Sports

Portland, Maine, soccer fans turn out in droves to watch the Women's World Cup

5:26pm July 27, 2023

by Carly Peruccio

An estimated two billion people are watching the Women's World Cup. Some were at a soccer bar in Portland, Maine, for Wednesday's U.S. match against the Netherlands.

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United States players celebrate after Sophia Smith (11) scored their first goal of the Women's World Cup against Vietnam on July 22, 2023. Referees have been adding plenty of extra time due to injuries, substitutions and goal celebrations.

It's not your imagination. Teams at the Women's World Cup are playing longer games

4:33pm July 26, 2023

by Russell Lewis

Referees have wide discretion to add extra game time due to injuries, substitutions and lengthy celebrations after goals. At this tournament, referees are tacking on a lot more than previous tourneys.

Players with Team USA attend a training session at the Bay City Park in Auckland, New Zealand, ahead of their World Cup match against the Netherlands.

At the Women's World Cup, the USA faces the Netherlands — a rematch of the 2019 final

7:38am July 26, 2023

by Russell Lewis

The U.S. defeated the Netherlands in 2019 for its second consecutive World Cup title. Now the two teams are battling in the group stage as the U.S. looks to shake off a sluggish win over Vietnam.

Bronny James during a high school basketball game in January 2023. James was hospitalized in Los Angeles after he suffered a cardiac arrest during practice Monday.

Sports

Bronny James, LeBron's son, suffered cardiac arrest during practice

6:33pm July 25, 2023

by Dustin Jones

The incoming freshman at the University of Southern California was at basketball practice Monday when he suffered a cardiac arrest, a family spokesperson said in a statement.

Top recruit Bronny James, LeBron's oldest son, recovering after cardiac arrest scare

5:28pm July 25, 2023

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Matt Zemek, editor for Trojans Wire, about the cardiac arrest scare of top USC basketball prospect, Bronny James.

South Korea's Casey Phair (left) and Colombia's Carolina Arias compete for the ball during a Women's World Cup Group H soccer match at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia on Tuesday.

Sports

An American becomes the youngest to debut in the Women's World Cup — for South Korea

12:51pm July 25, 2023

by NPR Staff

Casey Phair of New Jersey, 16, came in late in the second half for South Korea in its match against Colombia to make her World Cup debut.

A former volleyball player has filed a lawsuit alleging hazing took place within Northwestern University's women's volleyball team. The Weber Arch at Northwestern University is pictured in 2020, in Evanston, Ill.

A former Northwestern volleyball player is suing the university over alleged hazing

8:11pm July 24, 2023

by Jonathan Franklin

The former volleyball player is the first female athlete from the university to sue over recent hazing. It's the latest lawsuit over alleged hazing in the school's athletic programs.

Lionel Messi celebrates the game-winning goal after defeating Cruz Azul on Friday.

Sports

Will Lionel Messi finally make the U.S. a soccer nation?

4:53pm July 24, 2023

After a move to Inter Miami, the world's biggest soccer star has more than a new team to take on — he's being counted on to popularize Major League Soccer too.

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The sports hazing lawsuits against Northwestern University

4:29pm July 24, 2023

by Lisa Philip

More lawsuits have been filed against Northwestern University accusing the school of ignoring hazing incidents in its football program and other sports programs.

Will bringing soccer's G.O.A.T. to America change Major League Soccer's reputation?

4:53pm July 23, 2023

by Scott Detrow

Major League Soccer wants to be taken more seriously. Yet MLS still lags behind the top European leagues. Bringing Lionel Messi to play in America could change that.