
2011: Huntington Beach, Calif.
2010: Tokyo

Little League World Series bracket and schedule

Here is the full 2024 LLWS bracket, courtesy of the Little League World Series:

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Florida State went all the way to Ireland to lose to Georgia Tech on a last-second kick. The Seminoles could’ve done this in Atlanta! That transatlantic flight home to Tallahassee should be a fun one.

The worst part about these season-opening vacations to exotic locales is that there’s a football game at the end of the festivities, something the Seminoles seemed to forget to include on their itinerary. Given about eight months to get ready for the 2024 season, FSU seemed unprepared for an opponent picked to finish ninth in the preseason ACC poll.

After getting started with a touchdown drive and ensuing two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead after about five minutes, the Seminoles were hampered by an offense that couldn’t establish the run or deliver the ball downfield. Issues on offense that arise in Week 0 often last through November.

The Seminoles’ problems begin with a chicken-or-egg argument involving new quarterback DJ Uiagalelei: Was FSU unable to stretch the field because an unproven receiver corps struggled to get separation or because Uiagalelei simply isn’t comfortable throwing five yards past the line of scrimmage? Defensively, FSU struggled against a veteran offensive line and allowed almost 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

There is good news in the form of the 12-team College Football Playoff, which will give would-be contenders a little more wiggle room than under previous postseason formats. FSU, for example, might be able to lose again and still make the playoff as an at-large bid depending on how things shake out in the ACC.

But the team that flopped against Georgia Tech can’t and won’t go far. Still to come: Memphis, Clemson, Miami, North Carolina and Notre Dame. One year after coming up just shy of the top four, are the Seminoles’ playoff hopes for 2024 dead on arrival?

Florida State and Georgia Tech top the short list of winners and losers from Week 0:

Winners

Georgia Tech

Tech might’ve been picked ninth in the preseason conference poll but did get one first-place vote, so at least one person saw Saturday coming. Going back to last season, the Yellow Jackets have run for multiple touchdowns in eight of their past nine games; establishing things up front takes pressure off quarterback Haynes King and has become the hallmark of the program under coach Brent Key. Just as the loss changes the national perspective on FSU, the win should get Tech into next week’s USA TODAY Sports US LBM Coaches Poll and triple the size of the Jackets’ bandwagon.

Brent Key

Tech promoted Key from within Geoff Collins’ staff early in the 2022 season and never looked back. After going 4-4 in his interim season and 7-6 a year ago, the former Tech offensive lineman has established the program’s identity and transformed the Jackets back into an ACC contender. One of the biggest areas of improvement has been on the offensive front, which dictated the score to the Seminoles’ reimagined front seven and should be a season-long strength in conference play. If on a seven-win trajectory in the preseason, the win against FSU vaults Tech into the early top third of the conference.

SMU

Avoiding what would’ve been a rough, rough loss at Nevada as new members of the ACC makes SMU maybe the winner of the night, regardless of what to took to get to 29-24. Down 24-13 entering the fourth quarter, the Mustangs closed on a 16-0 run by leaning on junior tight end RJ Maryland, who had the go-ahead touchdown score with 1:18 and finished with 162 yards on 9 catches. Nevada was picked last in the Mountain West preseason poll, which seems a mile off the mark through one week. That’s what SMU is saying, at least.

Losers

Florida State

This sort of performance (and loss) is straight from the first two years of the Mike Norvell era. Even as massive player movement has triggered uncertainty across the Power Four, the Seminoles were seemingly established as a major player for the national title and one of three or four teams at the top of the ACC. At a minimum, the loss in Dublin recalibrates the hype around FSU and resets the expectations at somewhere closer to eight wins instead of 10 or more.

DJ Uiagalelei

You will get serviceable, sometimes strong, relatively error-free, unbelievably cautious quarterback play when Uiagalelei is under center, and expecting more than that will leave you disappointed. The question for Norvell is whether the Seminoles need more than that to win another ACC title — and after one game, the answer is a resounding yes. But there are things you can do to build around Uiagalelei, as Oregon State and former coach Jonathan Smith did last season. That he’ll protect the football is one big bonus; that he can be a weapon on the ground is another, though he was lightly used as a runner in the opener. Maybe, after three years at Clemson and one game at FSU, Uiagalelei just isn’t made for the ACC.

Nevada

There are things to build on for new coach Jeff Choate and Nevada, which went 4-20 the past two seasons. It’s a sign of progress to take SMU to the wire, even if the Mustangs aren’t the cream of the crop in the Power Four. Can this same formula be used to any success in the Mountain West? While competing was nice, there’s also a feeling of a missed opportunity for the Wolf Pack. Pulling off the upset could end up the difference between five wins and a bowl bid, if Nevada plays up to its potential after Saturday night.

New Mexico

Playing as almost two-touchdown underdogs against Championship Subdivision heavyweight Montana State, New Mexico seemed on its way to scoring a win in coach Bronco Mendenhall’s debut but melted down in the fourth quarter to lose 35-31. The Lobos built their lead thanks in large part to a pair of defensive touchdowns, the second making it 31-14 less than two minutes into the second half. But the Bobcats scored on fourth-quarter touchdown drives of 80, 93 and 89 yards, capped by a short touchdown run with 10 seconds left to steal the win. UNM will eventually get back on track under Mendenhall, a proven winner who previously held the same positions at Brigham Young and Virginia.

Bryan Danielson went all in at All In, and he walked out with the gold.

‘The American Dragon’s’ storied career is seemingly reaching its end, with the multi-time world champion upping the ante after putting his career on the line vs. Swerve Strickland on Sunday. Danielson was still searching for that first AEW championship win, and the stakes weren’t any higher when he squares off against the AEW champ in Wembley Stadium.

In front of his wife, Brie Danielson and his children, a bloodied Danielson made Strickland tap out to win the company’s top title, sending the 50,000-plus in attendance home happy.

Danielson’s victory cements his legacy as one of the best in the world today, but also one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time.

Elsewhere on the card, several championships were defended: Dr. Britt Baker vied for Mercedes Moné’s TBS title, while Toni Storm fell to former protégé Mariah May, losing the AEW women’s championship.

Will Ospreay also defended home turf when he faces MJF for the International – well, formerly the American – championship.

All In 2024 was a memorable and hallmark show for AEW, featuring shocking returns, stunning wins and lots and lots of juice (and Juice, too). USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, match grades and more from All In 2024 below:

All In match results 2024

Top Flight, Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Tommy Billington, Kyle Fletcher and Kip Sabian defeat Private Party, Dark Order, Anthony Ogogo, Satnam Singh, Ariya Daivari and Jay Lethal via pinfall (pre-show)
Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii defeat Stokely Hathaway and Kris Statlander via pinfall (pre-show)
Dustin Rhodes, Sammy Guevara, Katsuyori Shibata and the Von Erichs defeat The Kingdom and Cage of Agony (pre-show)
Pac and Blackpool Combat Club defeat The Patriarchy (c), Bang Bang Gang and House of Black in a ladder match for the AEW trios championship
Mariah May defeats Toni Storm for the AEW women’s championship
HOOK defeats Chris Jericho to regain the FTW championship
The Young Bucks defeat FTR and the Acclaimed to retain AEW tag team championship
Christian Cage wins the Casino Gauntlet match
Will Ospreay defeats MJF to become the International champion
Mercedes Mone defeats Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. to retain the TBS championship
Jack Perry defeats Darby Allin to retain TNT championship
Bryan Danielson defeats Swerve Strickland to become AEW world champion

Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Bryan Danielson

In a word: Perfection.

Bryan Danielson wasn’t in kayfabe when he told everyone on the Aug. 22 ‘Dynamite’ that he was the best wrestler in the world. While there’s some debate over who that might be (Will Ospreay, Line 1), Danielson is certainly in the conversation for not ony that, but the greatest wrestler of all time.

There are several reasons for that: Bryan Danielson is one of the most gifted technical wrestlers all time, but his ability to tell stories in ring while adapting to an opponent’s style puts him in a tier above everyone else.

There were many who wanted ‘Hangman’ Adam Page in this position, but anyone who knows Danielson also knows that he doesn’t need too much time to get people invested, and by the end of the match, fans got furthering of the Swerve/Hangman story while also getting a Danielson victory that did everything to both continue to legitimize the AEW championship and Strickland’s reign.

Strickland was a perfect bearer for the championship after some though the MJF reign went a bit long and Samoa Joe’s reign felt more transitional. With a boatload of charisma and an ever-growing set of wrestling skills (and a little help from Will Ospreay), Strickland cemented himself as a permanent main eventer in AEW, and someone who will factor into their plans for years to come.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Finish: A distracted Swerve takes a Busaiku knee from Danielson, and later taps out to Danielson.

Grade: 5 stars

Ricochet makes AEW debut at All In

After an uneventful stint with WWE, world-renowned high-flyer Ricochet made his AEW debut in the Casino Gauntlet match at All In.

Ricochet’s star rose alongside Will Ospreay’s in the 2010s for their series of matches on the independent scene. After stops at Lucha Underground and NXT along the way, Ricochet signed with AEW after his WWE contract expired in 2024.

Jack Perry (c) vs. Darby Allin

Both Darby Allin and Jack Perry are known as two of the most daring wrestlers in AEW. While their match was tame by both of their standards, it was also somewhat boring.

Perry getting a somewhat decisive victory over Allin was something of a surprise: He restrained Allin and shut the casket lid on him for the victory. And while there were a few spots that were on the dangerous side, it also was in line with what you’d expect from the two.

This probably isn’t the end of the road for the feud between the two, and it’ll be worth watching to see where Sting factors in, if at all, from here on out.

Winner: Jack Perry

Finish: Perry zips Allin in a body bag, and places the body bag in the coffin for the win.

Grade: 3.25 stars

Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D.

Whether it’s ring rust or a concerning trend of her career, Britt Baker seems to have taken a step back or stalled when it comes to her in-ring work. While the match with Mone wasn’t bad, it was definitely disjointed, and that was painfully noticeable throughout.

They won the crowd over with solid work, but it wasn’t enough to overcome some of the issues in this match, one that probably shouldn’t have been as sloppy as it was.

Winner: Mercedes Mone

Finish: Mone hits the Statement for the pinfall victory.

Grade: 3 stars

MJF (c) vs. Will Ospreay

The will-he-won’t-he saga of Will Ospreay using the Tiger Driver ’91 came to an end on Sunday, when he used it to defeat MJF to win the AEW International (formerly and temporarily, the American) championship.

There were one of two options for Ospreay to using the dangerous maneuver: To put down a hated heel who had it coming, or to use it on a beloved face to spark a heel turn. In this scenario, Ospreay used it for the former, and while MJF is the top heel in the industry, to build to this point and not use it in a main-event spot feels rushed.

Daniel Garcia making his return to a massive ovation could potentially to bed the re-signing rumors, though his future may still but up in the air. His return made sense within the scope of the story.

The match itself was what you’d expect from two of AEW’s – and the world’s – best workers. While it didn’t reach the highs of their one-hour ‘Dynamite’ clash, it managed to be fresh and hit all the right notes in about half the time.

Winner: Will Ospreay

Finish: Ospreay hits the Tiger Driver ’91, beats MJF via pinfall

Grade: 4.5 stars

Casino Gauntlet match

The Casino Gauntlet match has been a staple of AEW since it was first introduced in April. AEW should caution itself to not keep going back to the well with the match. That said, outside of the first rendition, each Casino Gauntlet has been a complete home run, Sunday’s edition included.

Christian’s entry to the match and subsequent victory were both shocking; as was Nigel McGuinness’ return to a wrestling ring after a lengthy stay away from the ring due to a medical issue. A debuting Ricochet also spiced things up, as did the furthering of the Adam Page revenge story.

Luchasaurus – not Killswitch – making his way to the ring led some to believe that the long-awaited face turn was coming. It did not, and that led to Cage’s win.

Winner: Christian Cage via pinfall

Finish: Luchasaurus chokeslams Orange Cassidy leading to a Cage victory.

Grade: 4.5 stars

The Young Bucks (c) vs. FTR vs. The Acclaimed

The AEW tag team division has taken a turn for the worse in recent years after being one of the hottest divisions in the wrestling world. While slapping the titles on the Bucks is almost always the right decision for a course correction, the tag titles haven’t been in the spotlight as much as they should have been leading into this three-way feud and match.

Both The Acclaimed and FTR have been ice cold heading into this match, and the crowd wasn’t buying the bout until it neared its end. It was fine enough, but it felt totally inconsequential.

Winners: The Young Bucks retain via pinfall

Finish: Nicholas Jackson hits Dax Harwood with a belt shot, Harwood kicks out at 2. EVP Trigger seals the pinfall for Matthew Jackson.

Grade: 3.5 stars

Chris Jericho (c) vs. HOOK for the FTW championship

While Chris Jericho can still build meaningful feuds and programs, his in-ring work has suffered, since Father Time remains undefeated.

Jericho’s current ‘Learning Tree’ gimmick has been incredibly divisive, and his feud with HOOK has felt very derivative of Jericho feuds over the last two or three years.

Building this match with Bryan Keith and Big Bill was a smart decision, considering it hid a bit of Jericho’s in-ring shortcomings. Putting the ceremonial strap back on HOOK was also the smart decision, because Jericho didn’t do much to elevate it in the time he’s had it.

Winner: HOOK via submission

Finish: Hook locks in the REDRUM on Jericho; Taz intervenes and stops Bryan Keith from interfering and locks in a Kata ha jime of his own

Grade: 3.75 stars

Toni Storm (c) vs. Mariah May for the AEW women’s championship

There have been some questions surrounding Mariah May’s ability to get over while not being involved with Toni Storm. Those theories are going to be put to the test now.

Mariah May gets a shot to run with the top women’s belt in the company with her win over former mentor Storm. What has never been a question is May’s in-ring work: Again, while some say her opponents have had better showings than she has in her matches, it takes two to tango.

This was an excellent match that maybe should have gotten a few more minutes, but Storm’s inability and unwillingness to pull the trigger on using the shoe to get her revenge cost her the match and her title. This was an excellent match in, what should be, a mile marker in their feud.

Winner: Mariah May via pinfall

Finish: May hits a pair of running knees and the Storm Zero for the 3 count.

Grade: 4.25 stars

The Patriarchy (c) vs. Bang Bang Gang vs. House of Black vs. Pac and Blackpool Combat Club in a ladder match for the AEW trios championship

What do you get when you add 12 men, trios championships and a metric crap-ton of ladders? Pure fun.

The opening bout to the main card of All In was pure, chaotic fun. There are so many things that can potentially go wrong in a ladder match, but that’s almost never the case when Christian Cage is involved. Fostering a reputation for being one of the smartest minds when it comes to laying out ladder matches, Cage seldom has a bad showing in these matches, and that was evident again in this match.

With Pac securing the win for the Blackpool Combat Club, his post-Death Triangle roadmap is clear, and he should be a seamless fit in the group. Pac also finally secured his long-needed elusive big-time victory after being handed crushing losses after the last year, making for a feel-good story in his home country.

Winners: Blackpool Combat Club

Finish: Pac climbs the ladder to secure the win for the BCC; Luchasaurus fails to stop Pac from climbing.

Grade: 4.25 stars

Jamie Hayter returns at All In 2024

Some things are worth the wait.

Jamie Hayter has been out of action for over a year as she nursed injuries. What better spot, what better stage for the UK native to come back at than Wembley Stadium? Even more so: Getting to punch fellow countrymate Saraya a few times in the face was probably pretty sweet, too.

Dustin Rhodes, Sammy Guevara, Katsuyori Shibata and the Von Erichs vs. The Kingdom and Cage of Agony

This match was more of a reminder that ROH exists and is a thing than it was anything else.

The Von Erichs and Rhodes are the ROH six man champs, while Rhodes and Guevara recently won the ROH tag titles from the Kingdom. Cage of Agony are former ROH six-man champs, while Shibata is a former ROH Pure champion.

So, logically, there was a reason to have this match, with a story built in already. That said, it wasn’t anything special, and at times it was disjointed and more of a car wreck than the earlier 16-man tag match.

Post-match, Kevin Von Erich locked in the Iron Claw on Matt Taven, which brought the crowd to its feet.

Winners: Dustin Rhodes, Sammy Guevara, Katsuyori Shibata and the Von Erichs

Finish: Sammy Guevara hits Taven with a Senton Bomb, Taven is pinned by Rhodes.

Grade: 2.5 stars

Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway

For a partnership and feud that has gone on for months now, crowds haven’t seemed entirely invested in the Nightingale vs. Statlander feud. Most of the match was the two friends-turned-rivals going 50-50, which the crowd wasn’t overly into.

The highlight of the bout came when Hathaway got some unexpected offense in on the ‘Stone Pitbull,’ including a 10-punch and a drop toe hold.

It was all for naught, however, as the team of Nightingale and Ishii picked up the win.

Winners: Nightingale and Ishii win via pinfall

Finish: Ishii hits a sliding forearm on Hathaway

Grade: 2.75 stars

Private Party, Dark Order, Anthony Ogogo, Satnam Singh, Ariya Daivari and Jay Lethal vs. Top Flight, Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Tommy Billington, Kyle Fletcher and Kip Sabian

For what seems like a bloated concept – can we try and keep tag matches to like, eight-man tags, please? – this was a fun pre-show opener.

Hometown heroes Kip Sabian, Anthony Ogogo and Tommy Billington got some shine in the match, and the crowd sopped it up early.

The match didn’t take long to turn into a finish spot fest, but if what you want from an opener is just some light-hearted, low-stakes fun with high spots and plenty of likeable stars on both sides of the ring, then you got what you wanted. It also didn;’t overstay its welcome.

Winners: Top Flight, Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Tommy Billington, Kyle Fletcher and Kip Sabian

Finish: Dante Martin hits a splash on Ariya Daivari for the 3 count.

Grade: 3 stars

When is All In 2024?

Date: Sunday, Aug. 25

AEW All In will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25. AEW All Out is two weeks later, on Saturday, Sept. 7.

When does All In Start?

Main card: 1 p.m. ET (6 p.m. BST)
Pre-show: 11 a.m. ET (4 p.m. BST)

The main card for AEW All In gets underway at 1 p.m. ET. The show will feature a two-hour pre-show, which will begin at 11 a.m. ET.

AEW All In pre-show

AEW is presenting a hefty two-hour pre-show. You can watch it on YouTube and PPV.

AEW All In stage

The stage for All In this year seems to be a bit more intricate than the 2023 designs. Here’s a look, courtesy of Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp:

AEW All In PPV price

PPV price: $49.99

AEW All In will air on traditional PPV at a $49.99 price.

AEW All In live stream

Those looking to live stream the event will have several options:

Triller TV is offering a bundle of AEW All In and All Out at a discounted rate of $84.99.
B/R Live will also carry the PPV for $49.99.

AEW All In match card

The card is subject to change.

(c) indicates champion

Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway vs. Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii (pre-show)
16-man tag match: Satnam Singh, Jay Lethal, Private Party, Anthony Ogogo, Ariya Daivari, Dark Order vs. Top Flight, Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Tommy Billington, Kip Sabian and Kyle Fletcher (pre-show)
‘Timeless’ Toni Storm (c) vs. ‘The Glamour’ Mariah May for the AEW women’s championship
MJF (c) vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW American (International) championship
Jack Perry (c) vs. Darby Allin in a coffin match for the AEW TNT championship
Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Dr. Britt Baker for the AEW TBS championship
Casino Gauntlet match, winner gets a future AEW world championship match
Chris Jericho (c) vs. HOOK for the FTW championship
The Young Bucks (c) vs. FTR vs. The Acclaimed for the AEW tag team championship
The Patriarchy (c) vs. Bang Bang Gang vs. House of Black vs. Pac and Blackpool Combat Club in a ladder match for the AEW trios championship
Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Bryan Danielson in a title vs. career match for the AEW world championship

AEW All In 2024 predictions

Bolded lines indicate correct predictions; Italicized lines indicate incorrect predictions

Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii defeat Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway
‘The Glamour’ Mariah May defeats Toni Storm for the AEW women’s championship
MJF (c) defeats Will Ospreay to retain the AEW American (International) championship
Darby Allin remains undefeated in coffin matches, defeats Jack Perry for the AEW TNT championship
Mercedes Moné (c) outlasts Dr. Britt Baker to retain the AEW TBS championship
‘Hangman’ Adam Page wins the Casino Gauntlet match, earns a future AEW world championship match
HOOK regains the the FTW championship, defeats Chris Jericho
FTR outlasts The Young Bucks and The Acclaimed to win the AEW tag team championship
Bang Bang Gang regains the AEW trios championship, defeating the Patriarchy, the House of Black and Pac and Blackpool Combat Club
Bryan Danielson defeats Swerve Strickland, extending his career and winning the AEW world championship

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Another summer race at Daytona International Speedway has come and gone, and another checkered flag has waved above another driver nobody saw coming.

Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 produced a surprising winner that was celebrated by two legendary NASCAR families. That victory will reverberate through the playoffs – which begin in just two weeks – and put even more pressure on drivers hovering around the playoff bubble entering next weekend’s regular season finale at Darlington Raceway.

Here are five takeaways from Saturday night’s race that also saw a car spin multiple times while upside down and another car catch fire:

1. Wood Brothers deliver another longshot winner

Add Harrison Burton’s name to the ever-growing list of surprise winners at Daytona.

In reality, can we call any winner here a surprise?

Burton, a 23-year-old racer headed for the unemployment line, survived all the carnage that chewed up so many contenders in the late laps. All that remained was passing and holding off one of the best ever — Kyle Busch, who just so happened to be rather desperate for a win and playoff berth. 

It wasn’t any easier than it sounds, because Busch gave him all he could handle off the final turn toward the stripe. 

This puts the Wood Brothers back in Daytona’s Victory Lane, with the organization’s 100th NASCAR win in the team’s storied history, 13+ years after their unlikely win in the 2011 Daytona 500 with Trevor Bayne.

And it’s career win No. 1 for Burton, who several weeks ago learned he won’t be retained in the No. 21 car next year after three underperforming seasons. 

Until Saturday.

The takeaway here: Don’t be too surprised. This is one of three tracks in NASCAR where these things can happen, along with Talladega and the newest “plate-race” track, Atlanta.

2. Did Harrison Burton help his employment chances?

Here’s the only certainty on that topic: He sure didn’t hurt it.

And there’s no doubting the feel-good vibe of the whole deal.

With Burton’s dad Jeff in the broadcast booth, it conjured images of Dale Jarrett’s 1993 Daytona 500 win with dad Ned on the call for CBS. The emotions were real for a family who knows how rough-and-tumble this sport can be on not just man and machine, but the psyche.

You lose your ride, yet you’re still obligated to show up week after week and play out the string, putting your best out there when the heart might be thinking otherwise. And then this, a real jolt of glory on NASCAR’s biggest stage.

This can’t hurt Harrison Burton’s chances.

But in all honesty, how much can it help? This was, in large part, about missing all the messes and being around at the end. There’s a lot to be said of Burton’s courage and desire to stay hard in the gas on the backstretch and into Turn 3 as he got past Kyle Busch. 

And a lot to be said of the dogged way he protected the lead down the stretch.

But what will it do for his near-future job possibilities? Given how few decent rides are out there and how many quality drivers are pounding the pavement, maybe not a whole lot.

3. Another week, another upside-down slide

Well, back to work at NASCAR’s R&D center near Charlotte.

Corey LaJoie’s airborne flip onto his roof at Michigan last week got everyone’s attention. New equipment — an additional rail alongside the rear window — was attached to cars this week in effort to help avoid such things, since the old roof flaps and other air-deflecting devices proved to be less than bulletproof.

Josh Berry’s crash in Saturday’s closing laps told the engineers there’s more work to do. Running at the front, he got nudged from behind, snapped violently sideways and immediately flipped onto his roof. Berry then slid a long way upside-down before violently smacking an inside retaining wall head-on.

Chasing safety is as old as racing itself. It seems as if they can make these cars 100% safe, then something happens to tell you they’re only 99% safe.

4. Grandstands bring the view, infield brings the crowd

Maybe Daytona’s summertime NASCAR race is taking on the personality of the Rolex 24 sports-car race, which is largely an infield event for the paying customers.

The stadium crowd was big enough to satisfy most tracks. Looked to be somewhere in the 40-50,000 range in the grandstands, which is OK except when compared to the full house of the Daytona 500.

At least that’s the eyeball judgement. 

However, the infield was thick with motorcoaches, travel trailers and a ton of tents crowding the west-central half of the infield. 

Speedway president Frank Kelleher, in the hours before Saturday night’s race, said reserved campsites were sold out, as were all suites fronting the track. All 50 states, 56 countries and six continents produced ticket buyers, he added.

5. NASCAR rolls from Daytona to Darlington, playoffs follow

One more race remains in the 26-race Cup Series regular season. That comes next Sunday night at historic Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. 

After Darlington, it’s on to Atlanta and the start of the 10-race playoffs.

Thirteen drivers have now clinched playoff berths, leaving three available to claim in the regular season finale. Drivers on the playoff bubble will be scrambling to clinch on points, while other winless drivers will be hoping they can recreate Burton’s stunning victory.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

After facing widespread criticism over an installation meant to honor the late two-time Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor, the Washington Commanders have permanently removed it and announced plans to build a statue in its place.

‘After careful consideration, we have decided as an organization to remove the Sean Taylor installation from Commanders Field,’ a team spokesperson said Saturday in a statement. ‘We realize that the installation fell short in honoring one of our franchise’s most iconic players. Together with the Taylor family, we are working on a plan, which includes unveiling a statue that will rightfully celebrate the legacy and impact that Sean had on our organization, fanbase and community. The Washington Commanders are committed to honoring our legends in a first-class manner.’

The team also announced that Taylor’s daughter, Jackie, will have input in the design process of the statue. Jackie was 18 months old when her father was murdered at the age of 24 on Nov. 27, 2007, during an attempted home invasion.

The original installation was inaugurated in November 2022, during a game against the Atlanta Falcons. At the time, the team was under the ownership of Daniel Snyder, who became known for several blunders in team-fan relations against the backdrop of creating a toxic workplace culture that resulted in a $10 million fine by the NFL and allegations of sexual harassment.

In July 2023, however, the NFL owners approved the sale of the team to a group led by billionaire Josh Harris.

All things Commanders: Latest Washington Commanders news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

‘I’m thankful to Josh Harris and the Commanders family for their continued commitment to keep my dad’s legacy alive,’ Jackie Taylor said in the statement. ‘I look forward to sharing plans in the future and learning more about my dad through this process.’

The original installation that has since been removed was inaugurated on five day’s notice, and featured a mannequin-style structure that merely had a Washington jersey with Taylor’s No. 21 on it. The jersey, however, wasn’t even from the right era, as the NFL’s apparel partner at the time during Taylor’s playing days was Reebok, not Nike.

The statue that will replace the installation becomes the first statue in team history to honor a former player.

Taylor played in the NFL from 2004-07, all with Washington, earning Pro Bowl honors in his last two seasons. He finished with 305 tackles, 12 interceptions, eight forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one touchdown. The year after his death, Taylor was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor.

Taylor wore the jersey No. 36 during his rookie season, but changed it to No. 21 the following year. The Commanders retired Taylor’s jersey in 2021, making him the fourth player in the team’s history to receive the honor.

Taylor was the fifth overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, out of the University of Miami.

‘I’m forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support from this special fan base,’ Jackie Taylor said. ‘I’m filled with gratitude to know that my dad will forever be a part of the burgundy and gold family.’

The Minnesota Lynx paid tribute to retired star and four-time WNBA champion Maya Moore on Saturday in a ceremony that celebrated both her achievements of the past and her impact on the future.

The highlight of the event, which followed the Lynx’s 90-80 victory over the Indiana Fever in front of a record crowd, was the lifting of Moore’s No. 23 jersey to the Target Center rafters.

‘My life is an example of what it looks like when we love a little girl well,’ Moore said. ‘There is no way we’re watching that (ceremony) without love. So many people having a hand in my life to show me what life is about. That’s what I tried to bring every day: life and joy. Because I’ve been a recipient of life and joy.’

On hand for the celebration were several of Moore’s teammates from the 2017 WNBA title team, including Rebekkah Brunson, Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles and Seimone Augustus.

Following a video montage of her career highlights, the 2014 WNBA MVP was lauded with gifts ranging from a customized chest and a letter jacket to several pairs of gold shoes.

It was no coincidence that the retirement ceremony came after a game against Indiana. Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has repeatedly cited Moore as her favorite player of all time. And perhaps the highlight of Moore’s career came against the Fever in the 2015 WNBA Finals, when she hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.

‘I kind of don’t want this night to end,’ she said through tears. ‘Some of my favorite people in the world are here with me.’

Moore left the WNBA in 2018 at the peak of her career at age 29 to help overturn the burglary and assault convictions of then-inmate Jonathan Irons. He was eventually released from prison in 2020, and they were married a few days later.

Moore is continuing her advocacy work with a foundation she and Irons have founded, Win With Justice, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2022.

The two-time NCAA champion and player of the year at Connecticut – and two-time Olympic gold medalist – officially retired from basketball last year.

We love to celebrate our kids. For a week or two at the end of each summer, we adopt someone else’s.

We follow their every move from a small ballpark in central Pennsylvania, or from the television screens in our living rooms.

We watch them make spectacular plays in the field and hit the ball over the fence. We hang on their emotions, too: Their deep breaths, their clenched faces, their triumphant leaps into coaches’ arms.

Why are we so fascinated by the Little League World Series? Because it thrusts everyday life into the national spotlight. Many of us have been part of teams that have tried to get to Williamsport, or we just used to hop into the “way” back of our coach’s station wagon on the way to the diamond.

Most of us never got to play on national TV in front of millions of viewers, with broadcasters who normally call major league games detailing our actions. These kids’ dreams become ours. Maybe we even forget, at least momentarily, they are kids.

We expect them to come through and we cheer like heck when they do.

But what about when they don’t?

They are sometimes in tears, too, as are their parents, during and after the most excruciating moments.

“I promised myself that every minute of these games I was gonna enjoy it,” Michelle Anderson, whose son Chase plays for the Lake Mary, Florida, team and husband Jonathan manages, told ESPN this week. “I was a stress ball to get here, but once we got here I said, ‘You know what, I’m going to enjoy the moment.’ ”

It’s a moment where kids’ games are broadcast to the world and their coaches are miked up.

With all the scrutiny, sometimes it’s difficult to decipher the purpose of the event. While it’s tempting to look at the Little League World Series a showcase of the most talented 12-year-old baseball players, it’s purpose is much more simple: It’s once-in-a-lifetime event for kids (and their parents) fortunate enough to soak up and experience it.

We love the Little League World Series, but there are subtle ways to make it even better. Here’s how we can reduce the pressure on kids who play in it and open up opportunities for more of them to have a shot at it.

Keep the broadcasting light

That should have been a double play. Easily.

You want to throw something a little better than that.

That ball could have been caught. Sometimes you give up just split second too early.

Those are on-air comments from ESPN’s Karl Ravech and Todd Frazier in a game leading up to Saturday’s United States championship, which featured Boerne, Texas, and Lake Mary, Florida. Florida plays for the championship Sunday against Chinese Taipei.

We have a tendency to connect the Little League World Series with the majors. Maybe it’s because 64 confirmed “graduates” of the LLWS have played in the big leagues. But that’s 64 players since 1954.

One of those players is Frazier, who went 4-for-4 in the championship game to help his Toms River, New Jersey, defeat Japan in 1998.  

Frazier played an 11-year major league career. Now 38, he coaches his son’s baseball team. His broadcasting style is tough and supportive.

“That was a perfect executed bunt,” he said when Hawaii’s Kolten Magno sacrificed a runner to second base during a tense elimination game with Florida this week. “Only thing better, (if) he would have gotten it down more to third base … that would have been a knock.”

Magno also singled to start a four-run, third-inning rally to tie the score 4-4. Florida’s lead began to evaporate when two of its players couldn’t turn either end of a double play. The Florida shortstop bobbled the ball and recovered, but the second baseman was looking at first when he received the throw and dropped it.

“And everybody’s safe!” Ravech said.

The scene ramped up, as everything connected to youth sports seems to do. Hawaii parents loudly cheered after the mishap.

“Once the bobble happens, understand: Gotta get that first out,” Frazier said during a replay.

He spoke in a animated voice that helped capture the drama of the moment. But part of the drama was on the shortstop’s face. It wasn’t a dismissive look you might see on a major leaguer when he makes an error, but a look of distress.

It’s a look that can be soothed in the privacy of a dugout or well after the game by a coach’s encouraging words. Had the words come from Frazier, a big leaguer as recently as 2021, the kid would have heard them on the replays of the clip.

“You can see he took his eyes off the ball,” Frazier might have said. “Tough play those guys are capable of making.”

He and Ravech struck a more age-appropriate tone the day before when Florida played Staten Island, New York. It was a familiar scene if you’re a baseball parent. Jessica Mendoza, a major league broadcaster who is also a Little League mom, was also in the booth. She noted how Staten Island coach Bob Laterza constantly chatters with his players while they’re playing.

“He yells all game long,” she said.

At one point, Laterza called timeout and gave one of his hitters an earful of information in between pitches. The kid looked straight ahead and nodded as his coach spoke, perhaps more confused than when he stepped out of the batter’s box.

“Was he listening to him?” Ravech said.

 “I think he was,” Frazier said. “For sure. Can’t remember everything.”

Coach Steve: Some parents need to rethink how they talk to their child athletes

Have more Julie Foudy moments

What question will ESPN reporter Julie Foudy ask next?

“How did you get your kid to eat eggplant?” she said to Jana Grippo, mom to Stephen, a left-handed pitcher for Staten Island.

“In my house, we have a rule: You’ve gotta try it before you say you don’t like it,” the mother replied.

Foudy has found ways to distract kids from the big stage. She played pickleball as a partner of Florida’s Liam Morrisey while asking about his care for his flowing dark hair (shower, brush, conditioner, blow dry). She challenged Henderson, Nevada’s Gunnar Gaudin to solve a Rubik’s cube in under 39 seconds while she chatted with him and teammate Wyatt Erickson about their squad. (He did it in 36 seconds.)

She talks to parents while their kids are in the act of playing, often pitching or hitting, a humorous exercise even without her commentary.

“Rule No. 1 is watching your son,” she told Texas parent Dru and Jessica Steubing as they looked away from her and at the field. ‘But I will ask the questions and put the mike in your face.’

In the middle of one about the low-salt sunflower seeds the couple makes, they shot up and gave their complete attention to a ball their son Gage put into play. They jumped and cheered as it dropped in for a hit.

“Yes! I love when that happens,” Foudy said.

Her words poked fun at the ebbs and flows of our emotions when we watch our kids play sports. It also reminded us not to take those sports (or ourselves) too seriously.

Be more selective in miking up coaches

During a Nevada-Texas game this week, Nevada’s catcher fielded a bunt with a runner on first and errantly threw the ball to second base. The kid immediately knew he made a mistake (as most 12-year-olds do), and you could see him crying through his catcher’s mask.

“We gotta get that out at first, man,” Nevada manager Adam Johnson told his catcher during a miked mound visit a few moments later. The kid started crying again.

Johnson caught himself, like we all do sometimes as coaches when we say something that’s slightly off. Usually, we have the privacy of our team correct ourselves.

Johnson tapped the catcher’s helmet.

“Forget about it, though,” he said. “You’re all right.”

It was a one of those personal instances a coach should be allowed to have with his young players without everyone watching.

This one certainly captured the dramatics ESPN seeks in miking up coaches. But it also caught one unintentionally making one of his players cry.

The network could be more selective in miking up coaches. Record them and then choose the ones that capture them empowering their kids.

For example, the one of Johnson, the assistant equipment manager for the Las Vegas Raiders, speaking to his team before an elimination game with Florida showed us how he inspiring he could be:

“Enjoy the moment and understand what’s at stake,” he said in a calm yet firm voice. “You guys like playing together. You got two more chances you win tonight. Have fun. Smile on your face. Enjoy the moment.”

Play every kid as much as possible

All teams are required to bat their full 12-to-14-man rosters during the Little League World Series. However, they don’t have play everyone in the field.

This rule allows us to see teams’ top fielders who generate those plays we see on SportsCenter. And it gives everyone a better chance to win. It also means a kid could potentially go entire tournament without getting an inning on field at Lamade Stadium.

We all want to win, but isn’t it more important to give every kid a chance to fully experience the Little League World Series? This responsibility falls on coaches as much as Little League’s governing body, which did away with defensive requirements in part due to logistical headaches and violations (intentional and unintentional) of the rules.

Maybe the organization can continue to have discussions to make an equitable format for field play work. In the meantime, coaches can strive to play everyone as as much as possible. That’s the spirit of Little League at the local level.

Requiring their coaches to play everyone more equally in the postseason tournament might also open up an easier path to the World Series. Teams that have a few large, dominant players (height can be a huge advantage at age 12) can ride them all the way to Williamsport. But more teams have a shot if everyone is forced to lean heavily on their entire roster.

Coach Steve: 70% of kids drop out of youth sports by age 13. Why?

Let’s all remember these are 12-year-olds, and they are all about teamwork

Relying on more players also builds team unity. We all need that kind of support.

Caleb Gomez is a speedy center fielder on the Nevada team that was eliminated by Florida this week. During that game, Foudy spoke with his mother, Anjanette, about how he and some kids he knows had mental struggles when they played baseball and in school.

You know how you feel as a kid when you strike out or miss a play.

“There is really no safe space to talk about it,” Anjanette told Foudy.

Anjanette, a psychiatric case worker finishing up her master’s degree in social work, helped them start the “Pass the ball” podcast to give young athletes that place. They have recorded three episodes and welcome you to follow and reach out to them on Instagram (@cgogo9) if your young athlete wants to join the discussion.

Caleb came to bat with two outs and a runner on base in the bottom of the last inning. His team was trailing 6-3. With the nerves and pain visible in his face, he lined a hard, two-strike single to left field. He was crying when he reached first base.

Ravech hit just the right note.

“Atta boy, Caleb,” he said. “Man, you got the big hit. So good. Shows how much it means to these kids.”

Let’s hope we see Caleb playing again on TV someday. In the meantime, he gets to go home and be one again.

Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been an editor and writer with USA TODAY since 1999. He spent 10 years coaching his two sons’ baseball and basketball teams. He and his wife, Colleen, are now sports parents for two high schoolers. His column is posted weekly. For his past columns, click here.

Bryan Danielson is going all in at All In.

‘The American Dragon’s’ storied career is seemingly reaching its end, with the multi-time world champion upping the ante and putting his career on the line vs. Swerve Strickland on Sunday. While he’s used to holding gold, Danielson is still searching for that first AEW championship win, and the stakes couldn’t be any higher when he squares off against the AEW champ in Wembley Stadium.

A Danielson victory would not only cement his legacy as one of the best in the world today, but one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time. He faces a tough task against Strickland, who has been dominant since defeating Samoa Joe and ‘Hangman’ Adam Page for the strap in March.

Elsewhere on the card, several championships will be defended: Dr. Britt Baker will vie for Mercedes Moné’s TBS title, while Toni Storm looks to hold off former protégé Mariah May when they grapple for the AEW women’s championship.

Will Ospreay will also defend home turf when he faces MJF for the International – well, temporarily the American – championship.

USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, match grades and more from All In 2024 below.

All In match results 2024

Top Flight, Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Tommy Billington, Kyle Fletcher and Kip Sabian defeat Private Party, Dark Order, Anthony Ogogo, Satnam Singh, Ariya Daivari and Jay Lethal via pinfall (pre-show)
Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii defeat Stokely Hathaway and Kris Statlander via pinfall (pre-show)
Dustin Rhodes, Sammy Guevara, Katsuyori Shibata and the Von Erichs defeat The Kingdom and Cage of Agony (pre-show)
Pac and Blackpool Combat Club defeat The Patriarchy (c), Bang Bang Gang and House of Black in a ladder match for the AEW trios championship
Mariah May defeats Toni Storm for the AEW women’s championship
HOOK defeats Chris Jericho to regain the FTW championship
The Young Bucks defeat FTR and the Acclaimed to retain AEW tag team championship

The Young Bucks (c) vs. FTR vs. The Acclaimed

The AEW tag team division has taken a turn for the worse in recent years after being one of the hottest divisions in the wrestling world. While slapping the titles on the Bucks is almost always the right decision for a course correction, the tag titles haven’t been in the spotlight as much as they should have been leading into this three-way feud and match.

Both The Acclaimed and FTR have been ice cold heading into this match, and the crowd wasn’t buying the bout until it neared its end. It was fine enough, but it felt totally inconsequential.

Winners: The Young Bucks retain via pinfall

Finish: Nicholas Jackson hits Dax Harwood with a belt shot, Harwood kicks out at 2. EVP Trigger seals the pinfall for Matthew Jackson.

Grade: 3.5 stars

Chris Jericho (c) vs. HOOK for the FTW championship

While Chris Jericho can still build meaningful feuds and programs, his in-ring work has suffered, since Father Time remains undefeated.

Jericho’s current ‘Learning Tree’ gimmick has been incredibly divisive, and his feud with HOOK has felt very derivative of Jericho feuds over the last two or three years.

Building this match with Bryan Keith and Big Bill was a smart decision, considering it hid a bit of Jericho’s in-ring shortcomings. Putting the ceremonial strap back on HOOK was also the smart decision, because Jericho didn’t do much to elevate it in the time he’s had it.

Winner: HOOK via submission

Finish: Hook locks in the REDRUM on Jericho; Taz intervenes and stops Bryan Keith from interfering and locks in a Kata ha jime of his own

Grade: 3.75 stars

Toni Storm (c) vs. Mariah May for the AEW women’s championship

There have been some questions surrounding Mariah May’s ability to get over while not being involved with Toni Storm. Those theories are going to be put to the test now.

Mariah May gets a shot to run with the top women’s belt in the company with her win over former mentor Storm. What has never been a question is May’s in-ring work: Again, while some say her opponents have had better showings than she has in her matches, it takes two to tango.

This was an excellent match that maybe should have gotten a few more minutes, but Storm’s inability and unwillingness to pull the trigger on using the shoe to get her revenge cost her the match and her title. This was an excellent match in, what should be, a mile marker in their feud.

Winner: Mariah May via pinfall

Finish: May hits a pair of running knees and the Storm Zero for the 3 count.

Grade: 4.25 stars

The Patriarchy (c) vs. Bang Bang Gang vs. House of Black vs. Pac and Blackpool Combat Club in a ladder match for the AEW trios championship

What do you get when you add 12 men, trios championships and a metric crap-ton of ladders? Pure fun.

The opening bout to the main card of All In was pure, chaotic fun. There are so many things that can potentially go wrong in a ladder match, but that’s almost never the case when Christian Cage is involved. Fostering a reputation for being one of the smartest minds when it comes to laying out ladder matches, Cage seldom has a bad showing in these matches, and that was evident again in this match.

With Pac securing the win for the Blackpool Combat Club, his post-Death Triangle roadmap is clear, and he should be a seamless fit in the group. Pac also finally secured his long-needed elusive big-time victory after being handed crushing losses after the last year, making for a feel-good story in his home country.

Winners: Blackpool Combat Club

Finish: Pac climbs the ladder to secure the win for the BCC; Luchasaurus fails to stop Pac from climbing.

Grade: 4.25 stars

Jamie Hayter returns at All In 2024

Some things are worth the wait.

Jamie Hayter has been out of action for over a year as she nursed injuries. What better spot, what better stage for the UK native to come back at than Wembley Stadium? Even more so: Getting to punch fellow countrymate Saraya a few times in the face was probably pretty sweet, too.

Dustin Rhodes, Sammy Guevara, Katsuyori Shibata and the Von Erichs vs. The Kingdom and Cage of Agony

This match was more of a reminder that ROH exists and is a thing than it was anything else.

The Von Erichs and Rhodes are the ROH six man champs, while Rhodes and Guevara recently won the ROH tag titles from the Kingdom. Cage of Agony are former ROH six-man champs, while Shibata is a former ROH Pure champion.

So, logically, there was a reason to have this match, with a story built in already. That said, it wasn’t anything special, and at times it was disjointed and more of a car wreck than the earlier 16-man tag match.

Post-match, Kevin Von Erich locked in the Iron Claw on Matt Taven, which brought the crowd to its feet.

Winners: Dustin Rhodes, Sammy Guevara, Katsuyori Shibata and the Von Erichs

Finish: Sammy Guevara hits Taven with a Senton Bomb, Taven is pinned by Rhodes.

Grade: 2.5 stars

Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway

For a partnership and feud that has gone on for months now, crowds haven’t seemed entirely invested in the Nightingale vs. Statlander feud. Most of the match was the two friends-turned-rivals going 50-50, which the crowd wasn’t overly into.

The highlight of the bout came when Hathaway got some unexpected offense in on the ‘Stone Pitbull,’ including a 10-punch and a drop toe hold.

It was all for naught, however, as the team of Nightingale and Ishii picked up the win.

Winners: Nightingale and Ishii win via pinfall

Finish: Ishii hits a sliding forearm on Hathaway

Grade: 2.75 stars

Private Party, Dark Order, Anthony Ogogo, Satnam Singh, Ariya Daivari and Jay Lethal vs. Top Flight, Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Tommy Billington, Kyle Fletcher and Kip Sabian

For what seems like a bloated concept – can we try and keep tag matches to like, eight-man tags, please? – this was a fun pre-show opener.

Hometown heroes Kip Sabian, Anthony Ogogo and Tommy Billington got some shine in the match, and the crowd sopped it up early.

The match didn’t take long to turn into a finish spot fest, but if what you want from an opener is just some light-hearted, low-stakes fun with high spots and plenty of likeable stars on both sides of the ring, then you got what you wanted. It also didn;’t overstay its welcome.

Winners: Top Flight, Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Tommy Billington, Kyle Fletcher and Kip Sabian

Finish: Dante Martin hits a splash on Ariya Daivari for the 3 count.

Grade: 3 stars

When is All In 2024?

Date: Sunday, Aug. 25

AEW All In will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25. AEW All Out is two weeks later, on Saturday, Sept. 7.

When does All In Start?

Main card: 1 p.m. ET (6 p.m. BST)
Pre-show: 11 a.m. ET (4 p.m. BST)

The main card for AEW All In gets underway at 1 p.m. ET. The show will feature a two-hour pre-show, which will begin at 11 a.m. ET.

AEW All In pre-show

AEW is presenting a hefty two-hour pre-show. You can watch it on YouTube and PPV.

AEW All In stage

The stage for All In this year seems to be a bit more intricate than the 2023 designs. Here’s a look, courtesy of Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp:

AEW All In PPV price

PPV price: $49.99

AEW All In will air on traditional PPV at a $49.99 price.

AEW All In live stream

Those looking to live stream the event will have several options:

Triller TV is offering a bundle of AEW All In and All Out at a discounted rate of $84.99.
B/R Live will also carry the PPV for $49.99.

AEW All In match card

The card is subject to change.

(c) indicates champion

Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway vs. Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii (pre-show)
16-man tag match: Satnam Singh, Jay Lethal, Private Party, Anthony Ogogo, Ariya Daivari, Dark Order vs. Top Flight, Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Tommy Billington, Kip Sabian and Kyle Fletcher (pre-show)
‘Timeless’ Toni Storm (c) vs. ‘The Glamour’ Mariah May for the AEW women’s championship
MJF (c) vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW American (International) championship
Jack Perry (c) vs. Darby Allin in a coffin match for the AEW TNT championship
Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Dr. Britt Baker for the AEW TBS championship
Casino Gauntlet match, winner gets a future AEW world championship match
Chris Jericho (c) vs. HOOK for the FTW championship
The Young Bucks (c) vs. FTR vs. The Acclaimed for the AEW tag team championship
The Patriarchy (c) vs. Bang Bang Gang vs. House of Black vs. Pac and Blackpool Combat Club in a ladder match for the AEW trios championship
Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Bryan Danielson in a title vs. career match for the AEW world championship

AEW All In 2024 predictions

Bolded lines indicate correct predictions; Italicized lines indicate incorrect predictions

Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii defeat Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway
‘The Glamour’ Mariah May defeats Toni Storm for the AEW women’s championship
MJF (c) defeats Will Ospreay to retain the AEW American (International) championship
Darby Allin remains undefeated in coffin matches, defeats Jack Perry for the AEW TNT championship
Mercedes Moné (c) outlasts Dr. Britt Baker to retain the AEW TBS championship
‘Hangman’ Adam Page wins the Casino Gauntlet match, earns a future AEW world championship match
HOOK regains the the FTW championship, defeats Chris Jericho
FTR outlasts The Young Bucks and The Acclaimed to win the AEW tag team championship
Bang Bang Gang regains the AEW trios championship, defeating the Patriarchy, the House of Black and Pac and Blackpool Combat Club
Bryan Danielson defeats Swerve Strickland, extending his career and winning the AEW world championship

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands – McLaren’s Lando Norris ended Max Verstappen’s unbeaten home record with a commanding Dutch Grand Prix victory and second win of his Formula One career to breathe new life into the championship on Sunday.

Red Bull’s triple world champion finished 22.896 seconds behind, after seizing the lead at the start but being passed on the 18th of 72 laps, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc taking the checkered flag in third place.

It was the first time since the race returned to the calendar in 2021 that Verstappen had not triumphed at Zandvoort and extended his losing streak this season to five races.

His lead over Norris was cut to 70 points after 15 of a record 24 rounds, with McLaren also cutting Red Bull’s increasingly vulnerable advantage in the constructors’ championship to 30.

‘It feels amazing. I wouldn’t say a perfect race because of lap one again, but it was still beautiful. The pace was strong, the car was unbelievable,’ said Norris, who took his first win in Miami in May.

‘I could push and get past Max. It was a straightforward race. Tough but enjoyable.’

Norris had started on pole position for the fourth time in his career and Sunday’s race on the breezy Dutch coast, in front of his rival’s Orange Army of fans, was the first time he had converted the advantage into victory.

It looked at the start that he might have thrown it away once again, the 24-year-old Briton making a sluggish start off the line as Verstappen hit the throttle and led decisively into turn one.

The McLaren clearly had the pace as well as the drag reduction (DRS) advantage, however, and after one probing attempt on lap 17, Norris went past down the inside at turn one and pulled steadily away.

Norris also took a bonus point for fastest lap with a final flourish and was voted Driver of the Day by fans.

‘You always hope to do better. We had a good start and tried everything we could but it was clear we were not quick enough,’ said Verstappen.

Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri was fourth, ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez sixth.

The Mercedes pair of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished seventh and eighth with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly ninth — and lapped — and Fernando Alonso taking the final point for Aston Martin.

The 2024 Leagues Cup final is a 2023 MLS Cup rematch.

The reigning MLS champion Columbus Crew will host Los Angeles FC at Lower.com Field in another high-profile matchup between these two clubs.

That these two teams are in the Leagues Cup final is not a surprise. In the lead-up to the tournament, the Crew and LAFC were pegged as Major League Soccer’s best chances of hoisting the Leagues Cup trophy.

Los Angeles FC enters having boat-raced its opponents during the knockout rounds. LAFC has won its four knockout round games by a combined score of 13-1, easily dispatching the Colorado Rapids 4-0 in Wednesday’s semifinal.

However, the Columbus Crew seem to have LAFC’s number. In addition to prevailing in last season’s MLS Cup, the Crew embarrassed LAFC, 5-1, on July 15 at BMO Stadium. It’s LAFC’s only home defeat in 2024. The Crew — which has only lost once at home — cruised past the Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup semifinals.

With their semifinal wins, both the Crew and LAFC have qualified for next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup competition.

When is Columbus Crew vs. LAFC Leagues Cup final?

Date: Sunday, Aug. 25

Start time: 7:15 p.m. ET

Venue: Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio

How to watch Columbus Crew vs. LAFC in Leagues Cup final

The final match will be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Univision will provide a Spanish-language broadcast on linear TV.

Which teams are in the Leagues Cup third-place match?

The Philadelphia Union will host the Colorado Rapids in the Leagues Cup third-place match.

The third-place match also will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. The third-place match will be streamed live on MLS Season Pass.

This is a second consecutive third-place match for the Union, which defeated Liga MX powerhouse Monterrey in last year’s third-place game to qualify for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.

What is Leagues Cup?

North America’s top two professional soccer leagues halt their respective regular-season competitions for a month to compete in a World Cup-style tournament.

What formerly was an eight-team tournament, the Leagues Cup evolved in 2023 into a 47-team competition featuring every Major League Soccer and Liga MX club. Inter Miami CF, led by Lionel Messi, won the first edition of the expanded competition.

Before last year’s inaugural 47-team tournament included every MLS and Liga MX club, the Leagues Cup was held twice before (2019 and 2021) with limited participation.

The 29 MLS and 18 Liga MX clubs were divided into 15 groups in two regions: East and West. The group stage began on July 26 and continued until Aug. 6. The top two finishing teams from each group advanced to the single-elimination knockout rounds, which started on Aug. 7. The championship match will be held Aug. 25.

Previous Leagues Cup finals

2023: Inter Miami CF over Nashville SC, 1-1 (Inter Miami won penalty shootout, 10-9)
2021: Club León over Seattle Sounders FC, 3-2
2019: Cruz Azul over UANL Tigres, 2-1

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