Tag: World Cup

SoFi Stadium to host 2026 World Cup opener for U.S. Men’s National Team

The U.S. Men’s National Team will play its opening match in the 2026 World Cup at SoFi Stadium

When Stan Kroenke brought the Rams back to Los Angeles and built SoFi Stadium, he had visions of it becoming one of the top venues in the world. It’s already hosted a Super Bowl and a college football national championship, and in 2026, it’ll play host to multiple World Cup matches.

FIFA announced that while SoFi Stadium wasn’t awarded the World Cup Final, it will host the United States’ opening match on June 12. It’ll be the venue for two of the U.S. team’s three group stage matches, with the third being played up in Seattle.

In total, eight matches will be played at SoFi Stadium, including two round-of-32 matches and a quarterfinal. SoFi Stadium’s eight matches are second only to AT&T Stadium, which will have nine played there.

The World Cup Final will be played at MetLife Stadium, which is home to the Jets and Giants.

SoFi Stadium will undergo some renovations in preparation for the World Cup two years from now. Retractable bleacher risers will replace concrete seats in the corners of the lower bowl so that they can be moved during soccer matches where the field is wider. Additionally, a temporary grass field will be installed for the World Cup, replacing the turf.

Franz Wagner on wanting to see ex-Celtics center Daniel Theis see playing time in the NBA

Theis’ fellow FIBA champ wants his teammate to see the floor this season.

When former Boston Celtics big man Daniel Theis won the 2023 FIBA World Cup with the German National Team, Orlando Magic small forward Franz Wagner was right there with him in Germany’s frontcourt. There was no closer vantage point to be had in the historic victory for the German national basketball program in its history, and Theis was no small part of that achievement.

Averaging 11 points, and 5 rebounds per game for Germany while shooting 59% from the floor overall in World Cup play this summer, the lack of floor time for the Salzgitter native with a developing Indiana Pacers roster after such a showing on the international stage confounded Theis, who let it be known to MassLive following a DNP-CD when the Pacers played Boston early in the season that he wanted to get on the floor and to have a role wherever he might end up.

Now with Theis potentially on the radar of the Los Angeles Clippers to the chagrin of Celtics fans who have been hoping for a buyout, Wagner had some words about his teammate from this summer.

Sports world mourns death of English soccer legend Sir Bobby Charlton

English soccer legend Sir Bobby Charlton has died.

One of the true legends of English soccer has died.

Sir Bobby Charlton died at the age of 86 his family confirmed on Saturday, leaving behind a towering legacy in the sport.

He was a key member of the historic 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning England team where he also won the Ballon d’Or, and he scored 199 goals with Manchester United as one of its banner players from 1956-73.

He scored 49 goals for England while he played for the national team to join his incredible scoring tally with Manchester United.

Charlton is only one of nine players to ever win a World Cup, the European Cup in the now-Champions League and the Ballon d’Or. He was also a surviving member of the 1958 Munich air disaster that claimed the lives of a number of Charlton’s Manchester United teammates.

He inspired many future soccer players with his career on the pitch, including English soccer legend David Beckham. One of Beckham’s middle names is “Robert,” which honors Charlton’s accomplishments.

Beckham shared a tribute to Charlton’s life on Instagram after news of his death broke.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyqp2LeokM_/?hl=en

Many around the sports world paid tribute to Charlton and his monumental life in the game of soccer.

Are Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and other A-list stars enough to get gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Or are more fundamental shifts needed?

The U.S. National Team team finished without a medal in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, a disappointment to many analysts and fans of the sport.

The increasing competitiveness of international basketball teams has gone a long way toward leveling the playing field and highlighted the need for Team USA to adapt to the different playing style dictated by FIBA rules.

The possibility of assembling a star-studded team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, including All-NBA Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and league elder statesmen LeBron James and Steph Curry, has been the immediate response from the U.S. Will it be enough?

To talk it over on a recent episode of the CLNS Media “Showtime with Coop” podcast, eponymous host Michael Cooper talked over the state of Team USA in FIBA play with cohost Nick Gelso.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear whether Coop thinks Tatum and a star-studded A-Team of US players will be enough to get the Gold in Paris, as well as a robust discussion on the new load management rules.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Can LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and an NBA A-Team save Team USA?

Will a new infusion of star power be enough to get the US back on top and holding Gold on the podium? Or will Team USA need to start crafting a program better suited to playing and coaching FIBA basketball?

Can LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and the NBA A-team save Team USA from itself?

Team USA’s performance in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and its struggles against teams with lesser-known players triggered a call from James to Tatum and a number of other elite American NBA players to remedy the situation in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Will an infusion of star power be enough to get the U.S. back on top and holding gold on the podium? Or will Team USA need to start crafting a program better suited to playing and coaching FIBA basketball?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “A-List” podcast sat down and worked their way through the Team USA FIBA flub, asking the above questions.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear their thoughts on the future of Team USA.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Was the Team USA loss in the 2023 FIBA World Cup be good for the NBA?

Was this loss — as bad as it was for the United States — actually a good thing for the wider basketball world and the NBA in particular?

Team USA‘s loss in the 2023 FIBA World Cup has had a predictable effect, and its potential impact on the NBA is on people’s minds after the US National Team failed to medal. Was this loss — as bad as it was for the United States — actually a good thing for the wider basketball world and the NBA in particular?

Team USA’s loss in the FIBA World Cup is attributed to sending a less-than-A-list team, resulting in a defeat to the German National Team and then again to the Canadian National Team in the third-place game and a predictable call-to-arms from the league’s best American players.

To talk over what the loss might mean for the league, Team USA, and basketball writ large, the hosts of the eponymous CLNS Media “Bob Ryan, Jeff Goodman, and Gary Tanguay” podcast sans Goodman got together to hash it out on a recent episode.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about the glaring US loss.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston’s Jayson Tatum among players LeBron James is recruiting for Team USA Olympic revenge in 2024

If such a lineup were to actually make it onto the roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, it would go a long way toward determining whether the issue behing USA’s FIBA foibles is star power.

USA Basketball is enduring justified criticism in the U.S. media after a disappointing fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The field continues to take steps forward. Meanwhile, the U.S. national team appears out of its depth, the result of fielding questionable rosters and strategies given how FIBA rules differ from the NBA. The current roster lacks prior men’s national teams’ experience and features only three current All-Stars, another factor behind their recent struggles.

In response to that disappointing showing, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James committed to play for the U.S. Olympic team next summer and has reached out to some high-octane peers to help him get USA Basketball back on top per recent reporting from The Athletic’s Joe Vardon and Shams Charania.

“James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well,” writes The Athletic.

“Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing,” they add.

Such a lineup actually making it to the 2024 Paris Olympics is a big ask given the ages of James, Curry, Lillard, Green and Durant and Davis’ spotty health. However, such a group would go a long way toward determining whether the issue behind USA’s FIBA foibles in on-Olympic years is star power or the need for Team USA to invest in a full-time coach, greater continuity and a roster structure better focused on the FIBA environment.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Dillon Brooks named Best Defensive Player at 2023 FIBA World Cup

Canada earned its first-ever FIBA World Cup medal in men’s basketball, and the defense of #Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (named Best Defensive Player) was a huge reason.

Forward Dillon Brooks enjoyed a strong run as Canada secured its first FIBA World Cup medal, and he punctuated his effort with an astonishing 39-point outburst on peak efficiency during Sunday’s victorious third-place game versus the United States,

While the scoring breakout was certainly appreciated, Brooks’ contributions in Manila started on the defensive end, as they typically do in the NBA. That’s a big reason the Houston Rockets signed him in the 2023 offseason after a successful stint in Memphis.

With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Brooks was FIBA’s choice for Best Defensive Player of the tournament.

From FIBA’s announcement:

The Best Defensive Player is Dillon Brooks, who was more than glad to accept any defensive responsibilities for Bronze medalists Canada. His physical one-on-one defense against the likes of Luka Doncic and Evan Fournier played a huge role in important victories for The Land of Maple Leaf. Moreover, he was an integral part of one of the best defensive units in the World Cup.

It’s a fitting honor for Brooks, who will report to 2023-24 training camp with the rest of Rockets in early October.

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Reaction: Dillon Brooks gets ‘MVP’ chants as Canada upsets Team USA, earns FIBA World Cup medal

With 39 points on peak efficiency, Dillon Brooks was sensational and even drew MVP chants as Canada upset Team USA to win its first-ever FIBA medal. #Rockets

The stakes of Sunday’s third-place game at the 2023 FIBA World Cup between Canada and the United States were well below the championship final that both NBA-laden rosters had expected.

Yet, for Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks, who had a strong World Cup run with his native Canada, it presented an opportunity to defend and attack some very talented opponents.

In a matchup with Team USA stalwarts, including Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges, Brooks was the star of the show. In leading Canada to the 127-118 win (box score) and a third-place finish, Brooks finished with a game-high 39 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. He shot 12-of-18 overall (66.7% FG), 7-of-8 on 3-pointers (87.5%), and 8-of-10 on free throws (80%).

The astonishing performance by Brooks even elicited some “MVP” chants from fans in Manila. It resulted in Canada receiving the bronze medal — its first medal in FIBA World Cup history.

Read on for highlights, interviews, postgame analysis, and immediate reaction from social media. As for Brooks, up next is the start of 2023-24 training camp with the Rockets in early October.

LOOK: Diminutive World Cup sensation Yuki Kawamura in pictures

After a standout season in the B.League, Japanese guard Yuki Kawamura further enhanced his reputation on the international stage during the FIBA World Cup. Standing at just 5-foot-8, he was the tournament’s second shortest player. However, his height didn’t stop him from being one of the brightest stars at the event.

Check some of his pictures at the World Cup below.