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1952 Ferrari that raced at Le Mans and once traded hands for $200 heads to auction

Auction house Mecum has a rare Ferrari coming up for sale. While this isn’t out of the ordinary, the car, which is probably worth millions, traded hands as recently as 1990 for just $200.

The car is a 1952 Ferrari 340 America, of which just 24 were built. This one bears chassis number 0202A and originally featured a body by Italian coachbuilder Vignale. It also raced at the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing fifth overall thanks to the efforts of Andre Simon and Lucien Vincent.

1952 Ferrari 340 America chassis no. 0202A – Photo credit: Mecum Auctions

After it was done racing in Europe, the car made its way to the United States via importer Luigi Chinetti and extensively raced here throughout the 1950s. It eventually ended up with an owner in Texas who by the late ’50s replaced its original 4.1-liter V-12 with a Chevrolet V-8.

Collecting Ferraris hadn’t become a thing yet, so there were more modifications made to this 340 America during its life. Following an accident, the car’s original Vignale body was replaced with a custom body resembling a 1956 Bangert Manta Ray. However, this body ended up being damaged later while the car was in transport, so a fiberglass body borrowed from a Devin Spider was fitted.

1952 Ferrari 340 America chassis no. 0202A – Photo credit: Mecum Auctions

In 1963, the car was titled in Salt Lake City after which it fell off the radar for several decades. It resurfaced in 1990 when drag racer Mike Sanfilippo bought it for just $200, not knowing it was actually a rare Ferrari. Sanfilippo had planned to cut up the chassis and turn the car into a custom drag racer, but luckily he never got around to doing so.

In 2006, car restorer Tom Shaughnessy spotted it on eBay and bought it for $26,912, still thinking it was a Devin. After removing the fibreglass body to start restoring the car, Shaughnessy, with help from Ferrari expert Marcel Massini, soon discovered that it was actually a rare Ferrari—one with significant provenance.

1952 Ferrari 340 America chassis no. 0202A – Photo credit: Mecum Auctions

He then commissioned Ferrari’s own classic car department, Ferrari Classiche, to bring it back to its former glory. This included refitting a 4.1-liter V-12 and 4-speed manual transmission, and crafting a new body matching the original Vignale design and painted in a period-correct French Racing Blue.

For interested bidders, the car is lot R71 of Mecum’s auction running August 12-14 in Monterey, California. Included in the sale is a book containing period photos, as well as news clippings and the results of various races the car competed in. The book also features detailed photos of the restoration at Ferrari Classiche.

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When did your city win its last pro sports championship?

Champa Bay. Tampa Brady. Whatever nickname you want to use, Tampa Bay has another pro title to celebrate.

The Buccaneers and first-year quarterback Tom Brady routed the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes 31-9 in Super Bowl 55 at Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium. That’s Lombardi Trophy No. 2 for the Bucs.

Tampa Bay’s appearance in the title game also marks the area’s third bid for a championship in the past six months. The Rays went to the World Series and the Lightning won the 2020 Stanley Cup Final last October.

With that, Sporting News looks across the four major professional sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA) and answers the question: 

When was the last time your city won a pro sports championship? 

Tampa-St. Petersburg (2021)

The Buccaneers captured their second Lombardi Trophy by routing the Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl 55. Tom Brady passed for 201 yards and three TDs, including two scores to Rob Gronkowski. Others: Lightning (2020), Rays (none).

Los Angeles (2020)

The Dodgers franchise ended three decades of frustration by taking down the Rays in six games in MLB’s postseason bubble. Others: Lakers (2020), Kings (2014), Chargers (none), Rams (none), Clippers (none).

Kansas City (2019)

The Chiefs rallied to defeat the 49ers in Super Bowl 54, a half-century after the franchise won Super Bowl IV. Others: Royals (2015).

Washington (2019)

D.C. celebrates its first baseball champion in 95 years after the Nationals, transplanted from Montreal, defeat the Astros in a seven-game World Series. Others: Capitals (2018), Redskins (1991), Wizards (1978).

Toronto (2019)

Kyle Lowry and Co. ended a 26-year championship drought for Canada as the Raptors denied the Warriors a three-peat.Others: Blue Jays (1993), Maple Leafs (1967). (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

St. Louis (2019)

The Blues, improbably, bring the Stanley Cup to Missouri for the first time after beating the Bruins in seven games in the final. St. Louis was last in the NHL standings in early January. Others: Cardinals (2011), Rams (1999). (Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)

Boston (2018)

The Patriots won Super Bowl 53, a defensive struggle that ended with a 13-3 victory against the Los Angeles Rams. That came on the heels of the Red Sox winning the World Series. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will go for No. 7 in 2019. Others: Red Sox (2018), Bruins (2011), Celtics (2008).

Oakland (2018)

The Warriors won their third NBA championship in four seasons in the 2018 NBA Finals with a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Steph Curry and Kevin Durant led the way. Others: Raiders (1980), Athletics (1989).

Philadelphia (2017)

The Eagles, led by backup quarterback Nick Foles, defeated the defending champion Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl 52 and gave the City of Brotherly Love its first NFL title since 1960. Others: Phillies (2008), 76ers (1983), Flyers (1975)

Houston (2017)

Justin Verlander, Jose Altuve and Dallas Keuchel led the Astros to a seven-game World Series triumph over the Dodgers. Others: Rockets (1995), Texans (None).

Pittsburgh (2017)

The Penguins gave the Steel City its fifth Stanley Cup championship and its second in as many seasons with a six-game triumph over the Predators in the Final. Others: Steelers (2008), Pirates (1979).

Chicago (2016)

The Chicago Cubs broke a drought that extended back to 1908 by beating the Cleveland Indians in seven games in the World Series. Others: Blackhawks (2015), White Sox (2005), Bulls (1998), Bears (1985).

Cleveland (2016)

The city waited 52 years for a champion, and LeBron James’ Cavs finally delivered it, and in historic fashion, no less. They became the first team in NBA Finals history to win the series after trailing three games to one, shocking the mighty Warriors. Others: Browns (1964), Indians (1948).

Denver (2015)

Super Bowl MVP Von Miller helped Denver beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. Others: Avalanche (2001), Nuggets (none), Rockies (none).

San Francisco (2014)

Madison Bumgarner led the Giants to their third World Series championship in five years by leading San Francisco past Kansas City in seven games. Others: 49ers (1994).

San Antonio (2014)

Kawhi Leonard won NBA Finals MVP honors, and Tim Duncan and Tony Parker helped lead the Spurs to a 4-1 series win against the Miami Heat.

Seattle (2013)

Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith led a dominant defensive effort in a 43-8 win against Denver in Super Bowl 48 to give the Seahawks their first Super Bowl championship. Others: SuperSonics (1979), Mariners (none).

Miami (2013)

LeBron James led the Heat to their second straight NBA championship in a dramatic seven-game series against the Spurs. Others: Marlins (2003), Dolphins (1973), Panthers (none).

Baltimore (2012)

Ray Lewis and Joe Flacco led the Ravens to a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. It was Baltimore’s second Super Bowl championship as the Ravens. Others: Orioles (1983).

New York (2011)

Eli Manning led the Giants, who in fact play in New Jersey, past the Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI. Others: Yankees (2009), Rangers (1994), Mets (1986), Islanders (1983), Knicks (1973), Jets (1968), Nets (1976, ABA).

Dallas (2011)

NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to their first NBA title against the Miami Heat. Others: Stars (1999), Cowboys (1995), Rangers (none).

Milwaukee/Green Bay (2010)

Green Bay is close enough to Milwaukee, right? Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to a 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Others: Bucks (1971), Brewers (none).

New Orleans (2009)

Drew Brees brought the Saints their first championship with a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Others: Pelicans (none).

Detroit (2008)

Henrik Zetterberg led the Red Wings past the Penguins in six games in the 2008 Stanley Cup finals. Others: Pistons (2004), Tigers (1984), Lions (1957).

Anaheim (2007)

Scott Niedermayer earned MVP honors after the Ducks beat Ottawa four games to one in the Stanley Cup finals. Others: Angels (2002).

Raleigh (2006)

Cam Ward and Rod Brind’Amour led the Hurricanes past the Edmonton Oilers in seven games in the 2006 Stanley Cup finals.

Indianapolis (2006)

Peyton Manning led the Colts to a 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. Others: The Pacers won three ABA titles, the last in 1973, before joining the NBA.

East Rutherford (2003)

The Devils and goaltender Martin Brodeur beat the Anaheim Ducks in seven games to win their third Stanley Cup. The club now plays in Newark, N.J.

Phoenix (2001)

Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling led the Diamondbacks to a seven-game victory over the New York Yankees in the 2001 World Series. Others: Suns (none), Cardinals (none), Coyotes (none).

Atlanta (1995)

The Braves beat the Indians in six games in the 1995 World Series behind MVP Tom Glavine. The Hawks last won a NBA championship in 1958, but the franchise was in St. Louis at the time. Others: Falcons (none).

Montreal (1993)

Led by Patrick Roy, the Canadiens won the 1993 Stanley Cup finals against Los Angeles in five games. It’s the last time a team from Canada has won the Stanley Cup.

Minneapolis/St. Paul (1991)

Kirby Puckett and Jack Morris led the Twins past the Braves in the 1991 World Series, which went seven games. Others: Vikings (none), Timberwolves (none), Wild (none).

Cincinnati (1990)

Barry Larkin, Jose Rijo and the Reds pulled off a 4-0 sweep of the Oakland Athletics in the 1990 World Series. That gave the Reds their fifth World Series championship. Others: Bengals (none).

Edmonton (1990)

Mark Messier and Craig MacTavish led the Oilers to a 4-1 series win over the Boston Bruins in the 1990 Stanley Cup finals. That closed a decade where Edmonton won five Stanley Cup championships.

30 years or more

Calgary (1989). The Flames beat the Canadiens in six games to win the 1989 Stanley Cup finals.

Portland (1977). The Trail Blazers won their only NBA title behind Bill Walton to beat the 76ers in six games.

Buffalo (1965). The Bills won back-to-back AFL titles in 1964-65, but Jim Kelly and Co. lost four Super Bowls and the Sabres have never won the Stanley Cup.

San Diego (1963). The Chargers, now in Los Angeles, won a AFL title in 1963. The Padres lost the World Series in 1984 and 1998.

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Spain vs. Switzerland: Time, lineups, TV, streams, odds, prediction for Euro 2021 quarterfinal match

The Spain vs. Switzerland quarterfinal is a matchup of two teams that didn’t look like they could get to this point when they stumbled out of the gates.

But both sides have improved as the tournament progressed and they’re now playing some of the best soccer of the tournament. Spain, ranked No. 6 in the world, will be the favorite to advance, but No. 13 Switzerland is hitting its stride with its best players producing in big spots.

The winner of this match in St. Petersburg, Russia will have another tough semifinal ahead: The Italy vs. Belgium winner will be the next opponent.

Watch: Spain vs. Switzerland streaming on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

Spain finally solve scoring woes

The early struggles for Spain weren’t necessarily down to poor play. Luis Enrique’s side hasn’t had issues when it comes to creating scoring chances (a tournament-high 10.6 expected goals). It’s finishing them off that has let them down at key moments.

But with two consecutive five-goal outbursts that have featured a number of different goal scorers, the Spaniards showed that they’re not reliant on any one single attacker to carry them. It will still be a relief that starting center forward Alvaro Morata was able to brush off the critics with a spectacular game-winner against Croatia.

MORE: Best bets for the Euro 2021 quarterfinal stage

Against a Swiss side that has conceded chances — it has the highest “expected goals against” metric of any of the quarterfinalists by a wide margin (7.5) — Spain can expect that its playmakers and runners will find a way through the Swiss defense. What happens in front of goal could be another story.

How did the Swiss make it this far?

Switzerland hadn’t advanced to the quarterfinals of a major competition since 1938 and it finally got over the hump with a shock ouster of pre-tournament favorites France. Down 3-1 with 15 minutes remaining, that Round of 16 matchup looked like another lost cause for the Swiss, until their improbable comeback.

Getty Images https://ift.tt/3dr3V5t

They’ve arrived to this point on the back of timely goals by an underrated attacking front that has finally put it together: Benfica striker Haris Seferovic, Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri and German Bundesliga players Breel Embolo and Steven Zuber.

MORE: Complete Euro 2021 tournament bracket

Captain and midfield general Granit Xhaka, has also been a major contributor with his tidy passing and tactical nous, but he will miss the match due to suspension. Bundesliga all-terrain midfielders Denis Zakaria or Djibril Sow will be his likely replacement, with the latter probably coming closest to matching Xhaka’s skill set.

Spain vs. Switzerland: Odds & prediction

The Swiss will feel good about their chances to keep it close based on their recent Nations League matches against Spain: a 1-1 home draw and 1-0 loss in Spain. And if not for an 89th minute equalizer, the Swiss would’ve won that home game.

But the personnel for Spain has changed since those 2020 matchups and the squad is different all over the field. Pedri has emerged as a cog in midfield, Pablo Sarabia has become a reliable winger and Aymeric Laporte and Eric Garcia are now the mainstays in central defense.

Although it may very well turn into another tight affair, it’s unlikely the Swiss can spring a second straight surprise without their captain. The sportsbooks are thinking along those lines based on the odds that are out there.

The best play available involves “Spain to score first and win” but the Asian Handicaps are attractive if you believe this will be a multi-goal win for Spain. If the likely outcome materializes and Spain takes the lead, the match should open up and Spain’s goal-scoring opportunities should increase as a result.

Prediction: Spain 3, Switzerland 1

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Switzerland to win (90 mins): +480

Switzerland to advance: +230

Draw (90 mins): +285

Spain to win (90 mins): -157

Spain to advance: -305

Spain to score first and win the match: -118

Spain shots on target spread -2.5 (incl. extra time): -125

Spain -1.25 Asian Handicap: +150

Spain -1.5 Asian Handicap: +188

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2022 Infiniti QX55 delivers style without substance

My mother always tells me it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

She might feel differently about the 2021 Infiniti QX55.

The 2021 Infiniti QX55 is a chic crossover SUV based on the more practical, less sexy, less expensive QX50. More expensive and less practical with the same compromised powertrain isn’t a compelling proposition. German rivals have filled this crossover coupe segment that Infiniti’s now joining late. Mom always says one should always arrive early or on time and heaven sakes, deliver the goods.

I spent a week running the kids around town, picking up groceries, and hauling the family up to northern Minnesota to find where the 2021 Infiniti QX55 hits and misses.

2022 Infiniti QX55

2022 Infiniti QX55

2022 Infiniti QX55

Hit: It’s really pretty

The best part about the QX55 is its gorgeous exterior design. The roofline has Infiniti FX vibes, the LED taillights have 45 individual LEDs in each cluster, and the subtle curves of the hood add dimension both from the driver’s viewpoint and for those looking at it on the road. This is easily the best-looking coupe-like crossover SUV and makes the Audi Q5 Sportback and BMW X4 look dowdy.

2022 Infiniti QX55

Miss: Too many variables

The QX55 is powered by the same 2.0-liter turbo-4 found in the QX50. The impressive bit about this engine is the variable compression technology that helps it churn out 268 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. The issue is the turbocharged engine and its variable compression are hooked to a continuously variable transmission. This powertrain doesn’t work together cohesively. The V-6-like power creates a surging sensation while the CVT tries to shift its non-existent gears. The members of my family that experience motion sickness weren’t pleased in the QX55 despite my best efforts to keep the power delivery smooth from stop sign to stop light.

2022 Infiniti QX55

Hit: At home on the highway

While the QX55’s powertrain isn’t ideal for driving smoothly around town it levels out and drops into the background on the highway. The suspension is well sorted despite not featuring active dampers. The passive dampers deliver a firm, yet controlled ride with some lean around clover leafs that’s never too harsh even over highway seams, and this is while riding on 20-inch wheels and run-flat tires.

2022 Infiniti QX55

Hit and Miss: Rear seat is a mixed bag

The rear seat isn’t a penalty box thanks to seat backs that recline for road trips. Despite the presence of three seat belts, three adults won’t fit across the bench comfortably. The seats slide fore and aft, allowing as much as 38.7 inches of leg room, which is great. But the seat bottom is a little too short and toe room is limited by the front seat frame. Head room is adequate for six-footers despite the roofline, but anyone taller is going to feel the roof.

2022 Infiniti QX55

Hit and Miss: Dueling infotainment screens

The QX55 infotainment system could be mistaken for something that’s from 2014. The 8.0-inch touchscreen mounted above a 7.0-inch touchscreen look very similar to what debuted in the Q50 sedan in 2014, but they have been updated. The two-screen design is nice in concept, as Apple CarPlay can be used on the upper screen while the satellite radio presets and controls are displayed on the lower screen. But the top screen has a different resolution and finish than the glossy bottom screen, which can look pixelated when not using Apple CarPlay. Worse, the bottom screen’s interface, like other Nissan and Infiniti products, isn’t very useful without the built-in navigation system.

2022 Infiniti QX55

2022 Infiniti QX55

2022 Infiniti QX55

Hit: Lack of shiny black plastic

In a time where automakers like Mercedes-Benz seem to believe shiny black plastic equates to luxury, it’s nice to see Infiniti use very little of it. There isn’t even a hint of the fingerprint-magnet finish on the center console. While there’s a smidge of the shiny black stuff used as the trim around the lower 7.0-inch touchscreen, it’s not a regular touchpoint, so it stays looking clean. The center console’s wrapped in leather and the plastic parts are covered in a matte finish that’s soft to the touch.

The 2021 Infiniti QX55 costs $47,525 while my top-spec Sensory model had a sticker price of $58,770. Aside from the exterior design it doesn’t feel worth the price with the same mess of a powertrain found in the less expensive and more practical QX50, but there were niceties such as a Bose 16-speaker audio system, Infiniti’s ProPilot Assist driver assist system, and a subpar navigation system. The exterior looks better than the German competition, but the substance is lacking. Mom was right, don’t judge based on looks alone.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2021 Infiniti QX55 Sensory

Base price: $47,525 Price as tested: $58,770 EPA fuel economy: 22/28/25 mpg The hits: Chic design, rear seat legroom, reclining rear seat, dual screens for infotainment The misses: Complicated powertrain isn’t smooth, infotainment interface, rear seat bottom and toe room

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A return to the Red Bull Ring

After all of the action of last weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix at Austria’s Red Bull Ring, teams are back to do it all again this weekend during the Austrian Grand Prix, which serves as round nine of the 2021 Formula One World Championship.

Organizers decided to host back-to-back rounds in Austria to fill in for one of the rounds canceled by Covid-19 disruptions, just like last year.

This provides teams with an opportunity, as having just raced on the Red Bull Ring, they know exactly how their cars performed and what tweaks are required.

However, there will always be surprises cropping up. There are also some planned changes. One is Pirelli nominating a slightly softer set of tires. For the Austrian Grand Prix, Pirelli nominated the P Zero White hard as the C3, the P Zero Yellow medium the C4 and the P Zero Red soft the C5, versus the P Zero White hard as the C2, the P Zero Yellow medium the C2 and the P Zero Red soft the C4 used in the Styrian Grand Prix. Teams normally use a one-stop strategy here.

Red Bull Ring, home of the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix

Another change is that, after testing a small audience last weekend, a full crowd will be allowed into the circuit this time. A third change is a probability rather than a certainty, as it concerns the weather, with the threat of rain and cooler temperatures during Sunday’s race, which could therefore shake up the order.

The track itself is unchanged. At a short 2.688 miles in length, it takes just 68 seconds to complete a lap. There are only 10 corners, which is the fewest of any circuit on the calendar, but with four long straights, the speed the cars reach more than makes up for any lack of drama.

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen dominated last weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix in a fashion that we’ve rarely seen in the hybrid era outside of Mercedes-Benz AMG, with the Dutch youngster having secured pole and then leading the race from start to finish. Mercedes has no doubt spent the past few days trying to extract more performance from its car, so it will be interesting to see if the team has pulled it off.

Going into Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race, Verstappen leads the 2021 Drivers’ Championship with 156 points. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is second with 138 points and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez is third with 96 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull leads with 252 points versus the 212 of Mercedes and 120 of McLaren. Last year’s winner of the Austrian Grand Prix was Valtteri Bottas driving for Mercedes.

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Tobin Heath showed she’s back for USWNT, but Christen Press should never leave the position she claimed

After 214 days away from the United States Women’s National Team, and nearly that long removed from any sort of competitive soccer, forward Tobin Heath entered Thursday’s friendly against Mexico and immediately showed why it was important to include her on the roster for the Tokyo Olympics.

And on this same night, which ended with a 4-0 U.S. victory, Christen Press reminded everyone why she should remain the starter at Heath’s old position when their Olympics begin July 21 against nemesis Sweden.

At the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Heath started six of the USWNT’s seven games on the right side of its three-player forward line, recording one assist but consistently unsettling defenses with her ability to take players on in open space. She has earned 170 caps since 2008 and scored 34 goals. She has been a starter in every major tournament going back to the 2012 Olympics.

MORE: Key takeaways from USWNT’s win vs. Mexico

While Heath has been absent from club and international soccer since January recovering from ankle and knee injuries, however, Press has played primarily in the spot Heath left open and been the national team’s best player.

Press scored the second and fourth U.S. goals in the victory over Mexico, which means she now has had direct involvement in 36 goals in her past 36 appearances for the USWNT.

She started two of the three games in the SheBelieves Cup and six friendly matches, and her performance has included five goals, four assists, the ability to function at a high level at any of the three forward spots and a work ethic that saw her dashing up and down the right sideline against Mexico despite the meager threat the opposition posed. Press did it because it was the proper way to play the game.

It would be inaccurate to say Heath is not a worthy starter given the team’s history with her as a crucial part of the attack. What Press has demonstrated since taking over, though, is more speed, more flexibility, better passing skill. She does the latter well enough to be trusted to take some corner kicks.

Press has been a part of the national team since 2013 and made 148 appearances, but she never has had a position to call her own. She started only five of 15 matches she played in three major tournaments.

Against Mexico, Press showed how many ways she can impact the game by initiating a move that nearly led to the game’s second goal, in the 31st minute, deftly reading an attempted pass and stepping in to intercept, then tapping it back to Sam Mewis for a dazzling forward ball to Megan Rapinoe on the left side, whose short pass was redirected off the left post by center forward Alex Morgan.

Press’ ability to play effectively all across the front line was evident when she and Morgan momentarily switched positions in the 38th minute, after Morgan had pressed the ball out to the sideline and forced a long pass that was intercepted. When Mewis drove the ball into the box and found Rapinoe cutting in from the left, Press prepared herself for a quick pass in front of goal and toe-poked it into the net.

By the 85th minute, when Press struck again, she had shifted to the left side because of Heath’s entry into the game. This time, she tucked into the middle as left back Tierna Davidson advanced up the left side. Press kept her eyes on the ball the entire time and, as Davidson’s cross arrived, sneaked in front of the defender and executed a simple re-direction into the net.

Getty Images https://ift.tt/3dywrSD

The reaction to Heath’s goal less than a minute after entering the Mexico game showed how beloved she is among her teammates (above). She was embraced by nearly every player on the field at the time, including Press.

Heath will serve as a valuable presence and potential weapon for the U.S. in Tokyo. Coach Vlatko Andonovski said of the sizzling shot Heath launched from 30 yards, “That’s a Tobin Heath type of goal. … The things that she can come up with, not many players in the world can come up with.”

And maybe the U.S. will need something so magical at some point in the Olympics. With Press on the field from the start, though, it’ll be less likely.

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Ford trademarks Rattler name

Ford on June 28 applied for trademark protection for the “Rattler” name with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The move doesn’t necessarily guarantee Ford will launch a vehicle bearing Rattler as part or all of its name, as automakers often trademark names simply to protect them in case of a future need, but CarBuzz seems to think that Rattler could point to a new variant of the 2022 Ford Maverick compact pickup—one aimed at off-roaders.

The term rattler can refer to rattlesnakes, an animal that conjures up images of harsh desert terrain. A potential Maverick Rattler serving as a little brother to the F-150 Raptor and upcoming Ranger Raptor is sure to find some fans.

2022 Ford Maverick

The car-derived Maverick was only revealed in June and is due at dealerships in late 2021. It will initially be offered with usual Ford pickup trim levels including the FX4 off-road trim, but it’s a safe bet Ford will eventually add new variants.

The Maverick will have two powertrains on offer at launch. The base option is a hybrid setup featuring a 2.5-liter inline-4 as its internal-combustion component. The setup is good for 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. Buyers seeking more power will be able to opt for a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 rated at 250 hp and 277 lb-ft.

Ford has been busy with its trademark filing. We also learned in June that the Blue Oval renewed its trademark for “Splash,” a name previously used for a performance-oriented Ranger variant in the 1990s. There’s a redesigned Ranger just around the corner, and perhaps it will revive the Ranger Splash.

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Who will win Euro 2021? Odds, betting favorites, best bets for tournament quarterfinals

Euro 2021 largely played to expectations in the group stages. There were a couple of upsets and some surprising results, but there weren’t any shocking early exits or squads that tumbled further down than expected in their group standings. That allowed bettors to capitalize on trends, identify favorable odds, and make some solid bets.

But the Round of 16 — now that provided soccer fans with some serious surprises.

First, the Netherlands fell to the Czech Republic, an upset that we predicted in our Round of 16 betting preview. After that, the chaos continued with an insane day that saw Spain beat Croatia in an absurd fashion, while Switzerland knocked out the reigning World Cup champion, France, in the tournament’s first penalty-kick shootout.

MORE: Why fans will never forget the wildest day in Euros history

And on the final day of the Round of 16, England knocked off Germany 2-0 in one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the tournament to date.

The exits of France, Germany and the Netherlands took out three of the six teams with better than 10-1 odds to win the tournament ahead of the Round of 16. And France had been the tournament favorite, so a new favorite has emerged for the first time at these Euros.

Who will win Euro 2021? With just eight teams remaining, the picture is getting clearer. Here are the best bets to make and sides to trust as the tournament quarterfinals arrive.

Euro 2021 odds

All odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

England (+205) is the new tournament favorite after France’s elimination. Three other teams have odds better than 10-1 — Spain (+320), Italy (+370) and Belgium (+700). All three of those teams are on the same side of the bracket, and Italy and Belgium play one another in the quarterfinals.

Denmark (+1000) is the only team with mid-tier odds, as the rest of the teams remaining are considered long shots to win. The Czech Republic (+2500), Switzerland (+2500) and Ukraine (+3300) have the longest odds to win the tournament.

Team Odds to win England +205 Spain +320 Italy +370 Belgium +700 Denmark +1000 Czech Republic +2500 Switzerland +2500 Ukraine +3300

Euro 2021 expert picks

Best bet to win Euro 2021

England (+205). England is the new tournament favorite after knocking off Germany 2-0. The English benefitted from a sloppy German effort in the final third, but they have established themselves as the team to beat on the right side of the bracket.

England’s test moving forward isn’t that daunting. The English already knocked off the toughest opponent on their side of the bracket in Germany. They get to face Ukraine in the quarterfinals and then will take on either Denmark or the Czech Republic in the semifinals. England should have an advantage over all three of those squads, so they should have a chance to make it through to the final.

Some may balk at betting 2-1 odds on England after they were roughly 6-1 or 7-1 earlier in the tournament, but the value is still there for them. They are a solid all-around team with an easy path to the final and have yet to concede a goal at the tournament.

Belgium (+700). Picking anyone on the left side of the bracket is a risk given the tough competition that each side is facing. Spain may have the easiest path remaining, but Belgium is a nice sleeper pick to win the title.

The Red Devils are one of the more experienced sides in the tournament and they have generally had good form during the Euros. They had their share of issues against Portugal — they were outshot 24-6 on the day (5-1 on target) — but they still escaped with the win despite dealing with injuries to Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard.

Belgium’s potential path to a title could feature games against Italy, Spain and England. That’s no easy task, and the team is dealing with some injuries, but it has good depth. So, even if De Bruyne and Hazard have to miss time, they can fill the void with some experienced, talented veterans.

Certainly, Belgium is no lock to win the tournament, but the Belgians have the fourth-best odds to win and are the No. 1-ranked team in the world. It’s worth taking a shot on them, especially as a foil to England. Because if both make the final, you’ll automatically profit.

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Best bets to finish top 2

Denmark (+330). If you’re looking for a good way to fade England, betting Denmark to make the final is intriguing. The Danes should beat the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. That would put them through to the final four of the tournament, which they’re heavily favored to make (-215 to make the top 4).

Then, the question becomes, can Denmark beat England in the semifinals? England is a tough opponent, but Denmark has demonstrated great form in recent matches. If it continues to play well, the Danish squad could make a run to the title game. Taking the Danes as the underdog to win the far weaker side of the bracket is an appealing move, though betting them to win the tournament at this point isn’t recommended.

Quarterfinal games to bet

England (-204) vs. Ukraine. There’s not much value with England here, but Ukraine is clearly the weakest team remaining in the field. The Ukrainians managed to beat Sweden and put forth a great effort, but they got a bit lucky in making it through. Sweden went down to 10 men in the 99th minute of extra time and Ukraine took advantage, netting the second-latest goal in Euro history to earn the 2-1 win.

That said, England is no Sweden. The English have more attacking power with Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Harry Kane on their team and that trio will cause plenty of issues for Ukraine.

Ukraine will need a terrific effort from goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan to have any chance of winning. His English counterpart Jordan Pickford hasn’t conceded a goal yet in this tournament though, so it will be very difficult for Ukraine to break through and score.

England certainly has the upper hand in this matchup. While the odds aren’t great, it might be a chance to parlay it with other bets on this list to improve the odds.

Denmark (+106) vs. Czech Republic. The Czechs have been one of the Cinderella teams of the tournament so far, as they knocked off a heavily favored Netherland squad in the Round of 16, but they had a bit of good fortune in that game. Matthijs de Ligt picked up a red card in the 52nd minute that made the match an 11 on 10 affair for the Czech Republic. The Czechs scored twice after that to pull off the upset. 

The Czechs have been in decent form in this tournament, but they’re running into a highly motivated Danish side in this one. Denmark is playing for Christian Eriksen in the wake of his on-field cardiac arrest and it crushed Wales 4-0 in its Round of 16 game. Mikkel Damsgaard has done a fine job filling in for Eriksen while Kasper Dolberg showed he is a goal-scoring option after scoring two in the last game.

Additionally, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is rounding into form. He has allowed just one goal in Denmark’s last two games.

Denmark should have a good chance to beat the Czech Republic with an offense that’s beginning to click and a motivational edge in tow. Perhaps Czech star Patrik Schick (below) can keep his scoring streak going, but Denmark should still have a clear advantage, so getting the Danes at +106 is nice value.

(Getty Images) https://ift.tt/3ydLTM0

Quarterfinal upset special

Belgium (+245) over Italy. The Italians have performed well during the Euros, but they had a devil of a time dealing with Austria. Italy needed extra time to defeat the David Alaba-led squad and were lucky that Marko Arnautovic was offside on a second-half goal that could’ve given Austria the win.

Belgium’s team comes with some concerns as well. Notably, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are dealing with injuries picked up against Portugal and may not be healthy enough to play in the quarterfinal. Even still, the Belgians have solid depth including Yannick Carrasco and Dries Mertens that can help fill in for those players.

Will the Belgians be as explosive if De Bruyne and Hazard can’t play? No, but they’ll still be the best team that Italy has faced in this tournament by a fair bit. And given the struggles Italy had breaking down Austria, it may have similar issues against Belgium.

Of the underdogs in this round, Belgium is probably the most appealing. The Red Devils have the talent needed to make a run to the final, so why not bet on the experienced side to take down a relatively young Italian team?

Quarterfinal game to avoid

Spain vs. Switzerland. Spain has finally found its scoring touch the last couple of games, netting a total of 10 goals against Slovakia and Croatia. However, betting on them at -148 to beat Switzerland isn’t exactly appealing.

Spain should have an advantage over Switzerland in terms of skill. But France did as well, and Switzerland sent the reigning World Cup Champions home.

Yes, France wasn’t in its best form at this tournament, but Spain hasn’t been either. The Spaniards blew a two-goal lead in the final five minutes plus stoppage time against Croatia before emerging with the extra-time win. Against a Swiss team that’s in better form than the Croatians were, they could have more trouble, especially with Haris Seferovic and Xherdan Shaqiri creating scoring opportunities.

Spain certainly could win this game, but it’s by no means a lock. As such, sitting this one out is probably for the best.

Getty Images https://ift.tt/3AjEwEF

Golden Boot race odds

There are four players in the Golden Boot race with better than 10-1 odds to take home the trophy.

Player Odds Total Goals Cristiano Ronaldo +110 5 Patrik Schick +500 4 Raheem Sterling +500 3 Romelu Lukaku +700 3

Golden Boot best bets

Cristiano Ronaldo (+110). There’s nothing exciting about betting a player whose tournament has come to an end, but with Ronaldo, you at least know what you’re getting. You’re getting five goals, which is currently good enough for first place.

Could Schick (4 goals), Lukaku (3 goals) or Sterling (3 goals) overtake Ronaldo? Sure, it’s possible. At the same time, Schick and Lukaku are facing tough tests in the quarterfinals and could be eliminated while Sterling will need a couple of goals to just tie Ronaldo. So, Ronaldo is a safe bet because he has a cushion — albeit a small one.

If Ronaldo was still playing, these odds would be a no-brainer, but even with his tournament over, betting on him isn’t a bad move.

Raheem Sterling (+500). Sterling is the most intriguing option of the top four. He has fairly long odds and the fewest goals of the bunch, but he also is playing on the weaker side of the bracket. That gives him an edge over Lukaku, who has to face Italy in the quarterfinals and could be eliminated as a result.

Meanwhile, Schick is on the weaker side of the bracket as well, but he’s playing for the Czech Republic team. The Czechs may have trouble competing with Denmark, so his chances of being eliminated in that game are higher than Sterling’s are against Ukraine.

Sterling is worth a shot at 5-1. England has a good chance to win the title and Gareth Southgate seems to trust him.

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Watch GMC’s 9,000-lb Hummer EV hit 60 mph in 3 seconds

The 4th of July is coming up, and GMC has decided to start the celebrations early with a demonstration of its 2022 Hummer EV electric pickup truck’s Watts to Freedom mode.

What’s Watts to Freedom? It’s the Hummer EV’s launch control, and according to Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for the Hummer EV (and previously for the Camaro), it unlocks the full potential of the powertrain, and then does its darnedest to put all of the power to the ground.

Entering the Watts to Freedom mode also sees the adaptive air suspension lower the ride height by two inches, plus unique sounds and screen animations presented in the cabin to simulate the feel of a countdown.

2022 GMC Hummer EV

2022 GMC Hummer EV

It does an incredible job as it sends the Hummer EV from 0-60 mph in just 3.0 seconds, exerting 0.74 g on occupants in the process. That’s supercar territory.

But the Hummer EV is no supercar. On the contrary, it’s one of the heaviest pickup trucks on the market. GMC spokesman Mikhael Farah told Motor Authority in may that the curb weight is a staggering 9,046 pounds. That’s more than a GMC Sierra 3500 HD dually with a crew cab and Duramax diesel engine. That massive truck has a quoted curb weight of “only” 8,355 pounds.

Granted, the Hummer EV has plenty of power to move its many pounds. GMC quotes 1,000 hp for Hummer EV’s range-topping EV3X three-motor powertrain which features the Watts to Freedom mode. Torque is estimated at 1,000 lb-ft, which works out to be 11,500 lb-ft at the wheels after torque multipliers.

2022 GMC Hummer EV

As with other electric vehicles, the Hummer EV’s hefty curb weight is likely the result of the battery pack. The Hummer EV at launch will have a 200-kilowatt-hour, 24-module, double-stacked battery that GMC estimates will deliver a maximum 350 miles of range. That’s the biggest battery we’ve seen yet in a production vehicle.

The Hummer EV’s curb weight means it likely won’t be classified as a passenger vehicle. So like GM’s current HD trucks, it will be exempt from EPA efficiency ratings and most crash testing. That might help explain how GMC plans to get the truck to customers on such a tight timetable. It was only approved in early 2019 but starts production this fall.

The Hummer EV launches in Edition 1 guise with the EV3X powertrain. That model is priced from $112,595 base price. About a year later, GM will introduce a regular EV3X version, priced from $99,995. Less potent EV2X and EV2 grades will arrive in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The EV2X will be priced from $89,995 and the EV2 from $79,995. A Hummer EV SUV will also arrive in 2023.

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‘The Match 4’ golf odds, prediction for Phil Mickelson-Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau-Aaron Rodgers

“The Match” is entering its fourth edition, and this may be the most exciting one since the original Phil Mickelson vs. Tiger Woods matchup of 2018.

This year, Mickelson will pair with Tom Brady, his partner from the second “The Match” competition, and take on one of the best young golfers in the game, Bryson DeChambeau. His sidekick will be Aaron Rodgers, which sets up a second battle of NFL MVPs in “The Match” history (Brady vs. Peyton Manning was the first).

Brady was voted Super Bowl MVP in 2021 while Rodgers was voted NFL regular-season MVP for 2020.

There will be plenty of action and intrigue surrounding these stars, and bettors will surely want to get in on it. There are some solid-looking bets that gamblers can take advantage of — and there will be more to come in as “The Match 4” draws nearer.

Here’s a complete betting guide to “The Match 4,” including odds, the best prop bets and a prediction for Phil Mickelson-Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau-Aaron Rodgers.

Watch ‘The Match 4’ with fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

Betting odds for ‘The Match 4’

Bryson DeChambeau-Aaron Rodgers (-182)

Phil Mickelson-Tom Brady (+135)

Unsurprisingly, DeChambeau and Rodgers are favored to win “The Match 4.” DeChambeau has been the longest driver off the tee on the PGA Tour and the elevation changes at the Moonlight Basin course in Montana will allow him to use his strength to his advantage. Rodgers is considered to be a better golfer than Brady.

Still, Mickelson won “The Match” head-to-head against Tiger Woods as a heavy underdog, so Mickelson and Brady can’t be counted out, especially since DeChambeau’s driving accuracy and play around the green are both streaky.

Prop bets for ‘The Match 4’

Here’s a look at the best prop bets for “The Match 4.”

Hole 1 winner (no tie): DeChambeau-Rodgers (-125) | Mickelson-Brady (-106)

First to go up 1 up: DeChambeau-Rodgers (-137) | Mickelson-Brady (+105)

These two bets go hand-in-hand. If there’s a Hole 1 winner, that means that one team will be 1 up. As such, these are good to pair.

The first hole is a 463-yard par-4 that plays significantly downhill. While DeChambeau has the distance advantage, he could find himself in trouble if he misses with his drive. Mickelson can still hit the ball far — he averages 302.6 yards per drive compared to DeChambeau’s 322.4 — and while both are equally inaccurate and rank 186th (DeChambeau) and 189th (Mickelson) in driving accuracy, respectively, Mickelson is more likely to play it safe on the opening hole.

As such, Mickelson and Brady are the better bet to have an early lead. Trusting them at the -106 and +105 odds is appealing.

Longest tee shot Hole 1: Bryson DeChambeau (-200) | Phil Mickelson (+140)

Longest tee shot Hole 6: Bryson DeChambeau (-200) | Phil Mickelson (+140)

Longest tee shot Hole 8: Bryson DeChambeau (-200) | Phil Mickelson (+140)

DeChambeau averages nearly 20 yards more per drive than Mickelson. Hole 1 is 463 yards, Hole 6 is 633 yards and Hole 8 is 500 yards. DeChambeau will blast his driver as hard as he can to try to shorten these holes.

Could Mickelson outdrive him once in this matchup? Sure, especially if DeChambeau has a mishit. But for the most part, betting against DeChambeau in a driving contest is foolhardy. Trust him as the favorite in these three scenarios.

Leader after six holes (no tie): DeChambeau-Rodgers (-137) | Mickelson-Brady (+105)

As mentioned, the sixth hole is 633 yards and is the second-longest on the course. After that hole, DeChambeau and Rodgers should have a lead given that DeChambeau will have an easier time shortening the course than Mickelson. He’s worth trusting in this scenario, even if we are a bit worried about how he and Rodgers might fare on the first hole.

Phil Mickelson vs. Bryson DeChambeau

Mickelson has been up and down of late. He won the PGA Championship at the Kiawah Island course in May but followed that up by shooting 11 over and missing the cut at the U.S. Open. That said, Mickelson made the cut in four of his last five events entering this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.

DeChambeau has been a bit more consistent than Mickelson. He hasn’t missed a cut in his last 10 events and has finished in the top 10 in three of those tournaments. He’s a big-time driver, but his lack of accuracy off the tee and his up-and-down approach game gets him into trouble.

DeChambeau, 27, is seen as a better golfer than Mickelson, 51, at this point in their careers. DeChambeau ranks fifth overall in the Official World Golf Ranking while Mickelson checks in at 31st. That explains why DeChambeau’s odds to win The Open Championship (20-1) are far better than those of Mickelson (66-1).

DeChambeau has the head-to-head edge over Mickelson for “The Match,” and his case is helped by the fact that his amateur partner probably has the edge on his competition as well.

Tom Brady vs. Aaron Rodgers

Brady might be the greatest quarterback of all time, and he and the Buccaneers were able to beat Rodgers and the Packers twice last year — the second time in the NFC championship game — en route to a seventh Super Bowl title for Brady.

But Rodgers has Brady beat in golf. His best handicap is 3.5 while Brady’s is roughly 8.1. Rodgers believes Brady is better than that, however.

“I don’t think Brady’s an 8. I’ve played with him, and he’s good,” Rodgers said in an interview with Golf Magazine. “I’ve played with all of those guys. Tony [Romo]’s a great player. Matt [Ryan] and I — I’ve beat him a couple of times, he’s beat me a couple of times.”

Rodgers has golfed competitively more than Brady, especially of late. Rodgers finished tied for ninth in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2020. He worked with Max Homa to earn the top-10 finish.

Brady has golfed with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, but his only edge over Rodgers is that he has participated in “The Match” along with Mickelson before. Thus the edge here goes to the 37-year-old Rodgers over the 43-year-old Brady.

Prediction for ‘The Match 4’

It’s hard to pick against Brady and Mickelson. They are all-time winners in their respective sports and have experience playing together in “The Match.”

But this course plays to DeChambeau’s strength. It’s long, but it’s also 7,500 feet above sea level, so he will be able to shorten it a good bit. And Rodgers, as mentioned, is a solid golfer in his own right.

Mickelson has won this event as an underdog twice, so “The Match 4” should be competitive. But expect DeChambeau and Rodgers to come out on top.

Winners: Bryson DeChambeau & Aaron Rodgers

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North America becomes Bugatti’s biggest market for first time

It’s been a bumper year for Bugatti sales, particularly in North America where new orders for the first six months are up seven times compared to the same period a year ago, though a certain pandemic clearly had an effect on the previous year’s numbers.

Nevertheless, the boost in sales has seen North America become Bugatti’s biggest market for the first time, overtaking Europe which has until now held the title.

Bugatti doesn’t provide a breakdown of its sales figures, but you can count on most of the North American orders being made by customers in the United States. Mind you we’re talking tiny numbers here. Bugatti delivers less than 100 cars per years, and that’s worldwide.

Bugatti Chiron Chiron Pur Sport

Helping with the local effort has been an engaged dealer network in North America, according to Cedric Davy, chief operating officer at Bugatti of the Americas. For example, with its Chiron Pur Sport model, Bugatti took one of the cars to dealerships across the region, allowing dealers to help customers get better acquainted with the model and its specific traits. The result was that 70% of Pur Sport buyers were new to the brand. Another popular model, this time with existing Bugatti customers, was the Divo coach-built special.

Bugatti’s latest model is the Chiron Super Sport which was revealed on June 8 and already showing significant interest in North America, according to the automaker. Thanks to this interest, Bugatti said it’s on track for a record year in this region.

The Chiron Super Sport is a slightly more civilized version of the Chiron Super Sport 300+, the car that hit a top speed of 304.773 mph at Volkswagen Group’s Ehra Lessien test track in Germany back in 2019. The new Super Sport features the same long-tail design of the 300+ but has a suspension setup that provides a better balance between performance and comfort. Its top speed is also capped at 273 mph, though we doubt most owners will care. Pricing for the Chiron Super Sport starts at 3.2 million euros (approximately $3.9 million) and customers can expect to receive their cars in early 2022.

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White House mocked for pun-filled tweet claiming cheaper July 4 cookout

The White House social media team set off some fireworks it didn’t want Thursday when it attempted to counter inflation fears by claiming Americans will enjoy cheaper Independence Day parties this year.

“Planning a cookout this year?” the groan-worthy tweet began. “Ketchup on the news. According to the Farm Bureau, the cost of a 4th of July BBQ is down from last year. It’s a fact you must-hear(d). Hot dog, the Biden economic plan is working. And that’s something we can all relish.”

The tweet was accompanied by a GIF laying out the price change for select food items. Among them: the cost of two pounds of ground beef is down 8 percent on last year, the price of a pound of sliced cheese and a 13-ounce bag of potato chips are both down 1 percent, and the cost of a half-gallon of vanilla ice cream is down 5 percent from 2020.

The savings for the whole meal: 16 cents.

Planning a cookout this year? Ketchup on the news. According to the Farm Bureau, the cost of a 4th of July BBQ is down from last year. It’s a fact you must-hear(d). Hot dog, the Biden economic plan is working. And that’s something we can all relish. pic.twitter.com/7h9qLauIbC

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 1, 2021

However, it seems the White House social media team forgot to check in with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) before posting the claim. Last week, the USDA noted that the consumer price index for grocery store and supermarket food purchases was up 0.7 percent over May of last year. The USDA also projected that grocery store and supermarket prices would increase between 2 and 3 percent this year.

Earlier this month, the Labor Department reported that its Consumer Price Index showed that inflation had gone up 5 percent since May 2020, the largest 12-month increase since a 5.4 percent bump for the period ending in August 2008.

Twitter users of all political persuasions expressed outrage at the spin attempt.

This reminds me of the passage in 1984 where they celebrate the chocolate ration going up when it actually was reduced by 10 gramshttps://t.co/0bg5uDJlAV

— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) July 2, 2021

“This reminds me of the passage in [George Orwell’s novel] 1984 where they celebrate the chocolate ration going up when it actually was reduced by 10 grams,” former Republican National Committee official Liz Harrington said.

“People love when politicians tell them life is easier than they think,” Republican strategist John Ashbrook added.

“Still laughing about this,” Washington Examiner reporter Jerry Dunleavy remarked. “Sixteen cents. And of course it includes ice cream. Beyond parody.”

“With an unprecedented humanitarian crisis at our border, soaring gas prices, and more out of control spending that will cripple our future generations, the Biden Administration is bragging about saving us $0.04 on sliced cheese,” lamented Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah).

“[I]’m the guy who voted for Biden so cheese prices would fall 1 [percent], this is better than universal healthcare,” one liberal Twitter user quipped.

“Reducing potato chip prices by 1 [percent] is practically the same thing as cancelling student debt, right?” asked another user.

With an unprecedented humanitarian crisis at our border, soaring gas prices, and more out of control spending that will cripple our future generations, the Biden Administration is bragging about saving us $0.04 on sliced cheese. https://t.co/L0cxWeHxlC

— Burgess Owens (@BurgessOwens) July 2, 2021

Others noted that the Biden administration’s triumphant claim didn’t appear to take the cost of driving to and from the store or cookout into consideration.

“Good news: you can save 16 cents on the groceries for your cookout this year,” tweeted Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Ala). “Bad news: the gas to get to the store will cost you 42 [percent] more than last year.”

AAA reported Thursday night that the national average price for a gallon of regular gas had risen to $3.12, the highest it’s been on Independence Day weekend since 2014.

“Today, 89 [percent] of U.S. gas stations are selling regular unleaded for $2.75 or more,” AAA spokesperson Jeanette McGee said in a statement. “That is a stark increase over last July 4 when only a quarter of stations were selling gas for more than $2.25.”

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USWNT gets Olympic tuneup win over Mexico; Tobin Heath scores in long-awaited return

The U.S. women’s national team had a dream start to a July that it hopes will include a deep run at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic tournament. 

The USWNT registered a convincing 4-0 Olympic tuneup win over Mexico in East Hartford, Conn., on Thursday and in the process saw one of its stars make an immediate impact in her long-awaited return.

Christen Press netted twice and Sam Mewis scored again, but Tobin Heath’s goal after a lengthy spell on the sidelines was what had everyone talking postgame.

Fairytale return for Heath

Out of action for six months with a combination of ankle and knee injuries suffered while with Manchester United, Heath couldn’t have asked for a more satisfying return to the field since she last played for Man United on Dec. 20.

She scored just 52 seconds after coming off the bench in the pouring rain at Rentschler Field. Her audacious drive from 30 yards out pinged off the left post and in, just how she had imagined it.

“It was huge. I didn’t know if I’d get back to this place,” Heath revealed postgame. “It took a lot of work and patience . . .  it was hard. But I was really happy with that [goal].”

“I had a long time to think about what it would be like to get back on the field. You play the game a lot in your head while you’re not doing it, so it was one of those things that slowed down and it was picture perfect,” she said of the goal. “I just took a look and saw that I could do it.”

It was her first game for the USWNT since November 2020, and in her postgame comments she made a second mention that at one point she didn’t think she’d be “here sitting back talking to you guys.” But when she was asked about her long journey back, she cut off the injury talk once and for all.

“Honestly, I don’t really want to talk about the specifics or even think about it anymore. I just want to focus on my football going forward,” she said.

Heath’s recovery has gone so well that U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski said he didn’t hesitate to bring her on in a downpour that made the field slick. He said that Heath’s entry was a predetermined substitution cleared by the high-performance staff. He’s now focused on getting her the minutes he says she needs.

“Physically, she’s ready. Medically, she doesn’t have anything to hold her back and there’s no concerns from that standpoint,” Andonovski said. “In terms of the goal, that’s a Tobin type of a goal. That’s the thing she can come up with and not many players can do or come up with.”

Press can’t be stopped

Andonovski will be hoping that the run of form that Christen Press is experiencing can last for at least one more month. And there’s no reason to believe that she can’t keep it up.

She scored two more goals Thursday and they were the product of keen soccer instincts and decisive movements in the box, the type that Andonovski says she’s been working to perfect.

Getty Images https://ift.tt/2TwMM3s

“She’s a very intelligent player when she’s in and around the box,” he said. “Understands the movement of the defenders and knows how to move well off them. But we spend a lot of time working on those movements, working on targeting players or areas. And I’m just happy we were able to capitalize on some of them.”

Press has now been involved in 36 goals in her last 36 USWNT games (18 goals, 18 assists). If the USA wins gold in Tokyo, she’ll likely play a big part in it.

First sister-to-sister goal in U.S. history

The U.S. opener in Thursday’s win was scored by Sam Mewis off a pass from sister Kristie Mewis, who got another start in central midfield alongside her sibling. The chest-bump celebration (below) was Sam’s idea, proposed before the game via text in case they were to combine for a goal.

It was a moment that will be remembered by the more than 40 friends and family members who traveled down from Massachusetts to East Hartford to watch the Mewis sisters in action. And Sam Mewis was arguably the best player on the field.

The inclusion of Kristie Mewis on the Olympic team was considered a mild surprise given her recent return to the national team after a multiyear absence due to injury. She was self-critical postgame — “I think I was sloppy in certain areas,” she said — but Andonovski sounded more pleased with her showing, saying that “she proved she deserves to be on this team.”

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Macario shines off the bench

Catarina Macario’s performances in the USWNT’s June match series were subdued and may have been a factor in her making the alternate list and missing the cut for the final 18-player Olympic roster.

Against Mexico, the 21-year-old looked nothing like the June version of herself. Coming off the bench, she was inspired and confident as she dribbled past defenders and threaded passes to teammates — creative flashes that the U.S. could surely find useful against the more obstinate defensive blockades at the Olympics.

And if an impending change in the Olympic roster rules becomes official and allows alternates to become part of an expanded 22-player roster and available for matches, that could prove a game-changer based on what Macario displayed in her 15-minute stint.

“What we saw from Catarina was something we expect from her every time she steps on the field,” Andonovski said. “We saw her creativity and ability to combine with her teammates — we saw that with Tobin [Heath] and with Sam [Mewis] and we saw a little bit of individual creativity and ability to eliminate players in a 1-v-1 situation. So for the minutes she was on the field, I thought she performed very well.”

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How Brook Lopez, Bucks bludgeoned Hawks in Game 5 with interior excellence

On the first possession of Thursday night’s Game 5 between the Bucks and Hawks, Brook Lopez found himself isolated against Kevin Huerter. Despite the speed disadvantage, Lopez stuck with Huerter as he drove to the basket and rejected his running floater. Jrue Holiday got the ball in transition, backed Bogdan Bogdanovic all the way underneath the rim and finished over him with a lefty layup.

MORE: Finally, it’s Chris Paul’s time to play for an NBA championship

That sequence encapsulated the entire contest. The Bucks bullied the Hawks on the interior throughout Game 5 in cruising to a 123-112 win and 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

“It was one of the main priorities, just to be aggressive out of the gate,” Holiday said during his postgame media availability. “Be the aggressor, be more aggressive than they were. And we definitely felt like, those games in Atlanta, the energy from the crowd or whatever it was, they swung and punched us in the mouth.

“We didn’t want to take any chances. We wanted to come out strong and hit first.”

Milwaukee punched first this time around, and Atlanta never recovered. The numbers tell the story:

Points in the paint: Bucks 66, Hawks 36

The Bucks lived in the paint in Game 5, as four different Milwaukee players scored at least 10 paint points. Lopez led the way with 26 of his playoff career-high 33 points coming in the paint. 

With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined, Lopez became the primary roller and cutter to the rim, and Holiday (13 assists) and Khris Middleton (eight assists) consistently found him for easy buckets.

“I think there was great opportunity for him to just get the ball a little bit more, try and use him a little bit more, and he came through big time,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “There were a couple where he just made plays, but he did it in a lot of different ways. He did it in pick-and-roll. He did it on the offensive glass, got to the free throw line. Just an overall really, really impressive effort.”

2-point field goal percentage: Bucks 59.1, Hawks 50.0

Milwaukee shot 38.9 percent from 3-point range during the 2020-21 regular season but went just 9 of 29 (31.0 percent) from deep in Game 5. Atlanta, meanwhile, hit 15 of its 38 3-point attempts (39.5 percent).

But the Bucks drained nearly 60 percent on their 2-pointers to more than make up for that gap. Lopez was ridiculously efficient, hitting 14 of his 18 field goal attempts (77.8 percent). Holiday and Middleton kept the pressure on the Hawks’ defense, going a combined 14 of 26 inside the arc (53.8 percent).

“I think Jrue did a great job of setting the tone first,” Middleton said. “He got himself going, then got other guys involved, Brook, Bobby [Portis]. But then myself, I just try to pick my spots, find where I can attack and be aggressive and take advantage.”

Rebounds: Bucks 47, Hawks 40

The final gap in the rebounding department wasn’t huge, but Milwaukee showed it was going to be the more assertive team on the boards to open the game.

Through the first seven minutes of the first quarter, the Hawks had . . . zero defensive rebounds. That’s right — not a single one. Cam Reddish finally grabbed the team’s first defensive rebound with 4:02 remaining in the opening period, and at that point Atlanta trailed by 18 points.

Hawks coach Nate McMillan offered a blunt assessment of his squad’s effort level on the defensive end.

Nate McMillan: “They were more physical. They hit us in the mouth, and we just did not recover from that. They were aggressive… No defense on the ball, no defense off the ball.”

— Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) July 2, 2021

Now it’s on the Bucks to bring that same mentality and intensity to Game 6 if they want to lock up their first NBA Finals berth since 1974. They know anything less won’t be enough to knock out these feisty Hawks, especially with Antetokounmpo possibly still stuck on the bench 

“It’s absolutely just everyone stepping up together to fill that. Obviously no one can replace Giannis,” Lopez said. “He’s a freaking two-time MVP, so much of what we do. No one person is going to replace that. It’s a matter of everyone stepping up, and I think everyone showed that their capable of doing that tonight.”

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How Sha’Carri Richardson’s reported Olympic suspension differs from Michael Phelps’ 2009 suspension

Olympic sprinter Sha’Carri Richardon’s hopes of winning an Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters this summer might be gone after it was reported Thursday that she tested positive for marijuana. 

Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Richardson is facing a 30-day suspension, which means she would not be able to compete in the 100 meters in Tokyo because the final is scheduled for July 31. Dragon noted that Richardson might be able to compete in the 4×100 relay, however. The final in that event is set for Aug. 6. 

After the reports of Richardson’s suspension went online, many commenters began wondering why Michael Phelps was able to compete in the Olympics after a photo of him smoking weed from a bong, which he confirmed was authentic, leaked in 2009. 

MORE: USA Olympic track and field trials results

Here’s how Richardson’s situation compares to Phelps’: 

Was Michael Phelps suspended for smoking weed?

Richardson reportedly is facing a 30-day suspension for testing positive for marijuana. Phelps’ penalty after the photo leaked was much stiffer. 

USA Swimming suspended Phelps from competition for three months and said that it would withdraw its financial support of him. 

The fallout from Phelps’ suspension included more than just an inability to compete, though. Kellogg announced that it would not renew its expiring sponsorship deal with Phelps. 

One other major difference between the Richardson and Phelps cases is the timing.

Phelps was suspended in February 2009, six months after the 2008 Olympics and five months before the 2009 World Championships. If Richardson is suspended, the ban would go into effect less than a month before the start of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. 

In addition to a possible suspension, Richardson’s 10.86-second time at the Olympic trials would be wiped out, The New York Times and multiple other outlets reported Thursday. None of Phelps’ times were stricken because he never tested positive for marijuana and the photo of him taking hits from the bong came out after the Olympics. 

What is the Olympic policy on cannabis?

According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, marijuana is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, a foundation created by the International Olympic Committee, in-competition “unless an athlete has an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption.” Use of the drug can result in an “anti-doping rule violation and sanction.” Marijuana is considered a health risk, a performance-enhancing substance and a violation of the “spirit of the sport.” USADA adheres to WADA’s World Anti-Doping Code.

USADA states that an athlete can have cannabis in their system at the time of testing but that the amount cannot exceed 150 nanograms per millileter (ng/mL). The agency also notes that it can take weeks or months for cannabis to leave an athlete’s system and that athletes should consult a doctor about a clearance time between the last usage of cannabis and the date of competition. 

WADA lists hashish and marijuana as prohibited forms of cannabinoids while noting that cannabidiol is an exception.

Athletes can be suspended for up to two years under the WADA code for testing positive for marijuana. According to a November 2020 USADA advisory to athletes, the minimum suspension is 30 days if an athlete “can establish that the use of a substance of abuse was out-of-competition and unrelated to sport performance” and “if the athlete successfully completes a substance abuse program that is approved by USADA.”

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Washington lawmaker apologizes for wearing ‘Star of David’ to protest COVID restrictions

A Washington state lawmaker apologized Thursday after he wore a yellow Star of David at an event to make a statement against COVID restrictions.

Republican state Rep. Jim Walsh faced fiery criticism for giving a speech Saturday while wearing the star, evoking those that Jews were forced to wear by the Nazis.

“This gesture went too far,” state Rep. Jim Walsh, a Republican, said during a radio interview with host Jason Rantz. “It was inappropriate and offensive and I’m terribly sorry that it happened and that I was a part of it.”

Walsh’s apology was a turnaround from earlier in the week, when he defended wearing the star. He engaged with critics on Facebook, where video of the speech was posted.

“It’s an echo from history,” Walsh commented on Saturday. “In the current context, we’re all Jews.”

Organizers of the event were “concerned about vaccine passports and vaccine segregation,” he told The Seattle Times.

“I won’t say publicly whether I’m vaccinated or not,” the lawmaker reportedly said, telling the publication “some people are offended by having to provide vaccine documentation at their work.”

On Thursday, Walsh called he and others wearing the star “a dumb idea.”

“The imagery is intense and can’t effectively be used to make points like this,” he said. “You can’t use some things as a metaphor because they go beyond the pale. They go beyond what people can accept – will accept – as a metaphoric point.”

It wasn’t the first time Nazi-era imagery was used in protest of coronavirus policies, riling many who found it inappropriate.

Recently, a Tennessee store faced backlash for offering “Not Vaccinated” patches similar to the yellow stars, which also sparked an uproar.

US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also faced criticism, and later apologized, when she compared vaccine requirements to era Nazi laws during the Holocaust.

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Will Alex Morgan be allowed to bring her child to the Tokyo Olympics? She’s still waiting to find out

It seems like a straightforward question, but U.S. women’s national team star Alex Morgan is still looking for an answer.

Less than a week before the USWNT leaves for Tokyo to compete in the 2021 Olympics, Morgan is unsure whether she can bring her daughter, Charlie, who’s just over a year old.

Olympic organizers told Reuters that “when necessary, nursing children will be able to accompany athletes to Japan.” But Morgan is confused about what “necessary” means and is waiting for more direction.

Still not sure what “when necessary” even means. Is that determined by the mother or the IOC? We are Olympic mothers telling you, it is NECESSARY. I have not been contacted about being able to bring my daughter with me to Japan and we leave in 7 days. #Tokyo2020 #USWNT #TeamUSA https://t.co/cNGMt8w0Ss

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) June 30, 2021

“We are Olympic mothers telling you, it is NECESSARY,” Morgan posted on Twitter. “I have not been contacted about being able to bring my daughter with me to Japan and we leave in seven days.”

Olympic officials have COVID-19 safety protocols in place which prevent fans from traveling to the Games, including family members of athletes. But in a statement to Reuters on Wednesday, the Internationa Olympic Committee stated that “after careful consideration of the unique situation facing athletes with infants, we are pleased to confirm that, when necessary, young children will be able to accompany athletes to Japan.”

According to the IOC, each country’s national Olympic committee has to inform Tokyo organizers about any children “within nursing age” who will be traveling with athletes.

Sporting News reached out to the U.S. Soccer Federation and the U.S. Olympic Committee seeking more information on the process and Morgan’s case in particular. 

While Morgan is waiting for her answer, Megan Rapinoe backed her USWNT teammate via a tweet that was critical of the ambiguity in the IOC’s statement.

“IOC is having a shocker here,” Rapinoe tweeted. “If a mother/father/parent says it’s necessary, it’s NECESSARY!”

Other athletes — including Canadian basketball player Kim Gaucher and U.S. track and field athlete Aliphine Tuliamuk — have also raised the issue.

Morgan addressed the issue with reporters in April, indicating that U.S. Soccer has allowed her the opportunity to have her daughter with her at every USWNT camp:

“It’s important to allow mothers the option to have their kids with them while they compete. I’ve been lucky to be able to do that every single camp,” Morgan said. “I’m just still very hopeful that I’ll have my daughter with me, [and someone] who will be able to watch her during training and games.”

“It’s important to allow mothers the option to have their kids with them while they compete,” Morgan added. “If a child is under 1 or 2, they might still be breastfeeding, so that’s a huge piece of it.”

The USWNT could be in Japan for up to a full month if it advances to the gold-medal game on Aug. 6.

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