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⚽ Good morning to everyone but especially …
U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM FANS
The USMNT has a new man in charge, and it’s a high-profile hire. Mauricio Pochettino is set to take the reins of a team entering a crucial juncture ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.
If you’re a casual soccer fan who only tunes in for major international events and never heard the name “Mauricio Pochettino” before, fear not. Francesco Porzio has what you need to know:
- Pochettino, 52, was born in Argentina and started his playing career there. He went on to play in Europe at Espanyol (Spain), PSG (France) and Bordeaux (France).
- Pochettino started his coaching career at Espanyol before moving to the Premier League at Southampton, Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea.
- He led Tottenham to a second-place Premier League finish in 2017 and a Champions League final in 2019. He also won Ligue 1 at PSG. Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League last year, second in goals scored.
Pochettino is a departure from recent USMNT hires in many senses. First, he’s expected to live in Europe, which makes sense when you consider many of the USMNT’s play professionally overseas. Second, he’s the first hire this millennium who hasn’t played or coached in the U.S. prior to his assuming the role. And finally, after a long list of excuses for not making the most of a talented group, the USMNT has no more excuses, Pardeep Cattry writes.
- Cattry: “Pochettino is well-known for a pressing, attack-minded style of play that, at its best, makes his team an entertaining watch. Most impressively, though, he is familiar with the task of coaching a team to punch above their weight … His ability to deliver an entertaining and effective tactical approach is an aspirational way to combat the USMNT’s recent plateau and perhaps lay the groundwork for the memorable World Cup performance the federation has long targeted.”
Speaking of soccer over in Europe, the Big Five leagues begin this weekend, and we have …
- Premier League: Full league predictions | Bold predictions | Newcomers to watch
- Serie A: It’s coming to CBS for the first time. | Top Americans | New coaches in big jobs | Players to watch
- La Liga: Players to watch
👍 Honorable mentions
- How many home runs will Aaron Judge hit in his career?
- Dak Prescott sounds confident in his contract negotiations with the Cowboys.
- Dallas upgraded its defensive line depth via trade with the Giants and several free agent signings.
- Ohio State named Will Howard its starting quarterback.
- The Falcons signed Justin Simmons, another strong preseason move to improve their defense.
- Aaron Donald visited Rams practice and gave advice.
- Weston Wilson hit for the cycle.
- Meet this unique 2025 NFL Draft prospect.
- Here are MLB’s under-the-radar MVP candidates.
- The 2025 MLB spring training schedule is out.
- The Tigers called up Jace Jung.
- Oregon is crushing it on the recruiting trail.
- Joe Harris called it a career.
- Indianapolis will host the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend.
🏈 And not such a good morning for …
MATT MILANO AND THE BUFFALO BILLS
Can we just turn injuries off? At least for the preseason? Former All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano tore his biceps — his second major injury in as many seasons — in a major blow to the Bills and their new-look defense.
- It’s unclear whether Milano will return this season, and even if he does, it would likely be late in the campaign. For now, he’s out indefinitely.
- Last season, Milano fractured his leg and suffered a knee injury in Week 5, ending his season.
Milano emerged as a force in 2022 earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Using expected points added, the Buffalo defense has been about 2.5 points per game better with Milano on the field over the past two seasons.
Milano’s return was expected to help offset the departures of multiple veteran defenders, including Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Now, Buffalo will turn to youngsters Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams at linebacker … and hope for a speedy recovery from Milano.
👎 Not so honorable mentions
- Odell Beckham Jr. responded to fans on social media as he remains on the Dolphins‘ PUP list.
- The Mets and A’s played the longest nine-inning game of the pitch clock era.
- Jordan Chiles has officially lost her bronze medal to Romania‘s Ana Bărbosu. Chiles called it an “unjust” decision.
- Brewers star Christian Yelich will undergo season-ending back surgery.
- The Orioles demoted Coby Mayo.
- Kurt Busch was arrested for DWI.
- MLB is weighing a six-inning requirement for starters. (I don’t like this at all.)
- Notre Dame suspended its men’s swimming program at least one year following a gambling investigation.
🏈 NFL preseason Week 2 top storylines, games to watch
It’s still not the real thing, but it’s getting closer. Week 2 of the NFL preseason began last night with Drake Maye scoring his first “unofficial” NFL touchdown in the Patriots‘ 14-13 loss to the Eagles.
As for quarterbacks elsewhere, Russell Wilson will make his Steelers debut and start against the Bills as he hopes to win the starting job over Justin Fields. That contest is among Bryan DeArdo’s top five games of the week.
Jeff Kerr, meanwhile, has one thing to watch in every game, and there’s another quarterback battle afoot in Las Vegas.
- Kerr: “Hard to tell who’s the leader in the clubhouse for the Raiders starting quarterback job. Gardner Minshew went 6 of 12 for 117 yards and a touchdown (20-yard throw to DJ Turner) and had bigger throws, but Aidan O’Connell was careful in his decision making in going 7 of 9 for 76 yards. Perhaps Antonio Pierce makes a decision based on this game.”
🏀 NBA schedule release: Top 10 games, Christmas Day action
The NBA released its entire 2024-25 schedule on Thursday. Here are the key dates to know:
- Oct. 22: Opening night (Knicks at Celtics and Timberwolves at Lakers)
- Nov. 12: NBA Cup begins
- Dec. 17: NBA Cup championship
- Feb. 6: Trade deadline
- Feb. 14-16: All-Star Weekend
- April 13: Regular season ends
- April 15-18: Play-In Tournament
- April 19: Playoffs begin
Jack Maloney has 10 must-see games, and a Bay Area reunion is in the cards less than a month into the season.
- Maloney: “Nov. 12: Mavericks at Warriors — Klay Thompson‘s departure from the Warriors after 13 years with the organization was ultimately not surprising by the time it happened. Still it will be strange to see him in a new jersey this season. His first trip back to the Bay Area with the Warriors is sure to be an emotional night.”
A big part of Thursday’s schedule release, of course, was the Christmas reveal, and No. 1 in Sam Quinn’s Christmas Day game rankings. No. 1 is …
- Quinn: “1. 76ers at Celtics — Come on, what did you expect? The defending champions against the team that had the best offseason? Two northeastern cities with a literal century of bad sports blood? Joel Embiid against the team that has knocked him out of the playoffs three times? … A Christmas bout between perhaps the two best teams in the conference is one of the best games on the entire regular-season schedule.”
🏈 College football preseason bowl projections
All right, fellow college football fans. We have one last weekend to get through before the season begins. Jerry Palm’s bowl projections are here to help us. Here’s his full projected 12-team playoff:
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Utah
- Florida State
- Texas
- Oregon
- Alabama
- Texas A&M
- Penn State
- Miami
- Kansas State
- Boise State
You’ll notice Boise State slides in at 12 because the CFP reserves a one spot for the top-ranked Group of Five champion. That means no more going undefeated and not being able to play for a title. Shehan Jeyarajah has the five most dangerous Group of Five teams who could nab that spot … or ruin someone else’s season.
Even with the expanded playoff, bowl season will still hold plenty of fun, as Will Backus writes. And I agree.
📺 What we’re watching this weekend
Friday
⚾ Dodgers at Cardinals OR Twins at Rangers, 8:05 p.m. on MLB Network
Saturday
🏈 Bengals at Bears, 1 p.m. on NFL Network
⚾ Yankees at Tigers, 1:10 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Lynx at Mystics, 2 p.m. on CBS
🏈 Lions at Chiefs, 4 p.m. on NFL Network
🏀 Liberty at Aces, 4 p.m. on CBS
🏈 Bills at Steelers, 7 p.m. on CBS
⚾ Dodgers at Cardinals OR Guardians at Brewers, 7:15 p.m. on Fox
⚾ Braves at Angels, 9:36 p.m. on MLB Network
🏈 Cowboys at Raiders, 10 p.m. on NFL Network
Sunday
⚾ Red Sox at Orioles, 1:35 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Storm at Fever, 3:30 p.m. on ABC
🏀 Sparks at Aces, 6 p.m. on NBA TV
⚾ Yankees at Tigers, 7 p.m. on ESPN
🏈 Saints at 49ers, 8 p.m. on Fox
🏈 Packers at Broncos, 8 p.m. on NFL Network
