lucky 38
lucky 38
CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls have been Major League Soccer mainstays since the league's inaugural season in 1996, signing glamorous players and regularly competing for championships through years of success and setbacks in a league that's perpetually improving and expanding. Yet just a year ago, both of these clubs appeared to be a very long way from the stage they'll share Saturday in the MLS Cup Final. The Galaxy were one of MLS' worst teams after a season of internal turmoil and public fan dissent, while the Red Bulls were merely a steady mediocrity seeking yet another coach to chart a new direction. A year later, these MLS founders are meeting in the league's first Cup final between teams from North America's two biggest markets. "Two original clubs being able to put themselves in this situation, I think it's great," Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. "To see two clubs that have been at it as long as this league has been around be here, I think it's a special moment. Couldn't be two more different and contrasting styles as well, which could make for an interesting game, and I would imagine a high-intensity game." Everything changed in 2024 after a dismal decade for the Galaxy, who are favored to cap their transformation by winning their team's record sixth MLS championship with a roster that's dramatically different from its past few groups — albeit with one massive injury absence in the final. The transformation of the Red Bulls happened only in the postseason, when a team that hadn't won a playoff game since 2017 suddenly turned into world-beaters under rookie coach Sandro Schwarz. New York struggled through the final three months of league play with only two wins before posting road playoff victories over defending champ Columbus, archrival New York City FC and conference finalist Orlando to storm into the Cup final. "We know about the history (of our club), and we know tomorrow will define what that could mean," Schwarz said Friday. "To feel the pressure for tomorrow, it's necessary, because it's a final, and without pressure it's not possible to bring the best quality on the field." The Red Bulls have never won an MLS Cup, only reaching the championship match once before. What's more, they've somehow never won a Cup in any tournament, although they've collected three Supporters' Shields for MLS' best regular-season record. The Galaxy's trophy case is large and loaded, and those five MLS Cups are on the top shelf. But not much of that team success happened in the past decade for the club that famously brought David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and many other international stars to Hollywood. In fact, this season has ended a grim era for the Galaxy, who haven't lost all year at their frequently renamed home stadium — which was the site of protests and boycotts just a year ago. The club's fans were tired of LA's steady underachievement and ineptitude in the front office run by team president Chris Klein, who was fired in May 2023. One year ago Thursday, the Galaxy hired Will Kuntz, a longtime Los Angeles FC executive who engineered his new club's roster transformation, most dramatically by landing new designated players Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil — two international talents that LAFC also had in its sights. "I give Will and the group up there a ton of credit," Vanney said. "It's one thing to have players you like, and it's a whole other thing to get them here and get them to connect with your group." Pec and Paintsil combined for 32 goals and 27 assists while boosting the incumbent talents of striker Dejan Joveljic and Riqui Puig, the gifted Barcelona product who runs the offense from the midfield. The Galaxy clicked in the postseason, scoring a jaw-dropping 16 goals in four matches. Puig has been the Galaxy's most important player all season, but he won't be in the MLS Cup Final after tearing a knee ligament late in last week's conference final victory over Seattle. The loss of Puig — who somehow kept playing on his injured knee, and even delivered the game-winning pass to Joveljic — makes the Galaxy even more difficult to anticipate. "He played a lot in the regular season, so it was not so easy to analyze all these games now without him," Schwarz said. "But the main focus is to analyze what we need to do, because it's not clear now how they're playing without him." The Galaxy could give some of Puig's responsibilities to Marco Reus, the longtime Dortmund standout who joined LA in August. Reus is nursing a hamstring injury, but Vanney expects him to play.
The clash between Lewandowski and Fati and Firpo reportedly occurred during a training session, where tensions flared between the players. It is said that a disagreement over positioning and tactics escalated into a heated exchange of words, with the trio exchanging heated remarks in front of their teammates and coaching staff. The incident highlighted the underlying tension and lack of cohesion within the Barcelona squad.
As Europe seeks to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, the importance of its relationship with China cannot be overstated. By deepening economic ties with China, Europe can tap into new growth opportunities, access innovative technologies, and strengthen its position in the global marketplace. Cooperation between Europe and China is not just beneficial for both parties but also essential for driving global economic recovery and sustainable development.
Lawrence added seven assists for the Rams (10-1). David Green scored 14 points and added five rebounds. Tyonne Farrell shot 5 of 7 from the field and 2 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. The Blue Devils (6-4) were led by Devin Haid, who posted 24 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. Central Connecticut also got 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists from Joe Ostrowsky. Davonte Sweatman also had 11 points. Rhode Island took the lead with 3:45 to go in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 35-32 at halftime, with David Fuchs racking up eight points. Rhode Island used an 8-0 run in the second half to build a 10-point lead at 54-44 with 14:41 left in the half before finishing off the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Notable quotes by Jimmy Carter
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State’s quarterback competition got a little more interesting on Sunday following a commitment from TCU backup Hauss Henjy, who has already changed his social media to represent the Cowboys. 247Sports ranked Henjy as the 17th quarterback and the 198th overall player in its transfer rankings. On3 ranked him 33rd among transfer quarterbacks. Rivals hasn't updated his rankings since he entered the portal, but had Henjy eighth among high school quarterbacks when he signed with TCU in the 2024 class. 247Sports and On3 ranked Henjy 12th and 21st, respectively, as a high school quarterback prospect. Henjy reunites with Oklahoma State’s new offensive coordinator, Doug Meacham. The transfer quarterback redshirted in 2024 after carrying the ball 15 times for 65 yards, including a 48-yard performance on only eight carries in a 20-13 win over Cincinnati on Nov. 30. Henjy was the Horned Frogs’ most effective runner that day and six of his rushes came on TCU’s final drive and burned 4:10 off the clock to leave Cincinnati with only one minute left to attempt a comeback. People are also reading... Berry Tramel: John Mateer has the OU quarterback job, but Michael Hawkins has the opportunity How to care for your mental health OU linebacker Kobie McKinzie on fiancée Kinzie Hansen: 'She's the Alpha of my family' OU defensive coordinator hot board: Who will Brent Venables hire to replace Zac Alley? Rep. Steve Bashore: Time for Oklahoma to end mandatory 6% markup on consumer goods Judge denies Ryan Walters' motion to dismiss defamation suit Four northeastern Oklahoma educators' teaching certificates suspended Tulsa's Country Bird Bakery named one of the best in the U.S. Bill Haisten: What would Mike Holder do? At OSU, it’s time to talk Berry Tramel: OU football hot seat doesn't necessarily mean ejection seat for Brent Venables The Christmas story behind the lights on 29th Street. Why is that one tree a different color? Berry Tramel: A sad Sooner season comes to a merciful end with loss to Navy Berry Tramel's college football picks: Why OU will be hard-pressed to beat Navy Tulsa school board votes to proceed with Jennettie Marshall, E’Lena Ashley lawsuit Tres Amigos to close after 13 years The new Cowboy’s familiarity with Meacham could give him a leg up in the competition this spring. However, he lacks more game experience than both OSU quarterbacks Garret Rangel (five starts) and Maealiuaki Smith (two starts). Then there’s Zane Flores, who has yet to see the field after an injury prematurely ended his redshirt freshman season this fall.In terms of design, the YU7 is expected to feature Xiaomi's signature sleek and minimalist aesthetic, reminiscent of its popular electronic products. The SUV is likely to incorporate cutting-edge technology, such as AI-powered driving assistance systems, smart connectivity features, and advanced safety measures. Xiaomi's expertise in software development and artificial intelligence could give the YU7 a competitive edge in the crowded SUV market.
Ferencváros, one of the most successful clubs in Hungarian football history, will be hoping that Keita's arrival can bolster their squad and help them achieve their domestic and European ambitions. With his experience playing at the highest level in the Premier League and in European competitions, Keita will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team.
Ever since the stunning debut trailer of "Black Myth: Wukong" captured the hearts of gamers worldwide, the game has been generating immense hype and curiosity. The team behind the game has been working tirelessly to deliver an experience that exceeds expectations, and the new update promises to take the excitement to new heights.Nyla Hampton scored all 13 of her points in the fourth quarter and No. 17 Michigan State hung on to edge No. 21 Iowa 68-66 in East Lansing, Mich., in the Big Ten opener for each team on Sunday afternoon. Julia Ayrault led the Spartans (10-0, 1-0 Big Ten) with 19 points and Grace VanSlooten added 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals, but they gave way to Hampton, who netted all but six of Michigan State's points in the fourth. Iowa (9-2, 0-1), which took the lead just before halftime, extended its bulge to 58-49 with 8:49 left in the game. Michigan State then scored 14 straight points. Hampton tallied eight of those points, including scoring off her own offensive rebound to put the Spartans ahead 60-58 with 5:45 to play. Julia Ayrault's three-point play capped the burst with 5:07 left. The Hawkeyes still trailed by seven late but scored six straight points, the final two on free throws by Sydney Affolter, to pull within 67-66 with 19 seconds remaining. But Hampton split a pair of free throws with one second left. Hannah Stuelke paced Iowa with 18 points and eight rebounds. Lucy Olsen put up 13 points but hit only 4 of 17 shots from the field and was responsible for seven of the Hawkeyes' 23 turnovers. Kylie Feuerbach chipped in 12 points. Michigan State, which began the day fifth in Division I in scoring at 91.4 points per game, shot 39.7 percent from the field and hit 6 of 19 on 3-point attempts, while Iowa finished at 36.5 percent and went 9 of 25 from deep. --Field Level Media
Rod Jones MURTAUGH — High school principal Rod Jones will be the next superintendent of Murtaugh Joint School District, replacing longtime educator Michele Capps. School Board Chairman Stuart Tolman said Jones has all of the qualifications needed to be the top administrator of the rural school district of 388 students. The board approved Jones at a Nov. 19 meeting. "He knows the culture of Murtaugh and he knows who we are, what we represent," Tolman said. "He knows the kids. He's involved with the kids." Before making the decision, he said the school district conducted a survey of teachers, students and community members. Based on that report, Tolman said the board decided to pursue an internal candidate instead of opening the position up to other applicants. Capps announced her retirement in November, after serving as an educator and administrator in Murtaugh for the past 32 years. "An internal candidate just knows the vision of what we look for in Murtaugh and is more likely to stay long term," Capps said. School staff members wiped away tears the morning after longtime Superintendent Michele Capps announced her resignation. Capps is leaving next summer. Tolman said the most difficult part of this process is the community realizing that Capps is retiring. "They want another Michele to come in," Tolman said. "She's set the bar really high." He said Rod will do some things differently, but he has been trained and mentored for years. Superintendent Michele Capps is hugged by her grandson while she visits her daughter's classroom briefly Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Murtaugh Elementary School. Capps is capping off her career in education in July after a lifetime of achievements at the administration level. Capps said she has a great relationship with Jones and will keep in touch after her retirement in July. "It just feels right," Capps said. Jones's contract as superintendent will begin July 1. Sean Dolan writes about education and politics for the Times-News . Reach him at 208-735-3213 or email him at sean.dolan@magicvalley.com . Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Education/Political Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda’s U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. On Monday: The S&P 500 rose 43.22 points, or 0.7%, to 5,974.07. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 66.69 points, or 0.2%, to 42,906.95. The Nasdaq composite rose 192.29 points, or 1%, to 19,764.89. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 4.93 points, or 0.2%, to 2,237.44. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,204.24 points, or 25.2%. The Dow is up 5,217.41 points, or 13.8%. The Nasdaq is up 4,753.53 points, or 31.7%. The Russell 2000 is up 210.36 points, or 10.4%.
Liverpool FC is in a state of alert as they aim to prevent the potential departure of key players Arnold and Salah this summer. Reports suggest that the club is closely monitoring the performances of Flynnpong and K77 as potential replacements.As Messi gears up for his comeback, Barcelona is also engaged in discussions about the future of the team. With the current season coming to a close and a new one on the horizon, decisions need to be made about the direction the club will take. There are talks about potential new signings, changes in the coaching staff, and strategies to revamp the team's performance.
The world of cryptocurrency was shaken to its core as Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, took a sudden nosedive, leaving nearly 570,000 traders in a state of financial ruin. The unexpected drop in value sent shockwaves through the market, resulting in a significant amount of liquidations and a tumultuous period of volatility.Clean energy investors have endured yet another torrid year as traders continue shunning the alternative energy sector. The solar sector, in particular, highlights the negative sentiment pervading renewable energy investing: According to a by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the U.S. is on track to add close to 40 gigawatts of solar energy capacity in 2024--more than double last year’s tally and more than triple what was added in 2022. The solar sector is clearly booming, yet solar stocks have badly underperformed, with the sector’s popular benchmark, (NYSEARCA:TAN), having returned -35.3% YTD vs. 24.3% by the . The upcoming Trump presidency is considered bearish for renewable energy investing. For years, Trump has never hidden his disdain for clean energy, repeatedly lambasting Biden’s historic (IRA), describing it as the “biggest tax hike in history”. Trump has pledged to rescind any “unspent” funds under the IRA after he ascends to the Oval Office. However, there are some pockets within the renewable energy universe that are looking quite promising. Here are 3 renewable energy stocks that outperformed in the current year and could do it again in 2025. (NASDAQ:WAVE) is a wave energy company that develops wave energy conversion (WEC) technology that converts ocean and sea waves into clean electricity. WAVE shares have been surging after the company from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its wave energy project at the Port of Los Angeles in California. The company will install eight wave energy floaters on the piles of an existing concrete wharf structure on the east side of the port's Municipal Pier One. According to Eco Wave, securing the final permit marks the completion of two key milestones in its agreement with (NYSE:SHEL) which is expected to boost the company's revenues in Q4 2024. Related: European Gas Prices Soar as Putin Says a New Ukraine Transit Deal Is Unlikely Europe is the global leader in blue energy, with of global investments in ocean energy over the last decade flowing into the continent. That’s great news for Eco Wave Power because the company is well-established in the region. Indeed, the company’s first operational wave energy plant was developed in Gibraltar with EU funding. Eco Wave Power is currently developing a 20 MW wave energy project in Porto, Portugal as part of the country’s plan to generate 85% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Eco Wave Power established a subsidiary in Portugal in 2020 and kicked off the licensing process. In March 2024, the company to start construction and committed to completing the project within two years. One of the newer companies in the space, (NYSE:GEV) was incorporated in 2023 after being spun off from (NYSE:GE). This Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company deals in energy equipment manufacturing and services. GE Vernova operates under Power, Wind, and Electrification segments. The company is well-positioned to profit from sustained growth trends as a supplier of power generation assets. Two weeks ago, GE Vernova for FY 2024 revenues and free cash flow, and also raised guidance for 2025 revenues, free cash flow and adjusted EBITDA margin. The company now sees FY 2024 revenues trending towards the higher end of guidance of $34B-$35B; adjusted EBITDA margin of 5.5%-6.0%, narrowed from its previous outlook for 5%-7%; and free cash flow trending towards higher end of $1.3B-$1.7B guidance. For FY 2025, GE Vernova has forecasts revenue in the range of $36B-$$37B, up from prior guidance of mid-single digit growth implying revenues of $35B-$37B; adjusted EBITDA margin of high-single digits and free cash flow of $2B-$2.5B, up from $1.2B-$1.8B previously. " ," GE Vernova CFO Ken Parks said. (NASDAQ:TSLA) is one of the largest manufacturers of electric vehicles on the planet. TSLA stock is trading close to an all-time high with the strong bullish vibe being driven by the view that the Elon Musk-led company will benefit from a Trump Administration that will be friendly to the process of securing autonomous vehicle approvals as it looks to grow the robotaxi fleet rapidly over the next two years. However, Wall Street is more cautious about the shares, assigning TSLA a Hold rating and an average price target of only $259.66, considerably lower than the current price of $421.44. Some bears have pointed out that a similar monster rally in 2021 was followed by a drop of more than 70% over the next 18 months.
