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Turkey’s growing reach in Africa seen complicating US strategy, analysts warn

Turkey’s massive military, trade, Islamic diplomacy and education expansion into Africa is, some analysts say, undermining U.S. goals, as Ankara capitalizes on wars and conflicts on the continent.

Experts claim Turkey’s military sales appear to be based on maximizing profit, without worrying about what the arms sold do to the balance of power, particularly in Jihadist areas such as the Sahel.

Recently, multiple reports claimed Turkish companies have sold military drones to both sides in the 3-year-long conflict in Sudan.

‘Turkey is really capitalizing on all these conflicts in Sudan, in Ethiopia, in Somalia, to strengthen its military presence, its diplomatic and economic engagements,’ Turkey analyst Gönül Tol, told an American Enterprise Institute seminar in Washington last week. Tol, founding director of the Middle East Institute’s Turkey program, added that the country is ‘one of the top, top weapons providers to Africa. So if there is more chaos, that will only help Erdogan strengthen his hands.’

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated in October that overall trade volume with the African continent has shot up from $5.4 billion in 2003, to $41 billion in 2024. He told a business and economic forum in Istanbul that the state-backed carrier Turkish Airlines is literally leading the way into African countries for Turkish companies, now flying to 64 African destinations.

Erdogan told the forum that over the past two decades, ‘we have advanced our relations hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, and most importantly, heart-to-heart, to a level that could not even be imagined.’

Drone sales to Sudan’s warring partners would only prolong the war, conduct which is directly against U.S. policy. Just last month, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that ‘the U.S. is working with allies and others to bring an end to external military support to the parties, which is fueling the violence.’

‘Turkish drones, marketed as cost-effective and politically low-friction alternatives to U.S. or European systems, have proliferated across African conflict zones,’ Mariam Wahba, research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital.

‘Reporting that Turkish firms supplied drones to both the Sudanese (government) Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (the opposing militia in the conflict) underscores Ankara’s transactional approach: access and influence take precedence over stability, civilian protection or alignment with Western policy objectives,’ she said.

In a 2025 FDD report, Sinan Siddi, senior fellow and director of the organization’s Turkey Program, wrote, ‘The deal between Baykar and SAF is worth $120 million, resulting in the sale of six TB2 drones, three ground control stations, and 600 warheads.’  Siddi claimed the deal took place after the U.S. placed sanctions on such sales.

Although Turkish drones are also claimed to have been sold to Sudan’s RSF militia, the company said to have been involved is reported to have publicly denied making the sale. The company did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

A State Department spokesperson, when asked by Fox News Digital about the allegations said, ‘We refer you to the Government of Turkey for comment on reports related to any Turkish firms operating in Sudan.’

Fox News Digital reached out to the Turkish government but received no response.

The TB2 drone reportedly sold to the Sudanese government is made by a company said to be owned by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s son-in-law. Experts say the TB2 is one-sixth the cost of a U.S. Reaper drone. Fox News Digital reached out to the company, but received no response.

The U.S. Africa Command’s Africa Defense Forum recently reported it ‘typically costs between $2 million and $5 million per aircraft, though total system packages — including ground control stations, communication systems, and training — often cost significantly more, sometimes reaching $5–$15 million per system depending on the contract. The TB2 is recognized for its high cost-efficiency, with operational costs estimated at only a few hundred dollars per hour.’

Particularly in Africa’s Sahel region, the FDD’s Wahba claimed Turkey is trying to return to the principles of its Ottoman Empire, which ruled for centuries and promoted the culture of imposing caliphates – areas where Islamic law is strictly enforced.

Wahba said, ‘On the whole, this is a worrying development that risks undermining U.S. interests. In addition to backing Islamist movements such as Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, which does not bode well for its ideological orientation, Ankara is pursuing a neo-Ottoman foreign policy that is already taking concrete shape across parts of Africa.’ 

‘Turkey’s arms sales across Africa are best understood’, the FDD’s Siddi told Fox News Digital, ‘not as ad hoc commercial transactions, but as a deliberate strategy to expand Ankara’s political, military and economic footprint on a continent increasingly contested by global and middle powers.’

He said, ‘By exporting drones, small arms and security services to fragile states such as Sudan… the Erdogan government positions Turkey as a low-cost, low-conditionality alternative to Western partners, while simultaneously opening new markets for its rapidly growing defense industry. These weapons transfers are designed to buy diplomatic leverage, secure access to ports, bases and contracts and cultivate client relationships with regimes and militias that can advance Turkey’s regional ambitions.’

The number of embassies Turkey operates in Africa has rocketed from 12 in 2002, to 44 today. Wahba said the 64 African destinations Turkish Airlines flies to is a useful indicator. ‘As a state-backed carrier, its rapid expansion of direct routes into African capitals mirrors Turkey’s diplomatic and security priorities. The airline functions as a soft-power and access enabler for Ankara’s broader agenda.’

Wahba claimed this all should matter for Washington, ‘because Ankara’s model increasingly competes with, and in many cases directly undercuts, U.S. priorities on conflict mitigation and stability.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Ilia Malinin reveals gala performance in the works for ‘a few months’

MILAN — Even before Ilia Malinin took the ice Saturday night for his confrontational individual gala performance portraying the questions and doubts he harbored during the run-up to the Winter Olympics, he got one big hurdle out of the way.

He landed a quadruple jump — a relatively simple quad toe — as part of the U.S. gold-medal-winning team’s up-beat group exhibition number, then happily punched the air with his right fist.

Normally the act of landing a quad is so routine for the “Quad God” Malinin that it goes without a punctuation mark. But at these Olympic Games, eight days after he fell twice and stumbled across the ice in the men’s long program, dropping to eighth place, Malinin wasn’t taking anything for granted.

He landed another quad toe in his individual performance, and four backflips overall, and was warmly welcomed by the audience at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, which sent him off the ice with a sustained standing ovation when his gala number was over.

Malinin, 21, skated that performance to the music of his favorite artist, the rapper/singer NF, which features a question — ”Is this what you wanted?” — repeated multiple times. Malinin said he has been working on the exhibition number for a “few months,” meaning it was not designed as a specific response to his Olympic struggles.

‘This program was a very emotional piece,’ he said after he skated. ‘This message and this program and song really spoke to me and really represented how I’ve been feeling for the last year leading up to these Olympics. There’s been so much pressure, so much doubt, and everything around me: the noise, the media, the people, the environment, has been so overwhelming, being in this pressure of coming to the Olympics and having a good successful skate.

‘With what happened (here), I’m still very grateful to be here and I want to show to the world that we’re also human beings and we also have real thoughts, real feelings, even though it looks like we’re completely like robots, (with) super-human abilities, but in the end, deep inside, we’re still as similar as all of you.”

While striking a cautionary and at times foreboding tone in the week since his deeply disappointing long program, Malinin also has repeatedly said he “wouldn’t change a thing” about what he has gone through at these Games.

‘I learned so much from these Olympics,” he said, adding he is pleased to now have ‘one Olympics under my belt” so he can ‘understand what I can do differently and have even better strategy” for the next.

Let the record show that he was responsible for clinching the team title for the United States in a riveting, three-day quest for the first gold medal given out in figure skating at these Games. It was believed at the time that by skating both the short and long programs in the team event, Malinin was working through his nerves for what he hoped would be an exquisite men’s event. Obviously, that was not how things turned out.

Since then, he has been back to practicing and hanging out with his American teammates and other skaters in the Olympic Village, with some skating shows on the horizon in Switzerland before returning to his home in the Washington, D.C., suburbs to begin preparing to defend his title at next month’s world championships in Prague.

For all the doubts and concerns that he has, and that so many have about him, he ended one of his interviews in the Olympic mixed zone with a smile and a promise:

‘It’s not the last of me.”

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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How to watch Genesis Invitational on Sunday

Another day, another strong outing from pre-tournament underdog Jacob Bridgeman. Despite strong performances from the likes of Aldrich Potgieter, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy on Saturday, Bridgeman is heading into the final round at Riviera Country Club.

Bridgeman has yet to win an event as a PGA Tour pro, but his odds look fantastic heading into Sunday. In fact, he’s been playing some of the best golf of his career in 2026. He’s yet to finish outside the top-20 at any of the five tournaments he’s played in, tied for the longest such streak of his career.

Now, heading into Sunday, Bridgeman has the opportunity to win this event hosted by Tiger Woods. Here’s how to watch the action.

How to watch final round of 2026 Genesis Invitational

Start Time: 9:45 a.m. ET
TV coverage: 1 – 3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, 3 – 6:30 p.m. on CBS
Streaming: 3 – 6:30 p.m. on Fubo, CBS Sports App

Stream the final round of the Genesis Invitational with Fubo

Genesis Invitational leaderboard

Leaderboard through Saturday’s third round. Keep up with Sunday’s third round in real time.

1 — Jacob Bridgeman: −19
2 — Rory McIlroy: −13
3 — Aldrich Potgieter: -12
4 — Aaron Rai: -11
T4 — Xander Schauffele: −10
T4 — Kurt Kitayama: −10

Genesis Invitational final round tee times

You can view the full tee times for Sunday’s groups here.

Group 1 (10:05 a.m. ET): Sepp Straka
Group 2 (10:10 a.m. ET): Matthias Schmid, Brian Harman
Group 3 (10:20 a.m. ET): Ryo Hisatsune, Andrew Novak
Group 4 (10:30 a.m. ET): Taylor Pendrith, Denny McCarthy
Group 5 (10:40 a.m. ET): Rickie Fowler, Sami Valimaki
Group 6 (10:50 a.m. ET): Ben Griffin, Viktor Hovland
Group 7 (11:00 a.m. ET): Harris English, Jhonattan Vegas
Group 8 (11:10 a.m. ET): Corey Conners, Ryan Gerard
Group 9 (11:20 a.m. ET): Si Woo Kim, Nick Taylor
Group 10 (11:30 a.m. ET): Shane Lowry, Patrick Rodgers
Group 11 (11:45 a.m. ET): Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama
Group 12 (11:55 a.m. ET): Ludvig Aberg, Tony Finau
Group 13 (12:05 p.m. ET): Sam Stevens, Sahith Theegala
Group 14 (12:15 p.m. ET): Min Woo Lee, Matt McCarty
Group 15 (12:25 p.m. ET): Tom Kim, Robert MacIntyre
Group 16 (12:35 p.m. ET): Matt Fitzpatrick, Scottie Scheffler
Group 17 (12:45 p.m. ET): Wyndham Clark, Jordan Spieth
Group 18 (12:55 p.m. ET): Pierceson Coody, Collin Morikawa
Group 19 (1:05 p.m. ET): Patrick Cantlay, Alex Noren
Group 20 (1:15 p.m. ET): Akshay Bhatia, Cameron Young
Group 21 (1:30 p.m. ET): Tommy Fleetwood, Adam Scott
Group 22 (1:40 p.m. ET): Ryan Fox, Jake Knapp
Group 23 (1:50 p.m. ET): Max Greyserman, Marco Penge
Group 24 (2:00 p.m. ET): Kurt Kitayama, Xander Schauffele
Group 25 (2:10 p.m. ET): Aldrich Potgieter, Aaron Rai
Group 26 (2:20 p.m. ET): Jacob Bridgeman, Rory McIlroy

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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WATCH: Top 5 most memorable moments in American State of the Union history

President Donald Trump will deliver his first official State of the Union address of his second term Tuesday night before a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, as viewers watch for viral moments and headline-grabbing exchanges like those that have defined past speeches.

Here are the top five moments from past State of the Union addresses.

1. Reagan surprises the crowd with first-ever acknowledgment of a guest in the audience

It’s become commonplace in recent years for presidents to acknowledge guests in the audience during SotU addresses, but President Ronald Reagan’s 1982 address was the first time the practice was rolled out. 

Reagan’s speech came just weeks after Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into Washington’s 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River shortly after taking off in an accident that killed 78 people. 

Three people survived the crash thanks to civilians on the ground who rushed to their aid, including Congressional Budget Office assistant Lenny Skutnik, who stripped off his shoes and clothes and dove into the frigid waters.

Reagan honored Skutnik in his speech, which made honoring people in the crowd a common theme in the years to come. 

‘Just two weeks ago, in the midst of a terrible tragedy on the Potomac, we saw again the spirit of American heroism at its finest — the heroism of dedicated rescue workers saving crash victims from icy waters,’ Reagan said. ‘And we saw the heroism of one of our young government employees, Lenny Skutnik, who, when he saw a woman lose her grip on the helicopter line, dived into the water and dragged her to safety.’

2. Speaker Pelosi tears up Trump’s 2020 speech

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sparked a social media firestorm and cemented herself in State of the Union infamy in February 2020 when she stood up and tore Trump’s speech into pieces after he had finished.

When Fox News asked Pelosi afterward why she did it, she responded, ‘Because it was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives.’ She added, ‘I tore it up. I was trying to find one page with truth on it. I couldn’t.’

Pelosi’s outburst came on the heels of Trump’s first impeachment trial, which ended in a Senate acquittal the day after the speech.

‘Speaker Pelosi just ripped up: One of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. The survival of a child born at 21 weeks. The mourning families of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller. A service member’s reunion with his family. That’s her legacy,’ the White House tweeted after Pelosi tore up the speech, referencing individuals who Trump mentioned during his address.

3. Rep. Joe Wilson ‘You lie!’ outburst at President Obama

One of the most remembered moments from a State of the Union address came in 2009 when South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson interrupted President Barack Obama’s address, which at the time was far less common than it later became. 

‘There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants,’ Obama said, talking about his controversial Obamacare plan. ‘This, too, is false. The reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.’

‘You lie!’ Wilson shouted from his seat on the Republican side of the chamber, causing widespread yelling from other members in the audience.

Wilson later apologized to Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. 

‘This evening, I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the president’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill,’ Wilson said in a written statement. ‘While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility.’

4. Rep. Boebert heckles Biden over Afghanistan withdrawal during 2022 address

‘You put them in, 13 of them,’ GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert shouted at Biden as he talked about Afghanistan veterans who ended up in caskets due to exposure to toxic burn pits. Boebert was referencing the 13 U.S. service members killed during Biden’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. 

Boebert was wearing an outfit that said ‘Drill Baby Drill’ in opposition to Biden’s energy policies and her outburst drew some boos from the audience.

At another point, Boebert and Greene started chanting ‘build the wall’ when Biden was talking about immigration. 

5. President Biden blasts GOP lawmakers in 2023 address, prompting jeers from Republicans in the crowd

‘Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage — I get it — unless I agree to their economic plans,’ Biden said to Congress, prompting a shake of the head from then-GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the background and shouts from the crowd and shots of other Republicans shaking their heads. 

‘Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans, some Republicans, want Medicare and Social Security to sunset,’ Biden continued, which caused an even more pronounced shake of the head from McCarthy, who mouthed ‘no’ as Republicans continued to jeer. 

‘I’m not saying it’s the majority,’ Biden continued, which resulted in even more boos from the raucous crowd. 

‘Let me give you — anybody who doubts it, contact my office. I’ll give you a copy — I’ll give you a copy of the proposal,’ Biden continued to say over increasingly louder shouting from the crowd. 

‘That means Congress doesn’t vote — I’m glad to see — no, I tell you, I enjoy conversion,’ Biden said, apparently meaning to say ‘conversation.’

Biden’s speech continued to devolve from there as Republican outrage interrupted him on multiple occasions. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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LAFC dominates Messi, Inter Miami in impressive season-opening win

Los Angeles FC delivered a statement victory over reigning league champion Inter Miami in what might have been Major League Soccer’s most enticing season-opening game in the league’s 31-year history.

LAFC dominated Inter Miami, 3-0, in front of 75,673 fans at the historic L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 21. That attendance number marks the second-most ever for a standalone MLS game. With the victory, LAFC has won every season-opening game (9-0-0) in team history.

Instead of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion Lionel Messi delivering in the game’s pivotal moments, it was David Martinez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz who assured LAFC emerged with an impressive victory. Son Heung-min also played a huge role in the victory, assisting on the game’s opening goal.

The defending MLS Cup champions going down on the road against LAFC isn’t a total surprise … the Black and Gold — alongside Messi’s team — are considered a favorite to win MLS Cup this season. It was the matter in which Miami was defeated. LAFC dominated — outside of possession (63% for Inter Miami) — as Messi and Co. struggled to break down LAFC’s defense.

Both squads have a season of high expectations lying ahead. In addition to being considered top MLS Cup contenders, Inter Miami and LAFC are the league’s best hopes of winning Concacaf Champions Cup (something an MLS club hasn’t done since 2022), and will also take part in the Leagues Cup later this summer.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights for the LAFC-Inter Miami match:

LAFC vs. Inter Miami highlights

LAFC 3, Inter Miami 0: Nathan Ordaz seals the victory

Ordaz, the pride of Encino, secured an impressive season-opening win for LAFC over the defending MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami.

The stoppage-time goal gave LAFC an emphatic win at the historic L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

LAFC 2, Inter Miami 0: Denis Bouanga extends Los Angeles’ lead

Inter Miami had dominated for much of the second half, but LAFC can strike in an instant. That instant came in the 73rd minute when Denis Bouanga caught Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair in no-man’s land and put the ball in the back of the net to put LAFC up 2-0.

Germán Berterame nearly equalizes with diving header

Inter Miami’s high-priced newcomer came very close to scoring the tying goal on a diving header in the 63rd minute. However, the attempt flew wide right of goal and LAFC continues to hold onto a 1-0 lead.

Inter Miami, however, has been the more dangerous side during the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Inter Miami makes halftime player swap

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano made a tactical switch at intermission, replacing right back Ian Fray with Facundo Mura. This is Mura’s Inter Miami debut after joining the team in January from Racing Club in Argentina.

Lionel Messi just misses on shot on goal

Seven minutes into first-half stoppage time, Messi collected the ball just outside the 18-yard box and fired a shot that just missed the upper left corner of the goal mouth as LAFC’s Hugo Lloris dove in an attempt to block the shot.

It might have been Inter Miami’s best goal opportunity of the first half. LAFC enjoyed the better chances and it shows on the score line as the hosts lead, 1-0.

Maximiliano Falcón issued a yellow card

Three minutes into first-half stoppage time, Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón was shown a yellow card after leaping onto LAFC’s Timothy Tillman. It was the first yellow card of the game.

LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0: David Martinez scores after giveaway

Inter Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul lost possession at midfield and LAFC made the Herons pay for the bad giveaway.

Son Heung-min delivered a quick pass to David Martinez, who beat Dayne St. Clair for the game’s opening goal.

This is a big season for Martinez, a 20-year-old from Venezuela who’s entering his third season with LAFC.

Still scoreless after a half hour of play

Inter Miami has enjoyed more possession, LAFC has had more chances on goal.

Neither team has been able to break through for the game’s opening score.

Miami has a 58% possession edge, while LAFC has generated eight shots to Miami’s one. LAFC’s efforts also created four corner kicks.

Lionel Messi has yet to take a shot.

LAFC with first scoring chance

After Inter Miami dominated possession in the first few minutes at the Coliseum, LAFC had a breakaway chance in the sixth minute with Son Heung-min leading the charge. Son had to break off the attack and pass to Denis Bouanga, whose shot was saved by Dayne St. Clair.

The ensuing corner kick didn’t result in a scoring threat.

Score: LAFC 0, Inter Miami 0

How to watch LAFC vs Inter Miami

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Apple TV
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Watch MLS games on Apple TV

Inter Miami starting 11: Lionel Messi, Germán Berterame in lineup

Two-time reigning league MVP Lionel Messi and high-priced newcomer Germán Berterame are in Inter Miami’s starting lineup for the showdown against LAFC at the Coliseum.

Dayne St. Clair, another big offseason acquisition for Miami, makes his debut with the team. St. Clair was MLS Goalkeeper of the Year last season with Minnesota United.

LAFC starting 11: Son Heung-Min anchors front line

LAFC is rolling out the same starting lineup that throttled Real España of Honduras, 6-1, in Concacaf Champions Cup play on Feb. 17.

In that match, Denis Bouanga had a hat trick, and Son Heung-Min scored on a penalty kick and had three assists. Son and Bouanga will need to be very active if LAFC looks to knock off the reigning league champions.

Who is Germán Berterame?

Germán Berterame, a 27-year-old forward, joined Inter Miami on a reported transfer fee of $15 million in January.

Berterame had previously played for Liga MX powerhouse Monterrey, scoring 68 goals in 153 appearances in all competitions over the course of four seasons with Los Rayados. Berterame, who was born in Argentina and began his professional career for Argentine club San Lorenzo, plays for the Mexican national team and made his international debut against the USMNT on Oct. 16, 2024.

Berterame occupies a designated player spot and is under contract through the 2028-29 MLS season with an option for 2029-30.

Lionel Messi injury update: Reigning two-time MVP to play vs. LAFC

Lionel Messi picked up a hamstring injury during the preseason, forcing the postponement of an Inter Miami friendly match in Puerto Rico.

On Friday, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Messi’s availability for the 2026 MLS season opener in Los Angeles.

‘Messi is good. He trained the whole week with the group and had a very good feeling,’ Mascherano said. ‘He comes in well, ready just like the rest of the team.’

Inter Miami posted a photo of Messi training inside BMO Stadium, home of LAFC.

Why is Inter Miami vs LAFC being played at the LA Coliseum?

The presence of Lionel Messi has made away matches for Inter Miami a hot ticket wherever the club travels. LAFC also has shown it can attract a huge crowd. Saturday’s LAFC-Inter Miami game could be one of the highest-attended standalone matches in the league’s history.

An LAFC match against El Tráfico rival LA Galaxy drew an MLS-record crowd of 82,110 at the Rose Bowl on July 4, 2023. On the Fourth of July the following year, LAFC defeated the LA Galaxy in front of 70,076 fans.

On April 13, 2024, Inter Miami’s visit to play Sporting Kansas City drew 72,610 fans to Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. That represents the third-highest attended standalone match in league history. Per ESPN, Messi also helped draw crowds of 60,000-plus for six matches and another six matches at 50,000-plus in attendance.

So much sports history at LA Coliseum

Built in 1923, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will become the first stadium to host three Summer Olympics when the city hosts the 2028 Games. It was also the centerpiece venue for the 1932 and 1984 Olympics.

The Coliseum serves as the regular home for the USC Trojans football team, but has also been the home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams (1946-1979 and 2016-2019) and Raiders (1982-1994). The Coliseum also hosted Super Bowl I — then referred to as the first AFL–NFL World Championship Game — as well as Super Bowl VII, which was won by the Miami Dolphins to complete their undefeated 1972 season.

The UCLA Bruins football team played at the Coliseum for more than five decades (1928-1981), including when Hall of Fame baseball player Jackie Robinson was star football and track and field athlete for UCLA, with games and meets taking place at the iconic venue.

On top of hosting international soccer matches and friendlies through the years, the Coliseum was briefly the home stadium for the Los Angeles Aztecs of the original NASL.

MLS schedule: Opening weekend games

(All games on Apple TV)

Saturday, Feb. 21

St. Louis City SC 1, Charlotte FC 1
FC Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 0
D.C. United 1, Philadelphia Union 0
New York Red Bulls 2, Orlando City SC 1
Vancouver Whitecaps 1, Real Salt Lake 0
Austin FC 2, Minnesota United 2
FC Dallas 3, Toronto FC 2
Houston Dynamo 2, Chicago Fire 1
Nashville SC 4, New England Revolution 1
Los Angeles FC 3, Inter Miami 0
Portland Timbers 3, Columbus Crew 2
San Diego FC 5, CF Montreal 0
San Jose Earthquakes 3, Sporting Kansas City 0

Sunday, Feb. 22

LA Galaxy vs. New York City FC, 7 p.m. ET
Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids, 9:15 p.m. ET (FS1)

MLS 2026 season predictions

Can Lionel Messi lead Inter Miami to consecutive league championships, thus becoming the first repeat MLS Cup winner since the Los Angeles Galaxy did it in 2011-12? Which teams are the top contenders to displace Miami’s station atop the league? Who will win league MVP honors? Which player will score the most goals and claim the Golden Boot?

MLS championship odds

According to BetMGM, Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC are the favorites to win the 2026 league championship:

Inter Miami: +400
Los Angeles FC: +600
San Diego FC: +900
Vancouver Whitecaps: +900
Philadelphia Union: +1400
FC Cincinnati: +1400
New York City FC: +1800
LA Galaxy: +1800
Seattle Sounders: +1800
Columbus Crew: +1800

Which MLS clubs are in Concacaf Champions Cup?

Both Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC are among the nine MLS teams taking part in this year’s edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup, the top club competition for North, Central America, and the Caribbean.

While Inter Miami (along with the Seattle Sounders) earned byes into the Round of 16, LAFC already played its first game, earning a resounding 6-1 win over Real España of Honduras on Feb. 17. LAFC — a two-time runner-up in the competition (2020 and 2023) — hosts Leg 2 at BMO Stadium on Feb. 24.

MLS clubs in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup tournament are:

FC Cincinnati (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings)
Inter Miami (2025 MLS Cup winner)
LA Galaxy (2025 Leagues Cup third-place finisher)
Los Angeles FC (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings)
Nashville SC (2025 U.S. Open Cup winner)
Philadelphia Union (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield winner)
San Diego FC (2025 MLS Western Conference regular-season winner)
Seattle Sounders (2025 League Cup winner)
Vancouver Whitecaps (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings)

Inter Miami 2026 schedule

(All games on Apple TV unless otherwise noted)

Feb. 21 – at Los Angeles FC (L.A. Memorial Coliseum), 9:30 p.m. ET
March 1 – at Orlando City SC, 7 p.m. ET
March 7 – at D.C. United, 4:30 p.m. ET
March 14 – at Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
March 18 – Concacaf Champions Cup vs. TBD (Inter Miami CF Stadium), 7 p.m. ET (FS2, TUDN)
March 22 – at New York City FC, 1 p.m. ET
April 4 – vs. Austin FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
April 11 – vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET
April 18 – at Colorado Rapids, 4:30 p.m. ET
April 22 – at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. ET
April 25 – vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 2 – vs. Orlando City SC, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
May 9 – at Toronto FC, 1 p.m. ET
May 13 – at FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 17 – vs. Portland Timbers, 6 p.m. ET
May 24 – vs. Philadelphia Union, 7 p.m. ET (FOX)
July 22 – vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET
July 25 – at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 1 – vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 15 – at Nashville SC, 8:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 19 – at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 22 – vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 29 – vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 5 – vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 9 – at Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 12 – vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 20 – vs. San Diego FC, 7 p.m. ET
Sept. 27 – at Columbus Crew, 7 p.m. ET
Oct. 10 – vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 14 – vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 17 – at Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 24 – at New York Red Bulls, 4:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 28 – vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ET
Nov. 1 – at New England Revolution, 7 p.m. ET
Nov. 7 – vs. Charlotte FC, 4 p.m. ET

LAFC 2026 schedule

(All games on Apple TV unless otherwise noted)

Feb. 17 – Concacaf Champions Cup: LAFC 6, Real España 1
Feb. 21 – vs. Inter Miami (L.A. Memorial Coliseum), 9:30 p.m. ET
Feb. 24 – Concacaf Champions Cup vs. Real España, 10 p.m. ET (FS2, TUDN)
Feb. 28 – at Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m. ET
March 7 – vs. FC Dallas, 10:30 p.m. ET
March 14 – vs. St. Louis City SC, 10:30 p.m. ET
March 21 – at Austin FC, 8:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
April 4 – vs. Orlando City SC, 9:30 p.m. ET
April 11 – at Portland Timbers, 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
April 19 – vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 7 p.m. ET
April 22 – vs. Colorado Rapids, 10:30 p.m. ET
April 25 – at Minnesota United, 1:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
May 2 – at San Diego FC, 9:30 p.m. ET
May 6 – at New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 10 – vs. Houston Dynamo, 9 p.m. ET
May 13 – at St. Louis City SC, 8:30 p.m. ET
May 17 – at Nashville SC, 8 p.m. ET
May 24 – vs. Seattle Sounders, 9 p.m. ET (FOX)
July 17 – at LA Galaxy, 10:45 p.m. ET (FS1)
July 22 – vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
July 25 – vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 1 – at Vancouver Whitecaps, 7:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 15 – vs. San Diego FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 19 – at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 22 – vs. Portland Timbers, 10:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 29 – at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 5 – at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 9 – vs. New York Red Bulls, 10:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 12 – at Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 19 – at San Jose Earthquakes, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 26 – at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 10 – vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 10:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 14 – vs. Austin FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 25 – vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m. ET
Oct. 31 – vs. Minnesota United, 5 p.m. ET
Nov. 7 – at Seattle Sounders, 7 p.m. ET

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Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios results: Fight card highlights

Ryan Garcia produced a dominant performance against Mario Barrios in a WBC welterweight title fight on Saturday, Feb. 21 in Las Vegas.

It’s the first major championship victory of Garcia’s career. He brought the crowd to their feet early in the fight, knocking Barrios down with a right hand during the first 30 seconds of the opening round.

The new championship mentioned in his post-fight interview that he thinks he should’ve had the knockout at some point during the fight but hurt his hand.

The fight was considered a critical one for Garcia, after losing his last fight against Rolando Romero. Garcia had just one victory in his last four fights.

Garcia improves to a 25-2-0 record. Barrios falls 29-3-2 record. His most recent loss took place back in Feb. 2022 in a unanimous decision to Keith Thurman.

Garcia called out Shakur Stevenson, who was in attendance for the fight, after the victory.

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios highlights

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios results

Round 12: Garcia and Barrios go the distance, but the fight was never in doubt. The challenger just outboxed the champion from beginning to end.

Round 11: Garcia has slowed down but still looked good enough to win every round so far.

Round 10: Garcia delivered a successful combination, including a shot that may have broken Barrios’ nose. The doctor looked at Barrios again, but the champion will fight in the 11th round.

Round 9: Barrios still hasn’t shown enough to earn a round so far tonight. Doctors are taking a look at Barrios after the round.

Round 8: Barrios had a better showing in the round, but still not enough to take it from Garcia. There’s a level of frustration being shown by Barrios.

Round 7: The champion still doesn’t have an answer for Garcia’s right hand. Garcia landed another strong right early in the round before following it up with another flurry of shots.

Round 6: Garcia delivers a body shot that appeared to knock Barrios down, but it’s not ruled a knockdown. The fighters’ feet may have tangled up there.

Round 5: Barrios continues to show his toughness as Garcia delivers the punishment. Barrios’ legs got a bit woozy after taking a right-handed shot to the head.

Round 4: Garcia set the pace early with fast combinations. He’s having a lot of success with the right hand tonight against Barrios.

Round 3: Garcia continues to deliver through the third round. Barrios is certainly taking damage. Barrios doesn’t have an answer for Garcia’s speed.

Round 2: Garcia managed to win the second round. Garcia’s speed has clearly worked to his advantage early against Barrios. The challenger has looked strong through the first two rounds.

Round 1: Garcia delivered a right hand to the top of Barrios’s forehead to knock him down within the first 30 seconds of the opening round. Barrios was in trouble early but managed to survive the first round.

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios: Time, PPV, streaming for fight

Ryan Garcia will face Mario Barrios on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios main event ringwalks: 11:50 p.m. ET (estimate)
Stream: DAZN

Watch Garcia vs Barrios fight with DAZN

Gary Antuanne Russell def. Andy Hiraoka results

Russell got the best of Hiraoka in the opening round of the WBA super lightweight title fight.

Both fighters exchanged jabs to start the fourth round, but it was Russell who continued to take a majority of the early rounds.

Hiraoka began to target Russell’s body in the later rounds of the fight to close the gap.

In the 10th round, Russell had a point deducted after hitting Hiraoka below the belt.

Russell earned the unanimous decision victory over Hiraoka (117-110, 116-111, 116-111) to retain the WBA super lightweight title.

Mario Barrios arrives for main event fight

Barrios arrives at T-Mobile Arena for the main event fight.

Draw: Frank Martin-Nahir Albright

Martin managed to get the best of Nahir Albright in the opening round, despite Albright’s effort to push Martin early.

Martin rocked Albright with a left hand at the end of the fifth round. Martin continued to be the be agressive, starting the sixth round with a flurry of shots.

Martin has been in complete control throughout the night. Albright put together some good rounds to finish out the fight. The officials all scored the final a draw with a 95-95 score.

Bektemir Melikuziev def. Sena Agbeko

Melikuziev earned the victory in the seventh round of the fight. He delivered a left hand to the face of Agbeko to drop him on the mat. Agbeko managed to get back up and got clearance to continue from the official.

Melikuziev walked back over and delivered one more punch straight to the face of Agbeko, forcing the official to stop the fight.

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios: Prelims results

Super featherweight: Mohammed Alakel def. David Calabro (second-round KO)

Heavyweight: Joshua Edwards def. Brandon Colantonio via unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)

Super lightweight: Richardson Hitchins was unable to fight due to illness. His IBF title fight with Oscar Duarte was cancelled.

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios: Full fight card

Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia: WBC welterweight title
Richardson Hitchins vs. Oscar Duarte: IBF super lightweight title
Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka: WBA super lightweight title
Frank Martin vs. Nahir Albright: Super lightweight
Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Sena Agbeko: Super middleweight

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios odds

All odds are for moneyline bets as of Saturday, via BetMGM

Ryan Garcia (-225) vs. Mario Barrios (+170): WBC welterweight title

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios full fight card odds

All odds are for moneyline bets as of Saturday, via BetMGM

Ryan Garcia (-225) vs. Mario Barrios (+170): WBC welterweight title
Richardson Hitchins (-500) vs. Oscar Duarte (+333): IBF super lightweight title
Gary Antuanne Russell (-325) vs. Andy Hiraoka (+240): WBA super lightweight title
Frank Martin (-350) vs. Nahir Albright (+250): Super lightweight
Bektemir Melikuziev (-1400) vs. Sena Agbeko (+600): Super middleweight

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios predictions

USA TODAY: Garcia by KO

Josh Peter writes: ‘This is a critical fight for Ryan Garcia, coming off a disappointing loss to Rolly Romero in May and a victory over Devin Haney in 2024 that was tainted by a positive drug to test. Generally speaking, it’s wise to disregard training camp footage as a sign of a fighter’s preparedness. (Case in point: Mike Tyson’s convincing video clips released before the Jake Paul fight.) But Garcia has looked strong and fast, and Mario Barrios, well, he barely held off a 46-year-old Manny Pacquaio in July. Granted, Pacquiao’s fighting style remains confounding. But the 27-year-old Garcia is stronger and more dangerous than Pacquiao. Wouldn’t be shocked to see Garcia get knocked down. But will be shocked if he’s not the last man standing. Prediction: Garcia by KO, Round 9.’

ESPN: Garcia wins

Teddy Atlas for ESPN writes, ‘I think Garcia wins. If he shows up as a mess mentally, then Barrios could be more consistent, more deliberate, more dependable. And that could be enough. His experience and his dependability, his heart, maybe that’s enough to get him across the finish line. But I think that if Garcia is halfway together or a little more than halfway together mentally, I think he wins. I think Garcia has got a chance to hurt Barrios.’

Sporting News: Garcia via unanimous decision

Daniel Yanofsky writes, ‘There is one thing to wonder: Which Garcia will show up? Barrios can give Garcia some issues early on if the latter isn’t 100% physically and mentally. Providing pressure will be key for Barrios. One has to think Garcia, who hasn’t officially won a fight since 2023, understands the stakes here. Garcia should go for the knockout, but the bout going the distance might make sense.’

Ryan Garcia’s career record

Ryan Garcia comes into Saturday’s fight with a 24-2-0 record, having lost to Rolando Romero last May by unanimous decision and to Gervonta Davis in 2023 by knockout.

Mario Barrios’ career record

Mario Barrios comes into his fight with Garcia holding a 29-2-2 record. His most recent loss took place back in Feb. 2022 in a unanimous decision to Keith Thurman.

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios main card, ring walk start times

Main card start time: 8 p.m. ET
Main event ring walks: 11:50 p.m. ET (approximate)

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios live stream, price

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios will stream exclusively on DAZN for $69.99.

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DHS suspends TSA PreCheck, Global Entry as partial government shutdown continues

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry beginning Sunday as a partial government shutdown continues.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Saturday blamed Democrats for shutting down the government, saying they were causing ‘serious real world consequences.’

‘This is the third time that Democrat politicians have shut down this department during the 119th Congress,’ Noem said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. ‘Shutdowns have serious real world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security.’

The suspension of the programs, which allow some travelers to quickly get through airport security, was first reported by The Washington Post, which noted the changes would begin Sunday at 6 a.m. EST.

Noem said the department was making ‘tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians.’

She said TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would be ‘prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts.’ The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), she added, will halt all non-disaster-related response to prioritize disasters.

Noem noted the suspension comes as a major storm is expected to hit the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, criticized the Trump administration for ‘idiotically’ shutting down the programs ‘to punish the American people.’

‘This is Trump and Kristi Noem purposely punishing the American people and using them as pawns for their sadistic political games,’ he said in a statement. ‘TSA PreCheck and Global Entry REDUCE airport lines and ease the burden on DHS staff who are working without pay because of Trump’s abuse of the Department and killing of American citizens.’

He called on the administration to immediately reverse the decision.

The third government shutdown in under half a year began on Feb. 14 after Democrats and Republicans were at an impasse on reaching a deal regarding President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

DHS was the only department left without federal funding after Democrats walked away from a bipartisan plan released last month in response to the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal law enforcement agents in Minneapolis during anti-ICE demonstrations.

DHS is the third-largest Cabinet agency with nearly 272,000 employees. Roughly 90% of DHS workers were expected to continue working, many without pay, according to the department’s Sept. 2025 government shutdown plan.

DHS has jurisdiction over numerous agencies and offices, including CBP, TSA, FEMA, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Secret Service.

Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind and Alex Miller contributed to this report.

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Jordan Stolz left to fend for himself in mass start, misses podium

MILAN — Keeping Jordan Stolz from getting another medal seemed to be more important for his competitors than winning one of their own.

Stolz finished fourth in the mass start Saturday, Feb. 21, after several of the top medal contenders refused to chase down an early breakaway. It all but assured Stolz would not be on the podium for the fourth time in as many races at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.

‘I actually didn’t expect this to happen, just because I felt like the gold-medal favorites in the mass start were going to be more hungry to try and get a medal,’ said Stolz, who leaves these Olympics with two golds and a silver. ‘But they all were just kind of expecting me to go for it and, yeah, it didn’t really work.’

Stolz was not as heavy a medal favorite in the mass starts as he was in the sprints, though he did make the World Cup podium twice this season, including a win in Hamar, Norway.

The mass start is a 16-lap pack race similar to cycling’s Tour de France. The goal is for skaters to position themselves so they can make a furious sprint on the final lap, chasing down early breakaways so no one gets out too far ahead.

It helps to have a teammate in the race who can do some of that work so the person with the better medal chances can conserve their energy. But Stolz was at a disadvantage from the beginning after Ethan Cepuran barely missed out on the final.

(Greta Myers played this role in the women’s mass start, and it was decisive in Mia Manganello winning the bronze medal.)

Jorrit Bergsma of the Netherlands was one of the favorites for gold, having won the mass start season title. He made a break in the third lap, and Denmark’s Viktor Hald Thorup went with him. But none of the other contenders gave chase, which meant Stolz couldn’t, either.

If he’d tried to go too early, he’d have expended precious energy catching Bergsma and Thorup and risked not having any left for the final sprint. The pack likely would have followed him, too, meaning all his work would have been for nothing.

‘If I’d have known that, that they would have been reluctant to chase even when none of the guys have a medal (here), I probably would’ve attacked a little bit more,’ Stolz said. ‘But if I would’ve done that, they still would’ve just followed me and I would’ve just canceled out.’

Had Cepuran been in the race, he could have chased Bergsma and Thorup down. But he wasn’t. Instead, Stolz kept looking back at the pack, which included Italy’s Andrea Giovannini and Czechia’s Metoděj Jílek, both of whom had World Cup wins this season, and Beijing Olympic champion Bart Swings of Belgium, as if to ask if anyone was going to go.

But they sat tucked in behind him as the laps dwindled. Swings’ teammate Indra Medard did make a move after the halfway point of the race, but it wasn’t enough to bring along the rest of the pack.

‘If they’re all sitting behind me at four laps to go and I’m not building the pace and the two guys in front just keep getting further and further ahead, that’s clear to me that they were kind of settling for third,’ Stolz said.

Stolz started sprinting with about a lap and a half to go and Giovannini quickly gave chase. The two were almost even as they came down the final straightaway before Giovannini dove over the finish just ahead of Stolz.

Stolz finished 0.09 seconds behind Giovannini.

‘I was the only one from Italy, so I knew it wasn’t easy to control the race,’ Giovannini said. ‘So that’s it, we stayed in the group and went for the final sprint.’

Despite the way the mass start unfolded, Stolz is hardly disappointed with how these Games went. The 21-year-old set Olympic records on his way to winning both the 500 meters and 1,000 meters, and also won silver in the 1,500 meters.

His three medals are the most by any U.S. Winter Olympian at a single Games since fellow speedskater Chad Hedrick also won three in Turin in 2006.

And now he has a valuable lesson for next time.

‘There’s planning that I could have done a little bit better,’ Stolz said, referring to imagining a scenario like this in the mass start. ‘But overall I think it was successful.’

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Team USA wins record 11th Winter Olympic gold with mixed aerials repeat

The U.S. mixed aerials team won gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
This victory marked Team USA’s 11th gold medal, a new record for a single Winter Olympics.
The team consisted of Chris Lillis, Connor Curran, and Kaila Kuhn.

LIVIGNO, Italy – The record-setting 11th gold medal for Team USA at these 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics came in high-flying fashion.

The United States mixed aerials team won gold, with Chris Lillis, Connor Curran and Kaila Kuhn flying and contorting themselves to the top of the podium.

The 11 gold medals in Italy are the most for the entire team at any Winter Olympics, surpassing the 10 won during the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Alerted of the news in the mixed zone as gold medals hung at chest-level, the trio reacted with a mixture of pleasant surprise and glee.

The U.S. won the first mixed aerials event four years ago at the 2022 Beijing Games. As the lone member on both of those teams, Lillis has thought about why the Americans succeed in the team event but stumbled during the individual side. A lot of the athletes grew up playing team sports, he said. They can use one another for motivation.

“I think that really helps us, especially in aerial skiing,” Lillis said. “In aerials skiing, it can feel really lonely up there.”

They vibed off each other. From the beginning, they asserted dominance and departed the first round of finals in pole position. But scores reset and didn’t matter with four teams left in the field.

Kuhn set the tone. Curran squashed the nerves. Lillis delivered the haymaker – a jump that he had no issue with since it’s one he’s landed for 10 years.

Switzerland took silver and China finished with bronze. According to Lillis, the average aerials skier crashes on 60 percent of their jumps. For the Americans to go 6-for-6 while at least one skier from the six other countries competing was more than clutch.

Coming into the Olympics, the team figured to be Kuhn, Lillis and Quinn Dehlinger – the defending world champions in the event. But Dehlinger reaggravated a knee injury during training that forced him to not participate in both the individual and team event. Snow, wind and fog in the area for the last week also drastically altered the training schedule and made for underprepared jumpers.

Curran found out with the rest of the team that he’d be part of the trio around 6:30 p.m.

“I want to perform for my team,” he said. “It’s bigger than me. I’m glad I got to perform my best.”

Kuhn took gold at the 2025 world championships and also won the mixed aerials event with Lillis. She advanced alongside teammate Winter Vinecki to the six-person finals in the individual event, but both messed up their final jump to miss the podium.

On the men’s side, Curran and Lillis advanced to the 12-person final but didn’t make it past the six-person cutdown.

Kuhn said the team were “pretty crushed” by not medaling in the individual competitions.

“None of us really performed at our highest degree that we could have,” she said.

But the opportunity to bounce back was there. They used it as motivation, she said.

“It worked out in our favor,” Kuhn said.

But calling it redemption didn’t sit right with Lillis. It doesn’t erase what had happened less than 24 hours ago.

“I’ve fallen just short twice now, and it hurts, and I know that I’m capable of more,” said Lillis, who has 15 World Cup podium finishes. “And we’ll see, maybe in the future, I’ll be able to get that monkey off my back and get on the individual podium.”

Nor does it negate the joy of another gold medal, he said.  

“It’s so great to get Olympic gold with my teammates, and to do it for them, and them doing it for me,” Lillis said. “I couldn’t describe how special it is to bring home a gold for the U.S.”

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Ilia Malinin skates with message, ‘Is this what you wanted?’ at Olympics gala

MILAN — This time there was only Malinin magic.

It was only an exhibition, mind you, not competition with medals and legacy at stake. But Ilia Malinin delivered. Like only a showman on ice skates can.

Two quads.

A backflip.

Balletic artistry, with street cred.

When the four-minute routine ended, the crowd rewarded Malinin with thunderous cheers at the ice skating exhibition gala.

‘This message and this program and song is something that really spoke to me. It really represented how I’ve been feeling the last year leading up to these Olympics,’ Malinin said. ‘There’s been so much pressure, so much doubt and everything around me, the noise with the media….It’s been so overwhelming.’

Watch Olympics figure skating on Peacock

During the gala on ice, there was a touch of sadness, seeing Malinin’s immense talent and artistry only days after an eighth-place finish on the free skate doomed him in the men’s individual competition.

‘With what happened, I’m still very, very grateful to be here and I want to show to the world we’re also human beings,’ he said.

During his performance at the exhibition, he oozed with confidence. The self-proclaimed ‘Quad God’ vaulted into the air for his signature quad spins. Not once, but twice, followed by the magical backflip.

He was dressed for the moment too. In a dark hoodie. In dark pants that looked painted white on the front and back.

Shaking his mane of sandy blond hair as he glided across the ice. Truly, it was a moment to behold and reminder of how much skill this 21-year-old American has — and what we might see in 2030, the next time he skates on the Olympic stage.

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