MORE FROM Mike DeCourcy

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The United States women's national team produced just one goal in their final two exhibition games prior to departing for France and the 2024 Olympics. New coach Emma Hayes is more focused on assuring her players build chemistry.

Mike DeCourcy

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Team USA makes great choice with LeBron James as Olympic flag-bearer

There could be no better choice to carry the American flag at the 2024 Paris Olympics than LeBron James, whose dedication to his sport and community activism have set an ideal example for fellow athletes.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Joel Embiid at the center of concerns for Team USA

Philly's Joel Embiid is one of only two true centers USA Basketball chose to include on its roster for the Paris Olympics, which means right now, the U.S. has one functional center. Embiid needs to get it together. Soon.

Mike DeCourcy

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Don't blame US: Copa America disaster will not be repeated when World Cup comes in 2026

CONMEBOL, South America's governing body for soccer, wanted to be in charge of Copa America 2024 so it could get all the money that would be generated. With that earning potential comes responsibility, which they mostly shirked.

Mike DeCourcy

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Team USA's oldest men's basketball team starts a bit slow in exhibition opener

USA vs. Canada suggested the Americans' decision to take an older squad to Paris might have created some functional problems with the lineup.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: With Berhalter out, USMNT needs a leader who's in complete command

The next U.S. men's national team coach must be someone who owes none of the current players anything. They need a leader who's firmly in charge, a designation Gregg Berhalter lost after the Gio Reyna debacle of 2022.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: With Argentina in Copa America final, is Lionel Messi set for 'last battles'?

Lionel Messi again used the stage of Met Life Stadium to suggest he might be done with playing international soccer after Argentina appears in Sunday's Copa America final.

Mike DeCourcy

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Why FIFA rules eliminate Christian Pulisic, other stars from Olympic rosters

FIFA rules for the men's and women's soccer tournaments are not the same -- at all -- which is why you'll find Lindsey Horan in Paris, but not Kylian Mbappe.

Mike DeCourcy

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There's no answer for US Olympic men's soccer excluding star Diego Luna

Diego Luna of Real Salt Lake ranks third in Major League Soccer in assists, but that wasn't enough to earn him a spot on the U.S. men's soccer roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Mike DeCourcy

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Tyrese Haliburton ready to meet gold standard set by USA Basketball at Olympics

USA Basketball has won each of the past four Olympic men's basketball competitions, and 84 percent of those it has entered. Perfection is not an easy standard to meet, but Americans like Tyrese Haliburton aren't ducking it.

Mike DeCourcy

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Despite poor form, can England win Euro 2024?

England fans who are worried about their team's lousy performances through four games of Euro 2024 have a right to be. But the recent history of major championships indicates even teams that are playing terribly can still win it all — so long as they stay in the tournament.

Mike DeCourcy

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Berhalter insists he's still the man to lead USMNT, but Copa America suggests otherwise

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker will have a difficult time defending Gregg Berhalter as USMNT coach after the team busted out of Copa America following two defeats in three games.

Mike DeCourcy

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USA frustrated by Copa America ref antics but Weah red was right

The referee assigned to the United States-Panama group game in Copa America did a dreadful job that played a huge part in the Americans' disappointing 2-1 defeat.

Mike DeCourcy

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No matter how they dress it up, 2024 NBA Draft looks like it will be a bust

The underwhelming French prospects at the top of the draft. The lean talent available from US colleges. Sometimes it's obvious before anyone plays a game that a particular NBA Draft won't do much to make the league better.

Mike DeCourcy

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How England ended up with a dream draw for Euro 2024 knockouts

England could not have played much worse, but their luck could not have been better. The curious results in other groups at Euro 2024 left the bottom half of the knockout-round bracket short on elite national teams.

Mike DeCourcy

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Youth movement: Alex Morgan does not make USWNT's Olympics roster

The United States women's national team will field one of its youngest rosters ever for the 2024 Olympic Games with new coach Emma Hayes making some tough decisions about veteran players.

Mike DeCourcy

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NBA Draft: Ranking the top 15 college players, from Stephon Castle to Yves Missi

The top-end talent is missing from this year's college crop, but some players will emerge as good NBA players. It is up to the teams to find them.

Mike DeCourcy

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USA's soccer explosion traces back to a single event: the 1994 FIFA World Cup

There may have been no event that transformed the American sports scene to the same degree as the 1994 World Cup, which brought the world's most popular sport to the U.S. and showed everyone what they'd been missing.

Mike DeCourcy

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USMNT's impressive draw vs. Brazil should quiet Gregg Berhalter's critics

The anti-Berhalter sect of U.S. men's national team fans spent the time in between games against Colombia and Brazil concocting unflattering stats about the team's coach. He and the players spent that time putting together a game plan that produced a historic result.

Mike DeCourcy

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Klopp Anfield legacy sits alongside Shankly, Paisley and Dalglish

Sunday at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp will coach his final game at Liverpool FC. It will not be easy for Reds fans to watch him go.

Mike DeCourcy

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An 18-game NFL schedule is unnecessary, and unnecessarily dangerous

NFL teams don't need an 18th game, and their franchises don't need the income such an expansion of inventory would deliver from broadcasters. But sometimes businesspeople can't help themselves.

Mike DeCourcy

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It won't cost much to draft Bronny James, but his dad must know better

There is plenty of speculation regarding which team, including the Lakers, might be willing to spend a 2024 draft pick on young Bronny James to lure LeBron James onto its roster. It's a terrible idea for all involved.

Mike DeCourcy

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Even on an evening when he appeared to trend toward ordinary, burgeoning Chiefs legend Patrick Mahomes found a way to deliver a game-changing performance and grab Super Bowl 58 for Kansas City.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Dan Campbell's reckless coaching decisions cost Lions shot at Super Bowl

Just in the last decade, we've seen some dreadful and baffling coaching decisions on the NFL's biggest stage, but the Lions' Dan Campbell doubled down on his poor strategy, which might have made his performance twice as bad.

Mike DeCourcy

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Why does the NFL refuse to address wild card seeding issues year after year?

The NFL continues to move forward with an arcane playoff system that rewards division champions -- often over teams that produce better regular seasons. It means less will be on the line in the season's final weekend than should be.

Mike DeCourcy

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The 1988 Dodgers: A Kirk Gibson story you've never heard

Middle reliever Brian Holton, who played a critical role for the Dodgers in the legendary opening win over the A's in the 1988 World Series, witnessed a stunning exchange between Tommy Lasorda and the Game 1 hero.

Mike DeCourcy

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MLB needs a salary cap to ensure competitive balance

While baseball refuses to adopt a salary cap system, its audience shrinks and stagnates at the time time sports such as the NFL and NHL continue to grow.

Mike DeCourcy

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Geno Smith's career revival with Seahawks is almost without precedent in NFL

Geno Smith isn't just winning games for the Seahawks. He's enjoying a career renaissance at QB that is almost without precedent in NFL history.

Mike DeCourcy

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Tom Brady spent his entire NFL career as the greatest winner in quarterbacking history. Then he went out a loser. It's not beyond reason he could see the chance to take over the Jets as an opportunity to rewrite that ending.

Mike DeCourcy

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Jets offer Aaron Rodgers a needed fresh start after things grew stale with Packers

The Aaron Rodgers story had become so boring during his time in Green Bay. He'd complain a lot, win a lot of regular-season games, come up short when it mattered most. Maybe the trade to the Jets will be exactly what he needed. At least it will be different.

Mike DeCourcy

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America's embarrassment over Lionel Messi's dominance is embarrassing

Lionel Messi has scored a ton of goals and won a ton of games since joining Inter Miami in late July. And that's exactly what he's done in every league and every competition since becoming a pro nearly two decades ago.

Mike DeCourcy

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What next for women's soccer following success of FIFA Women's World Cup 2023?

Record crowds for Women's UEFA Champions league games, Euro 2022 and, now, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. A massive increase in franchise fees for America's NWSL. All the signs point to a massive growth surge in this decade. And, still, there are so many ways to make the women's game bigger.

Mike DeCourcy

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Spain's World Cup win feels like a huge step forward — and back

The Spain women's national team player protests over treatment by the coaching staff and federation kept some of their stars at home, but it did not stop the nation from winning its first FIFA Women's World Cup. What does all that say about women's soccer in 2023?

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: England coach Wiegman shows why she should be USWNT No. 1 target

As U.S. Soccer ponders the future direction of its women's national team program, England's superb Sarina Wiegman offers a clue about what might be possible for the USWNT by reaching her fourth consecutive major tournament final.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Women's World Cup prize money improved, but still falls short

FIFA went beyond its promise to double the prize money awarded for participants in the 2023 Women's World Cup, but those close to the game contend there's still room for improvement.

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When she retired from the USWNT in 2021, Carli Lloyd was highly critical on a podcast of the program's culture and lack of focus on pursuing championships. Now, as Fox Sports analyst, she's getting paid for her opinions and coming down just as hard on the team's underperformance.

Mike DeCourcy

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Lineup decisions, sluggish first half damaging as USWNT draw Netherlands

Winning Group E at the 2023 Women's World Cup would provide the USWNT a massive advantage as the tournament enters the knockout round, but slipping against the Netherlands could be costly in that pursuit.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Why retiring Rapinoe is still key if USWNT wants to win World Cup

Megan Rapinoe's role in her final FIFA Women's World Cup almost certainly will be to provide scoring opportunities in games the U.S. trails — and to provide leadership for the team's young players. They'd rather have only the latter.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Man City the greatest Champions League team ever?

Manchester City became the first English team since rivals Manchester United to claim a European treble, and in the process they entered the conversation of best Champions League teams of all-time.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: A second 'Miracle in Istanbul' could happen in Man City vs Inter

Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul will be hosting the Champions League final for a second time. The first is viewed by some as the greatest game in world sport, ever. Could it happen again?

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: How Messi's arrival will change MLS

While David Beckham entered Major League Soccer after it had just survived a near-death experience, Lionel Messi arrives with the league's clubs valued at half a billion dollars. But he can still make MLS even bigger.

Mike DeCourcy

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Biggest signings in MLS history: The 12 biggest names before Messi

Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the greatest signing in Major League Soccer history, but there were 12 big names who tried their hand at conquering North America before La Pulga.

Mike DeCourcy

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The Hard Road: Jimmy Butler's path to stardom has not been easy

From high school to college to the NBA, Jimmy Butler has always been at his best when he finds a home.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Is Man City the greatest dynasty in world sport?

Manchester City clinched its fifth Premier League title in the past six seasons. How does that measure up to the best from other elite men's leagues in other highly competitive sports?

Mike DeCourcy

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Messi's plan to transform PSG was doomed to fail

The goal for everyone involved when Lionel Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain two years ago was to win the UEFA Champions League. They never really came close, which means his time in France adds up to a failed experiment.

Mike DeCourcy

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LeBron is the GOAT - Is it even debatable at this point?

LeBron James has accomplished so much since he first made it clear he was the greatest player in NBA history, it's hard to believe anyone's still engaging in the debate.

Mike DeCourcy

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Believe it: Mahomes on track to surpass Brady

There is a long way to go, but Patrick Mahomes has at least matched the legendary start of all-time legend Tom Brady.

Mike DeCourcy

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Deja vu for Bengals: Late penalty dooms Cincinnati in playoffs again

Patrick Mahomes did everyhing he could inside the lines to get the Chiefs to the Super Bowl. It wasn't enough, so he went outside the lines and drew the pesonal foul that made the difference

Mike DeCourcy

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Patrick Mahomes back in Super Bowl after stepping up for Chiefs on one leg

Patrick Mahomes was decades from being born when Willis Reed took the court for Game 7 of the 1970 NBA FInals. So maybe it's time for the new generations to have their own against-the-odds hero.

Mike DeCourcy

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Drive to oblivion: Dak Prescott fails to deliver playoff moment in Cowboys' loss to 49ers

With 82 yards and the 49ers' defense between Dak Prescott and a playoff breakthrough, he and the Cowboys simply broke.

Mike DeCourcy

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Support for Damar Hamlin rooted in his generosity, caring: 'He's Pittsburgh'

Everyone who watched Damar Hamlin's injury happen saw enough to be horrified. Hamlin's friends, though, knew enough about what a wonderful person he is to be devastated. Now they're hopeful he'll recover soon.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Why 2022 final was the greatest game in men's World Cup history

It's the general consensus that Argentina's win over France in the 2022 final was the greatest World Cup game seen in the history of the men's tournament.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Messi gets his World Cup, with a major hand from his teammates

Lionel Messi won the last trophy that had eluded him throughout his career, becoming the greatest player by helping to win the greatest game. But he needed more than a helping hand from his teammates to get it done.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Is Messi the best male athlete of all time?

Where does Lionel Messi rank among the greats from other major men's sports: Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Muhammad Ali? He might have surpassed them all with the World Cup title

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: France vs Argentina is the final we all deserve from this World Cup

Mbappe vs. Messi is only the start of the internal and individual battles that will make the 2022 World Cup final extraordinary for the teams — and everyone who cherishes this sport and its showpiece event.

Mike DeCourcy

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Who is Bono? Morocco's goalkeeper becomes national hero and worldwide sensation by stopping Spain and Portugal

Yassine Bounou goes by the name "Bono" on the back of his jersey, which means he's only the second-most famous Bono in the world. For one day, the name was all his.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Morocco's World Cup run inspires support throughout Africa, Arab world

Morocco's run to the World Cup semifinals is unprecedented among Arab nations and rare for the CAF, making their team even more popular than the "Cinderella" run would suggest

Mike DeCourcy

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Can Morocco win the World Cup? Odds, path to final in Qatar

Morocco are making waves at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Who must they beat to secure glory in Qatar and how likely is the shock?

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: No one will forget Messi's World Cup semifinal show

Lionel Messi had a role in all three goals as Argentina advanced to the final at Qatar 2022, putting the legend one game away from his first World Cup title.

Mike DeCourcy

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World Cup Golden Ball: Top 5 players who can win best player award

France forward Kylian Mbappe has scored more goals than anyone at Qatar 2022, and that's just the start of what's made him great, but Lionel Messi and Luka Modric are making a strong case on the other side of the bracket.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: What's missing for England to finally win a World Cup?

England fell in the knockout rounds of the latest major tournament, with penalty failure playing a significant role. Everything old is new again.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Morocco's run to World Cup semis? It's no fluke

Morocco has been exceptionally well-coached and together during its astonishing run to the World Cup semifinals, the first by an African nation in the history of the competition.

Mike DeCourcy

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Grant Wahl's death is a blow to those who knew his work — and to those who knew him

Grant Wahl was a brilliant all-around journalist who was dedicated to the coverage of soccer. Those who read and listened to his work will miss him. Those who knew him as a friend will miss him that much more.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Teams are trying, but no one can stop Messi at the World Cup

The Netherlands tried everything against Lionel Messi and Argentina short of WWE tactics, but he delivered three magical moments that helped his team reach the World Cup semifinals

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Why are Brazil out of the World Cup? Neymar dependence

In asking Neymar to do too much — or acknowledging his demands to be more involved — Brazil squandered an opportunity to advance toward its sixth World Cup title.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: How Ronaldo handles World Cup demotion could mark his legacy

Nearing the close of his Portugal career, but also closing in on the World Cup final, Cristiano Ronaldo can't afford to be anything but a team leader.

Mike DeCourcy

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Japan's departure from World Cup was brutal, but their time in Qatar was something to see

Japan made its mark at Qatar 2022, with victories over world powers Germany and Spain, but also by its clean approach to soccer and stadiums.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: World Cup final comes early; England vs. France is a quarterfinal

The luck (?) of the draw placed England and France into the same section of the Qatar 2022 bracket, which means fans will see a match that could easily be the World Cup final ... in the quarterfinals.

Mike DeCourcy

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Cristiano Ronaldo's path to winning World Cup 2022 with Portugal

Portugal have already qualified to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup and have a strong chance to clinch top spot in Group H and avoid an early clash with Brazil. Here's the path for Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. in the knockout rounds in his quest to win his first world title.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Mexico's World Cup elimination is going to hurt for a while

Mexico has a habit of losing in the FIFA World Cup round of 16. That won't be happening in 2022, as El Tri missed out on qualification to Poland by a single goal.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Pulisic pays the price for giving up his body for USA's winning goal

Christian Pulisic scored the only USMNT goal to get them to the World Cup Round of 16, but it's what he did after that that was most impressive.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: USA vs Iran at World Cup is about more than just soccer

The lead-up to the decisive 2022 World Cup Group B match between the USA and Iran has not been like any other game in Qatar with geopolitics, protests, women's rights, and controversial statements often superseding the soccer.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Brazil can win the World Cup without Neymar

When Brazil fans saw Neymar limping about on a swollen ankle, there was a moment when they thought their 2022 World Cup dreams were over. That moment lasted until the 1-0 win over Switzerland.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: World Cup is a reminder to enjoy Messi while you still can

With Argentina's back to the wall in the World Cup, 35-year-old Lionel Messi delivered the latest in a long string of magic moments to keep Argentina alive in the hunt for the one trophy that's proven ever so elusive.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Best U.S. World Cup team ever? Depends on how you look at it

With all the young U.S. players on top clubs spread across Europe's big leagues there's some who think that this might be the best USA World Cup soccer team we've seen. The Sporting News takes a deeper dive.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Can France repeat at World Cup? Jury's still out despite 4-1 win

Olivier Giroud became one of France's career goals leaders with two in a 4-1 win over Australia, but there's plenty more unanswered even after such a dominant performance.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Here's how Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia

If you want to understand how World Cup favorites Argentina wound up a 2-1 loser to underdog Saudi Arabia, start with the difference between how the winners applied their defense and how the losers failed to adapt.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Qatar makes the wrong kind of history in World Cup opener

Qatar went all-in on chemistry, connection and teamwork in their first-ever World Cup match — and none of that was apparent in a disastrous 2-0 loss to Ecuador dominated by striker Enner Valencia

Mike DeCourcy

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USWNT players react to NWSL abuse investigation: "Trust has been broken"

Members of the U.S. women's national team have a big game against England on Friday at Wembley Stadium, but the focus remains on the fallout from the independent investigation conducted by former U.S. deputy attorney general Sally Yates on player abuse in the NWSL.

Mike DeCourcy

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Should teams start a rookie first-round QB? Results are mixed

The majority of first-round quarterbacks who become rookie starters don't succeed like Ben Roethlisberger did two decades ago. Too many of them don't even last in the league.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Are Broncos making costly mistake with Russell Wilson extension?

Russell Wilson was contracted to play for the Broncos for the next two seasons, but without seeing a snap they've extended him five more years. Is that good business?

Mike DeCourcy

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Serena conquered her opponents, and the unrelenting demands of a brutal sport

Serena Williams is preparing to end her championship career after more than two decades, but she stayed on top of the game longer than her peers could imagine.

Mike DeCourcy

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The negotiated settlement between NFL and the NFL Players Association gives Watson a serious competitive penalty and also takes a chunk out of the Browns, who chose to give him nearly $250 million despite behavior later termed to be "egregious".

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: Why a Pulisic loan to Man United could prove the ideal scenario

USMNT star Christian Pulisic has had a tough time getting regular playing time at Chelsea, and the acquisition of Raheem Sterling has only made it tougher. A loan move to Manchester United might resolve that issue.

Mike DeCourcy

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Barcelona in crisis: Issues explained by author who went inside the club

Renowned soccer author Simon Kuper went behind the scenes for the definitive book on the club "The Barcelona Complex", and his insights help explain the current crisis facing FC Barcelona and why it's still struggling to balance the books.

Mike DeCourcy

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The NFL may appeal the Deshaun Watson decision, but the question is, why was Robinson's initial ruling so light?

Mike DeCourcy

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If Deshaun Watson is given a lengthy suspension by the NFL as expected, the Browns' enormous investment in him will look even riskier.

Mike DeCourcy

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Finding the next Draymond: How NBA scouts search for sleepers

Teams that have picked college stars over one-and-done potential in the second half of the first round have seen some positive results recently. This season's NBA conference finals provide several examples.

Mike DeCourcy

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Finding the next Draymond: How NBA scouts search for sleepers

Teams that have picked college stars over one-and-done potential in the second half of the first round have seen some positive results recently. This season's NBA conference finals provide several examples.

Mike DeCourcy

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How Jaden Ivey compares to Ja Morant and Derrick Rose

Purdue guard Jaden Ivey fits a mold of dynamic athlete that basically hasn't failed in the past two decades of NBA competition.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: What Liverpool are missing to win more trophies

Liverpool competed in three major finals in 2022 without scoring a single goal, even though the Reds had an extra 30 minutes in two of them. There need to be improvements in the their attack to get them over the biggest hurdles.

Mike DeCourcy

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DeCourcy: How Fenway Sports Group transformed Liverpool into UCL force

Since taking over a failing Liverpool FC, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has restored the club's success and prestige through shrewd execution — and being smart enough to hire and keep manager Jurgen Klopp.

Mike DeCourcy

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Villanova's Hall of Fame coach brings down the curtain on an amazing career.

Mike DeCourcy

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