Birmingham Legion FC lost 1-0 on the road Tuesday night in stoppage time in a tough defensive battle against Nashville SC. The loss was Legion FC’s second in a row, following a 2-0 defeat on Friday night to Saint Louis. The losses are impactful for the team’s playoff hopes in its first year as a United Soccer League franchise. Nashville’s lone goal came from former Legion FC member Akeem Ward, who scored in the 93rd minute. The goal came from a corner kick which bounced into the goal amidst a crowd of players from both squads in the box. Both teams had been kept scoreless in the defensive battle. Both Birmingham and Nashville have been known for their defensive prowess this season, with Nashville presenting a defense that is tied for third in the league with just 25 goals allowed all season and Birmingham having already led the league with its earlier nine-game shutout streak. Although Nashville led in most statistical categories, Birmingham's trademark defense stayed … [Read more...] about Legion FC falls to Nashville in heartbreaker
Sports
Former Netherlands defender Fernando Ricksen dies at 43
Updated 5:19 am PDT, Wednesday, September 18, 2019 GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Fernando Ricksen, a former Netherlands national team defender, has died after a six-year battle with motor neurone disease. He was 43. Rangers, the Scottish soccer club where Ricksen played from 2000-06, announced the death on Wednesday. Ricksen said in October 2013 he was suffering from the disease. He raised awareness and funds to help other sufferers through the Fernando Ricksen Foundation, with a benefit match held at Ibrox in 2015 raising 320,000 pounds (about $500,000). "(Ricksen) fought so bravely against a terrible illness and ... will never be forgotten by his teammates or Rangers fans. His place in our history is secured," Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson said. Ricksen played 12 games for the Dutch national team. At club level, he also played for Fortuna Sittard and AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, and Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia. ___ FILE - In this Tuesday … [Read more...] about Former Netherlands defender Fernando Ricksen dies at 43
Football: Rankings for all six NJ conferences after Week 1
Below are links to the rankings for all six football-playing conferences in the state. Click on a link to see where your favorite team is ranked after Week 1. Greater Middlesex Conference Mid-State 38 Conference North Jersey Interscholastic Conference Shore Conference Super Football Conference West Jersey Football League Kevin Minnick focuses on the WJFL and can be reached at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @kminnicksports. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook. … [Read more...] about Football: Rankings for all six NJ conferences after Week 1
Football: Mid-State 38 rankings through Week 1
Here is the Mid-State 38 Conference Top 10 after Week 1. The top remains unchanged, but you will see that activity occurred elsewhere by reviewing last week’s rankings.MID-STATE 38 CONFERENCE AT A GLANCE• M-S 38 Top 10 | • Game of the Week vote | • Players of the Week | • Weekend Blitz |• Top 20 | • Football home page 1. Hillside (2-0)2. Union (2-0)3. Somerville (2-0)4. Ridge (1-0)5-Phillipsburg (2-0)6. Hunterdon Central (1-1)7. Westfield (1-0)8. Cranford (1-0)9. Hillsborough (2-0)10. Rahway (1-0)Mike Kinney may be reached at [email protected] Follow him on twitter @MikeKinneyHS. … [Read more...] about Football: Mid-State 38 rankings through Week 1
Yankees react to ‘fierce’ Luis Severino return
NEW YORK — There weren’t any of the theatrics that sometimes come with the Luis Severino experience — the screaming, the fist pumping.Still, it was as big a deal as any test the Yankees’ righty has had, and he passed it easily. The joy Severino’s four scoreless innings in a 8-0 victory over the Angels at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday took a hit when the Yankees revealed they would lose All-Star reliever and team leader Dellin Betances due to a freak left Achilles tendon tear.But Severino’s performance — hitting 99 mph while striking out four while allowing two hits and two walks — was a big deal, with the playoffs around the corner. The Yankees believe Severino, who threw 67 pitches, could get at least two more regular season starts before the American League Division Series.Here’s what they said about it:Severino on his emotions:“Excited. It was fun going out there, hearing the fans and everything, being around all my teammates … [Read more...] about Yankees react to ‘fierce’ Luis Severino return