We attended the first game at Major League Soccer's newest stadium in Austin and it is easy to see why this is the future of sports

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="26567" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Matthew-MCConaughey">Matthew McConaughey</keyword> pumped up a crowd of <keyword id="3071" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Soccer">soccer</keyword> fans with a "Verde! Listos!" chant.</li><li>The actor, a minority owner of <keyword id="104460" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="MLS">MLS</keyword> team <keyword id="8734585" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="austin-fc">Austin FC</keyword>, wore a green and black suit to match their colors.</li><li>The game on Saturday ended in a 0-0 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes.</li></ul>In celebration of the <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/austin-fc-marvel-at-electric-opening-night-at-q2-stadium">first-ever home game for Major League Soccer team Austin FC</a> in their new stadium on Saturday, Matthew McConaughey walked onto the pitch before the match in a green suit with black trim and a drum strapped between his legs and pumped up the crowd by leading them with one of their chants."Verde! Listos!" McConaughey <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2021/06/20/matthew-mcconaughey-fc-austin-crowd-cheer-soccer/">would scream</a> followed by him slapping the drum. The sold-out crowd of <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/austin-fc-marvel-at-electric-opening-night-at-q2-stadium">around 20,000 fans</a> at Q2 Stadium in Austin, <keyword id="15710" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="texas">Texas</keyword>, yelled the same chant along with him. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LFlPaiEW1kQ" frameborder="0"></iframe>The Texas-born McConaughey is <a href="https://www.austinfc.com/club/ownership/matthew-mcconaughey">a minority owner of the team</a>, which was formed in 2018 and is having its inaugural MLS season this year. Dressing in green and black was the proper choice for the actor, as those are his team's colors.Austin FC faced the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday and the match ended in a 0-0 draw.Soccer isn't the only thing that keeps the Oscar-winner tied to Texas: McConaughey is also <a href="https://www.insider.com/matthew-mcconaughey-texas-governor-run-interview-politics-career-2021-3">considering a run for govenor</a>.

A photo shows Matthew McConaughey straddling a drum and screaming to pump up soccer fans at a new Austin stadium

<ul class="summary-list"><li>New <keyword id="104460" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="MLS">MLS</keyword> team Austin FC has revealed it's latest batch of fan merchandise.</li><li>Most of the text on the new merchandise is <keyword id="72608" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Spanish">Spanish</keyword> wording.</li><li>Austin FC is the second team in America's major <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> leagues to use Spanish in its main branding. </li></ul>New MLS team Austin FC is taking a fresh design approach by featuring Spanish as the predominant language for its branding. Austin, Texas, where the team is based, has a vast Spanish-speaking community. Hispanics or Latinos make up nearly 34% of the city's population, according to the US census. Spanish is a heavily prominent language in Austin and many of its surrounding Texas communities, as 11 cities in Texas <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-cities-and-towns-with-more-Spanish-than-English-speakers-2019-6">have more Spanish than English speakers, </a>making up half of the nation's total cities with that language ratio. "Our mission is to represent Austin in everything we do," Austin FC <keyword id="6354839" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="marketing">marketing</keyword> lead James Ruth told Insider. "There's multiple components to this community, and I think for us in our efforts to best reflect all of Austin, having Spanish play a role and how we talk about the club just made sense."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Austin FC (@AustinFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1354840411165007873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2021</a></blockquote>Ruth said that the identity the club has adopted has already resonated strongly with Austin locals, even those who aren't soccer fans. However, Ruth claims he has also received inquires from those who don't fully understand the decision to embrace Spanish. "They're, 'why are you using so much Spanish?' and it's, well, listen, come to Austin. This is a town that is imbued with a Latino culture and we didn't want to be a club that didn't reflect that Latino culture," Ruth said. "We are being way more progressive as we look at this stuff, it's a little bit unorthodox, listen, that's the story of Austin altogether. This is a city that does things differently in this state."With green serving as the team's primary color, the organization has chosen to brand itself instead as "Verde." The team even has team branded vans called "Verde Vans" used to deliver merchandise to fans. "We're trying to build more meaning in the term 'Verde,'" Ruth said. "Our hope over time is that that becomes kind of the ethos."The team's new 'Verde' identity has become a favorite among fans and Austin locals so far, particularly among the team's supporters group, which helped bring the club to Austin through a fundraising campaign. One week after 'Verde' was introduced as the team's potential main theme, the supporters group released a song to coincide with the team's inaugural season. "When we started talking about Verde as a thing we wanted to lean into, one week later [the supporters group] made a song and one of the lyrics was 'verde es un sentimiento,'" Ruth said. The line translates to 'green is a feeling.' "It really spoke to the goal of what we're trying to achieve here, which is build a meaning in the word. And obviously it's Spanish which speaks to a huge portion of the Austin audience, but it's a word we want to build equity over time."New fans can buy merchandise through the organization's proprietary distribution site, <a href="https://verdevan.com/collections/featured?sort_by=created-descending">VerdeVan.com</a>. Thee options include tee shirts with the phrases "somos Verdes," meaning "we are green," and "Austin FC listos," meaning "Austin FC is ready."English is still featured on the merchandise as well in some instances. The brand has one style of t-shirt with the phrase "grow the legend" and a number of shirts branded with St. David's Health Care - one of the team's sponsors. However, with Spanish taking the front seat for most of the team's merchandise, Austin FC is just the second team in any of the major American professional sports leagues to brand itself with Spanish as a primary language, next to the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. However, the Padres' Spanish branding is only in relation to the team's name, and English is still the prominent language on its <a href="https://www.mlbshop.com/san-diego-padres/t-36897759+z-9688863-3618395996?_s=google-ak1900mlb-padres-tn&amp;adposition=&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAyoeCBhCTARIsAOfpKxhJ5QwFoMgRrT5dr2vqi8we5PkcJpn0B-PgeZ1jaUNrS2qsiZcK9goaAmoCEALw_wcB&amp;ks_id=6220_kw591859&amp;matchtype=e&amp;pcrid=105364163784&amp;target=kwd-11381784812&amp;utm_campaign=MLB+-+TN+-+Super+Generics%7C340509144&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_source=g&amp;utm_term=san+diego+padres+mlb+shopg&amp;utm_term=san+diego+padres+mlb+shop">official team merchandise</a>.Teams in the NBA all have Spanish-branded merchandise for the league's annual <a href="https://store.nba.com/noches-enebea-gear/c-85860677+z-820127-2646733359">Latin Night</a>, when players don jerseys with "los" or el" preceding the team's names. But every other night of the year the teams revert to their standard English jerseys. Meanwhile, Austin FC is making a push to target the culture and language of Austin and surrounding communities. The designs could someday prove to be a pioneer for other professional and even college teams to prioritize multicultural language in their branding. "If Austin FC can ever be a point of inspiration, I think we we'd be honored by a thought or idea like that," Ruth said.

New American soccer club Austin FC takes multicultural approach by marketing the team predominantly in Spanish

<ul class="summary-list"><li>FC Cincinnati revealed Jaap Stam as its new head coach on Thursday, however did so with a photo of somebody else.</li><li>"Join us in welcoming the new head coach of #FCCincy, Jaap Stam," tweeted the club alongside a snap of Ajax youth coach Tinus van Teunenbroek, who is, like Stam, bald and Dutch.</li><li>Other <keyword id="104460" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="MLS">MLS</keyword> clubs then proceeded to mock Cincinnati, posting welcome messages alongside photos of various other bald men, including Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, and Mr. Clean.</li><li>Stam has been appointed manager of the club until December 2021.</li></ul>FC Cincinnati revealed Jaap Stam as its new head coach on Thursday, but got a bit mixed up and posted a picture of another bald Dutch football coach who looks like Stam.Instead of Stam, the MLS club tweeted a photo of Ajax youth coach Tinus van Teunenbroek. "Join us in welcoming the new head coach of #FCCincy, Jaap Stam," said the club in a since deleted tweet which featured a picture of Teunenbroek.Shortly after it realised its mistake, it tweeted again, this time with a photo of the right man: "Join us in welcoming our actual new head coach, Jaap Stam."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1263544625266135040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote>A number of other MLS clubs then proceeded to poke fun at Cincinnati, by posting photos of other bald men with welcome messages of their own."Congrats, Jaap!" tweeted Columbus Crew alongside a photo of actor Jason Statham.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1263547551644561411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote>FC Dallas posted a picture of mascot Mr. Clean, saying: "What up, Jaap!"<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—FC Dallas (@FCDallas) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1263559014698430476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote>The Colorado Rapids welcomed Stam <a href="https://twitter.com/ColoradoRapids/status/1263557890121424896">with a photo of USMNT coach Bob Bradley,</a> while the New York Red Bulls did so with <a href="https://twitter.com/NewYorkRedBulls/status/1263549575354298368">a photo of Kingsman and 1917 actor Mark Strong.</a>The Philadelphia Union shared a photo of musician Pitbull, the Houston Dynamo of former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos, and the San Jose Earthquakes of Bruce Willis. Other responses from fans included photos of WWE icon Stone Cold Steve Austin, Harry Potter character Lord Voldemort, and "Mini-Me" from Austin Powers. "I heard about the incident through a mother of a former pupil of mine," Teunenbroek told Fox News, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52767875">according to the BBC.</a> "Everyone now asks if I have made a transfer to America."I have once been mistaken for Jaap Stam in Ajax Showtime [an Ajax website] by Ajax itself. It happens to me more often, such as on vacation, that people shout: 'Hey, that's Jaap Stam!'''Stam, a former defender for Manchester United and Lazio, has been appointed manager of the club until December 2021.He replaces fellow Dutchman Ron Jans, who <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ron-jans-n-word-resignation-i-am-who-i-am-2020-2?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">resigned after being accused of using the N-word</a> while singing along to a song apparently in an attempt to connect with his black players.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/fc-seoul-accidentally-use-sex-dolls-to-replace-soccer-fans-2020-5">A South Korean soccer team issued a grovelling apology after accidentally using sex dolls to replace fans at its empty stadium</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/raheem-sterling-tells-megan-rapinoe-he-dreams-of-miami-move-2020-5">Raheem Sterling told Megan Rapinoe it's his 'dream' to play in the MLS, and that he'd consider David Beckham's Inter Miami</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/former-schalke-defender-kamba-found-alive-years-after-reported-death-2020-5">A soccer player in Germany who was reported dead 4 years ago has been found alive and working in the same city as his former club</a>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/cincinnati-announces-jaap-stam-manager-photo-of-different-man-2020-5">Insider</a>

MLS side FC Cincinnati got mercilessly trolled by the rest of the league after it announced its new manager with a picture of a different bald man

<ul class="summary-list"><li>If Messi leads Argentina to the World Cup it will be a long-awaited win for the soccer icon.</li><li>It could also be a win for yerba mate, an herbal drink beloved by "nearly everyone" on Argentina's team.</li></ul>Attack wins games, defense wins championships, and mate — an herbal drink beloved by the Argentina national soccer team — may well help win the World Cup.Argentina has been slaying at the marquee quadrennial soccer tournament, with Messi alone contributing five goals and three assists from six appearances to date in Qatar.Though it suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in its opening game last month, the team has since rebounded with wins over Mexico, Poland, Australia, Netherlands, and Croatia.On December 18, Argentina will compete against the winner of France and Morocco's semifinal for the right to hold the World Cup trophy aloft and reign as champions until 2026, at least.One of the secrets to its success could be how the team hydrates itself.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/sports/soccer/argentina-yerba-mate.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Times reports</a>, for instance, that Argentina's squad loves the drink, mate, so much it brought 1,100 pounds of it with them to the Middle East.Mate, popular throughout parts of South America, is a caffeine-rich beverage made from the dried leaves of yerba mate. It can be drunk hot or cold, as tea, or even as a soft drink.Brazil's team brought 26 pounds of the drink to Qatar, while Uruguay's team brought 530. Not to be outdone, though, Argentina traveled with more than double what Uruguay had.The New York Times said, "nearly everyone" in the Argentina team drinks it, including Messi. They drank it after games, and even on the team bus. It is a ritual.<h2>'It's like water for us'</h2><div type="image" title="Two Argentina players have a drink during a World Cup match." height="1333" width="2000" msid="96217785" hostid="261"></div>Argentina midfielder Alexis MacAllister, who is a part of the country's World Cup squad but is yet to feature in the tournament, told The Times: "I drink it more than anything to bring us together."The 26-year-old Argentina attacker Sebastian Driussi, who represented his country at youth level and currently plays club level soccer at Austin FC in the MLS, said nutritionists in his country claim it "hydrates you."Driussi told The Times: "It's like water for us. Before a game, in the locker room, everyone is drinking it all the time."Us in Argentina, we say that mate makes friendships."Should Messi lead Argentina to a tournament victory over the France or Morocco Sunday, it would be a long-awaited victory for a player who has won pretty much everything except the World Cup.The taste of ultimate victory would be sweet for Messi, even if it turns out to also be quite bitter. Correction: December 14, 2022 — An earlier version of this story included a photograph of Croatian players drinking at a World Cup match. It has been replaced by one showing Argentina players.

Argentina's World Cup team brought 1,100 pounds of an herbal drink loved by Messi to Qatar

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The NFL London Games are fun, but there is plenty of room for improvement. </li><li>According to fans, it's too expensive, there's not enough to do outside the grounds, and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is inaccessible. </li></ul>The NFL has now been coming to London for 15 years, first arriving at Wembley Stadium in 2007. This year's edition featured three games, two of which were marked big milestones for the now annual visit. The second game saw the Green Pay Backers make its first ever trip to London, meaning all 32 of the NFL's teams have now played in the English capital. And the final game saw a record 86,215 fans — the biggest ever for an NFL game in London — cram into Wembley to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Denver Broncos. On paper, such milestones suggest that not only are the NFL London Games a wildly successful annual event, but also that they are helping popularize the sport in the UK.However, in reality, there is still a long way to go.<h2>The Jags</h2>The Jacksonville Jaguars profess itself to be the most well-supported NFL team in England.Owned by Sha hid Khan – who also owns the English Premier League team Fulham FC – the Jags have played in London a record nine times and have a UK fan group called the "Union Jax," which boasts an impressive 80,000 members.The team has also made substantial efforts to bring American football to the UK at grassroots level, running initiatives all over the nation, such as "JagTag" – its own take on touch rugby.But on Sunday at Wembley, despite there being a record crowd in attendance, Jags fans were not the majority. Instead, there were just as many neutrals wearing the shirts of various other NFL teams.It resulted in a flat atmosphere, which admittedly wasn't helped by the low quality of play on the field.<div type="image" title="Fans in the stands during the NFL International match at Wembley Stadium, London." height="1333" width="2000" msid="95239356" hostid="261" sizebytes="166910"></div>Mike Flynn, a Jags fan at the game, said that unless London gets its own franchise, such atmospheres will continue to persist when the NFL visits the UK."There are lots of true fans in the UK, but they support 32 different teams, and there aren't enough of them, hardcore fans, to fill a stadium of the teams that are playing," he said."I think we have to accept that unless we get a European division then there will always be neutral fans in the stadium for any UK game."Nick Twine and Tom Austin, two other fans at the game, concurred."In my opinion, the only way to create a true fan base is to have a London franchise," said Twine. "Until you get a team, which the fans actually care if they win or lose, you will not get the passion."Said Austin: "Until there's one dominant franchise here, the international games will always attract a broad spectrum of fans."<h2>The London franchise </h2>So, how likely is it that London will one day have its own franchise? According to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, very."There's no question that London could support not just one franchise, I think two franchises," Goodell said, speaking ahead of the London Games last month, <a href="https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/id/34890520/the-key-questions-shaping-future-nfl-europe">according to ESPN.</a> "I really believe that. That's from a fan perspective, from a commercial standpoint and from a media standpoint. I think you [London] have all proven that." In 2015, however, the NFL said the same thing. In fact, it said it hoped London would have its own franchise by 2022."It's a realistic time frame," NFL Executive Vice President for International Mark Waller <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Fnews%2Flondon-team-by-2022-nfl-continues-to-forge-forward-in-u-k-0ap3000000547487">said at the time.</a> "But there are still things we need to test for, so we have to be able to build a lot of things into the next few years. We don't need to prove as much on the fan-demand side. We feel comfortable that, in a few years, we'll be where we need to be there."Of course, that hasn't materialized, nor have Waller's comments about fan-demand proven to be exactly true.None of this year's three London games sold out, <a href="https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcasting/bbc-beats-2021-peak-with-super-bowl-coverage/5167688.article">while according to Broadcast Now,</a> 1.3 million people tuned in to watch the BBC's coverage of Super Bowl LVI in February. That may sound like a lot, but by comparison, it's a relative drop in the bucket. The UEFA Euro 2020 Final between England and Italy, for example, had 29.85 million viewers, while well over 100 million watched parts of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.Participation numbers for American football in the UK are also on the decline. <a href="https://oursportinglife.co.uk/american-football-statistics-uk/">According to Our Sporting Life,</a> there are around 28,600 people who participate in American football in the UK. <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/490381/american-football-participation-uk/">Statista says</a> that figure was 45,000 in 2017."If the NFL wants to one day have its own franchise in the UK, it needs to start promoting American football better for young people," said Chris, a Jags and Manchester United fan."I don't know of any local clubs around me, nor of any schools that play the sport. Whether that's partly because the gear is too expensive, or it's too dangerous, I don't know, but generally, kids here just play football and rugby."<h2>A better London Games</h2>One of the ways upon which the NFL can improve its popularity in the UK — and hence its chance of ever having a London franchise — is to improve the quality of the product already on offer.At least, that's according to fans, many of whom told Insider that they were disappointed with their experiences at the London Games this year.Among the most common complaints were the inaccessibility of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which held the first two games; the cost of food, drinks, and merchandise; and the lack of activities outside the grounds."This is for Tottenham and Transport For London (TFL) really, but a massive investment in public transport is needed [at Tottenham]," said Twine. "Getting away from that ground with 60,000 others is hellish."Nick Williams, another fan, said: "I was under the impression that Olympic Way [the entrance to Wembley Stadium] would be rammed with merchandise and food stalls. Instead we got massive queues at the limited food stalls and a couple of dodgy stalls selling shockingly overpriced unofficial hats and scarves."<div type="image" title="Fans walk down Wembley way ahead of the NFL International match at Wembley Stadium." height="1333" width="2000" msid="95239357" hostid="261" sizebytes="358806"></div>Louise Stanley said the NFL should take a lead out of cricket's book, more specifically The Hundred – a professional UK cricket tournament that was founded in 2021."The Hundred have got it right," she said. "Activities, games, kids areas, giveaways, outside the stadium and plenty of food and drink options."Make it an event village around the stadium instead of just your standard match day hotdog and a pint. Official <a></a>tailgates would be ace."To go full circle: The NFL London Games will continue to be a flat experience for fans until London has its own franchise, but if the NFL wants that to happen, it will need to do more than throw annual games and cross its fingers.

The NFL continues to market London Games as a spectacle event for fans in the UK, but the novelty is beginning to wear off

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Gio Reyna missed most of last season with injury but is now back playing, just in time for the World Cup.</li><li>The USMNT star spoke to Insider about the tournament and his relationship with England's Jude Bellingham.</li></ul>When Gio Reyna was forced off with a hamstring injury less than two minutes into Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga match against Stuttgart last April, the young American sensation left the field in tears.Having already missed the majority of the 2021-22 season because a series of injuries, the 19-year-old midfielder knew his latest knock would mean another lengthy spell on the sidelines. Walking down the tunnel at Stuttgart's Mercedes-Benz Arena alone, head in his hands – the moment felt like the lowest of his fledgling career. "I got into a pretty dark space when the injury... happened," Reyna told Insider. "It was like my whole world flipped upside down in a matter of seconds."It's why Reyna would spend the next four months not only going through intensive physical rehab, but also working with a psychologist."While everyone was enjoying their summer vacations and finishing out the season strong, I was back home for five or six hours of rehab each day, just working on myself, kind of putting everything else aside," he said. "In the times where I couldn't work physically on my body because of the injury, I worked to get stronger mentally."<div type="image" title="Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna goes into the dressing room injured." height="1279" width="2000" msid="95513855" hostid="261" sizebytes="89256"></div>At the time, Reyna admits he was apprehensive about seeing a psychologist – fearful that he would be looked upon, even by himself, as if something was "wrong" with him.In hindsight, however, he sees it as a "blessing.""Through the last year I've grown so much more mature, just understanding the sort of core principles of life and learning not to take the little things for granted," he said."I've been at my lowest point," he added. "Working on that side of the game has helped me so much already, and it's only going to help me go further and further."<h2>Raised in the Ruhr</h2>Reyna began his career as a youngster with New York City FC, but was snapped up by Dortmund at age 16, following in the footsteps of his countryman Christian Pulisic, who himself joined the German side at 16 in 2015.Like Pulisic, it didn't take Reyna long to make an impact at the Westfalenstadion.In January 2020, at 17 years and 66 days old, he became the youngest American ever to play in the Bundesliga, a record previously held by Pulisic. Just weeks later, he scored his first professional goal in a 2-3 defeat to Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal, becoming the competition's youngest ever scorer in the process. By the end of his breakthrough season at Dortmund, he'd played 18 times in all competitions.The 2020-21 campaign saw the American youngster go from strength-to-strength. He became a Dortmund regular, playing 46 times in all competitions, scoring seven goals and producing eight assists, helping the BVB win the German Cup. Injuries last season put a halt to his progress, but Reyna, who is the youngest ever player to reach 50 appearances in the Bundesliga, is now back playing and ready to kick on from where he left off. "Dortmund has been great so far to start the season with the plan and being really cautious," he said. "For me, right now, it's just about being able to build up, obviously play well in the minutes I get now and make an impact."In a few weeks time is when I'll be ready to play every three or four days and ready to go. Then I'll be able to show what I can really do."<div type="image" title="ude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund and Gio Reyna of Borussia Dortmund celebrate after winning after the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 at Signal Iduna Park." height="1333" width="2000" msid="95513856" hostid="261" sizebytes="146334"></div>So far this term, Reyna, who recently became an ambassador for <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcellucor.com%2Fpages%2Fc4-energy&amp;amazonTrackingID=null&amp;site=in&amp;vikingID=6356780a5178b06b33509b73&amp;platform=browser&amp;sc=false&amp;disabled=false&amp;sessionID=1666705702149dg6wmt0c" rel="nofollow sponsored noindex">energy drink brand C4 Energy,</a> has made 16 appearances for Dortmund, 10 of which have come from the bench. In his six starts, he has scored twice and produced two assists.Both of his assists came in a 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League. The second was the killer final pass in a typically slick move from Edin Terzić's side, finished off by 19-year-old English midfielder Jude Bellingham.Reyna describes Bellingham, who has scored nine goals this season and is the most sought-after teenage talent in world soccer, as one of his "best friends" at Dortmund.He says, however, that will change if they face each other at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar next month.Reyna and Bellingham have been named in American and English squads, respectively, and the two nations will face off in Group B on November 25."We've already talked about it in the locker room here at Dortmund," said Reyna. "We're both pretty fiery personalities, both hot heads, so we've said that if we get into a fight in the game, it wouldn't be surprising at all."It's all love, and we have a great relationship on-and-off the field, but I'm sure he'd tell you the same thing, that when we play each other that day, there's definitely not going to be any love on that field until the final whistle blows."Reyna also admits he plans on passing inside information about Bellingham on to USMNT coach <a>Gregg Berhalter ahead of the match.</a>"I'll give all the input I can about him," he said. "You know, what I've learned about him, his strengths and weaknesses, which he doesn't have many of right now, to be honest."<h2>The American Dream</h2>This year's World Cup marks the USMNT's return to the world's biggest soccer tournament after it failed to qualify for Russia in 2018.The tournament also marks the 20th anniversary the USMNT's run to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals – its best finish at a World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1930.Current head coach <a>Berhalter was part of the side, </a><a href="https://www.insider.com/where-are-they-now-usmnt-2002-world-cup-squad-2022-10#midfielder-damarcus-beasley-14">which included star names such as Landon Donovan, Brad Friedel, and DaMarcus Beasley.</a><a></a>Claudio Reyna – Gio's father and the former Rangers, Sunderland, and Manchester City midfielder – was the team's captain."I'm pretty sure we've never really spoken about it," Gio said when asked if he'd discussed the USMNT's historic run in South Korea and Japan with his father, who is now the now the sporting director of MLS side Austin FC."He was always a father that never really liked to talk about himself and his own career," he said. "It was always me asking for advice about his career."Gio hopes he can go one better than his father and make it past the quarterfinals of a World Cup, if not in Qatar then at a later one, so he can have the "bragging rights" at the family dinner table."I just hope that I'm able to go further than him at one of the World Cups, I'm looking at definitely getting in at least three," he said with a smile on his face. "Hopefully I can make it to a semifinal or something like that or just have a better run than he had."<div type="image" title="Claudio Reyna of the USA and Luis Hernandez of Mexico in action during the World Cup round of Sixteen match between Mexico (0) and USA (2) at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium." height="1067" width="1423" msid="95513857" hostid="261" sizebytes="140032"></div>Reaching the quarterfinals or further in Qatar will be a big ask for the USMNT.Despite boasting a roster full of young and exciting talent, featuring many currently playing in European soccer's top leagues – including Reyna, Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, and Jesús Ferreira – the team struggled in qualifying, winning just seven of its 14 matches and <a>beating Costa Rica to the third and final </a><a>CONCACAF </a><a>automatic qualification spot on only goal differential.</a><a>Berhalter's side has also been drawn into a tough group in Qatar. Aside from</a> England, the US men will have to face high-flying Iran, which lost just three of its 18 qualifying matches, and Wales, which will be playing at its first World Cup since 1958.Reyna missed all but four qualifying matches with injury but is now fit and ready for the challenge that lies ahead. Ferreira, who finished in the Top 3 in MLS scoring for the 2022 season with 18 goals, told Insider that having the Dortmund forward available in Qatar is a huge boost to the team."Gio is an incredible player and an important part of the team," he said. "It's been tough having him out for so long, but it's been great seeing him get back to full fitness."He's been playing at the highest level in Europe starting at such a young age, so having him back is a massive boost to this team. He's a technically gifted player and he makes every player around him better, which to me is the highest praise I can give someone."Reyna himself believes the key to success for the USMNT in Qatar lies in it playing "without fear.""It's going to be interesting," he said. "Maybe we lack a little bit of experience, but we can't really go in there with any fear."We just have to play our game and believe in each other and as a team. I think that that kind of recipe, with teamwork and no fear, can see us overcome any experience that we do lack."This is what I've dreamed of my whole life, representing my country and representing my family," he added. "It's going to be huge. I'm so excited for myself and for the country to be back in this tournament and for the whole team to be able to go through this experience together."

Gio Reyna, USMNT's spy in Germany, is hoping to take the World Cup by storm and one-up his father, US soccer icon Claudio Reyna

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="104460" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="MLS">MLS</keyword> team Vancouver Whitecaps says three of its academy players were assaulted in a racially motivated attack.</li><li>One player was taken to hospital and will need surgery, while one suspect was arrested at the scene.</li><li>"Such disgusting behaviour has absolutely no place in our community," said the team. </li></ul>Major League <keyword id="3071" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Soccer">Soccer</keyword> team Vancouver Whitecaps says three of its academy players were assaulted at an outdoor gathering on Saturday in what it says was a racially motivated attack.The Whitecaps said that one of the unnamed players was taken to hospital and will need surgery, while one suspect was arrested at the scene."Enough is enough," <a href="https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/whitecaps-fc-statement-08-15-21">the team said in a statement.</a> "We are heartbroken and sickened by the allegations and strongly condemn all forms of discrimination, racism, and hate."Such disgusting behaviour has absolutely no place in our community."We will do everything to support our players affected and urge the toughest punishment possible for those responsible."No more details of the incident are available at present.The Whitecaps run an academy program for male players between the ages of 14 and 23, who train at a facility at the University of British Columbia.The first team is currently second bottom of the MLS' Eastern Conference having won just three of its 18 matches this season.Marc Dos Santos' side next faces Austin FC, which is bottom of the Eastern Conference, on Thursday.

MLS team Vancouver Whitecaps says 3 players were assaulted in a racially motivated attack, with one person ending up in the hospital

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="243090" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Carli-Lloyd">Carli Lloyd</keyword> is vying for a spot on the <keyword id="9096091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="uswnt">USWNT</keyword>'s ultra-competitive Olympic roster at 38 years old.</li><li>She helped make her case Sunday by finding the back of the net 23 seconds after kickoff vs Jamaica.</li><li>With the goal, Lloyd surpassed Kristine Lilly as the oldest player in USWNT history to score.</li></ul>Carli Lloyd is still a mainstay for the US Women's National Team nearly 16 years after her debut.And <a href="https://www.insider.com/carli-lloyd-cbd-extends-uswnt-nwsl-soccer-career-2021-5">despite turning 39 next month</a>, the superstar striker is in serious contention for a spot on the ultra-competitive 18-person USWNT roster selected to compete at this summer's Tokyo <keyword id="6360967" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="olympics">Olympics</keyword>.<div type="image" title="Carli Lloyd " height="1334" width="1779" msid="83524026" hostid="261"></div>Her performance in the USWNT's matchup against Jamaica Sunday night only helped bolster her case. After all, it only took Lloyd 23 seconds to find the back of the net.Rose Lavelle delivered a pin-point accurate cross into the box for Lloyd, who settled the ball with her thigh before launching a low strike past the goalkeeper to score the second-quickest goal in USWNT history.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-U.S. <keyword id="3071" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Soccer">Soccer</keyword> WNT (@USWNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1404264830597533698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2021</a></blockquote>The three-time Olympian and four-time World Cup participant hit another considerable milestone with the lightning-fast strike. At 38 years and 332 days old, Lloyd surpassed USWNT great Kristine Lilly as the oldest player to score a goal in team history.She celebrated the feat by poking fun at Lilly, quoting the team's official tweet with "Sorry <a href="https://twitter.com/KristineLilly">@KristineLilly</a>! ."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1404310038542524418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2021</a></blockquote>Lloyd is just six goals away from overtaking Lilly on the USWNT's all-time scorer's list. But if she continues to impact the team's offense the way she has so far this year - scoring two goals and adding four assists in nine appearances for the USWNT - she'll have a good shot at making the upcoming Olympic roster and working her way further up the list.Lloyd has the fourth-most goals in team history - behind Lilly, Mia Hamm, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/carli-lloyd-300th-uswnt-cap-rare-abby-wambach-not-surprised-2021-4">Abby Wambach</a> - with 125 international goals. She'll have her next chance to chip away at that deficit on Wednesday, as the USWNT takes on Nigeria at the brand-new Austin FC Stadium at 9 p.m. ET.

Carli Lloyd only needed 23 seconds to score for the US National Team and bolster her case for a spot at the Olympics

<ul class="summary-list"><li>After a short offseason, the <keyword id="6361805" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="NBA">NBA</keyword> is back, with training camps underway and preseason tipping off on Friday.</li><li>A flurry of activity has shaken up the standings.</li><li>The Lakers still top our power rankings as we head into the season.</li></ul>The longest season in NBA history led to the shortest offseason in history.The NBA is back, just two months removed from the bubble. The compressed offseason led to a flurry of activity, with the draft and free agency being held over about one week.The pecking order hasn't drastically changed, though some big names moved, and there are some teams on the rise and some on moving in the other direction.With training camps underway and preseason tipping off on Friday, here's a look at our <keyword id="10412181" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="nba-power-rankings">NBA power rankings</keyword>.* = lottery-pick rookie<h2>30. Detroit Pistons</h2>2019-20 record: 20-46, 13th in EastBiggest additions: Jerami Grant (F), Delon Wright (G), Mason Plumlee (C), Killian Hayes (G*)Biggest losses: Luke Kennard (G/F), Christian Wood (C)2020-21 outlook: The Pistons were active this offseason in re-shaping their roster, but it looks like just the beginning of a rebuild for a team with many questions at a lot of positions.<h2>29. Cleveland Cavaliers</h2>2019-20 record: 19-46, 15th in EastBiggest additions: Damyean Dotson (G/F), JaVale McGee (C), Isaac Okoro (G/F*)Biggest losses: Tristan Thompson (F/C)2020-21 outlook: The Cavs are in the midst of turning things over to the young core of Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Kevin Porter Jr., and Isaac Okoro. Will a Kevin Love trade finally happen this season?<h2>28. New York Knicks</h2>2019-20 record: 21-45, 12th in EastBiggest additions: Austin Rivers (G), Nerlens Noel (C), Alec Burks (G/F), Obi Toppin (F*), Tom Thibodeau (coach)Biggest losses: Bobby Portis (F/C), Taj Gibson (C), Damyean Dotson (G/F)2020-21 outlook: The Knicks were patient and conservative this offseason, adding only cheap veterans to their young core. It's wise to continue a slow rebuild, but don't expect many more wins at MSG this season.<h2>27. Oklahoma City Thunder</h2>2019-20 record: 44-28, 5th in WestBiggest additions: Al Horford (F/C), George Hill (G), Trevor Ariza (F)Biggest losses: Chris Paul (G), Steven Adams (C), Dennis Schröder (G)2020-21 outlook: After wheeling-and-dealing through the offseason, the Thunder ultimately stripped away last year's surprising playoff roster for veterans and even more draft picks. OKC likely won't be an easy out, but it's hard to see them winning so many games again.<h2>26. Sacramento Kings</h2>2019-20 record: 31-41, 11th in WestBiggest additions: Hassan Whiteside (C), Frank Kaminsky (F/C), Tyrese Haliburton (G*)Biggest losses: Bogdan Bogdanovic (G/F)2020-21 outlook: The 2019-20 season was a letdown after the Kings narrowly missed the playoffs the year before. Sacramento wants to get back in the mix, and they'll need big seasons from De'Aaron Fox (who just signed a $163 million extension) and Marvin Bagley. <h2>25. Chicago Bulls</h2>2019-20 record: 22-43, 11th in EastBiggest additions: Patrick Williams (F*), Billy Donovan (coach)Biggest losses: Kris Dunn (G), Jim Boylen (coach)2020-21 outlook: The Bulls should improve with their coaching change. Though they have some nice talent at the top of their roster, their team's depth and core pieces are still in flux.<h2>24. Charlotte Hornets</h2>2019-20 record: 23-42, 9th in EastBiggest additions: Gordon Hayward (G/F), LaMelo Ball (G*)Biggest losses: Nic Batum (G/F)<div type="image" title="gordon hayward" height="968" width="1290" msid="79667317" hostid="261"></div>2020-21 outlook: Drafting LaMelo Ball and signing Gordon Hayward to a $120 million deal gave the Hornets one of the more notable offseasons in the league. But Ball is a rookie PG joining a young, growing core, and Hayward isn't enough to lift the Hornets to another tier by himself.<h2>23. San Antonio Spurs</h2>2019-20 record: 32-39, 10th in WestBiggest additions: Devin Vassell (G/F*)Biggest losses: Bryn Forbes (G)2020-21 outlook: The Spurs are going through a slow rebuild, though they nearly made the playoffs last year, so it's not as if they're tanking. Development from young guards like Lonnie Walker or Dejounte Murray could push the Spurs up the standings.<h2>22. Orlando Magic</h2>2019-20 record: 33-40, 8th in EastBiggest additions: noneBiggest losses: D.J. Augustin (G)2020-21 outlook The Magic have made the playoffs the last two years, but Augustin is quietly a big departure, versatile forward Jonathan Isaac will miss the season with a torn ACL, and the East has gotten better.<h2>21. Washington Wizards</h2><div type="image" title="Houston Rockets Russell Westbrook Rokit phones" height="1182" width="1576" msid="79667322" hostid="261"></div>2019-20 record: 25-47, 10th in EastBiggest additions: Russell Westbrook (G), Robin Lopez (C), Deni Avdija (F*)Biggest losses: John Wall (G)2020-21 outlook: The Wizards swapped Westbrook and Wall, giving Bradley Beal another back-court scoring partner (one not coming off a major injury). The Wizards should benefit from an infusion of talent, especially on the wing, with second-year forward Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija, perhaps the steal of the draft.<h2>20. Memphis Grizzlies</h2>2019-20 record: 34-39, 9th in WestBiggest additions: Mario Hezonja (F)Biggest losses: Josh Jackson (G/F)2020-21 outlook: The surprise team of the 2019-20 season, the Grizzlies were on track to make the playoffs, though they benefited from an easy schedule before the league shut down. Perhaps we shouldn't write off Memphis again, but a step back from a young roster wouldn't be surprising, especially with Jaren Jackson Jr. recovering from a torn meniscus.<h2>19. Minnesota Timberwolves</h2>2019-20 record: 19-45, 14th in WestBiggest additions: Ricky Rubio (G), Ed Davis (F/C), Anthony Edwards (G/F*)Biggest losses: none2020-21 outlook: It's unclear how the trio of Rubio, No. 1 pick Edwards, and D'Angelo Russell will fit together, but the Wolves have gone all-in on chasing a playoff spot around Karl-Anthony Towns. This could be a fun, dynamic offensive team, but they may also be awful defensively and a bit choppy on offense with so many mouths to feed.<h2>18. Golden State Warriors</h2>2019-20 record: 15-50, 15th in WestBiggest additions: Kelly Oubre Jr. (G/F), Kent Bazemore (G/F), James Wiseman (C*)Biggest losses: none2020-21 outlook: Klay Thompson's torn Achilles is a devastating blow for a franchise looking to compete for a top-four seed once again. Stephen Curry is back and ready to re-reestablish himself as an elite player, but who else on this roster can be relied upon, from night to night?<h2>17. New Orleans Pelicans</h2><div type="image" title="Zion Williamson" height="1750" width="2334" msid="79667327" hostid="261"></div>2019-20 record: 30-42, 13th in WestBiggest additions: Steven Adams (C), Eric Bledsoe (G), Kira Lewis (G*)Biggest losses: Jrue Holiday (G), Derrick Favors (C), E'Twaun Moore (G)2020-21 outlook: The Pelicans were a winning team, by a healthy margin, in the 668 pre-bubble minutes Zion Williamson played last year. That's what they'll be counting on entering this season, as they surround the young core of Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball with capable veterans.<h2>16. Houston Rockets</h2>2019-20 record: 44-28, 4th in WestBiggest additions: John Wall (G), Christian Wood (C), Stephen Silas (coach)Biggest losses: Russell Westbrook (G), Robert Covington Jr. (F), Austin Rivers (G), Jeff Green (F), Mike D'Antoni (coach)2020-21 outlook: James Harden is a walking playoff appearance, and enough pieces are remaining in Houston to build a solid postseason contender. But will Harden's trade request erode team chemistry? Will the Rockets succumb and deal him to another team?<h2>15. Indiana Pacers</h2>2019-20 record: 45-28, 4th in EastBiggest additions: Nate Bjorkgren (coach)Biggest losses: Nate McMillan (coach)2020-21 outlook: The Pacers seem to be in flux. They've been a solid playoff team, albeit with a limited ceiling, but the futures of Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner seem to be in question.<h2>14. Atlanta Hawks</h2><div type="image" title="trae young" height="999" width="1332" msid="79667331" hostid="261"></div>2019-20 record: 20-47, 14th in EastBiggest additions: Bogdan Bogdanovic (G/F), Danilo Gallinari (F), Rajon Rondo (G), Kris Dunn (G), Onyeka Okungwu (C*)Biggest losses: Jeff Teague (G)2020-21 outlook: The Hawks were the big spenders of the offseason. Some of the moves were questionable fits with their existing roster, but they are undoubtedly improved, and their offense should carry them to a playoff seed.<h2>13. Toronto Raptors</h2>2019-20 record: 53-19, 2nd in EastBiggest additions: Aron Baynes (C), Alex Len (C)Biggest losses: Marc Gasol (C), Serge Ibaka (F/C)2020-21 outlook: The Raptors retained Fred VanVleet to keep together the successful, talented core that includes Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby. The bad <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news">news</keyword> is they lost Ibaka and Gasol, two fulcrums on both ends, in free agency, hurting the Raptors' seamless chemistry. Toronto is in the midst of a tricky re-tooling.<h2>12. Phoenix Suns</h2>2019-20 record:34-39, 10th in WestBiggest additions: Chris Paul (G), Jae Crowder (F), Jalen Smith (F*)Biggest losses: Ricky Rubio (G), Kelly Oubre (G/F), Frank Kaminsky (F)2020-21 outlook: After going 8-0 in the bubble and narrowly missing the playoffs, the Suns swung a trade for Chris Paul to boost their back-court. With Devin Booker entering his prime as an elite offensive player and development from two-way stud Mikal Bridges and center Deandre Ayton, the Suns should reach the playoffs.<h2>11. Dallas Mavericks</h2>2019-20 record: 43-32, 7th in WestBiggest additions: Josh Richardson (G/F), James Johnson (F)Biggest losses: Seth Curry (G)2020-21 outlook: Richardson is an excellent two-way addition to a team historically good on offense and poor on offense last season. Now the Mavs need their front-court of Kristaps Porzingis and Dwight Powell to get and stay healthy. In the meantime, Doncic is an early MVP favorite.<div type="image" title="luka doncic.JPG" height="660" width="1321" msid="79667338" hostid="261"></div><h2>10. Philadelphia 76ers</h2>2019-20 record: 43-40, 6th in EastBiggest additions: Danny Green (G/F), Seth Curry (G), Dwight Howard (C), Doc Rivers (coach)Biggest losses: Josh Richardson (G/F), Al Horford (F/C), Alec Burks (G/F)2020-21 outlook: New GM Daryl Morey immediately changed the Sixers' awkward construction and shipped out size for shooting. This roster makes more sense, and while Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid may continue to be an awkward fit, the pieces around them may make it a little less burdensome on offense.<h2>9. Utah Jazz</h2>2019-20 record: 44-28, 6th in WestBiggest additions: Derrick Favors (F/C)Biggest losses: Ed Davis (F/C)2020-21 outlook: The Jazz were one <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-jamal-murray-consoles-donovan-mitchell-nuggets-jazz-game-7-2020-9">in-and-out, last-second three-pointer in a Game 7</a> from advancing past the first round of the playoffs. They'll welcome back second-leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic (who missed the bubble), and with a leap from Donovan Mitchell, they'll be right back in the playoff mix this year.<h2>8. Boston Celtics</h2>2019-20 record: 48-24, 3rd in WestBiggest additions: Tristan Thompson (F/C), Jeff Teague (G), Aaron Nesmith (G*)Biggest losses: Gordon Hayward (G/F), Enes Kanter (C), Brad Wanamaker (G)2020-21 outlook: The Celtics will miss Hayward, but his absence will open up more opportunities for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Thompson adds some size and defense to one of the league's smallest teams. The big question is if Kemba Walker's knee will be healthy enough to be the second or third scorer the Celtics need to contend.<h2>7. Portland Trail Blazers</h2><div type="image" title="damian lillard .JPG" height="870" width="1160" msid="79667344" hostid="261"></div>2019-20 record: 35-39, 9th in WestBiggest additions: Robert Covington Jr. (F), Derrick Jones Jr. (F), Harry Giles (F/C), Enes Kanter (C)Biggest losses: Trevor Ariza (F)2020-21 outlook: Arguably, no team had a better, cleaner offseason than the Blazers, who strengthened their wing and bigs rotations around Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum at a minimal cost. They made the Western Conference Finals in 2019; can they re-emerge as pseudo-contenders again?<h2>6. Brooklyn Nets</h2>2019-20 record: 35-37, 7th in EastBiggest additions: Landry Shamet (G), Jeff Green (F/C), Steve Nash (coach)Biggest losses: Garrett Temple (G), Wilson Chandler (F)2020-21 outlook: On paper, the Nets might boast the best roster in the league. Of course, they're relying on one star (Kevin Durant) coming back from an Achilles tear and another (Kyrie Irving) with a checkered injury history. We'll need to see they're healthy, but if they are, look out. Under first-time head coach Steve Nash, the Nets will be must-watch TV.<h2>5. Denver Nuggets</h2>2019-20 record: 46-27, 3rd in WestBiggest additions: JaMychal Green (F/C)Biggest losses: Jerami Grant (F), Mason Plumlee (C)2020-21 outlook: Denver's chemistry and grit wowed the NBA world as they fought to the Western Conference Finals last year. If Jamal Murray's star turn in the bubble and Michael Porter Jr.'s rapid development are real, Denver will be a contender this year.<h2>4. Miami Heat</h2><div type="image" title="jimmy butler" height="843" width="1125" msid="79667350" hostid="261"></div>2019-20 record: 44-29, 5th in EastBiggest additions: Avery Bradley (G), Maurice Harkless (F)Biggest losses: Jae Crowder (F), Derrick Jones Jr. (F)2020-21 outlook: Miami's impressive Finals run overshadowed a solid but unspectacular regular season. Not much has changed on the roster, though Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro could make leaps this season. The Heat deserve respect as conference champions but don't expect them to run over the East as they did in the bubble.<h2>3. LA Clippers</h2>2019-20 record: 49-23, 2nd in WestBiggest additions: Serge Ibaka (F/C), Luke Kennard (F)Biggest losses: Montrezl Harrell (F/C), JaMychal Green (F/C), Landry Shamet (G), Doc Rivers (coach)2020-21 outlook: The Clippers' meltdown in the second round of the playoffs and reported <a href="https://www.insider.com/kawhi-leonard-paul-george-star-treatment-bothered-clippers-teammates-2020-12">chemistry issues</a> have overshadowed what looked like the scariest team in the league for much of the regular season. They still have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and a deep, talented roster. If the locker-room issues sort themselves out, they can easily contend for a championship.<h2>2. <keyword id="578134" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Milwaukee-Bucks">Milwaukee Bucks</keyword></h2>2019-20 record: 56-17, 1st in EastBiggest additions: Jrue Holiday (G), Bobby Portis (F/C), D.J. Augustin (G)Biggest losses: Eric Bledsoe (G), George Hill (G), Welsey Matthews (F), Robin Lopez (C)2020-21 outlook: Sure, the Bucks flamed out of the second round of the playoffs, botched a trade for Bogdan Bogdanovic, and still don't have Giannis Antetokounmpo's signature on the supermax contract extension. But they still have the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, a talented roster that upgraded by acquiring Holiday, and a proven effective system in the regular season. But this season is all about what happens in the playoffs.<div type="image" title="anthony davis lebron james" height="739" width="1479" msid="79667352" hostid="261"></div><h2>1. <keyword id="100883" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Los-Angeles-Lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</keyword></h2>2019-20 record: 52-19, 1st in WestBiggest additions: Montrezl Harrel (F/C), Marc Gasol (C), Dennis Schroeder (G), Wesley Matthews (F)Biggest losses: Danny Green (G/F), Dwight Howard (C), Avery Bradley (G), JaVale McGee (C)2020-21 outlook: The Lakers were the best team from start to finish last season, and they look poised to repeat this year. They upgraded the talent on their roster and got younger, crucial with a shortened offseason. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are locked in for the long-term, too. No other team has the same balance of talent and chemistry as the Lakers.

NBA POWER RANKINGS: Where every team stands heading into the season

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="1742754" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Stephen-Strasburg">Stephen Strasburg</keyword> was ejected from Thursday's game between the <keyword id="280864" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Washington-Nationals">Washington Nationals</keyword> and the New York Mets.</li><li>Strasburg wasn't playing in the game.</li><li>The pitcher was watching from the stands but was forced to leave after criticizing an umpire a little too loudly.</li></ul>Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg was ejected on Thursday from a game he wasn't even playing in.Strasburg took in Thursday's afternoon game against the Mets as a fan, sitting in the empty stands of CitiField. He is scheduled to pitch Friday against the Orioles,In the bottom of the third inning, the Nationals were in a bit of trouble. With Mets slugger Pete Alonso at the plate with the bases loaded in a tie game, Nationals pitcher Austin Voth threw a fastball low on a 2-2 count that barely scraped the bottom of the strike zone. It was as close a call as there is in baseball, and home plate umpire Carlos Torres called the pitch a ball, leaving Alonso with a full count.The Nationals were clearly upset with the call. After some initial chirping from the dugout, Torres turned his attention to the crowd, pointed to Strasburg, and ejected him from the game for some unseemly criticisms.Strasburg tipped his cap to Torres on his way out, seemingly pleased with himself.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—ᑎIᑕK ᗩᔕᕼOOᕼ (@NickAshooh) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1293980072597237762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a></blockquote>With no fans in the stands in the age of social distancing, it's up to the players to let umpires know when they're messing up. Strasburg was clearly happy to do his part.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li></ul><a href="https://www.insider.com/fc-dallas-defender-calls-out-fans-who-booed-kneeling-players-2020-8">FC Dallas fans booed players who knelt for the national anthem in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and the team's defender called them 'absolutely disgusting'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/tony-hawk-pro-skater-mute-grab-renamed-chris-weddle-2020-8">Tony Hawk is renaming a trick in his video game called the 'mute grab' as a better and more accurate way to honor the deaf skater who invented the move</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/carmelo-anthony-clutch-shots-blazers-nba-bubble-2020-8">Carmelo Anthony is having an unlikely revival in the bubble and hitting big shots when the Blazers need them most</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/nba-lays-out-plan-for-player-guests-to-enter-disney-bubble-2020-8">The NBA will soon allow players to bring guests into the bubble, but there are strict rules on who can be invited and how many can attend games</a>

Stephen Strasburg was ejected for heckling while sitting in the stands of an empty stadium as the weirdest MLB season continues

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5d530c7fcd97841dee3636d2-2400/3991241379468f3c52909o.jpg" border="0" alt="Handwalla Bwana Seattle Sounders MLS" data-mce-source="Mike Fietchner/Sounders FC Communications" data-link="https://www.flickr.com/photos/130279046@N04/39912413794/in/album-72157692377691531/" /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/130279046@N04/39912413794/in/album-72157692377691531/">Mike Fietchner/Sounders FC Communications</a></div></div></div><ul><li>A group of Seattleites from the music, sports, and tech scenes will buy a stake in the city's MLS team, the Seattle Sounders, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-13/russell-wilson-macklemore-microsoft-ceo-buying-sounders-stake">Bloomberg</a> reported.</li><li>The purchasing group includes Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, rapper Macklemore, singer Ciara, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.</li><li>Former Microsoft executive Terry Myerson organized the local group after hearing a group of California-based investors were looking to purchase the stake from Hollywood producer and former majority owner Joe Roth.</li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Visit the Markets Insider homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><hr />A collection of executives, celebrities, and investors with connections to Seattle will buy a stake in the city's Major League Soccer team, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-13/russell-wilson-macklemore-microsoft-ceo-buying-sounders-stake">Bloomberg</a> reported Tuesday.The group - including rapper Macklemore, Ciara, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, and <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/msft-stock?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Microsoft</a> CEO Satya Nadella - are buying the stake owned by former majority owner Joe Roth, who once served as chairman for 20th Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios.Here are some other members of the group purchasing the Seattle Sounders:<ul><li>Microsoft CFO Amy Hood</li><li>Softbank Investment Advisors Partner Mark Agne</li><li>Former Fox Sports executive David Nathanson</li><li>Former Pandora CEO Brian McAndrews</li></ul><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BI-Young-Investor-Panel">Markets Insider is looking for a panel of millennial investors. If you're active in the markets, CLICK HERE to sign up.</a>The purchase comes after investors in California showed interest in the team, according to Bloomberg. Former Microsoft Windows chief Terry Myerson organized the local purchasing group during his last days at Microsoft, Bloomberg reported. Myerson said it was important of keeping the team in Seattleites' hands."My family loves the Sounders and couldn't imagine them being owned outside Seattle," Myerson told Bloomberg.Roth was the Sounders' majority owner from 2007 to 2015, and held a stake after selling some of his ownership in the team. The sale's terms closed July 31 and weren't disclosed to the public.The purchase places the celebrities and executives among current owners Adrian Hanauer, Vulcan Sports &amp; Entertainment, and game-show host Drew Carey.The Sounders are the second-place team in MLS's Western Conference and play at CenturyLink Field, where the Seahawks also compete. Seattle's MLS team is also the second in attendance for the year, with an average of 39,598 attendees per game, according to Bloomberg.MLS has 24 participating teams spread across the US and Canada, with plans to add teams in Nashville, Austin, and Miami.Now read more markets coverage from Markets Insider and Business Insider:<a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/greek-stock-market-on-pace-for-best-year-in-decades-2019-8-1028443106">The Greek stock market is surprisingly poised for its best performance in 20 years</a><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/retail-stocks-biggest-gainers-after-news-of-delayed-china-tariffs-2019-8-1028443061">These 7 retail stocks surged more than 5% after the Trump administration delayed China tariffs</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/balyasny-cut-a-10-person-team-many-who-joined-less-than-two-years-ago-2019-8">Balyasny just cut 10 people running a $2 billion book. The hedge fund axed the one-year-old team because of poor performance, sources say</a> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-hq2-canceled-plans-new-york-city-headquarters-2019-2">Amazon is reportedly seeking a new space in New York City. Here's why the giant canceled its HQ2 plans 5 months ago.</a></h3> <div> <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/atg49V9a-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script> </div> </div>

A group including Macklemore, Ciara, and Microsoft's CEO will buy a stake in Seattle's pro soccer team

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5ce414a2021b4c44427b5ab5-2400/e6b4018eaebb49bf8ddc63aee0074182.jpg" border="0" alt="FILE - In this June 12, 2013 file photo second-grade teacher Vickie Boudouris goes over a an English work sheet with her students at the Cordova Villa Elementary School, in Rancho Cordova, Calif. The California State Board of Education is set to vote, Wednesday, May 8, 2019, on new guidance for teaching sex education in public schools. The guidance is not mandatory but it gives teachers ideas about teaching a wide range of health topics. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)" data-mce-source="Associated Press" data-mce-caption="FILE - In this June 12, 2013 file photo second-grade teacher Vickie Boudouris goes over a an English work sheet with her students at the Cordova Villa Elementary School, in Rancho Cordova, Calif. The California State Board of Education is set to vote, Wednesday, May 8, 2019, on new guidance for teaching sex education in public schools. The guidance is not mandatory but it gives teachers ideas about teaching a wide range of health topics. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)" />Associated PressISFJs could make great teachers.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>The Myers-Briggs test isn't perfect, but your personality type could help guide you to a great career. </li><li>If you're an ESFP, you may make a good bartender. </li><li>ISFJs may make great kindergarten teachers. </li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></li></ul>When thinking about your career, it's important to take your personality into consideration. Do you like working with a team, or flying solo? Are you charismatic or a little more reserved? There are 16 personality types according to the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/best-jobs-for-every-personality-2014-9?r=US&amp;IR=T">Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, one of the most popular personality tests</a>. It sorts people based on eight characteristics: extraversion (E) or introversion (I), sensing (S) or intuitive (N), feeling (F) or thinking (T), judging (J) or perceiving (P). We used two different infographics, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-jobs-for-every-personality-2014-9">our own</a> and another from <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">Career Assessment Site</a>, as well as spoke with a career coach, <a href="https://www.relaunchme.com.au/about-us">Leah Lambert of Relaunch Me</a>, to learn more about finding the right job for your personality. Even though the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test is controversial, it's still extremely popular in today's business world. The jobs listed also aren't meant to be definitive, but rather serve as a helpful way to see how certain occupations attract a particular kind of person and vice versa.<h2>INTJs might be best suited as microbiologists</h2>Personality traits of INTJ types include being imaginative and strategic. INTJs may have studied biochemistry, law, or architecture in school. <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">Microbiology</a> is a perfect fit for this personality type because it involves working on your own. "An introvert tends to get their energy from themselves and can find dealing with people all day to be terribly draining," Lambert explained to INSIDER. "Therefore, although they may have learned to do this quite successfully, at the end of the day they might be drained of energy." <h2>An ENTJ might make a good lawyer</h2>ENTJ personality types are bold and are energized by spending time with others. They are leaders and have big imaginations. A <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-jobs-for-every-personality-2014-9">lawyer is a good fit for this personality type</a> because it involves solving problems and being a leader. These people might also be driven by statistics, logic, and reason.<h2>ENTPs could be detail-oriented reporters</h2>This personality type is characteristic of being clever, curious, and intellectual. They balance the scale of being thinkers, but also extroverts. A <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">reporter makes a perfect fit for ENTP because it involves being detail oriented and full of ideas</a>. A person who identifies with this personality type might have studied arts and entertainment or information technology in school. ENTPs are motivated to finding new solutions.<h2>An ESFP might make a good bartender or a charismatic entertainer</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5cd1894b021b4c5d0e333e52-2400/gettyimages-1055172182.jpg" border="0" alt="female bartender" data-mce-source="Getty Images" />Getty ImagesESFPs are great with people.</div></div></div>ESFP personality types are all about being entertainers or the center of attention. They might make a good <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">bartender</a> or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-jobs-for-every-personality-2014-9">actor</a> because they are spontaneous, energetic, and enthusiastic. An ESFP personality type might be restless in an isolating environment, such as sitting in a cubicle. "Extroverts may struggle in an environment that is very quiet or doesn't have enough people interaction," Lambert told INSIDER. "They may start their own business from home in order to meet family needs, but then find that working from home is very de-motivating."<h2>INFJs might be best suited for being veterinarians</h2><a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">The MBTI test</a> identifies these personality types as quiet, mystical, and inspiring. INFJs are idealists. A veterinarian is a good fit for this personality type <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">because it means they can work independently and in an organized environment.</a><h2>An INTP might make a great college professor</h2>People who resonate with INTP are innovative, curious, and philosophical innovators and are often compared to people like Albert Einstein. A college professor is a good fit for this personality type, as both posts agreed, because it involves a non-traditional setting with room for working on creative ideas. INTPs might have studied chemistry, economics, or physics in school.<h2>ESTPs could be in the ranks as military officers</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55a189a86bb3f72873b03674-1024/military2.jpg" border="0" alt="military" data-mce-source="Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/USMC" />Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/USMCESTPs are great leaders.</div></div></div>Personality traits of an <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">ESTP personality type are that of a thrill-seeker</a> - perceptive and risky. They're smart, energetic, and make great leaders. ESTPs make good military officers because it involves being hands-on and working with others to solve problems. <h2>INFPs might be fine artists</h2>This personality type makes decisions based on feelings and values. They're helpers. INFPs have sympathetic and kind qualities. An <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">artist makes a perfect fit for this personality type</a> because it allows them to express their individuality to others. Lambert explained that people who have "helper" qualities tend to be very relationship-focused. "They [INFP] thrive when working in a supportive, harmonious environment where people are friendly and helpful," Lambert told INSIDER. "They also get much of their satisfaction from helping people or giving back to society in a positive way." When thinking of a future career, it's important to consider personality and aptitude. Leah explains that a helper who chooses a career based on aptitude might find themselves in a competitive environment where the focus might be meeting goals rather than actually helping.<h2>An ISFP could be a small business owner</h2>Personality traits of ISFP are like that of a chameleon. They're flexible, charming, and ready to discover new things. This person is willing and able to complete tasks across many different functions, <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">just like a small business owner</a>."There are certain jobs that require some flexibility in terms of certain personality traits," said Lambert. "An example of this might be a sole business owner who needs to be able to perform many functions across their business, requiring a whole range of skills and strengths.""A small business owner may be an introvert who loves working from home, beavering away at the kitchen table without any interruptions," Lambert continued. "But on the other hand, they need to develop more extrovert qualities in order to market their business to bring in additional revenue."<h2>An ENFJ might make a good PR specialist</h2>ENFJ personality types are inspiring and charismatic. They're focused on ideas and big concepts. People who resonate with this personality type might make a good <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-jobs-for-every-personality-2014-9">PR specialist because they dream big and think even bigger</a>. <h2>ISTPs could be police officers</h2>This personality type is bold, practical, and handy. ISTPs are reserved but not withdrawn as they are responsive and look for practical solutions. A police officer <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">makes a good fit for this personality type because it involves jumping into certain situations without much planning.</a> "It is important to consider what types of work tasks utilize your natural strengths, the type of work environment that motivates you most, and the type of organization that you wish to work for," Lambert explained to INSIDER. <h2>An ESTJ is more suited to be a chef</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b4793adfc5b2227008b4846-803/shutterstock208840984.jpg" border="0" alt="chef kitchen food meal" data-mce-source="Pressmaster/Flickr" />Pressmaster/FlickrESTJs take the lead to keep things in order.</div></div></div>ESTJ personality types are organized and particular. ESTJs act as managers and are generally traditionalists in their values. They like to take the lead and have an orderly system of doing things, such as a project manager, restaurant manager, or chef. <h2>ENFPs might make good restaurateur</h2>ENFPs are enthusiastic, creative, and sociable people. They're imaginative and great communicators. Famous ENFPs, <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">according to the MBTI test</a>, are Ellen DeGeneres, Walt Disney, and Mark Twain. A <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-jobs-for-every-personality-2014-9">restauranteur</a> makes a good fit for this personality type because it involves challenging work, rather than something routine. <h2>An ESFJ could be a registered nurse</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5cc7657ab14bf402037dde36-2400/gettyimages-1143456879.jpg" border="0" alt="nurse scrubs" data-mce-source="James Bridle - Southampton FC / Contributor / Getty Images" />James Bridle - Southampton FC / Contributor / Getty ImagesESFJs are caring.</div></div></div>ESFJs are popular, caring, and sociable. Both posts agree a nurse is a good fit for this personality type because it involves being sensitive to the needs of others as they have provider or contributor personalities. ESFJs might have studied psychology, criminal justice, or history.<h2>An ISFJ might make a good kindergarten teacher</h2>Personality traits of ISFJs are warm and dedicated. They're recognized as having defender or protector qualities as they aim to keep others safe. A <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">kindergarten teacher is a good fit for ISFJs</a> because it involves being a caretaker. ISFJs are the most common personality type within the US population, <a href="https://careerassessmentsite.com/infographic/16-personality-types/">according to the MBTI test</a>. <h2>An ISTJ is more suited toward being an auditor</h2>ISTJs are a fact-first type of people. Yes, they're introverted, but know where they belong in life and enjoy being a part of organizations or groups, <a href="https://www.truity.com/personality-type/ISTJ">according to Truity.com</a>. An <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-jobs-for-every-personality-2014-9">auditor is a perfect fit for ISTJs because it involves being practical and reliable</a> - they aim to do things correctly. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/christies-auctioneer-auction-house-what-it-takes-art-bidding-career-2019-5">What it takes to be an art auctioneer at the largest auction house in the world</a></h3> <div> <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/5LH4QHwX-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script> </div> </div>

You Searched For "austin fc" and got 13 results

We attended the first game at Major League Soccer's newest stadium in Austin and it is easy to see why this is the future of sports

Cork Gaines

A photo shows Matthew McConaughey straddling a drum and screaming to pump up soccer fans at a new Austin stadium

Jason Guerrasio

New American soccer club Austin FC takes multicultural approach by marketing the team predominantly in Spanish

Jackson Thompson

MLS side FC Cincinnati got mercilessly trolled by the rest of the league after it announced its new manager with a picture of a different bald man

Barnaby Lane

Argentina's World Cup team brought 1,100 pounds of an herbal drink loved by Messi to Qatar

Alan Dawson

The NFL continues to market London Games as a spectacle event for fans in the UK, but the novelty is beginning to wear off

Barnaby Lane

Gio Reyna, USMNT's spy in Germany, is hoping to take the World Cup by storm and one-up his father, US soccer icon Claudio Reyna

Barnaby Lane

MLS team Vancouver Whitecaps says 3 players were assaulted in a racially motivated attack, with one person ending up in the hospital

Barnaby Lane

Carli Lloyd only needed 23 seconds to score for the US National Team and bolster her case for a spot at the Olympics

Meredith Cash

NBA POWER RANKINGS: Where every team stands heading into the season

Scott Davis

Stephen Strasburg was ejected for heckling while sitting in the stands of an empty stadium as the weirdest MLB season continues

Tyler Lauletta

A group including Macklemore, Ciara, and Microsoft's CEO will buy a stake in Seattle's pro soccer team

Ben Winck

The best job for you, according to your personality type

Marina Nazario