Sports Brief: August 18

FIFA Women’s World Cup

The 2023 women’s World Cup has one game left in bracket play. The final will be a rematch from the 2022 women’s Euros quarterfinal round between England and Spain. 

England’s path to the finals included a win over Nigeria in penalties, a 2-1 win over Columbia and a 3-1 win over Australia. Spain defeated Switzerland 5-1, The Netherlands 2-1 and took down Sweden, the team who knocked out the United States, 2-1. 

Spain’s top goal scorers have been Aitana Bonmatí, Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo with a respective 3 goals apiece. Defensively, Ona Batle leads the team in tackles with 19. 

England also has a trio of women with 3 goals apiece at the World Cup, which includes Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Alessia Russo. Lucy Bronze leads the team in tackles with 20.

Spain has used two different goalkeepers at this tournament; Casta Coll, who has made 6 saves and allowed 3 goals, and Misa Rodríguez, who has had 3 saves and allowed 4 goals. England’s goalkeeper Mary Earps has made 13 saves and only allowed 3 goals.

Spain has scored 17 goals overall compared to England’s 13. England remains undefeated while Spain has only lost once. 

Kickoff for the final is at 5 a.m. on Aug. 20.

Major League Soccer

Lionel Messi scored early in the twentieth minute from a distance to defeat Philadelphia 4-1 and advance Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup finals. 

Despite Philadelphia’s 16 shots almost quadrupling Inter Miami’s 5, Inter Miami put together an 80% goal rate on their shots compared to Philadelphia’s measly 6%. Inter Miami also played a significantly cleaner game, only fouling 4 times with 1 yellow card compared to Philadelphia’s 15 fouls and 2 yellow cards. 

Inter Miami will play Nashville in the Leagues Cup final this Saturday, Aug. 19. Kickoff is at 8 p.m.

National Football League

The National Football League (NFL) is now halfway through the preseason. Tonight’s preseason matchups include the Panthers versus the Giants at 6 p.m. and the Bengals versus the Falcons at 6:30 p.m. 

One interesting matchup will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback battle between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, CBS reports. The Buccaneers will be visiting the New York Jets, who are searching for a starting running back. The duel will be between Breece Hall and former Viking running back Dalvin Cook.

In other running back signings, the New England Patriots have picked-up former Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott, who is predicted to back-up Rhamondre Stevenson.

Major League Baseball

The battle for the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs (AL) West division title continues as the Texas Rangers hold a slim 2.5 game lead over the Houston Astros.

While the Rangers are stronger at home with a 42-21 record compared to a 30-28 record away, the Astros play better on the road, going 33-26 at home versus their 37-26 record away.

Both teams have gone 7-3 in the last 10 games.