Still Kicking…

August 8, 2023

By: Carlos Alvarez

Good morning,

With the USWNT out of the women’s World Cup, a slow sports news week is in store for the next 48 hours. But don’t fret! NFL Preseason Week 1 kicks off this weekend alongside the FedExCup Playoffs, and we\’re back with MLB power rankings and another Underdog feature tomorrow.

We’re still kicking down under, even though the U.S. isn’t. With the two-time defending champs out, who should American fans root for now? And is there a new favorite emerging in the World Cup?

Letter Rip!

WORLD CUP 

Kerr Cameo Down Under

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Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Image

Australia Advances as Sam Kerr Returns; England Survives Nigeria Upset in Penalty Shootout

The hosts are moving on at the 2023 FIFA Women\’s World Cup! Australia downed Denmark (2-0) yesterday morning to reach the quarterfinals after their star forward and missing link, Sam Kerr, returned from injury to give the Matildas a boost of energy. The Australians have now outscored opponents 9-3 in the World Cup with all three opposing goals coming in a 30-minute spell against Nigeria in their second match. They haven\’t allowed a goal since (235+ minutes). In the other overnight match down under, England ended Nigeria’s dream World Cup run in a dramatic PK shootout (0-0, 4-2 PKs) despite the Nigerians being the stronger side. Lauren James received a late red card for stomping on an opponent, and that could haunt the Lionesses moving forward. England will be without James for at least one match, but FIFA officials could increase the punishment.

Who to Root for in Quarterfinals: We’ll be down to the final eight teams after this morning’s matches between Colombia-Jamaica and France-Morocco. And for fans of the U.S. Women\’s National Team, you might be asking yourself who to root for. Australia and England are maybe the obvious answers. It\’s hard to pull for Netherlands or Sweden after their history with the U.S. The winner of Jamaica and Colombia will represent the last hope for the Americas (North or South), so there\’s regional/continental pride at stake. Japan and Spain have played as well as anyone, but Morocco is the last remaining underdog in play (as of today\’s 7:00 am ET send time). We\’ll breakdown all eight quarterfinalists in tomorrow\’s edition. Despite the heartbreak for USWNT fans, we\’re still kicking…

Women’s World Cup Highlights

England def. Nigeria (0-0, 4-2 PKs)

Australia def. Denmark (2-0)

Matches This Morning (Round of 16)

Colombia vs. Jamaica (4:00 am ET)
France vs. Morocco (7:00 am ET)

Read More

ABC News: Australia Advances by Beating Denmark With Sam Kerr Back

ESPN: England Star Lauren James Waits on Length of World Cup Ban

CBS Sports: Who USWNT Fans Should Root for Now at 2023 Women\’s World Cup

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  MLB  

The Brawl Fallout

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Photo: Ron Schwane / Getty Images

8 Players & Coaches Disciplined After Saturday’s Brawl Between the Guardians and White Sox

The best fight of the weekend wasn’t Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz, but rather a benches-clearing slugfest in the AL Central. The fight between Tim Anderson (White Sox) and Jose Ramirez (Guardians) on Saturday night in Cleveland resulted in eight members of both teams receiving disciplinary actions on Monday. The incident was sparked by the Anderson-Ramirez fisticuffs at second base before all out chaos. Anderson initiated the punches, but it was Ramirez who delivered a knock-down shot. Benches and bullpens cleared. Two days later, we have the reported penalties:

Guardians-White Sox Suspensions

SS Tim Anderson (White Sox): 6 Games + Fine

3B Jose Ramirez (Guardians) 3 Games + Fine

P Emmauel Clase (Guardians): 1 Game + Fine

Manager Pedro Grifol (White Sox): 1 Game + Fine

Manager Terry Francona (Guardians): 1 Game + Fine

3B Coach Mike Sarbaugh (Guardians): 1 Game + Fine

Additional Fines

P Michael Kopech (White Sox): Fine

OF Gabriel Arias (Guardians): Fine

“When something like that happens, you know there’s gonna be a price to be paid. I think you always have your side of the story. But there are two sides to things.” — Terry Francona (Guardians Manager)

Read More

SI: Terry Francona Discusses Punishments Following AL Central Brawl

AP: Anderson, Ramirez Face Multi-Game Suspensions as MLB Sorts Out Brawl Disciplines

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 MEDIA

Richard Sherman Joins \’Undisputed\’

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Photo: Diamond Images / Getty Images

Former NFL CB Richard Sherman to Debate Skip Bayless on FS1’s ‘Undisputed’

In the wake of Shannon Sharpe’s departure from the FS1 debate show ‘Undisputed’, a new challenger emerges for Skip Bayless. Richard Sherman, a five-time pro bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, is next on the set. Sherman has been out of the NFL since 2021, but he\’s been one of the voices for Amazon’s Thursday Night Football broadcast and earned a respected role in sports media. Fans may remember his feud with Bayless more than a decade ago on ESPN’s ‘First Take’. The contract hasn’t been signed, but an agreement is in place for Sherman to join Bayless for 50-100 shows this season.

I’ll never forget that 2013 viral moment when Sherman went at Bayless on live TV: “I’m better than you at life.” Ding ding. The gloves are off.

Read More

SI: Richard Sherman Agrees to Join ‘Undisputed’ With Skip Bayless

ClutchPoints: Bombshell ‘Undisputed’ Report Sets Twitter Ablaze With Reactions

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  STORYLINES  

Winners & Losers of Realignment

The latest round of realignment has turned college sports on its head, but not everyone is coming out a winner here. (CBS Sports)

 What Went Wrong for USWNT?

Goals have been hard to come by in the Vlatko Andonovski era, and this Women\’s World Cup was no different. (Sports Illustrated)

FIBA World Cup Basketball Warmup

Before heading to the Philippines for the World Cup\’s Group Phase, Team USA will head to Las Vegas for training camp and five exhibition games. (Sporting News)

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  NEWS 

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  TODAY\’S SCHEDULE

The Must-Watch List

Women’s World Cup (Round of 16)

Colombia vs. Jamaica (Tues. 4:00 am ET)

France vs. Morocco (Tues. 7:00 am ET)

MLB

Marlins at Reds (6:40 pm ET)

Astros at Orioles (7:05 pm ET)

Giants at Angels (9:38 pm ET)

Dodgers at Diamondbacks (9:40 pm ET)

WNBA

Sun at Storm (3:00 pm ET)

Lynx at Sky (8:00 pm ET)

Aces at Wings (8:00 pm ET)

Download The Sportsletter\’s Must-Watch Calendar

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