The Chicago Sky acquired two-time All-Star guard Ariel Atkins from the Washington Mystics, who received Chicago’s No. 3 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, per an ESPN report on Sunday.

The rebuilding Mystics, who moved on from general manager Mike Thibault and coach Eric Thibault in October after missing the playoffs, will also receive a 2027 first-round pick swap along with the Sky’s second-round selection that year.

Atkins, 28, was Washington’s first-round pick in the 2018 draft and averaged 13.4 points and 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists over seven seasons in the nation’s capital. A five-time All-Defense selection, she was a member of the 2019 WNBA champions and a 2020 Olympian.

The Mystics, who haven’t won a playoff game since winning the title, introduced new coach Sydney Johnson and new general manager Jamila Wideman earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the Sky also failed to reach the postseason in 2024 but added Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse and former team star Courtney Vandersloot to complement young stars Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.

Former MLB All-Star Alex Rodriguez can still play some ball, even if it’s not on the diamond.

The three-time American League MVP, who now works as an MLB analyst for Fox, knows his way around the basketball court as well – as he showed Sunday afternoon.

At halftime of Bucknell’s college basketball game against Army, Rodriguez came out of the stands to attempt a half-court shot as part of a halftime promotion. Hitting the shot would win $10,000 for a very lucky student.

After prolonging the drama for a few extra moments by tossing the ball high in the air, Rodriguez picked it up on the bounce, heaved it toward the hoop and banked it in as bedlam erupted.

Rodriguez was on campus taking part in a special forum with his business partner Marc Lore.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

Earlier this month, arbitrators ruled in favor of Rodriguez and Lore in their effort to become majority owners of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.

The pair have been working since 2021 to acquire a majority stake in the Timberwolves and Lynx from owner Glen Taylor. However, Taylor called off the sale last March, saying Rodriguez and Lore didn’t meet the final payment deadline in the deal.

With the victory in arbitration, Rodriguez and Lore – who currently have a 40% ownership stake – now need approval from NBA owners to purchase their remaining 40% to gain controlling interest. They will need 75% of owners to approve the sale of the team.

After the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9, one question has remained unanswered – will the Eagles visit the White House?

According to a report Sunday in The U.S. Sun, the United States version of the British tabloid, the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to skip the White House visit.

‘A source at the Eagles, who spoke anonymously, stressed that conversations about refusing a visit with President Donald Trump after beating the Kansas City Chiefs have already occurred,’ the outlet reported. The U.S. Sun said the response was a massive no.

Trump and the Eagles have a history dating back to the Birds’ first Super Bowl victory.

Celebrate Eagles’ Super Bowl win with our new book

All things Eagles: Latest Philadelphia Eagles news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Why 2017 Super Bowl champion Eagles didn’t visit Trump at the White House

Despite pulling off an upset victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, the Eagles’ visit to the White House was canceled.

‘The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow,’ Trump said in a statement at the time. ‘They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.

‘The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better. These fans are still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony — one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem. I will be there at 3:00 p.m. with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus to celebrate America.’

In response, the Eagles released their own statement.

‘It has been incredibly thrilling to celebrate our first Super Bowl Championship,’ the statement read. ‘Watching the entire Eagles community come together has been an inspiration. We are truly grateful for all of the support we have received and we are looking forward to continuing our preparations for the 2018 season.’

The Eagles were scheduled to visit the White House on June 5 of that year, but players and staff members had conversations among themselves regarding how to handle the visit, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie decided to send a smaller contingent of fewer than 10 players, including Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, while other players were going to have an optional day at the team facility, Garafolo reported.

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NFC Championship diss by President Trump

In a post on his Truth Social, the president congratulated the Kansas City Chiefs after the team’s 32-29 over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game. Trump also praised the Bills on a “tremendous season.”

However, Trump didn’t mention the Eagles in the post or any other social media messages after a 55-23 drubbing of the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship game.

President Trump picked the Chiefs to win Super Bowl

In a pregame interview with FOX News’ Bret Baier, Trump picked the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl. He went with the Chiefs because of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Trump said he hated to pick a winner. But without naming Mahomes, he said after seeing him win as many games as he has, Trump had to pick Kansas City.

“The quarterback really knows how to win,” Trump said. “He’s a great, great quarterback.”

Bart Jansen contributed to this story.

The U.S. women’s national team, despite fielding multiple teenagers and an inexperienced lineup, held off Australia for a 2-1 win at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup on Sunday.

A first-minute goal from Lynn Biyendolo set the USWNT on its way, while Michelle Cooper’s first senior national team goal proved to be the winner. Despite a late finish from Matildas’ veteran Michelle Heyman, the USWNT benefitted from impressive performances by playmaker Jaedyn Shaw and 19-year-old holding midfielder Claire Hutton.

Despite the absence of the vaunted ‘Triple Espresso’ forward trio, the USWNT attack created numerous chances, and probably left a goal or two on the table. Even after Australia adopted more effective tactics for the game’s final hour, Emma Hayes will likely be quite happy to see her younger squad respond to a test from a veteran Aussie side.

Follow along as Pro Soccer Wire discussed the USWNT win as it played out:

USWNT vs. Australia: Highlights after 2-1 SheBelieves Cup win for Team USA

USWNT vs. Australia full time score: USA 2, Australia 1

Michelle Cooper’s second-half goal proves to be the game-winner, as the USWNT beats Australia 2-1 at the SheBelieves Cup.

Overall, there’s a lot of positives for the U.S. in terms of younger, less-experienced players learning some important lessons against a team full of salty veterans that radically changed their tactics mid-game. Jaedyn Shaw and Claire Hutton emerged in impressive fashion, while goals from Cooper and Lynn Biyendolo underline the competition in place even without ‘Triple Espresso’ in camp.

Micah denies Sentnor, Cooper as USWNT pursues third goal

A beautiful sequence sees Korbin Albert (who has not offered much on the day, it must be said) and Shaw combine to unlock the Australia defense. Shaw slipped a wonderful ball in for Sentnor, but Micah had a splendid reaction to deny the Utah Royals attacker in the 88th minute.

From the resulting corner, McKeown’s volley struck Cooper, who nearly converted that into a third. Micah, the Liverpool goalkeeper who played collegiately with UCLA, reacted sharply to again preserve the 2-1 scoreline.

GOAL Australia: Heyman knifes in to finish counter

Korbin Albert misses a sitter on a USWNT corner, and Australia makes the hosts pay.

A Matildas counter in the 80th minute ends with Raso crossing for Heyman, who was clinical in nodding the service down past McGlynn. That was well-worked from Australia, and Emma Hayes won’t be happy after bringing some veterans in to close this game out.

Gisele Thompson off, Emily Fox on for USWNT

It’s the 78th minute, and the USWNT is making another change. This time, normal starter Emily Fox has entered for the final minutes, replacing another one of the teens the U.S. wanted to test today in Gisele Thompson.

Thompson didn’t have as much of the success we’ve seen from her in the NWSL in terms of attacking threat, with only one of her three dribble attempts working out, but she was stable and reliable defensively, winning seven of 11 duels.

Hutton off, Coffey on for USWNT

That excellent pass was Hutton’s final action, with Sam Coffey replacing the youngster at the base of the USWNT midfield.

Hutton’s first USWNT cap sees her compile 91% passing accuracy on 32-of-35 passing, 100% long ball accuracy (7-of-7), and some critical defensive duels won.

It wasn’t a perfect performance, as Hutton was also outmuscled a couple of times and beaten on the dribble at least once, but the 19-year-old was a positive influence on a game against a top-10 international opponent from a position that is generally played by veterans. Not bad at all.

GOAL USWNT! Cooper pounces to make it 2-0

Michelle Cooper needed just seven minutes to make it happen for herself, with a goal that Kansas City Current fans are going to love.

First, a long spell of possession sees Claire Hutton split the defense to find Ally Sentnor, breaking Australia’s defensive scheme. Then, when Sentnor stumbled as she arrived on the ball, Cooper was on hand to make sure the chance still panned out, clinically firing past Micah.

Australia makes two changes

The Matildas have made substitutions of their own, with Sermanni bringing two new faces in as play stops in the 63rd minute.

Holly McNamara makes way up top, with veteran Michelle Heyman replacing her. In the midfield, Mary Fowler comes off, with Alana Murphy taking over.

USWNT quadruple substitution

Emma Hayes is making four changes in the 61st minute, including a brand-new front line.

Coming off: Crystal Dunn, Alyssa Thompson, Emma Sears, and Lynn Biyendolo.

Into the game: Ally Sentnor, Yazmeen Ryan, Michelle Cooper, and Tara McKeown.

Looks like the USWNT will set up in the following 4-2-3-1 (right to left): McGlynn; G. Thompson, Sams, McKeown, Davidson; Albert, Hutton; Ryan, Shaw, Cooper; Sentnor.

Biyendolo nearly steals a second

Australia has been stronger to start this second half, but in the 56th minute very nearly handed the U.S. a second goal.

Winonah Heatley tracked back from midfield and thought she could easily slide a pass over to Micah, but she never saw Biyendolo lurking. The softly-hit pass was easy pickings for Biyendolo, but her low-angle shot couldn’t quite find its way inside the post.

The USWNT, meanwhile, is readying four substitutions.

USWNT escapes after McGlynn error

Mandy McGlynn has to put her hand up after a big mistake nearly gifted Australia a 50th-minute equalizer.

It was simple stuff, as the Australia press forced the USWNT into a back pass, but the Utah Royals goalkeeper approached the ball at the wrong angle, welcoming a challenge from Holly McNamara. In the end, the ball was briefly loose in front of an empty net, but Tierna Davidson and Emily Sams intervened to allow McGlynn to eventually recover.

McGlynn is arguably the most promising young goalkeeper in the U.S. pool, but this particular showing hasn’t exactly expressed that. She’s been shaky on a few crosses, and this was just a product of not judging her angles correctly.

USWNT vs. Australia: Second half underway

The second half has begun at State Farm Stadium, with no substitutions either way.

The first moments of the half see Shaw and Australia’s Charlotte Grant collide. Shaw’s holding her shoulder but seems ready to continue, while Grant has spent over two minutes receiving treatment.

USWNT vs. Australia: U.S. leads 1-0

The USWNT dominated the opening 25 or so minutes of this game, finding it all too easy to create big chances and leave Australia chasing. Lynn Biyendolo’s goal just seconds into the match gave the U.S. the lead, and in general Australia looked to be suffering from the same inability to slow their opponent down that they did against Japan on Thursday.

However, a change in tactical approach has shifted the game to a degree. Australia’s move to a 4-1-4-1 formation has allowed for player-marking in the midfield, disrupting the USWNT’s build patterns and giving Jaedyn Shaw (the player of the match thus far), Korbin Albert, and Claire Hutton less time on the ball.

By taking more chances as a pressing team instead of trying to defend space via positioning, Australia has given the USWNT a new puzzle to solve. Given the point of this roster, per Emma Hayes, is to learn more about a wider swath of the player pool, that’s great news! The opening 25 minutes wouldn’t have taught the coaching staff much, as Australia was simply not providing the caliber of opposition needed. The change in approach is beneficial for both teams in a way, and is making for a more intellectually stimulating match.

USWNT vs. Australia: Matildas adjust

The first half-hour of this game was more or less all USWNT, but Australia has changed some things up to gain a foothold. An initial 4-2-3-1 formation, playing out of a mid-block, was too full of seams for the U.S. to take advantage of.

During the injury stoppages for Heatley and Gisele Thompson, though, the Matildas have made some alterations. Tom Sermanni has shifted into a 4-1-4-1, with Fowler and Kyra Cooney-Cross closer to one another. Australia is now more compact as a unit, and are pressing more aggressively than before.

The end result? It’s been a while since the USWNT walked through Australia, and at the other end the Matildas have created a couple of set-piece chances — Hayley Raso just benefitted from a wide-open look after escaping Claire Hutton, but the angle was too sharp — and Caitlin Foord just zipped an off-target effort after another decent sequence.

Gisele Thompson down after hard collision

A 30th-minute Australia corner kick wasn’t ideally dealt with by Mandy McGlynn, who missed on an attempted punch. However, in the aftermath play stopped as Mary Fowler crashed into Gisele Thompson as the two leapt for a header, clearly fouling the Angel City youngster.

Thompson needed a full minute or so, but is playing on without much apparent pain. That could have gone much worse.

Another big chance for Biyendolo

In terms of stopping the USWNT from entering the attacking third, Australia has no answers, and Teagan Micah had to come up with a strong save to keep this game 1-0.

This time, it’s Jaedyn Shaw playing a perfectly-weighted through ball (as she tends to do), holding off a challenge just long enough to send Biyendolo slashing between the center backs. The Seattle Reign forward did well to prevent a Matildas challenge from disrupting her partial breakaway, but a powerful shot was just a bit too close to Micah, who tipped it over the bar.

Australia’s issues are compounded here by a possible injury to Winonah Heatley, who has been down for nearly two minutes with a knock.

USWNT goal called back

Biyendolo for a brief moment appeared to have a second — and somehow, an even easier chance than the tap-in from four yards on the opener — but it’s correctly called back for offside.

Once again, it’s Sears, who resembled something of a powerful football running back just charging ahead as Australia was brushed aside. If the Matildas can’t prevent Sears from facing up and turning on the jets, they’re in for a very long day at the office.

GOAL USWNT! Biyendolo scores within 45 seconds

Incredible start form the USWNT, and it’s already 1-0. Emma Sears — starting on the left flank, as opposed to her traditional right wing role — drove inside at a retreating Australia before holding up play. That should have killed the chance, but Australia’s hesitance from the opening game continued.

Sears eventually got help from Jaedyn Shaw, who was able to push into the box, hold off a marker, and find Lynn Biyendolo for a tap-in from three yards out.

USWNT vs. Australia: Game kicks off

The USWNT and Australia are underway in Arizona.

Given the lack of familiarity in Hayes’ starting 11, this will be a big game for monitoring how well younger players (in particular, teenagers Claire Hutton and Gisele Thompson) can solve problems quickly, and whether the not-quite-veterans generation can take on larger roles. Players like Jaedyn Shaw, Korbin Albert, and Emily Sams in particular have a chance to show they can handle more in-game responsibility.

USWNT vs. Australia lineups: USWNT fields brand-new 11

USA (4-2-3-1): Mandy McGlynn, Gisele Thompson, Emily Sams, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn; Claire Hutton, Korbin Albert; Emma Sears, Jaedyn Shaw, Alyssa Thompson; Lynn Biyendolo

Available subs: Jane Campbell, Tara McKeown, Jenna Nighswonger, Ally Sentnor, Lindsey Heaps, Lily Yohannes, Emily Sonnett, Sam Coffey, Catarina Macario, Michelle Cooper, Yazmeen Ryan, Emily Fox

Australia (4-2-3-1): Teagan Micah; Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Winonah Heatley, Steph Catley; Charlotte Grant, Kyra Cooney-Cross; Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler, Holly McNamara; Caitlin Foord

USWNT vs. Australia: How to watch SheBelieves Cup, TV channel, live stream

Date: Sunday, Feb. 23
Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV: TBS, Universo
Stream: Max, Sling TV, Peacock (Spanish only)

Watch USWNT vs. Australia on Sling TV

SheBelieves Cup 2025: Standings, results, schedule

Below are the standings from the tournament heading into the USWNT’s game against Australia:

Japan – 6 points (plus-7)
United States – 3 points (plus-2)
Australia – 0 points (minus-4)
Colombia – 0 points (minus-5)

Results and schedule:

Thursday, Feb. 20: Japan 4-0 Australia
Thursday, Feb. 20: USWNT 2-0 Colombia
Sunday, Feb. 23: Japan 4-1 Colombia
Sunday, Feb. 23: USWNT vs. Australia — 5 p.m. ET, State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
Wednesday, Feb. 26: Australia vs. Colombia — 7:30 p.m. ET, Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego, Calif.)
Wednesday, Feb. 26: USWNT vs. Japan — 10:30 p.m. ET, Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego, Calif.)

USWNT SheBelieves Cup roster

Jane Campbell – GK
Emily Sams – DF
Korbin Albert – MF
Tara McKeown – DF
Jenna Nighswonger – DF
Lynn Biyendolo – FW
Alyssa Thompson – FW
Jaedyn Shaw – MF
Ally Sentnor – FW
Lindsey Heaps – MF
Lily Yohannes – MF
Tierna Davidson – DF
Emma Sears – FW
Emily Sonnett – DF
Gisele Thompson – DF
Claire Hutton – MF
Sam Coffey – MF
Mandy McGlynn – GK
Crystal Dunn – DF
Catarina Macario – FW
Michelle Cooper – FW
Yazmeen Ryan – FW
Emily Fox – DF

Australia SheBelieves Cup roster

Mackenzie Arnold – GK
Michelle Heyman – FW
Winonah Heatley – DF
Clare Hunt – DF
Natasha Prior – MF
Alana Murphy – FW
Steph Catley – DF
Kaitlyn Torpey – DF
Caitlin Foord – FW
Emily van Egmond – MF
Mary Fowler – MF
Teagan Micah – GK
Tameka Yallop – MF
Alanna Kennedy – DF
Daniela Galic – FW
Hayley Raso – FW
Holly McNamara – FW
Chloe Lincoln – GK
Katrina Gorry – MF
Laini Freier – FW
Ellie Carpenter – DF
Charlotte Grant – DF
Kyra Cooney-Cross – MF

USWNT vs. Australia: What is SheBelieves Cup?

The USWNT will face Colombia Thursday night in the SheBelieves Cup, an annual four-team tournament of friendly games held in the United States early in each year in February or early March.

The first-ever SheBelieves Cup was held in 2016, and U.S. Soccer has largely attempted to make sure the opponents are among the world’s elite. The 2025 edition will feature the USWNT, Colombia, Australia, and Japan.

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The next time you’re driving your son or daughter to their game, and you see them engrossed in their phone, Larissa Mills wants you to remember something.

“The brain takes 22 minutes to go back to refocusing,” she tells USA TODAY Sports. “We’ve wasted an inning, a period, a half on poor decision-making skills. So why did you bother? Don’t even go on the ice, as far as I’m concerned.”

We focus so much on getting our kids ready to play through relentless practice and personal training outside the team. But do we underestimate the power of developing what’s inside of them?

Mills directs the London, Ontario-based Mental Game Academy. She holds degrees in sociology, psychology and education. She’s also a mother of three who has mined the mental side of thousands of athletes from the youth through professional levels in the United States and Canada.

And she has kept a close eye on you.

“Our children are on a phone from four to eight to 12 hours a day,” she says. “When are they learning their psychological skills? They’re not, and parents are on their phones for four to nine hours a day. So, when are parents connecting? When are children learning their self-identity? When are they learning how to cope and not get angry and pummel people?

“I just watched a hockey dad get off the ice and hit two refs, kids, 14 years old. And I just saw a fight in an arena two weeks ago.”

The Mental Game Academy helps athletes develop emotional and social awareness while getting us to understand how much of a stake we have in that process.

“Phones are one problem,” she says. “Parents not teaching mental skills is the other problem.”

“Mental game” can give anyone an edge, regardless of your age or athletic level. In some cases, it can propel you to the heights of collegiate and professional achievement. For younger athletes, it can unlock your full potential.

“People say kids have changed,” Mills says. “No, kids have not changed. We’ve lowered our standards. Let’s acknowledge that when we reduce behavioral issues, we raise the level of performance.”

She offers five ways we can help our kid athletes develop a powerful psychological game:

‘Dopamine makes us dopey’

Create phone routines to help calm our nervous system and make us confident.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that acts as a chemical messenger between the nerve cells and the rest of your brain. According to the Cleveland Clinic, high amounts of dopamine are released through experiences your body finds pleasurable. They can also stimulate addictive habits.

“Dopamine makes us dopey and slower, makes our brain feel like it’s in oil,” Mills says.

Phone use, she says, can surge dopamine and cortisol, a hormone released by our adrenal glands, resulting in lower confidence and sluggish decision-making.

Mills compares looking at your phone before a game to eating poutine, the heavy Canadian delicacy of French fries, cheese curds and brown gravy.

“That’s the same thing you’re doing when you tell your brain negative things, or you watch a phone before a game or practice,” she says. “You’re destroying your nervous system. … The symptoms from phone addiction are almost identical to those of anxiety.”

Children touch a phone, Mills has determined through American, Canadian, British and Australian resources, about 176 times per day.

We can’t entirely stop using our phones, which are our line of communication with our kids. Instead, choose a few times a day where, in short bursts of time, you return calls and answer your text messages.

For at least one hour a day, put your phones away and interact with your kids: Share a meal or take it outside.

‘I want you to control your phone,’ Mills says. ‘Don’t let the phone control you. The brain, if it gets zapped 176 times a day, this is where we get burnout from.

“Kids need to be bored and go play. Our brains are simply not designed to be on tech. They’re designed to talk and walk, so psychologically, we’re kind of stunting the development.”

Coach Steve: American kids got a D- in physical activity. What can we do about it?

Teach youth athletes: social media ‘tanks’ performance

Mills prohibits athletes under her care from using their phones two hours before a game or practice and one hour before bedtime.

How do phones and social media impact performance?

“It just tanks it,” she says.

Within 30 seconds of scrolling, Mills says, our brains can automatically rewire what we think is an enjoyable experience to one that is negative.

“Social media makes us compare ourselves to everyone else online,” she says. “This is an automatic. It’s called a defense mechanism. So then all of a sudden we’re like, ‘I’m not fast enough, I’m not good enough, I’m not smart enough, my stats aren’t good enough. Why is his reel getting more likes than mine?’ It just starts this spiraling-out-of-control emotion that kids don’t have the stoppers for.”

She hears from athletes who tell her decreasing their phone time to less than two hours a day helps them train harder but also helps them be more social. School is also easier.

“Of course it is, because your cognitive processing is moving three times faster than it was last week,” Mills says. “A volleyball coach called me yesterday and said, ‘Larissa, I don’t know what you did, but they’re all really aggressive now.’

“When we increase confidence, aggression and fearlessness take over.”

‘I am power’: Teach youth athletes effective self-talk

Staying mentally strong gets trickier when we’re all alone on a golf course or sitting in a dugout. What goes through our minds before we take our next stroke or throw our next pitch can fuel our performance.

Use the time to plan your attack. Remember when you sunk that same putt in practice. Visualize yourself poking an outside pitch to right field for a hit or driving an inside one to the left-center field gap.

See yourself throwing all of your pitches to the exact locations you want them.

“Once they’re ready, these kids are killing that,” Mills says. “The kids that are on their phones in the dugout, they’ll just come right back out and make a mistake. Their brain will be very, very unsettled.”

We know even the slightest amount of success can elevate kids’ confidence. Mills has her athletes create personal mantras we can repeat to ourselves that elevate it: I am power, I am speed, I am impactful.

Have your younger kids, or your Little League team, say them out loud in practice. With repetition, it can become your cognitive flow while playing.

‘No one can get in my head’

In order for athletes to perform, they must stop negative self-talk. It starts with what they hear from parents on the sidelines.

When we sense negative thoughts creeping in – from a teammate trying to get an edge during tryouts or an opponent trying to rattle us in a game – we are the ones responsible for fending off those thoughts. Be intentional and forceful to yourself about it.

“No one can get in my head,” we can tell ourselves. “You guys stay the hell out of my head.”

Social media can manufacture negativity, even in NHL players.

“Why are you looking online after your games?” Mills sometimes has to tell her higher-level athletes. “You make $10 million a year. Don’t compare yourselves. And all these idiots out there that want to be you are judging you, and they have no place to judge you. The only person who should be looking at you for feedback is you and your coach. That’s it. The rest of the world does not matter.”

But what if our parents are the voice of those thoughts? About 60% of the kids that come to see Mills and her associates say their parents negatively impact their sport.

“I cannot believe the amount of parents coaching from the sidelines and have ruined their kids’ experience,” she says. “They can’t hear you, and if they do hear you, what you actually do is sabotage them.

“It makes them play much worse, because now their brain is in yellow in their traffic light, and they’re like, ‘Oh crap, mom and dad are really concerned if I perform.’ Our instincts to pass the ball, kick the ball, shoot the ball, if we follow (them), we’re more likely to perform better than if we think about what a coach or a parent wants us to do.”

When we yell at them, they shut down even further. Instead, stick to confidence boosts.

“Once parents hear this conversation, the relationship usually gets better between parent and child,” Mills says.

Coach Steve: Ranking the worst behaved youth sports parents

Mastering performance means mastering control of your emotions

Mills specializes in untethering and empowering teens who have spent more than 18,000 hours on their phones by age 16.

“More kids today are just not able to be coached because they have the attention span of six seconds,” she says. “They don’t know how to track, they don’t know how to get feedback. They think criticism and feedback are yelling. They are not. And coaches are having a problem. They can’t use the D-word or the C-word, which is discipline or consequences.”

Adopting a phone regime for your kid is the first step. Then, we need to encourage them to converse with others in real time. Have them talk to the center and forwards they may not know very well but line up next to on the ice. Have them shake the hand of an opponent or referee and strike up a conversation.  

Have them accept constructive criticism from the coach, even if you loudly disagree with it from the bleachers.

“There are always weaknesses in teams,” says Mills, who coaches volleyball. “Who are you going to get to go offline, or who you’re going to get to horse collar? Don’t give into baiting. You have to be mentally strong and be able to do and see all that. But many kids just get baited, and they don’t think about the team. And so, they get called on the penalty.”

As Mills says, we need to be aggressive as athletes, but we naturally are when we’re more calm.

When we control ourselves, we not only help our teammates, but we set personal boundaries that can carry us throughout life.

Jeff Nelligan, a father of three sons and author of a book on sports parenting who has been a guest on Mills’ podcast, says this is perhaps her most poignant lesson.

“She is like an evangelist in talking about developing youths who are steadfast in following through on anything,” he says, “ones who are courteous and respectful, who are leaders.”

(This story was updated to add new information.)

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.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is on pace to pass Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goal record before season’s end.

Ovechkin, 39, entered this season needing 42 goals to break Gretzky’s record of 894 career goals, which has stood since 1999. The Washington captain, who scored three times on Sunday afternoon, has 29 goals this season. He needs 13 more with 25 games left to become the NHL’s all-time leader.

Ovechkin scored 15 times in his first 18 games before suffering a fractured left fibula during a Nov. 18 game against the Utah Hockey Club. He has scored 14 times since he returned on Dec. 28.

This season, he moved into second place with 20 consecutive 20-goal seasons and set a record for number of goalies scored against in his career. Sunday, he tied the records for game-winning goals and most franchises against which he has a hat trick.

If he doesn’t reach Gretzky’s goal record this season, he has one more season left on his contract.

Here’s where Ovechkin stands in his chase of Gretzky’s goal record:

OVECHKIN VS. GRETZKY: See how the superstars compare

How many career goals does Alex Ovechkin have?

Ovechkin has 882 career goals.

How many goals does Alex Ovechkin need to pass Wayne Gretzky?

Ovechkin needs 13 goals to break Gretzky’s record.

How many goals does Alex Ovechkin have this season?

Ovechkin has 29 goals and 17 assists in 41 games. Factoring in the 16 games he missed, that is a 46-goal pace, giving him a chance to break the record this season.

What did Alex Ovechkin do in his last game?

Ovechkin scored three goals on nine shots in a 7-3 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. On the first goal, he took a drop pass from Dylan Strome and ripped a wrist shot past Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard.

His second goal was a typical Ovechkin one, a one-timer on the power play from his office in the left faceoff circle. Pickard is the 181st goalie that Ovechkin has scored against in his career. The goal also was the eventual game-winner, allowing Ovechkin to tie Jaromir Jagr’s record of 135.

Edmonton pulled Pickard for an extra skater in the third period, and Ovechkin scored into the empty net for the hat trick. The hats poured down on the ice as he took a lap around the ice. The Oilers are the 20th franchise against which Ovechkin has scored a hat trick. That ties Brett Hull’s record.

When is Alex Ovechkin’s next game?

The Capitals play Tuesday, Feb. 25, at home against Calgary. He has 17 goals in 26 career games against the Flames.

Alex Ovechkin goals in 2024-25

Oct. 19: 1 vs. New Jersey
Oct. 23: 1 vs. Philadelphia
Oct. 29: 2 vs. N.Y. Rangers
Oct. 31: 1 vs. Montreal
Nov. 2: 1 vs. Columbus
Nov. 3: 1 vs. Carolina
Nov. 6: 1 vs. Nashville
Nov. 9: 2 vs. St. Louis
Nov. 17: 3 vs. Vegas
Nov. 18: 2 vs. Utah
Dec. 28: 1 vs. Toronto
Dec. 29: 1 vs. Detroit
Jan. 2: 1 vs. Minnesota
Jan. 4: 1 vs. N.Y. Rangers
Jan. 11: 1 vs. Nashville
Jan. 16: 1 vs. Ottawa
Jan. 23: 1 vs. Seattle
Jan. 30: 1 vs. Ottawa
Feb 1: 1 vs. Winnipeg
Feb. 4: 1 vs. Florida
Feb. 6: 1 vs. Philadelphia
Feb. 23: 3 vs. Edmonton

Alex Ovechkin career goals breakdown

Even strength: 558, third overall

Power play: 319, a record

Short-handed: 5

Empty net: 64, a record

Game winners: 135, tied for first with Jaromir Jagr

Overtime goals: 27, a record

Multi-goal games: 178, second overall

Goalies scored against: 181, a record

Hat tricks: 32, tied for fifth overall. Ovechkin has hat tricks against 20 franchises, tying Brett Hull’s record.

20-goal seasons: 20, tied for second

30-goal seasons: 18, a record

40-goal seasons: 13, a record

Alex Ovechkin empty-net goals

Ovechkin has a record 64 empty-net goals, but Gretzky is up there, too, with 56. Ovechkin passed Gretzky in that category last season.

Alex Ovechkin goals per season

Season: Goals, career total

2005-06: 52, 52
2006-07: 46, 98
2007-08: 65*, 163
2008-09: 56*, 219
2009-10: 50, 269
2010-11: 32, 301
2011-12: 38, 339
2012-13: 32*, 371
2013-14: 51*, 422
2014-15: 53*, 475
2015-16: 50*, 525
2016-17: 33, 558
2017-18: 49*, 607
2018-19: 51*, 658
2019-20: 48*, 706
2020-21: 24, 730
2021-22: 50, 780
2022-23: 42, 822
2023-24: 31, 853
2024-25: 29, 882

*-led league in goals that season

NHL’s top goal scorers all-time

The top 21 NHL all-time goal scorers all have 600 or more goals. All of the players are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, except Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Jagr, who are still playing.

1. Wayne Gretzky, 894 goals in 1,487 games

2. Alex Ovechkin, 882 goals in 1,467 games

3. Gordie Howe, 801 goals in 1,767 games

4. Jaromir Jagr, 766 goals in 1,733 games

5. Brett Hull, 741 goals in 1,269 games

6. Marcel Dionne, 731 in 1,348 games

7. Phil Esposito, 717 goals in 1,282 games

8. Mike Gartner, 708 goals in 1,432 games

9. Mark Messier, 694 goals in 1,756 games

10. Steve Yzerman, 692 goals in 1,514 games

11. Mario Lemieux, 690 goals in 915 games

12. Teemu Selanne, 684 goals in 1,451 games

13. Luc Robitaille, 668 goals in 1,431 games

14. Brendan Shanahan, 656 goals in 1,524 games

15. Dave Andreychuk, 640 goals in 1,639 games

16. Jarome Iginla, 625 goals in 1,554 games

17. Joe Sakic, 625 goals in 1,378 games

18. Bobby Hull, 610 goals in 1,063 games

19. Sidney Crosby, 610 goals in 1,328 games

20. Dino Ciccarelli, 608 goals in 1,232 games

21. Jari Kurri, 601 goals in 1,251 games