Archive

2025

Browsing

In 2023, the NFC West provided the conference’s challenger for the Super Bowl. In 2024, it was a roller coaster ride that saw all four teams in contention for the division title at some point before the Los Angeles Rams won the crown via tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks.

The NFC West had a 10-win champion, tied with the AFC South (Houston) and NFC South (Tampa Bay) for the fewest last season. But its last-placed team in 2024 – the San Francisco 49ers – had more wins (six) than any other last-placed team league-wide.

No team established itself as the dominant force. Things could change in 2025 as teams across the division made significant changes this offseason.

Seattle brought in a new offensive coordinator and quarterback for 2025. The Rams signed a three-time All-Pro wide receiver. Arizona invested heavily in defense via both free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. San Francisco brought back defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and lost many familiar faces on offense and defense via free agency and trades.

Many of these moves will have fantasy football implications. There are plenty of questions for each team ahead of the 2025 season but we’ve settled on one big one for each franchise.

Here’s our one burning question for each team in the NFC West.

Fantasy football questions: NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Will Marvin Harrison Jr. make a leap in Year 2?

Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzig operates one of the most diverse and unpredictable run schemes in the league. Defenses are tasked with preparing for all types of schemes for James Conner and company to churn out tough yards.

The same can’t be said for the pass offense. It was head-scratching campaign 2024; tight end Trey McBride enjoyed a breakout season but didn’t score a touchdown until Week 17. Without a designated deep threat in the receiving corps, that fell on Harrison’s shoulders.

Harrison entered the league as one of the top fade route receivers in recent college football history. Quarterback Kyler Murray has a history of throwing those well. But neither could get on the same page. Arizona targeted Harrison on fade routes more than all but one receiver league-wide in 2024 and he caught six of them.

If it wasn’t for the incredible success of fellow 2024 draftees Brian Thomas Jr., Malik Nabers and Ladd McConkey, Harrison’s rookie year might have felt less disappointing. He’s bulked up ahead of the 2025 season and that could help him adjust to the pro game better. But will Petzig and Murray get the most out of him? That could be the difference between WR8 and WR20 this season.

Top players (Fantasy Pros ADP)

Trey McBride (TE2, overall: 19)
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR21, overall: 42)
James Conner (RB18, overall: 51)
Kyler Murray (QB9, overall: 76)
Trey Benson (RB47, overall: 145)
Michael Wilson (WR74, overall: 195)

Los Angeles Rams

Can Davante Adams be a top-15 fantasy WR again?

Los Angeles brought in one of the top wide receivers of his generation this offseason by signing Davante Adams to a two-year, $46 million deal. The three-time All-Pro should slide in and fill the void left by longtime Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, now in Seattle.

Adams managed more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games with the Raiders and Jets in 2024. That made him WR12 in standard scoring leagues and WR11 in PPR formats.

In 2025, he’ll have Matthew Stafford throwing the ball to him in Sean McVay’s scheme, with Puka Nacua taking attention from the defense. That’s a pretty sweet setup.

But Nacua may take a large share of the targets to keep Adams from repeating that performance. Nacua was still WR26 in PPR leagues despite playing just 10 games in 2024. Kupp played in 12 games and was WR38.

Nacua will likely be the top dog in the passing game in 2025. If healthy all season, Adams will be the No. 2 weapon, but he is entering his age-33 season. It’s tempting to paint the best-case scenario for the veteran receiver but this may be a case of a player being a better asset in real-world football than the fantasy realm.

Top players (Fantasy Pros ADP)

Puka Nacua (WR4, overall: 6)
Davante Adams (WR17, overall: 32)
Kyren Williams (RB12, overall: 38)
Matthew Stafford (QB21, overall: 126)
Blake Corum (RB57, overall: 180)
Los Angeles Rams D/ST (D/ST11, overall: 202)

San Francisco 49ers

What will Christian McCaffrey be in 2025?

McCaffrey was a fantasy football championship winner in 2023. He was the top-scoring running back by a country mile, especially in full PPR formats, in addition to winning Offensive Player of the Year.

Last season was a different story. Injuries kept him off the field for much of the season and when he appeared things weren’t very good. He played just under 75% of snaps from Weeks 10 through 13 with 86.5 total yards per game – his lowest figure since his rookie year in 2017 (67.9). He failed to score a touchdown for the first time in his career.

This offseason, McCaffrey’s been on the field for minicamp, an improvement from a year ago. But San Francisco drafted Oregon running back Jordan James in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. As a powerful back who excels in short yardage and red zone situations, James could hawk some touchdowns from McCaffrey.

With no timetable for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s return and fellow wideout Ricky Pearsall dealing with a hamstring injury, McCaffrey may end up being deployed more as a de facto wide receiver while James and speedy second-year back Isaac Guerendo take up carries. Or McCaffrey could stay the lead back as the 49ers lean more into the run game early on but see fewer end zone touches with James’ arrival. It’s tough to tell.

Top players (Fantasy Pros ADP)

Christian McCaffrey (RB6, overall: 17)
George Kittle (TE3, overall: 34)
Jauan Jennings (WR39, overall: 83)
Brock Purdy (QB11, overall: 92)
Ricky Pearsall (WR47, overall: 107)
Brandon Aiyuk (WR48, overall: 111)

Seattle Seahawks

Can Jaxon Smith-Njigba be a top-5 fantasy WR in 2025?

Smith-Njigba hit 100 receptions and 1,000 yards in his sophomore season in 2024. The No. 20 overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft made the Pro Bowl and established himself as the top pass-catcher in Seattle, finishing as a top-10 wide receiver in half and full PPR formats.

Seattle overhauled its offense for 2025 notably with a new coordinator in Klint Kubiak. The former Saints offensive coordinator will bring a different system to Seattle compared to last year’s coordinator, Ryan Grubb, and one that should complement new Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold’s skillset.

Metcalf and longtime Seahawks wideout Tyler Lockett are both out. In their place are Washington native Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Neither will likely challenge Smith-Njigba for status as the top target in the passing game.

Smith-Njigba already is a top-10 wide receiver in fantasy football. In Kubiak’s system with Darnold at quarterback, he could conceivably challenge for top-5 status.

Top players (Fantasy Pros ADP)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR12, overall: 20)
Kenneth Walker III (RB15, overall: 43)
Cooper Kupp (WR45, overall: 104)
Zach Charbonnet (RB36, overall: 114)
Sam Darnold (QB26, overall: 166)
Seattle Seahawks D/ST (D/ST12, overall: 206)

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Pat McAfee has apologized to University of Mississippi student Mary Kate Cornett, nearly five months after he discussed an unsupported rumor about her on ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’

The false rumor about Cornett’s romantic life circulated on social media in February, and it was quickly amplified by Barstool Sports and McAfee. Although McAfee didn’t mention Cornett’s name on-air, he directly addressed the rumor during a show at the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 26.

On the July 23 edition of ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ the former NFL punter apologized to Cornett.

‘I have since learned that the story was not true, and that my show played a role in the anguish caused to a great family, and especially to a young woman, Mary Kate Cornett,’ McAfee said. ‘I think you all know from tuning into this program that I never want to be a source of negativity or contribute to another human’s suffering.

‘I can now happily share with you that I recently got to meet Mary Kate and her family, and I got a chance to sincerely apologize to them and acknowledge that what I said about Mary Kate was based solely on what others were saying on the internet or what had previously been reported by others, and that we had no personal knowledge about Mary Kate or her personal life.’

Cornett spoke with The Athletic in April and said she received an onslaught of backlash over “something completely false.’ Her phone number was released online and she had to move into emergency housing and switch to online courses for her safety, she said.

She also told NBC News ‘it was absolutely ridiculous that an ESPN sports broadcaster would be talking about a 19-year-old girl’s ‘sex scandal’ that was completely false.’ Cornett added she intended to take legal action against McAfee and ESPN for helping spread the rumor.

The rumor hadn’t been mentioned on the show since then, but McAfee vaguely addressed it during a live event he hosted in Pittsburgh less than two weeks after The Athletic article. He said he ‘didn’t want to add any more negativity as it was taking place” and would try to ‘make some sort of silver lining in a very terrible situation.’ Other outlets like Barstool issued apologies for their part in spreading the rumor.

Regarding why the topic hadn’t been addressed on his show for months, McAfee said Wednesday ‘there was a lot going on behind the scenes.’ He added he personally wanted to talk to Cornett and her family before he addressed it publicly.

‘I can now say that I had the opportunity to meet (Cornett’s family), chat with them, and they’re wonderful people. And I’m very thankful that they gave me the opportunity to tell them how sorry I was that this all happened, and that our program was a part of this,’ McAfee said. ‘I deeply regret all the pain that this caused. I hated watching what our show was a part of, in her interviews and reading about it. And my hope is that this can be something that we all learn from going forward.’

USA TODAY Sports has reached out to Cornett’s lawyer for comment.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

MLS commissioner Don Garber says he is “managing” whether star Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba could receive one-game suspensions for skipping the All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 23 in Austin, Texas.

MLS released an updated All-Star roster about eight hours before the game, which didn’t list both Inter Miami players, who stayed in South Florida instead of traveling for the exhibition.

It’s unclear when Inter Miami communicated Messi and Alba wouldn’t travel for the match, leaving much of the conversation on the day of the exhibition around whether MLS would suspend its biggest star despite his massive workload during the 2025 season.

Inter Miami has not responded to multiple requests from USA TODAY Sports this week seeking comment on Messi’s All-Star absence.

“Yeah, we should have known earlier. We should have addressed it earlier. No doubt about that,” Garber said during his midseason press conference before the All-Star Game at Q2 Stadium when asked by USA TODAY Sports why an announcement of Messi’s absence didn’t come earlier in MLS All-Star week.

Garber believes the MLS All-Star Game is a “real priority” for players, fans and team owners and executives, who all convened in Austin to discuss several issues like altering the MLS calendar, improving rosters and the MLS/Apple TV partnership before the match.

Garber also said he was told Messi and Alba did not practice as Inter Miami held a training session on Wednesday ahead of their next match against first-place FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26.

An announcement on a possible suspension for Messi and Alba could come as early as Thursday, July 24.

“Miami has had a schedule that is unlike any other team. Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn’t. We had Leo playing 90 minutes in almost all the games that he’s played. We have to manage through that as a league. [At] the same time, we do have rules, and we have to manage through that as well,” Garber said.

“So, we would have loved to have Leo here. We’d have loved to have every player that was selected for the All-Star team here. And after this All-Star Game, we’ll figure out what needs to happen this weekend.”

Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion, has played every minute for Inter Miami during a nine-game stretch lasting 35 days, from the FIFA Club World Cup opener on June 14 to the club’s last match on July 19.

Overall, Messi has played more than 2,000 minutes in 22 of 23 matches since April 2 with his only game off on April 30.

Inter Miami has also played more games than any club in MLS with 34 matches across all competitions in 2025, excluding five preseason matches played in Las Vegas, Peru, Panama, Honduras and Tampa, Florida.

They have played 21 matches during the MLS regular season, while other clubs have played 23 or 24 matches. They’ve also played seven matches in the Concacaf Champions Cup and four matches in the Club World Cup.

“I was told this morning that neither Jordi or Messi practiced today. Jordi came off with an injury in the last game, and we’ll have to manage through what Miami is going to say about that,” Garber added.

Messi, 38, was the oldest player named an MLS All-Star in 2025. He joined Inter Miami in June 2023, and won MLS MVP in 2024 despite missing the 2024 All-Star Game and two months due to his Copa America ankle injury.

Inter Miami is in ongoing negotiations to re-sign Messi, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season.

Along with addressing the impact bought to MLS by David Beckham, the former L.A. Galaxy star and Inter Miami co-owner, Garber said “MLS wouldn’t be today what it is today with Leo Messi, either.”

“I don’t think any of us realized what impact this player would have on our league, on our global exposure, on our credibility, on creating the thrills and just unique experiences that he’s done over just the last couple of weeks, scoring multiple goals in multiple games, playing 90 minutes over the last four or five games, not wanting to come out of the game,” Garber said of Messi.

“He’s an incredible competitor, and he’s performing at a really high level. So, we are perceived very differently globally, because Leo Messi is in our league.”

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs say their blowout Super Bowl 59 defeat is serving as motivation as they embark on another season.

“We didn’t play the way we wanted to play. On a nation stage – a worldwide stage. You want to go out there and be better and so that kind of helps you out on some of those extra workouts that you don’t want to do or some of the different stuff in order to get better for the next season. It kind of keeps that in your mind,” Mahomes said this week at training camp. “But now we’re here. We’re here. You start over. ‘How can I get better for teammates? How can I get better for the guy beside me?’ And going out there and attacking so that we can find a way to win that last game and not lose it.”

The Chiefs begin training camp as a contender and the favorite in the AFC West, but there are unanswered questions — particularly on offense — that could prevent the club from an astounding 10th straight division title and fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance.

Did Chiefs shore up their offensive line?

The Chiefs have an open competition at left tackle after starting four different players at the position in 2024. Kansas City is high on first-round pick Josh Simmons, who is already receiving reps with the first team. Free-agent addition Jaylon Moore is playing some at right tackle while incumbent RT Jawaan Taylor is on the PUP-list.

“You got to look for the best guy, I mean, to start with, that can fill in that spot, (so) that we can have a little consistency there. We didn’t have that last year and so let’s work at it and see what we come up with,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “We’ve got some good candidates for it, and you know, we’ll just see where it goes.

The Chiefs are kicking the tires with Kingsley Suamataia at left guard as they aim to replace Joe Thuney whom they traded to Chicago.

“These are young guys that are going to get in there and compete, and I think that’s a positive thing, and we’re going to come out with somebody that’s a good player,” Reid said about the competitions at tackle and guard.

Kansas City’s shortcoming along its offensive line was magnified during the team’s Super Bowl 59 loss. Mahomes was pressured 254 times on 770 total dropbacks and sacked a career-most 36 times in 2024.

How long will Rashee Rice be suspended?

A suspension for Rice seems imminent after a judge sentenced the wide receiver to 30 days in jail and five years of probation for his role in a multicar crash last year. However, a final verdict on an NFL suspension for Rice is to be determined.  

“There’s no timeline. The league is reviewing the matter,” NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports.

Rice was limited to only four games last year due to a season-ending knee injury, so the Chiefs have grown accustomed to playing without their No. 1 wide receiver, but his absence does affect the team’s passing game.

Chiefs’ Rashee Rice sentenced to 30 days in jail for role in high-speed car crash

Mahomes averaged a career-low 245 passing yards per game last year and passed for under 4,000 yards for the first time since becoming a full-time starter.

Rice entered Week 4 of last season leading the NFL in receptions (24) and was second in receiving yards (288).

“You can’t worry about stuff that’s going to happen down the line. You worry about how can you get better this day and how can you get better the next day? And that’s how we go about our mindset, regardless,” Mahomes said about a possible suspension for Rice. “All that stuff will handle itself.”

Three of Kansas City’s first four games are against playoff teams from a season ago.

The AFC West had three clubs earn playoff berths in 2024 and the division should be stronger this year as Jim Harbaugh enters his second season in LA, Bo Nix has a under his belt, in addition to Pete Carroll’s arrival in Las Vegas.

The Chiefs’ track record affords them the benefit of the doubt, but uncertainty along their offensive line and Rice’s looming suspension are glaring unanswered questions as Kansas City prepares to rebound from a frustrating Super Bowl 59 loss.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Venus Williams’ comeback to the WTA Tour will apparently continue. 

After defeating world No. 35 Peyton Stearns on Tuesday, July 22 in Washington, D.C., her first official match win in 709 days, the 45-year-old star was granted a wild-card entry into the Cincinnati Open next month. 

Cincinnati is the last big hardcourt tune-up prior to the US Open, the event where Williams won two of her seven Grand Slam titles in 2000 and 2001. It’s unclear whether Williams intends to request a US Open wild card, but the burst of attention following her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Stearns suggests the USTA would likely grant one if she wants a spot in the field.

Williams has not been a full-time tour player since 2019. She has battled numerous injuries and the realities of age during her infrequent attempts to play. Since the start of 2022, she played a total of 16 matches before Tuesday, winning just three. 

Unlike her younger sister Serena, Venus Williams never officially retired and has been cagey about her intentions, even after her surprise entry in Washington. She revealed after beating Stearns that her fiancée, Italian actor Andrea Preti, had encouraged her to keep playing.

Whether Williams plans to play a more robust schedule going forward or simply a handful of tournaments is unknown, perhaps even to her. Given the way she played in recent years and the accumulated rust of having no matches under her belt, it was fair to wonder if she’d even be competitive against Stearns, who won the NCAA championship at Texas in 2022. 

But Williams played remarkably well given the circumstances, relying on her big serve and playing offense with her forehand to overwhelm Stearns, who tends to be more of a counterpuncher. 

Williams returns to the singles court Thursday, July 24 for a second-round match in Washington against No. 24 Magdalena Frech. 

The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports’ newsletter.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The NFL offseason, such as it is, officially ends today as the remainder of the league’s 32 teams kick off their training camps. Or, as Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said after his team was the first to fully report last week: ‘It’s being reborn. It’s the start of the year. Some would think it’s January 1st. Those espoused to Catholicism, Christianity would think it’s the birth of Christ. Us in football, it’s the first day of training camp.’

As far as we know, it’s not New Year’s Day, nor are Three Wise Men set to report to Bethlehem. But we get it, Coach. Back to the football.

And while positional battles, injuries and the constant churn of league-wide transactions will continue to impact every club’s roster and depth chart, issuing report cards for each team’s showing since the 2024 season ended can no longer wait now that squads have essentially taken their full shapes for the upcoming campaign.

So, without further ado, here are each team’s grades for their performances off the field over the past few months:

Chicago Bears: A

They might have won the offseason the minute they hired highly, highly regarded Ben Johnson as their head coach, not only adding an offensive wunderkind but damaging the rival Lions in the process given the impact he’d had on their attack, which ranked in the top five each of the past three seasons.

Recently extended GM Ryan Poles made a series of other moves to not only help Johnson but also boost second-year QB Caleb Williams, who had an uneven rookie season (to put it mildly). Poles buttressed the blocking by trading for Gs Joe Thuney, an All-Pro, and Jonah Jackson before signing highly regarded C Drew Dalman. The draft also brought two new toys for Williams, TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden plus, maybe, his next left tackle (Ozzy Trapilo). Poles also put in work on the defensive side, extending LB T.J. Edwards for two years, signing two-time Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett and up-and-coming pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo before snagging DL Shemar Turner in the draft’s second round.

Little room for further excuses here, though Johnson and Poles now seem to have far more security than the players.

New England Patriots: A

The return of Mike Vrabel to Foxborough as this team’s new head coach should have the broadest impact on this franchise now and well into the future – and is also the stroke that should be the primary accelerant to second-year QB Drake Maye’s career. But the Pats also did plenty from a roster standpoint to bulwark the league’s worst offense – notably earmarking its first draft four picks to that side of the ball. First-round OT Will Campbell and second-round RB TreVeyon Henderson are both expected to immediately have major roles. New WR Stefon Diggs and RT Morgan Moses are veteran additions and somewhat damaged goods – both coming off knee surgery – but benefit Maye.

Expect a big jump defensively after most of the team’s copious free agent budget went there in order to sign DT Milton Williams (4 years, $104 million), considered perhaps the crown jewel of a thin free agent crop. LB Robert Spillane, OLB Harold Landry and DB Carlton Davis III all got three-year deals worth more than $130 million in sum – a lot to shell out for a trio with all of one Pro Bowl nod on their collective résumés. The return of DT Christian Barmore, who was sidelined by blood clots last season, is a bonus.

If Maye continues along his trajectory, a team that won four games in 2024 could easily double that total.

New York Jets: A-

Last week was the cherry on top of Phase One of their cultural reset, WR Garrett Wilson and CB Sauce Gardner signing four-year extensions that not only solidify the roster’s foundation but underscore the philosophical buy-in no-frills rookie coach Aaron Glenn is getting before even working a game. Those deals followed what seemed like a strong draft anchored by first-round RT Armand Membou and second-round TE Mason Taylor, who should both be Week 1 starters while adding further steel to this club’s backbone. New QB1 Justin Fields, tabbed to replace Aaron Rodgers after Glenn put an end to that era (error?), represented new GM Darren Mougey’s biggest foray into free agency and will either put a wedge in the team’s revolving door behind center or put them back in the market for a passer in what should be a strong 2026 draft at the position. CB D.J. Reed will be missed.

Philadelphia Eagles: A-

As has been the case with nearly every reigning champion during the salary cap portion of the Super Bowl era, you can’t keep everyone. And while the Eagles will return their offense nearly intact – it should be fine sans RG Mekhi Becton – the defense took some hits. Among the departed: Williams, OLB Josh Sweat, DBs Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson and retired DE Brandon Graham.

However EVP/GM Howie Roseman, who always seems ready for what’s next, issued smart raises to RB Saquon Barkley and RT Lane Johnson, got new deals done for LB Zack Baun and C Cam Jurgens and, thanks to his drafting acumen, the defense appears backfilled by capable replacements, though there’s no sugarcoating the loss of depth. (However Roseman did bring in a lot of accomplished veterans at low cost, a list that includes LBs Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, CB Adoree’ Jackson, TE Harrison Bryant and RB AJ Dillon.)

Versatile first-round LB Jihaad Campbell, who likely wouldn’t have fallen to the 31st overall pick had his shoulder been healthy, could also make up some of the shortfall. And watch out for second-round S Andrew Mukuba. In other good news, coach Nick Sirianni got an extension … as did the “Tush Push,” perhaps partially thanks to a late shove from former pusher Jason Kelce to the league’s owners.

Baltimore Ravens: B+

AFC North champs the past two seasons, they’re nicely set up to make another strong Super Bowl push – getting Pro Bowl LT Ronnie Stanley re-signed while adding accomplished veterans such as WR DeAndre Hopkins and CB Jaire Alexander. Their top two draft picks, S Malaki Starks and OLB Mike Green, could make instant impacts. A tight cap could make anything further on the personnel side a challenge, but an extension needs to get done fairly soon for All-Pro QB Lamar Jackson – he carries a prohibitive $74.5 million cap hit in 2026 and ’27 – and then new deals for young core players such as S Kyle Hamilton, C Tyler Linderbaum and TE Isaiah Likely should follow. Also, it remains to be seen what Baltimore gets from whomever replaces disgraced former K Justin Tucker, who was released last month.

Denver Broncos: B+

A team that made a surprising playoff run in 2024 behind rookie QB Bo Nix could be poised to take the next step. Denver drafted DB Jahdae Barron and RB RJ Harvey – both could play a ton of snaps as rookies – and took a targeted approach to free agency, which brought TE Evan Engram, RB J.K. Dobbins, LB Dre Greenlaw and S Talanoa Hufanga … though all of those veterans come with extensive injuries in their backgrounds. Yet if half of them pan out, Sean Payton’s team could challenge K.C. for AFC West supremacy.

Kansas City Chiefs: B+

You wouldn’t think a cemented dynasty would have this productive an offseason or this much financial flexibility – and QB Patrick Mahomes deserves more credit on that front given his ongoing willingness to restructure his contract and allocate money elsewhere. And while not everyone will be back, notably Thuney and S Justin Reid, the team managed to extend G Trey Smith and DE George Karlaftis, re-signed LB Nick Bolton, WRs Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster and RB Kareem Hunt.

GM Brett Veach was also able to add OT Jaylon Moore and CB Kristian Fulton. TE Travis Kelce will, at minimum, play out the final year of his contract, and WR Rashee Rice returns after last year’s season-ending knee injury − though he could miss the early part of the season if the NFL hands down a suspension in the aftermath of his legal issues being resolved. The defense was heavily augmented by the draft, but the spotlight will be on first-round OT Josh Simmons who, along with Moore, will be vying to solidify the new-look left side of a line that failed the team during its Super Bowl 59 three-peat bid.

It’s a fascinating mix of stability and churn for a team that’s only missed the Super Bowl once in the past six seasons. Yet the O-line does remain something of a question aside from Smith and C Creed Humphrey.

New York Giants: B+

If HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen are truly on the hot seat … gonna be interesting. First-round QB Jaxson Dart is clearly the future here, but will Daboll have the luxury of developing him in a redshirt manner after Schoen brought in veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston? How much will the secondary benefit after New York invested three years and nearly $100 million collectively for S Jevon Holland and CB Paulson Adebo? (Maybe a lot with No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux rushing quarterbacks.) A draft that brought Carter, Dart and RB Cam Skattebo could pay off handsomely … whether it’s for this front office or the next one.

Seattle Seahawks: B+

A team that unexpectedly won 10 games and fell a tiebreaker short of postseason in 2024, Mike Macdonald’s first as head coach, nevertheless took something of a sledgehammer to the top of its roster. Gone are QB Geno Smith and WRs DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, among others. In are Pro Bowl QB Sam Darnold, WR Cooper Kupp and DE DeMarcus Lawrence, among others. The trades of Smith and Metcalf paved the way for a big-time draft that brought OL Grey Zabel, S Nick Emmanwori, TE Elijah Arroyo and highly intriguing third-round QB Jalen Milroe. Should be fascinating to see how a team more tailored to Macdonald’s philosophy coalesces.

Tennessee Titans: B

Given QB Cam Ward was the top pick of this year’s draft, there’s been remarkably little national buzz around the player or his new team. And maybe that’s not such a bad thing – ask the 2024 Bears. Ward has decent weaponry around him, and rookie GM Mike Borgonzi prepared for his arrival by securing veteran G Kevin Zeitler and LT Dan Moore in free agency. And now it’s undoubtedly full speed ahead with Ward following Monday’s news that last year’s starter, Will Levis, will miss the 2025 season after opting to undergo shoulder surgery.

Arizona Cardinals: B

Heavy defensive emphasis, GM Monti Ossenfort taking DT Walter Nolen and highly regarded CB Will Johnson with his first two draft picks after plucking Sweat from the champion Eagles during free agency. Trey McBride got a deal that briefly made him the league’s best paid-tight end at $19 million annually. Will it be enough to vault a team that doubled its win total to eight last season into the playoffs? If WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has improved as much as he and the team think, maybe.

Buffalo Bills: B

Is their interminable Super Bowl quest going over the top? Buffalo’s biggest move was re-signing QB Josh Allen to a six-year, $330 million extension – which is actually below market value at $55 million annually. Securing the reigning league MVP is a huge plus, and GM Brandon Beane also reinvested heavily elsewhere in his roster (DE Greg Rousseau, WR Khalil Shakir, LB Terrel Bernard, CB Christian Benford). The team seems confident the development of WR Keon Coleman, addition of WR Josh Palmer and return to health by TE Dalton Kincaid can take the passing game up a notch. But will a generally conservative reliance on continuity be enough? Also, first-round CB Maxwell Hairston is dealing with legal issues, and DE Joey Bosa (calf) is already coping with an injury.

Green Bay Packers: B

They made a splash – by Wisconsin standards – after taking Matthew Golden in the first round of the draft, breaking a 23-year streak when they’d avoided Round 1 wideouts. If he can establish himself as the No. 1 receiver, much as HC Matt LaFleur hates that label, this offense could reach a new level. GM Brian Gutekunst made other significant, if less noted, moves, extending OL Zach Tom and bringing in free agent G Aaron Banks and CB Nate Hobbs, all on four-year contracts. Hobbs basically replaces now-departed Alexander.

Houston Texans: B

After the offense regressed around second-year QB C.J. Stroud in 2024, a team that’s won the past two AFC South crowns should probably be given credit for not resting on its laurels, largely remaking the O-line and receiver room while firing coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was taking head coach interviews just a year ago. It remains to be seen how Stroud fares with new play caller Nick Caley or behind a line that could have a different player in every spot but right tackle compared to the combinations Houston used in last season’s playoffs. But with newly acquired vets like WR Christian Kirk and Gardner-Johnson plus a nice haul of rookies – OL Aireontae Ersery, WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel – and perhaps six picks in the first three rounds of next year’s draft, it’s easy to understand GM Nick Caserio’s logic. And he gets extra points for moving quickly to extend All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars: B

With the bold move up to get WR/CB Travis Hunter, rookie GM James Gladstone is banking on this as a transformative offseason that’s potentially netted a new face of the franchise. Whether Hunter, who cost the Jags their second-rounder this year and a first in 2026, can effectively gain this team a roster spot or even consistently be a major presence on both sides of the ball game in and game out remains to be seen. His impact will also be largely dictated by the health of QB Trevor Lawrence, who underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and is adapting to yet another head coach with rookie Liam Coen now in the post.

But Lawrence should enjoy upgraded protection after Gladstone signed free agent OL Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey to three-year deals. But the organization really needs Coen, Hunter, WR Brian Thomas Jr. and maybe even new deep threat Dyami Brown to help the No. 1 pick of the 2021 draft blossom into the superstar he was projected to be coming out of Clemson.

Los Angeles Rams: B

You’re forgiven if you thought a team that traded out of the first round basically spent the offseason swapping out Kupp for Davante Adams and tweaking its O-line. But GM Les Snead also got new deals done for QB Matthew Stafford and LT Alaric Jackson while adding NT Poona Ford to an ascending defense. Second-round TE Terrance Ferguson could quickly add a new offensive dimension.

Minnesota Vikings: B

HC Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah both got deserved extensions in the wake of a surprising 14-win season and busily did what they could to put new QB1 J.J. McCarthy into an optimal situation as he prepares to take his first regular-season snaps following a rookie year completely lost to a knee injury. That’s meant adding OL Will Fries, Ryan Kelly and first-rounder Donovan Jackson plus re-signing RB Aaron Jones. McCarthy should also benefit from a play-making defense reinforced by veteran DTs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave plus the retention of S Harrison Smith and fast-improving CB Byron Murphy. But this whole thing might be undone if the decision to part with Darnold proves a mistake.

Pittsburgh Steelers: B

Ultimately, this season will be judged by whether a team nearly a decade removed from its last playoff win made the right call at quarterback … something it hasn’t done for some time. But after failing to convince Fields, who was benched for Wilson last season, to re-sign or pry Stafford loose from the Rams, per reports, coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan settled on Rodgers – for what’s likely a one-year rental – rather than roll the dice on a rookie passer in a draft that seemed thin on QB prospects.

Otherwise? In are Metcalf, CBs Jalen Ramsey and Slay and TE Jonnu Smith. Out are WR George Pickens, RB Najee Harris and S Minkah Fitzpatrick. For better or worse, soon-to-be 31-year-old OLB T.J. Watt just landed an extension averaging $41 million, meaning he’s now the league’s best-compensated non-QB for the next five minutes. A seemingly strong draft class headlined by DL Derrick Harmon and RB Kaleb Johnson effectively gets additional boosts from 2024 first-round RT Troy Fautanu and speedy third-round WR Roman Wilson, who made one appearance apiece as rookies.

Will all that be enough to win more than 10 games and reach the divisional round of postseason? We don’t have to tell you to stay tuned.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B

A team that values stability as much as any certainly maintained it, extending the contracts of GM Jason Licht and coach Todd Bowles as the organization eyes a fifth straight NFC South crown. WR Chris Godwin and LB Lavonte David are also back. OLB Haason Reddick and rookie WR Emeka Egbuka are probably the most prominent newcomers, though the draft brought quite a few defensive reinforcements. LT Tristan Wirfs (knee surgery) will miss the start of the season, but Godwin is hoping his ankle is ready to go for Week 1.

Dallas Cowboys: B-

Welp, it’s never dull in Big D. The Cowboys began 2025 with the fairly surprising choice of naming Brian Schottenheimer to his first head coaching gig – he replaced Mike McCarthy – and his tenure seems to be off to a good start in the locker room. It helps to have QB Dak Prescott fully recovered from the hamstring injury that cut his 2024 season short. There’s also been ample buzz following the trade with Pittsburgh for Pickens.

Issues certainly remain − though, despite owner Jerry Jones’ rhetoric, expect DE Micah Parsons to soon become the league’s next highest-paid non-quarterback. Figuring out if they have an effective runner to replace departed RB Rico Dowdle, whether Joe Milton III is potentially ready to fill in for Prescott and if recently fined CB Trevon Diggs can get back into the team’s good graces could actually be more difficult answers to find.

Las Vegas Raiders: B-

There’s little doubt they should be more competitive on the heels of a 4-13 campaign. Yet with a soon-to-be 74-year-old coach in Pete Carroll and soon-to-be 35-year-old QB Geno Smith, it all feels very … interim? The team locked up DE Maxx Crosby through the 2029 season. But All-Pro TE Brock Bowers feels like the only other cornerstone right now, though rookie GM John Spytek certainly hopes he found more in RB Ashton Jeanty, WR Jack Bech and others in what could be a strong draft class. The uncertain status of DT Christian Wilkins (foot surgery), signed to a four-year, $110 million deal a year ago, remains a concern.

San Francisco 49ers: B-

Some bills came due, literally and figuratively. Primarily, Brock Purdy finally became eligible to come off the NFL’s version of quarterback welfare, signing a five-year, $265 million extension. Two of the team’s other linchpins, TE George Kittle and LB Fred Warner, also inked new deals.

But there were unavoidable ripple effects, perhaps most notably the trade of WR Deebo Samuel. The defense was also stripped of several former mainstays, including Greenlaw, Hufanga, DE Leonard Floyd, CB Charvarius Ward, and DTs Hargrave and Maliek Collins. Former Jets coach Robert Saleh is back to run the unit but will have to try and revive it with a lot of new players after GM George Lynch devoted his first five 2025 draft picks to the defensive side of the ball before trading for DE Bryce Huff.

On the health front, All-Pros Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams seem ready to return, but WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall are currently on the PUP list.

Washington Commanders: B-

Given QB Jayden Daniels enters his second season as a bona fide MVP candidate, you want to commend a team that’s already going for it by adding veterans like OLB Von Miller. And retaining leaders like LB Bobby Wagner, TE Zach Ertz and QB2 Marcus Mariota should only pay current and future dividends. Rookies Josh Conerly and Trey Amos should contribute heavily early and often.

Yet it’s worth asking if Washington will ultimately be happy with its trades for Samuel, who’s a touch volatile and often banged up, and LT Laremy Tunsil, who led the NFL with 19 penalties in 2024 (12 of them false starts). Also, three years and $45 million for DL Javon Kinlaw? And it probably shouldn’t have taken this long to reach a financial agreement with WR Terry McLaurin, who’s been a good soldier here long before the team got good … or even respectable.

New Orleans Saints: C+

Derek Carr recently retired. Former All-Pro Ryan Ramczyk officially retired. The longtime 4-3 base defense was retired. Tyrann Mathieu juuust retired. At least the team’s often tenuous cap situation improved. Reid, OLB Chase Young and TE Juwan Johnson are all good players who signed three-year deals. Rookies Kelvin Banks, Tyler Shough and Vernon Broughton, might be, too. However expectations for this season should be decidedly in check. Perhaps it’s all ultimately for the best if Shough turns out to be the starting quarterback for rookie HC Kellen Moore much sooner than initially expected.

Carolina Panthers: C

Though they drafted WR Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth pick of the first round, the general lack of tinkering with the offense is indicative of how they feel about QB Bryce Young’s progress last year and the pieces around him. The return of DE Derrick Brown, who missed all but one game in 2024 with a knee injury, should be the best news for a defense that gave up the most points and yards in the league last season. But GM Dan Morgan also paid up to improve that side of the ball, signing S Tre’von Moehrig and DTs Tershawn Wharton to three-year deals averaging at least $15 million after missing out on ex-Eagle Milton Williams. CB Jaycee Horn also got a huge extension. OLB Jadeveon Clowney was released in May, and lingering concussion issues led to LB Josey Jewell’s departure, at least for now.

Cincinnati Bengals: C

They deserve some credit after ponying up to extend WRs Ja’Marr Chase, who was the league’s top-paid non-quarterback for a few months, and Tee Higgins, a development that kept QB Joe Burrow happy. But, at least in regard to Chase, an All-Pro who won the league’s receiving triple crown in 2024, that was a no-brainer … as it was last year, when he would have cost significantly less. One would also think giving All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson the raise he’s earned going into the last year of his contract, or even simply signing first-round DE Shemar Stewart would similarly be no-brainers. But the Bengals have been Bengal-ing and risk immediately crippling their season at its outset if Hendrickson and Stewart, who’s impressive skill set already needed polishing, remain absent from what’s already a highly suspect defense.

Los Angeles Chargers: C-

They’ll likely need to rely even more on their top two draft picks, RB Omarion Hampton and WR Tre Harris, following the July 4 eye injury suffered by RB Najee Harris, a free agent pickup, and WR Mike Williams, who decided to retire last week. (Good thing the Bolts drafted with a sense of redundance.) Beyond that, they hung on to OLB Khalil Mack but let Bosa go. The Chargers’ two other biggest additions were Becton and CB Donte Jackson. Meh. Despite Harbaugh’s optimism, tight end, corner and maybe even who will be QB Justin Herbert’s top pass-catching alternative to WR Ladd McConkey remain concerns. LT Rashawn Slater still needs a new contract. 

Atlanta Falcons: D+

Unlike the Vikings, they haven’t been able to optimize the supporting cast around QB Michael Penix Jr., who enters a season as the starter for the first time, because he’s got a backup, Kirk Cousins, with a nine-figure contract. And now he’ll loom over Penix from the sideline while hovering like a dark cloud over the salary cap. GM Terry Fontenot did manage to extend LT Jake Matthews but couldn’t hang on to promising Dalman. Jarrett also left for Chicago. Maybe Fontenot will get more from a notoriously underwhelming pass rush after signing Floyd and drafting Jalon Walker and James Pearce in Round 1, though Pearce came at the exorbitantly high cost of next year’s first-round pick.

Indianapolis Colts: D+

As Brad Pitt’s “F1” character, Sonny Hayes, said: ‘Hope is not a strategy.’ But kinda feels like that’s where the Colts are as they assess whether Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones will be their Week 1 quarterback – an issue potentially exacerbated after the offensive line was raided during free agency. First-round TE Tyler Warren projects as an immediate difference maker. Sadly, much will be different in these parts for an organization rocked by the recent death of longtime owner Jim Irsay.

Detroit Lions: D

For those who see water in the glass, DE Aidan Hutchinson is on track to return from the broken leg that prematurely ended a 2024 season in which he seemed destined to win Defensive Player of the Year honors. All-Pro Kerby Joseph also became the league’s highest-paid safety with a four-year, $86 million extension.

But the injury bug also got an extension, DT Levi Onwuzurike already lost to a season-ending knee injury, and DT Alim McNeill still recovering from a torn ACL. C Frank Ragnow belatedly chose retirement over another season of pain. Rookie DL Tyleik Williams and OL Tate Radledge will need to be ready to play straight away. LB Alex Anzalone also seems to have some wounded pride as he awaits an extension heading into his walk year.

But the main issue for this team, which is a bit of a victim of its own recent success, could be the departure of eight assistants, most notably OC Ben Johnson (Bears) and DC Glenn (Jets), both hired to their first head coaching gigs. A team that’s gone 27-7 over the past two regular seasons will be severely challenged to maintain its momentum, much less build on it.

Miami Dolphins: D

A team that’s been unable to win games of importance in recent years has been hemorrhaging talent, LT Terron Armstead retiring, Holland leaving during free agency, then Ramsey and Jonnu Smith traded last month. WR Tyreek Hill admits he’s (still) working on his professionalism. Maybe first-round DT Kenneth Grant and second-round G Jonah Savaiinaea will provide toughness some have said this team lacks. GM Chris Grier and HC Mike McDaniel don’t seem all that well positioned to justify the vote of confidence owner Stephen Ross gave the after last season’s 8-9 finish.

Cleveland Browns: I (for incomplete)

They seem to be playing something of a long game, but it’s just too early to know how it ultimately plays out as a team likely destined to finish last in the AFC North straddles the line between rebuilding and trying to remain competitive.

They compelled DE Myles Garrett to stick around after making him the first non-QB with a contract averaging $40 million annually (over 4 years). Whether Cleveland should have cashed out on a 29-year-old at the peak of his powers who’d requested a trade earlier in the year remains an open question. After all, the Browns divested the No. 2 overall pick of the draft for a package that included Jacksonville’s first-rounder next year.

So what are we doing? TBD, which also sums up the team’s four-way competition to determine its starting quarterback, a scrum that includes former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco and fifth-round lightning rod Shedeur Sanders. Otherwise? Though GM Andrew Berry passed on the opportunity to pick Hunter, he brought in some very nice players, including DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger and battering ram RB Quinshon Judkins – though his availability is currently in limbo after he was recently charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. Pro Bowl LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) is already out for the year.

But hey, y’all, the team could be playing in a fancy new stadium in four years … a point when we’ll know whether keeping Garrett, bypassing Hunter and picking Judkins and Sanders while likely punting on a long-term quarterback solution until 2026 were wise decisions.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Sports broadcaster Taylor Rooks revealed Wednesday night that she recently got married, announcing the news in an Instagram post.

Rooks, who has worked broadcasts for TNT and ‘Thursday Night Football’ and will soon be the host for Prime Video’s NBA coverage as Amazon begins NBA broadcasts in 2025-26, had her wedding ceremony in New York.

The guest list included several notable names, including Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, rapper Jack Harlow and singer Ella Mai.

Several NBA players, including Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) and Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), were in attendance to celebrate.

Who did Taylor Rooks marry?

Rooks’ wedding announcement came as a shock to most on the internet and also left many wondering who her new husband is.

She and her husband were featured together in several photographs in the Instagram post, but the most revealing information about him came in a photograph he wasn’t in.

One of the photos included a menu with the food options available at the celebration, but it also included his first name. The top of the menu read: “Taylor & Shane.”

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

USC men’s basketball freshman Alijah Arenas has suffered a knee injury, according to the university.

The 6-foot-6, 195-pound guard is expected to miss six to eight months after having surgery, which likely would rule him out for the 2025-26 season.

He is the son of former NBA point guard Gilbert Arenas.

Alijah Arenas was tabbed a 5-star recruit and ranked as the 10th overall player in the 2025 class by 247sports. He recently graduated from Chatsworth High School.

Arenas played in the McDonald’s All-American as a member of the West on April 1.

He was placed in a medically induced coma due to smoke inhalation after being involved in a car accident on April 24.

His Tesla Cybertruck had crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree before the car caught on fire.

He did not suffer any major injuries and was released from the hospital a week later.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., an outspoken opponent of antisemitism, said Wednesday that those who refuse to speak out against the heinous acts Hamas perpetrated in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 ‘have no business’ claiming to be humanitarians.

‘If you refuse to condemn Hamas for the murder, maiming, mutilation, rape, torture, and abduction of thousands of Jews and Israelis on October 7, then you have no business calling yourself a humanitarian,’ Torres wrote on X. 

‘A humanitarianism that devalues Jewish life is no humanitarianism at all, for it has been hollowed out by antisemitism,’ he added.

The congressman has been a strong voice of support for Israel.

‘The singular stumbling block to ending the war is the terrorist organization that barbarically began it: Hamas. Scapegoating Israel is so second nature to the international community that Hamas’ role in precipitating and perpetuating the war has been all but forgotten,’ Torres wrote on X earlier this month.

In another post on X this month he opined that ‘Antisemitism is the deadliest disease ever to afflict the human heart.’

In a post last month, he asserted, ‘If Israel is the sole country in the Middle East—indeed the world—for which you reserve the label ‘apartheid’—then your use of the term is probably propagandistic rather than principled and your purpose is not constructive criticism but the destructive delegitimation of Israel as a Jewish State.’

Torres has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since early 2021.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge, the Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo and Vancouver FC’s Brian White each scored goals to help Major League Soccer beat Liga MX standouts during the 2025 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 23 at Q2 Stadium in Austin.

Baribo earned MLS All-Star MVP honors after his goal in the 51st minute secured the victory for MLS, which avenged a 4-1 loss to its Liga MX counterparts last year in Columbus, Ohio.

Baribo finished an assist from the Columbus Crew’s Diego Rossi, who also had an assist in the 2024 MLS All-Star game.

Surridge, tied with Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot lead with 18 goals this season, scored in the 28th minute on an assist from LAFC star Denis Bouanga to kick-start the MLS effort.

White, one of four Vancouver All-Stars, scored in the 80th minute to seal the victory, with an assist from Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire) and the second assist from Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes).

The most noteworthy goal in the match was scored by 16-year-old Gilberto Mora in the 64th minute. Mora plays for Club Tijuana, and started for Mexico in its Concacaf Gold Cup win against the U.S. men’s national team last month.

The victory helped MLS take a 3-1 lead in its All-Star series against Liga MX.

Messi and fellow Inter Miami All-Star Jordi Alba did not play in the match.

Check out these highlights from the 2025 MLS All-Star Game:

MLS All-Star Game highlights

MLS 3, LIGA MX 1: Brian White scores goal

Vancouver’s Brian White scored in the 80th minute to restore a two-goal lead for the MLS All-Stars. White was assisted by Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire), with the second assist by Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes).

The goal was awarded to White, despite the ball being deflected off the foot of Liga MX’s Brian Rodriguez and into the net.

MLS 2, LIGA MX 1: Takaoka prevents LIGA MX goal

Vancouver FC goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka prevented a game-tying goal in the 75th minute, defending a shot by Necaxa’s Diber Cambindo,

MLS 2, LIGA MX 1: 16-year-old Gilberto Mora scores goal

Gilberto Mora, the 16-year-old prodigy who helped Mexico beat the U.S. men’s national team in the Gold Cup earlier this month, has scored in the MLS All-Star Game.

Mora, of Club Tijuana, scored in the 64th minute to narrow the MLS lead in the second half. He is the youngest player to play for Liga MX in the MLS All-Star Game.

MLS 2, LIGA MX 0: MLS makes six more substitutions in 61′

In: White, Zinckernagel, Freeman, Gil, Vargas, Takaoka

Out: Baribo, Rossi, Pasalic, Mukhtar, Tverskov, St. Clair

MLS 2, LIGA MX 0: Tai Baribo scores goal in second half

The Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo has scored in the 51st minute to double the lead for the MLS All-Stars.

Baribo finished a stellar assist by Columbus Crew’s Diego Rossi during the sequence.

MLS 1, LIGA MX 0: Here are the halftime substitutions

Here are the subs for MLS:

In: M. Robinson; M. Arfsten; C. Espinoza; D. Luna.

Out: M. Boxall; K. Wagner; S. Berhalter; Evander.

Liga MX swapped its entire lineup at halftime:

In: G. Ferrareis; W. Ditta; Á. Zendejas; K. Castañeda; E. Montiel; K. Mier; J. Pereira; A. Aceves; G. Mora; D. Cambindo; Brian Rodríguez.

Out: I. Reyes; L. Garcia; J. Brunetta; R. Dourado; A. Palavecino; L. Malagón; S. Ramos; J. Gallardo; S. Canales; Á. Sepúlveda; R. Alvarado.

MLS 1, LIGA MX 0: MLS makes seven substitutions in 35’

MLS has already made seven substitutions in the first half, to account for players’ upcoming schedules with six games scheduled for Friday, July 24.

In: D. St. Clair; J. Glesnes; J. Tverskov; H. Mukhtar; M. Pašalić; T. Baribo; D. Rossi

Out: B. Stuver; T. Blackmon; A. Nájar; A. Dreyer; H. Lozano; S. Surridge; D. Bouanga

MLS 1, LIGA MX 0: Sam Surridge scores goal

Nashville’s Sam Surridge, tied with Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot lead with 18 goals this season, has scored the first goal in the MLS All-Star Game.

Surridge provided the finish with a header inside the box in the 28th minute, confirmed after a lengthy VAR, following a pass by LAFC’s Denis Bouanga.

MLS 0, LIGA MX 0: Luis Malagón makes big save on shot by Evander

The MLS All-Stars nearly broke the scoreless deadlock in the 13th minute following a corner kick. Following the corner, the ball bounced to FC Cincinnati’s Evander, who rifled a shot on goal from outside the 18-yard box that was saved by Club América’s Luis Malagón, who dove to make the one-handed block.

How to watch the MLS All-Star Game

The 2025 MLS All-Star Game is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at 9 p.m. ET at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Fans can catch all the action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Date: Wednesday, July 23
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Stream:Apple TV
Location: Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas

Watch MLS All-Star on Apple TV

MLS All-Star starting 11

Liga MX All-Star starting 11

Juan Brunetta (Club Santos Laguna)
Angel Sepulveda (Club Querétaro)
Roberto Alvarado (Chivas Guadalajara)
Agustín Palavecino (Club Necaxa)
Rodrigo Dourado (Atlético de San Luis)
Sergio Canales (CF Monterrey)
Israel Reyes (Club América)
Sergio Ramos (CF Monterrey)
Luan (Toluca FC)
Jesús Gallardo (Toluca)
Luis Malagón (Club América)

2025 MLS All-Star roster

Goalkeepers:

Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC / Voted In)
Brad Stuver (Austin FC / Coach’s Selection)
Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Coach’s Selection)

Defenders:

Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew / Coach’s Selection)
Guilherme Biro (Austin FC / late addition)
Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Voted In)
Michael Boxall (Minnesota United FC / Voted In)
Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC / Voted In)
Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union / Coach’s Selection)
Andy Najar (Nashville SC / Coach’s Selection)
Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati / Coach’s Selection)

Midfielders:

Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Voted In)
David Da Costa (Portland Timbers / Coach’s Selection)
Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes / Coach’s Addition)
Evander (FC Cincinnati / Voted In)
Carles Gil (New England Revolution / Coach’s Addition)
Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake / Voted In)
Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC / Coach’s Addition) 
Jeppe Tverskov (San Diego FC / Coach’s Selection)
Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders / Coach’s Addition) 
Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire FC / Coach’s Selection)

Forwards:

Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC / Commissioner’s Pick)
Tai Baribo (Philadelphia Union / Voted In)
Denis Bouanga (LAFC / Voted In)
Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC / Coach’s Selection)
Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano (San Diego FC / Commissioner’s Pick)
Marco Pašalić (Orlando City SC / Coach’s Addition)
Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew / Coach’s Selection)
Sam Surridge (Nashville SC / Coach’s Addition) 
Brandon Vazquez (Austin FC / Coach’s Selection /Injured)
Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Voted In)

2025 Liga MX All-Star roster

Goalkeepers:

Luis Malagón (Club América)
Kevin Mier (Cruz Azul)

Defenders:

Sebastián Cáceres (Club América | Coach’s Selection)
Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul | Center Back of the Year)
Luan García (Toluca | Coach’s Selection)
Jesús Gallardo (Toluca | Fullback of the Year)
Joaquim Pereira (Tigres UANL | Balón de Oro nominee)
Sergio Ramos (CF Monterrey | Coach’s Selection)
Israel Reyes (Club América | Coach’s Selection)
Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul | Coach’s Selection)
Carlos Rotondi (Cruz Azul | Balón de Oro nominee)

Midfielders:

Roberto Alvarado (Chivas Guadalajara | Coach’s Selection)
Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL | Coach’s Selection)
Sergio Canales (CF Monterrey | Balón de Oro nominee)
Rodrigo Dourado (Atlético San Luis | Coach’s Selection)
Érik Lira (Cruz Azul | Balón de Oro nominee)
Elías Montiel (CF Pachuca | Coach’s Selection)
Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana | Balón de Oro nominee)
James Rodríguez (Club León | Coach’s Selection)
Marcel Ruíz (Toluca | Coach’s Selection)
Agustín Palavecino (Necaxa | Defensive Midfielder of the Year)
Alejandro Zendejas (Club América | Coach’s Selection)

Forwards:

Diber Cambindo (Necaxa | Coach’s Selection)
Hugo Camberos (Chivas Guadalajara | Newcomer of the Year)
Uroš Đurđević (Atlas | FMF President Selection)
Henry Martín (Club América | Balón de Oro nominee)
Paulinho (Toluca | Forward of the Year)
Brian Rodríguez (Club América | Coach’s Selection)
Alexis Vega (Toluca | Attacking Midfielder of the Year)

Previous MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game results

2024 (Columbus): Liga MX 4, MLS 1
2022 (Minnesota): MLS 2, Liga MX 1
2021 (Los Angeles): MLS 1, Liga MX 1 (MLS won penalty shootout, 3-2)

Why Mexican league partnership is vital for MLS

The 2025 MLS All-Star Game is Wednesday, July 23 in Austin, Texas, with the best in MLS taking on the Liga MX All-Stars at Q2 Stadium.

It’s the fourth time in five years that MLS has chosen an All-Star team from Mexico’s top flight as its All-Star Game opponent, and it’s not hard to see why. There is a longstanding soccer rivalry between the countries at the national team level, and that extends to club play. MLS vs. Liga MX matches have often been fiery and dramatic, and there’s no more reliable method for each league to test itself than by facing its next-door neighbor.

The links between the two leagues go deeper than that, though, with MLS and Liga MX openly discussing ideas on how the two sides could go closer. — Jason Anderson

MLS All-Stars 30 years later: How the league moved the ball forward

Since its inaugural season in 1996, just two years after the United States hosted the 1994 World Cup, MLS has steadily grown alongside the nation’s rising interest in soccer.

Over the past three decades, global icons such as Carlos Valderrama, David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović have brought star power and credibility to the league, helping shape its identity and elevate its global standing. — Safid Deen and Ramon Padilla

30 best players in MLS history: From BWP to Beckham, Messi to Moreno

MLS has seen its fair share of stars over what is now a 30-season lifespan. Whether those players were global icons, cult figures, or unknowns who used the league to make their name in the soccer world, the league has seen some outstanding talents grace its fields.

USA TODAY made its picks for the 30 best players in MLS history. — Jason Anderson

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

This post appeared first on USA TODAY