Apr. 26—WEST CHESTER TWP. — Silas Walters has turned a steady rise for the Miami RedHawks into an NFL opportunity. He will be signing with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of 2026 draft Saturday.
A Lakota West High School graduate, Walters carved out a productive career in Oxford, developing from a walk-on into one of Miami’s most reliable defensive players and a standout on special teams.
The 6-foot-1 safety finished his college career with 200 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 24 pass breakups over 40 games. He earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in 2025 after recording 71 tackles and three interceptions, including picks against Wisconsin, Lindenwood and Buffalo.
Walters’ impact extended beyond the secondary. In 2023, he led the nation in special teams tackles, emerging as one of the most effective coverage players in the country. That versatility helped define his role over the next two seasons as Miami made three consecutive MAC Championship Game appearances from 2023 — 25.
His most productive defensive season came in 2024, when he totaled 95 tackles, 12 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries, establishing himself as a centerpiece of the RedHawks’ defense. He was later named Miami’s Defensive Skill Player of the Year.
“I remember sitting in the Fieldhouse with Si and his parents, talking through his options as a COVID recruit,” said Lakota West coach Tom Bolden. “I told him there was an opportunity to come to Miami as a preferred walk-on. Fast forward to now, and he’s signing with the Baltimore Ravens. What a story and what a journey — but not surprising given his work ethic and determination. I’m so proud of him and happy for him and his family.”
Walters now joins a Ravens organization known for valuing physical defensive backs and special teams contributors, giving him a path to compete for a roster spot at the next level.
He isn’t the only recent Lakota West product to reach the NFL. Fellow Firebirds alum Jackson Kuwatch was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2026 draft.
Apr. 26—Aamil Wagner, a 2022 Wayne High School graduate from Yellow Springs, signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on Sunday, April 26, according to multiple reports.
Wagner, a 6-foot-5, 306-pound offensive tackle, spent the last four seasons at Notre Dame. He started all 16 games in 2024 as a redshirt sophomore and all 12 games in 2025 when he served as a team captain.
Wagner announced in December he would enter the NFL Draft and would not use his final year of college eligibility.
“I want to start off by thanking God for giving me the opportunity to play the sport I love at a place like Notre Dame, surrounded by the people I love the most,” Wagner wrote on Instagram. “The past four years spent at Notre Dame have been a remarkable experience, and I wouldn’t change a single thing. The memories I’ve made with teammates, staff, and friends on campus will last me a lifetime. Notre Dame has given so much to me and I was honored to be able to serve as one of the captains for the 2025 team.
“To Notre Dame, Coach (Marcus) Freeman’s staff, and the O-line room: thank you for accepting me as family. Thank you for allowing me to grow and become the man I am today. And lastly, thank you for making this college experience some of the best years of my life.
“After much prayer and thought, I have decided to pursue my dreams by declaring for the NFL Draft. I am extremely excited for the next step in my journey, but Notre Dame will always be home.”
NFL Draft: Xenia grad picked in seventh round
Six Notre Dame players were drafted Thursday through Saturday. Wagner ranked fourth among the offensive tackles who were not drafted, according to ESPN.
According to the Scouts Inc. pre-draft analysis on Wagner, he tested “better than expected” at the NFL Combine.
“On tape, it looks like he lacks the quickness to match speed rushers or reach defenders on run blocks,” the report read, “But once latched on, he has strong hands to sustain and mirror. Wagner has an average first step and can be late to punch. He also works with a very wide base and has stiffness that does not allow him to play on the rise. Wagner’s feet can stop on contact, which he will have to clean up.”
Apr. 26—From 1:06 to 3:06 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, the weather turned nicer and nicer with each passing inning at Day Air Ballpark. But from pitch No. 1 to pitch No. 108, no improvement was required.
The Dayton Dragons enjoyed the luxury of Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo’s rehab assignment preceding Nestor Lorant’s most dominant performance since joining the Dragons at the start of the 2025 season.
They combined for a four-hit shutout, no walks and 15 strikeouts to lead the Dragons to a 3-0 victory over South Bend to gain a split in the six-game series.
“It’s really fun to play defense behind guys like that, who just fill up the strike zone and they get the job done,” Dragons left fielder Kien Vu said. “Lodolo is fun to watch. And Nestor’s an outstanding pitcher, too. He makes his stuff play up, and it’s a lot of fun to play defense.”
Lodolo made his first rehab appearance since opening the season on the injured list with another blister on his left index finger. He allowed two hits and struck out seven. He couldn’t have pitched much better.
The Reds planned for Lodolo to pitch four innings. But he was so efficient that 42 pitches wasn’t enough. So he pitched the fifth inning, struck out two, and finished with 51 pitches, including 39 for strikes.
Lorant is Dayton’s regular Sunday starter. He pitched the final four innings, allowing two hits and striking out eight on 57 pitches. From the last out of the sixth to the first out of the eighth, he struck out five straight Cubs. He allowed a single in the eighth but struck out the side.
“It’s kind of weird because I’m not used to pitching from the bullpen, but I still got to do my job,” Lorant said. “I thought it was going to be a little bit ha
rder, but my pitches, my strike zone was really good, so I just take advantage.”
Lorant entered with a 4.50 ERA and lowered it to 3.50. His best start in 2025 came on August 9 against Lake County in a no-decision. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowed one hit, walked three and struck out six. Otherwise, Lorant was 2-10 in 24 starts with a 5.79 ERA.
Sunday was a great sign for Lorant who came to Dayton with high hopes of quickly taking the next step. He was the Reds minor league pitcher of the year and the Florida State League pitcher of the year in 2024 with an 8-3 record in 22 starts and a 1.44 ERA before a late-season promotion to Dayton.
“His changeup was working really good today, and his fastball has a late life as well,” manager Julio Morillo said. “It’s a good combination when your fastball can get there quick, and then you have that changeup that looks like it stops in the air. Hitters have a tough time picking that up.”
Lodolo and Lorant got all they needed in the first inning when outfielder Kien Vu hit a one-out solo homer the opposite way to left field for his second homer of the series and the season.
“I was just aggressive to the heater, and I got it top of the zone,” Vu said. “I’m just trying to put a barrel on the ball, and I’m glad to see that it was in the air and it was a barrel. And those usually result in good things.”
Alfredo Alcantara, playing second base Sunday, launched a no-doubt solo homer — his second this season — over the Dragons’ No. 1 jersey sign near the left-field line for a 2-0 lead.
Dayton added a third run in the sixth with a little help from the Cubs. Yerlin Confidan reached on a swinging bunt that the pitcher couldn’t get to first in time. He moved to second on a wild pitch and scored when John Michael Faile reached on a throwing error by the second baseman.
Dayton (10-10) leaves town for two weeks as the fourth-place team in the Midwest League’s six-team East Division. They will play six games at Lansing (7-13) and six at West Michigan (12-9). So far the Dragons have split all four of their series, including two games at Lansing to open the season.
Vu doesn’t mind road trips. He likes exploring new cities. But he’s hoping for better results and said he feels like the Dragons are better than a .500 team.
“Our pitching has been outstanding, and then I think we have more in the tank for our hitters,” he said. “Once we start getting that rolling, it will be a lot of fun.”
A big help would be for catcher Alfedo Duno, the Red’s top-rated minor-league prospect, to get hot. He has struggled lately and is batting .197. Known for his power, he has one homer and nine RBIs batting out of the three hole.
“He’s been taking good at bats lately, but he’s not the bat that we all know he is,” Morillo said. “He’s working on it with [batting coach] Troy [Gingrich] a lot. I have no doubt that he’ll click as the season progress, and when that happens it’s going to be another weapon that we’re going to have in the lineup.”
New rule: One of baseball’s speed-up rules showed up Sunday. Batters are not permitted to call timeout with the bases empty. If they do, they are charged a strike.
In the eighth inning, Alcantara called timeout with the bases loaded and was assessed a strike. He already had two strikes, so the mistake cost him a strikeout.
Trevino treats: Reds catcher Jose Trevino caught five innings for the Dragons in a rehab assignment Friday. He promised Vu $500 if they hit back-to-back homers. Vu kept his end of the bargain with a homer with Trevino on base.
Instead, Trevino had dinner catered to the clubhouse. The menu included steak, parmesan macaroni and cheese and asparagus.
NEW YORK (AP) — Done in by a robot reversal, Brett Baty of the New York Mets became the first batter to have a bases-loaded walk changed to an inning-ending called third strike by Major League Baseball’s new challenge system.
Plate umpire Ryan Blakney was challenged four times in the first inning of the Colorado Rockies’ 3-1 win a in doubleheader opener on Sunday, and three calls were overturned.
Baty dropped his bat and started to take off his batting gloves as he headed toward first after Blakney called ball four on a bases-loaded, full-count sinker on the outside corner. Only Colorado catcher Brett Sullivan tapped his helmet for an appeal, and the Automated Ball-Strike System changed the pitch to a called third strike for the inning’s final out.
Instead of moving ahead 1-0, the Mets never led all day as they were swept. The Rockies won the nightcap 3-0 for a three-game sweep, sending the Mets to their 15th loss in 17 games.
“It would have been big to get a run on the board there in the first,” Baty said. “But it’s part of the game now, so got to deal with it.”
Four of seven challenges overall were successful. Bo Bichette overturned a strike on Jose Quintana’s first pitch of the game and walked. Bichette was only the second player this season to challenge the first pitch of a game to his team: the Los Angeles Angels’ Zach Neto failed to overturn a strike from Cincinnati’s Brandon Williamson on April 11.
“I was really surprised,” Quintana said, “I think that pitch was right on the line.”
After Juan Soto struck out, Colorado unsuccessfully challenged the first pitch to Luis Robert Jr., who then succeeded in having a 2-1 pitch changed to a ball. Robert also walked, Mark Vientos loaded the bases with a bloop single and Marcus Semien struck out.
Three batters before Baty previously had bases-loaded walks changed by ABS to a called strike three, but none had ended innings, according to Elias: Houston’s Yanier Diaz by Seattle’s Cal Raleigh on April 11, Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz by the Chicago Cubs’ Carson Kelly the next day and Tampa Bay’s Jake Fraley by Edgar Quero of the Chicago White Sox on April 16.
Before the ABS decision, Quintana had assumed Colorado was trailing 1-0.
Apr. 26—Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo came to Dayton on Sunday, April 26 for a four-inning rehab assignment. But he and the fans got more than they expected.
Lodolo pitched so well and so efficiently that he pitched five innings and earned the win in the Dragons’ 3-0 victory over South Bend.
He assured all that he didn’t go back out for the fifth just to get the win. He laughed at the suggestion.
“I needed to hit my pitch count,” he said. “Got the workload in that I needed to.”
Lodolo threw only 42 pitches through the first four innings. So he pitched the fifth and threw nine pitches to reach 51 for the day. He allowed two hits, no walks and struck out seven. He showed no signs of the troublesome blister on his left index finger that sent him to the injured list before the start of the season.
“Finger wise felt good — I’m really happy about that,” he said. “Biggest thing for me out there today, I’m thinking, is literally just how many strikes can I throw and just get my feet back under me. It was exciting to be out there.”
Lodolo said he continues to assess and research how to avoid the recurring blister problems in the future.
“I’ve tried a lot of different things, and still trying new things this go around that hopefully stick — fingers crossed,” he said. “Believe me, I’ve researched a lot on this type of thing. I’m happy that today went well.”
Lodolo’s performance, which included 39 strikes, impressed Dragons manager Julio Morillo.
“He was lights out,” Morillo said. “Even though it was against an A ball team, I thought he threw the ball really well. He takes that stuff in the big leagues, it’s still going to be good because he was executing pitches.”
The only hiccup was a high bouncer back to the mound that he had to leap for. The ball bounced off his glove and he had to hurry a throw to first that hit the runner for an error.
Lodolo pitched a simulated game Tuesday to prepare for Sunday. He and the Reds will evaluate Sunday’s performance and recovery before making a decision on his next move whether that’s another rehab start or a return to the Reds’ starting rotation.
Lodolo returned to Day Air Ballpark for the first time since 2019 when he made two starts for the Dragons and allowed two runs over seven innings. He joined the team late in the season after being drafted out of TCU and making six starts in the rookie league. He began the 2021 season in AA Chattanooga.
“Always good to be back here, obviously not on the IL, but good,” Lodolo said. “A great place, great fans and everything.”
Lodolo pitched to 20-year-old Alfredo Duno, the Reds top-rated minor-league prospect. The two teamed up during a bullpen session in spring training.
“He knew what to expect a little bit,” Lodolo said. “He did a great job. He’s going to be really good for the Reds one day. He’s young, for sure, but great kid, and he works hard.”
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State simply would not go away on Sunday afternoon, much like the whole series.
The No. 15 Bulldogs erased three multi-run deficits and beat the LSU Tigers 13-8 at Dudy Noble Field. Each win in the series came after coming back from an early deficit.
“We’re not going to make all the plays. We’re not going to hit in the clutch all the time or have great pitching outings all the time,” State coach Brian O’Connor said. “But we’re going to hang in there and represent this university and this uniform the right way.”
MSU (34-10, 13-8 SEC) went into the bottom of the sixth trailing 8-5. The first two batters reached, then scored on a throwing error by the pitcher to make it a one-run game. Ace Reese lined a game-tying double into right, and a fielder’s choice by Blake Bevis gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the day.
Reese led the Bulldogs with four driven in to go with a home run and a double.
“I think it’s just starting to click. There’s not really much to it,” Reese said. “I’m just going up there and doing what I do.”
Noah Sullivan doubled home another run in the seventh before scoring on a single by Bevis. Aidan Teel left the yard in the eighth, then Frei doubled in another run to make it 13-8.
Cade Arramibide gave LSU a quick 3-0 lead in the first on a home run to right, but Reese countered with a three-run shot in the second. Steve Milam put the Tigers back up with a two-run jack in the third, then a double by Sullivan and an RBI groundout by Jacob Parker tied it again in the fifth. Mason Braun doubled in a go-ahead run in the sixth and scored on a homer by Omar Serna Jr.
O’Connor did not like the plate approach in the first two innings but felt that it improved once his hitters settled down.
“I just thought that we were trying to do a little bit too much and not letting the game come to us a little bit and handle the strike zone better,” he said. “And when we started doing that better, I think we got more barrels, earned some walks, and created some opportunities.”
Mississippi State will head down to Pearl for the annual Governor’s Cup with Ole Miss on Tuesday. First pitch is at 6 p.m. on SEC Network+.
OXFORD – No. 17 Ole Miss left eight runners on base in its finale against No. 5 Georgia on Sunday afternoon, and despite another quality start from sophomore Taylor Rabe, the Rebels dropped the rubber match of the series to the Bulldogs 5-1 at Swayze Field.
Ole Miss (31-14, 11-10 SEC) won the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, while the Bulldogs won Games 2 and 3.
The loss snaps the Rebels’ streak of three straight SEC series wins. Rabe pitched six innings and surrendered three earned runs. He had six strikeouts and did not walk a batter. Sophomore Walker Hooks pitched the final three innings and surrendered two runs, though neither was earned.
After scoring 17 runs on 18 hits over the first two games of the series, Ole Miss mustered just one run on five hits Sunday. The Rebels went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and 2 for 13 with runners on base in the finale.
Sophomore outfielder Hayden Federico did not start in center field due to what head coach Mike Bianco described as a strained quadricep, though he pinch-hit in the seventh inning. Senior Judd Utermark, the Rebels’ usual third baseman, started in center.
Georgia (34-11, 15-6) starting pitcher Caden Aoki – a day after surrendering four earned runs in 1 2/3 innings in relief – threw six innings with one earned run allowed Sunday. He struck out seven batters and walked two. Scheduled starter Dylan Vigue was scratched from the start before the game.
“(Aoki had) two different breaking balls, one with a little more depth. And much like (Paul) Farley last night, we just really struggled,” Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said. “ … When they scratched (Vigue), they went to him. A guy that’s already pitched, somebody with a deep breaking ball. … All day long, we either couldn’t touch it or swung over it. He was really good.”
After going 0 for 13 over the first two games of the series, senior outfielder Tristan Bissetta hit an infield single that set the Rebels up with runners on the corners with no outs in the first inning. Utermark proceeded to ground into a double play that scored the Rebels’ lone run in the game.
Georgia tied things up with two outs in the second on an RBI single from Ryan Wynn, though Rabe stranded the bases loaded to end the inning. Bulldogs star Daniel Jackson led the third off with a solo home run that put the Bulldogs in front for good.
Aoki left the game after six solid innings, and the Rebels didn’t have much luck against the Bulldogs’ relievers, either. Ole Miss loaded the bases in front of third baseman Owen Paino with two outs in the eighth, and the sophomore proceeded to strike out swinging to end the frame. Georgia added a pair of unearned runs in the ninth.
Bulldog pitchers struck out 13 batters and walked just three in the game.
“It was a tough weekend with all the games back-to-back-to-back like that. But this league is a tough league, and we played three really close games against a good team and, come up short in two of them,” Rabe said. “But I think you can’t get too discouraged about that result and, obviously, we have things that we need to do better.”
Ole Miss plays Mississippi State in Pearl on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the “New Jersey Americans”.
Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA, with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.
To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise’s jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.
And for today’s article, we will continue with the first of one people to wear the No. 88 jersey, guard alum Nolan Traore. After starting his pro career abroad, Traore was picked up with the 19th overall selection of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets.
The Creteil, France native played the first season of his NBA career with Brooklyn, and remains with the team at the time of writing.
During his time suiting up for the Nets, Traore wore only jersey No. 88 and put up 8.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
We are about four weeks from the U.S. World Cup roster announcement, which will mark the end of Mauricio Pochettino’s evaluation exercise after eight training camps and 24 matches across 19 months.
Barring a significant injury or worrisome fitness issue in the coming weeks, most of the 26-man roster is settled. A quick scan of the personnel and lineup choices since September is enough narrow Pochettino’s probable selections at a May 26 event in New York.
Is there a major surprise or two in the works? Eh, maybe. In all likelihood, the Argentine boss has known for some time who best fits into his plans — “the right 26,” he says.
With that as a starting point, here’s our roster projections:
1. Christian Pulisic, Forward, AC Milan
The program’s most accomplished and capable player has had an uneven season at AC Milan and hasn’t scored for the national team since November 2024. Nonetheless, at 27 and in the prime of his sterling career, this is his team and his moment. If he’s on, the U.S. could go places.
2. Weston McKennie, Midfielder, Juventus
McKennie’s versatility for Juventus — he seems to have played every position except goalkeeper and center back — offers Pochettino a wealth of options. On top of that, the 27-year-old Texan has been in terrific form in both Serie A and the Champions League as a scorer and provider.
3. Chris Richards, Defender, Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace center back is the I-beam of an otherwise suspect U.S. defense, providing Premier League wherewithal and aerial power. Given the pressure the U.S. could fall under, especially in knockout matches, you could make the case Richards is the one guy Pochettino cannot do without.
4. Folarin Balogun, Forward, Monaco
Few things lift a coach’s spirits more before the World Cup than a striker in sensational scoring form. That’s Balogun, the Monaco ace whose Ligue 1 and Champions League production has solidified his place as Pochettino’s first-choice striker and taken some scoring responsibility off Pulisic.
5. Tyler Adams, Midfielder, Bournemouth
Because of injuries and the birth of a child, the 2022 World Cup captain has not played for the national team since September. His importance, however, hasn’t diminished. Pochettino will need the Bournemouth defensive midfielder to set the tone and guide a team under pressure to win at home.
USMNT regulars Chris Richards and Matt Freese should have plenty to discuss this summer as projected starters for Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup squad.
Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos via Getty Images
6. Matt Freese, Goalkeeper, NYCFC
Since bursting onto the scene before last summer’s Gold Cup, the New York City FC goalkeeper has been Pochettino’s starter for almost every match. Even with no tournament experience beyond the Gold Cup, Freese seems to have won the trust of both Pochettino and his defenders.
7. Antonee Robinson, Defender, Fulham
Because of knee issues that surfaced in 2024, there were times “Jedi” wasn’t sure he would make it to another World Cup. But after returning to regular duty for Fulham — though not as a full-time starter — the left back ended a long U.S. layoff in March and regained his place in the lineup.
8. Tim Weah, Midfielder, Olympique Marseille
Like McKennie, Weah could end up in any number of roles for Pochettino. At Olympique Marseille, he typically starts at right back or right wing. His instincts take him forward and, as he demonstrated from an advanced position in the 2022 opener, he is more than capable of finishing chances.
9. Sergiño Dest, Defender, PSV Eindhoven
The key word with Dest is “if.” If he returns from a hamstring injury before the end of PSV Eindhoven’s season and regains full fitness and form, he could profoundly impact Pochettino’s plans at right back or wing back.
10. Tanner Tessmann, Midfielder, Lyon
Pochettino typically plays with two defensive midfielders, and with Adams presumably one, Tessmann is a strong candidate for the other slot. An on-and-off starter for Lyon, the 2024 Olympic captain has started the first U.S. friendly in each of the past three windows. He’s also an option at center back.
11. Malik Tillman, Midfielder, Bayer Leverkusen
Though relegated to a sub’s role at Bayer Leverkusen, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder figures to remain in Pochettino’s plans after being one of five players to start both March friendlies. He also showed commitment and quality in the 2025 Gold Cup with three goals and two assists.
12. Haji Wright, Forward, Coventry City
It’s been a complete season for the 6-foot-4 striker, who, with 17 goals in the second-flight English Championship, bolstered Coventry City’s promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years. He scored twice vs. Australia in October and brings the experience of scoring in the 2022 World Cup.
13. Ricardo Pepi, Forward, PSV Eindhoven
Despite multiple injury spells and just 13 starts, the PSV Eindhoven striker has recorded 13 league goals for the Dutch Eredivisie champions. On Thursday, he scored twice on headers. He also had three goals as a Champions League sub. He and Wright will vie to back up Balogun.
The 21-year-old right back/wing was a U.S. revelation last year with 10 starts and two-goal performance vs. Uruguay. A winter move to Villarreal from Orlando City might pay long-term dividends, but joining a strong Spanish club midseason resulted in a three-month wait for his first start Sunday.
15. Auston Trusty, Defender, Celtic
The Celtic center back has made just two U.S. appearances in 2025-26 — and six overall — but with Pochettino lacking depth at that position, he could end up in the lineup. Trusty played well in his starting assignment against Uruguay last fall and returned to the back line against Portugal in March.
16. Tim Ream, Defender, Charlotte FC
A workhorse through U.S. transition and World Cup preparation, the 38-year-old center back is showing signs of decline both with the U.S. and Charlotte FC, having also missed the past 2½ MLS matches with a groin injury. Nonetheless, leadership and experience get him on the roster.
17. Mark McKenzie, Defender, Toulouse
Another center back competing to partner with Richards, McKenzie has not produced a shining performance for Pochettino. But in two seasons for Toulouse in France’s Ligue 1, he has started more than 60 matches across all competitions and is comfortable playing in a three-man alignment.
18. Brenden Aaronson, Midfielder, Leeds United
After starting one of the past six U.S. matches and logging just 11 minutes in the March friendlies, the 25-year-old attacking midfielder might not be on firm ground. However, he has added depth in two World Cup cycles, starts regularly in the Premier League and leads Leeds United in assists.
19. Matt Turner, Goalkeeper, New England Revolution
If Freese gets hurt or suspended — or has a performance that necessitates change — Pochettino will tap into Turner’s World Cup experience. The New England Revolution netminder has enjoyed a strong start to the Major League Soccer season with numerous outstanding saves.
20. Sebastian Berhalter, Midfielder, Vancouver Whitecaps
A fierce competitor and set-piece specialist with soccer smarts, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ star midfielder has received regular call-ups from Pochettino since debuting in the Gold Cup last summer. He, too, is off to a smashing start in MLS with three goals and six assists in nine matches.
21. Max Arfsten, Defender, Columbus Crew
In Robinson’s absence, the Columbus Crew left back and winger broke through last summer and finished the year tied with Freese for most starts (13) and third in minutes played. That experience has positioned him well to provide cover this summer. In MLS, he has three goals and three assists.
22. Johnny Cardoso, Midfielder, Atlético Madrid
Given his place as a part-time starter for Champions League semifinalist Atlético Madrid, the 24-year-old defensive midfielder should be a U.S. mainstay. But he has never had a breakout performance and doesn’t always look comfortable in U.S. colors. By a whisker, he makes the cut.
He doesn’t play much for Mönchengladbach, but because Pochettino calls him a “special player” with the capacity to impact a match and because, amid his German bench-warming, he was called up for last month’s friendlies, Reyna looks as though he’s going to make it.
Diego Luna has been a favorite call-up for Mauricio Pochettino and should feature for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup.
Howard Smith/ISI Photos/USSF via Getty Images
24. Diego Luna, Midfielder, Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake’s star midfielder plays with the ambition and passion Pochettino covets. Last year, he led the U.S. in appearances and finished second in both goals and assists before missing the March window after recovering from a knee injury.
25. Cristian Roldan, Midfielder, Seattle Sounders
Pochettino has stressed the importance of culture and leadership, and no one embodies that better than the Seattle Sounders defensive midfielder, a 2025 MLS Best XI selection in top form again this spring before suffering a head injury last week.
26. Chris Brady, Goalkeeper, Chicago Fire
Almost certain not to play, the third goalkeeper must be happy in that role. A youth national team graduate, the 22-year-old Brady is in his fourth season as the Chicago Fire’s starter and on the right path with the U.S. senior squad.
Still in the mix
Aidan Morris, Midfielder, Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough’s defensive midfielder has been, from an analytics perspective, the second-best player for a club hunting for Premier League promotion. He started once in each of the past three U.S. camps.
Alex Zendejas, Midfielder, Club América
A small, unpredictable winger enjoying another quality season for Mexico’s Club América, Zendejas would bring a different dynamic to the World Cup effort and add flank danger. He didn’t receive a March call-up, however.
Joe Scally, Defender, Borussia Mönchengladbach
A 2022 World Cup member, Mönchengladbach’s starting right wing offers the versatility of also playing right back in a four-man formation and center back in a three-man set-up.
Miles Robinson, Defender, FC Cincinnati
The FC Cincinnati center back started three of the last four U.S. matches in the fall but hasn’t performed well in MLS this spring and missed the March friendlies with a groin injury.
Tristan Blackmon, Defender, Vancouver Whitecaps
The 2025 MLS defender of the year made his U.S. debut in September with back-to-back starts before a knee injury sidelined him for two months. A calf ailment ruled the Vancouver center back out of the March friendlies.
With a win in the play-in tournament, the Portland Trail Blazers secured the No. 7 seed in the NBA Playoffs, and will face the No. 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
San Antonio really turned it around from last season to this season, going from 34 victories to 62. Of course, the Spurs have a superpower in Sporting News Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama, who averaged 25 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists during the regular season.
The Blazers defeated the Suns to clinch a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Portland’s future was unclear following the arrest of head coach Chauncey Billups in October amid a gambling investigation, but interim coach Tiago Splitter has turned things around.
San Antonio defeated Portland in two out of three matchups this year, including a 112-101 victory in early April with both Wembanyama and Stephon Castle sidelined.
Who will keep their season alive?
Here’s everything you need to know about Spurs vs. Blazers, including TV channel and streaming options for each game of the playoff series.
The Spurs vs. Blazers series will air across multiple platforms thanks to the NBA’s expanded broadcast deal, which will see games split among the ESPN networks, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video.
Games on ABC, ESPN networks and NBC can be streamed live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users.
Fans can also turn to the streaming homes for each broadcast partner — Prime Video, Peacock or the ESPN app — for games on those platforms.
