Volume 26:35

World Cup Finals

The World Cup has ended. Spain defeated Argentina to lift their second World Cup trophy. The first half had little action, with Lisandro Martinez getting a yellow card, than being subbed off for Nicolas Otamendi. That was the only meaningful action. The game got more intriguing when Enzo Fernandez was sent off with a second yellow card in 90+3. Ferran Torres netted the game’s only goal in the 106th minute, almost immediately after the restart in the second half of extra time. Spain held on to win 1-0, and seal their championship. Lionel Messi left the pitch in tears after the match. This was likely his final World Cup game. Argentina managed only two shots the entire game, neither being on target. Both those shots came in extra time after Spain went ahead. Argentinan goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is not to blame for the loss, as he made 11 saves. Spain’s keeper Unai Simon did not have to make any saves in this match. Spain controlled possession and the pace of the match the entire time. Lamine Yamal and Spain are World Cup Champions.

Triple Play

One of the biggest highlights of the MLB season came very recently. This past Tuesday, the Miami Marlins faced the Houston Astros. Jeremy Pena started the party, leading off the bottom of the first with a solo homerun. The next inning, LaMonte Wade Jr. scored off of a Lucas Spence double to put the Astros up 2-0. Kyle Stowers gave the Marlins life with his homerun in the fifth. Then the Astros responded right back, as Isaac Paredes hit a three-run blast to left field to give Houston a 5-1 lead. Joe Mack got a two-run homerun to pull the score to 5-3 in the 7th. However, Houston shut down Miami for the remainder of the game to win 5-3. But the main storyline was none of that. In the bottom of the eighth, Jose Altuve came up to the plate with Yordan Alvarez at second, and Isaac Paredes at third. Altuve took ball one to make the count 1-0. On the second pitch of the at bat, Altuve hit the ball directly to third base. Leo Jimenez, the Marlins third baseman, immediately fielded the ball, and stepped on third, threw the ball to Xavier Edwards at second to get Alvarez out, then Edwards tossed it to first baseman Kyle Stowers. The throw barely beat Altuve to turn the triple play. That was the first triple play of this season and the most recent since August 12, 2025, when Shohei Ohtani grounded into a triple play against the Los Angeles Angels.

MLS Returns

The MLS has returned to their regular season after the World Cup break. During the break, the Chicago Fire made a move for Robert Lewandowski from FC Barcelona. This move will hopefully boost the Fire, who are third in the Eastern Conference with 26 points. Chicago has a gap to close at the top of the conference, as Nashville SC is at 39 points, and Inter Miami is at 34. The Fire are tied with the New England Revolution. However they are not very safe, as FC Cincinnati is on 23 points, and New York City FC, Charlotte FC, and Red Bull New York are all on 22 points. D.C. United is the final team in the Eastern Conference playoff picture at 19 points. They are followed by Orlando City SC at 17 points, Columbus Crew at 16, Toronto FC at 16, and CF Montreal at 15. Atlanta United FC and Philadelphia Union round out the East at 12 and 10 points.

The Western Conference is tighter at the top, as the Vancouver Whitecaps and San Jose Earthquakes are tied for first at 32 points. LAFC remains is striking distance on 30 points. Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas are both at 26 points. Seattle Sounders FC and Houston Dynamo FC are at 24 and 23 points. St. Louis City and Minnesota United are both at 22 points. LA Galaxy leads the rest of the West at 20 points. The Colorado Rapids follow at 19 points, Portland Timbers at 18, San Diego FC at 17, and Austin FC at 17. Sporting Kansas City rounds out the West at 14 points.