The Latest: USC basketball to return against Santa Clara
The Trojans will host Santa Clara instead of Long Beach State, which had to cancel because of ongoing COVID-19 issues in its program. ___UCLA’s women’s basketball game at Oregon State on New Year’s Day has been postponed indefinitely. The Beavers announced a confirmed case of COVID-19 on Dec. 20. The team issued a statement Saturday announcing the positive test and saying it had closed its facility for tracing. The day's other suspended games include league leader Portsmouth against Swindon Town.
After 4-week break, English football swings back into action
(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)The new English soccer season is starting in the same month the last one finished. Instead, it is a four-week preseason for the English champions that is still getting interrupted by an international break for Nations League qualifiers. “I'll be very surprised if this is the best game we'll play this season,” Klopp said. The sight of Jordan Henderson lifting silverware, with his now-trademark stuttering steps, alongside his jubilant Liverpool teammates is something English soccer fans are getting used to. It was Aubameyang, after all, who scored the goals in the FA Cup final that means Arsenal is back at Wembley this weekend.
Premier League reaches climax with plenty still at stake
Manchester United's Paul Pogba runs during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and West Ham at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Intriguingly, two of them face off on the final day, with Leicester hosting United at King Power Stadium. Chelsea is guaranteed a return to the Champions League with a win or a draw. One of Chelsea, Leicester and United is sure to take one of the spots while the other will go to Wolves or Tottenham. FAREWELLSDavid Silva will play his final Premier League game for Man City before he leaves the club after 10 years.
Arsenal and Chelsea reach FA Cup semifinals with away wins
Chelsea's Ross Barkley, left, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the FA Cup sixth round soccer match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, Sunday, June 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, Pool)Substitutes made the difference as Chelsea and Arsenal both won away from home to reach the FA Cup semifinals on Sunday. Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley turned in a cross from Willian midway through the second half in a 1-0 win at lackluster Leicester. United defender John Egan's header early in the second half was also chalked off. Arsenal has won the FA Cup a record 13 times, one more than Manchester United which squeezed into the semis with an extra-time win against 10-man Norwich on Saturday.
Talking points ahead of the Premier League restart
FILE - In this file photo dated Thursday, April 9, 2020, gates stand locked outside the closed English Premier League soccer Manchester City Etihad Stadium, in Manchester, northern England. The Premier League resumes Wednesday June 17 after its three-month suspension because of the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)Some talking points ahead of the resumption of the Premier League following a three-month suspension caused by the coronavirus pandemic:RECORD-BREAKING REDSThe fact that Liverpool will win its first English league title in 30 years is not really in doubt. The 25-point lead is the biggest in English history, while 22 straight home wins over the past two seasons is also a Premier League record. Given the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak on soccer, staying in the Premier League has rarely been so vital economically.