Timbers beat Minnesota 5-1, spoiling expansion team’s debut

Portland Timbers’ Sebastian Blanco works with the ball against Minnesota United’s Justin Davis in an MLS soccer match Friday, March 3, 2017, in Portland, Ore. Portland Timbers’ Lawrence Olum watches in the background as his shot soars above teammate Liam Ridgewell and into the net for Portland’s first goal against Minnesota United in an MLS soccer game Friday, March 3, 2017, in Portland, Ore.

Timbers beat Minnesota 5-1, spoiling expansion team’s debut

Portland Timbers’ Sebastian Blanco works with the ball against Minnesota United’s Justin Davis in an MLS soccer match Friday, March 3, 2017, in Portland, Ore. Portland Timbers’ Lawrence Olum watches in the background as his shot soars above teammate Liam Ridgewell and into the net for Portland’s first goal against Minnesota United in an MLS soccer game Friday, March 3, 2017, in Portland, Ore.

Mahershala Ali: A look back at his East Bay basketball career

To those who remember Hayward’s Mahershala Ali’s time on the basketball court, it’s fitting he won the Oscar for best supporting actor Sunday for his role in “Moonlight.” Ali, known then as Hershal Gilmore while helping Mt. Eden High reach the Division III state championship in 1990, was the ultimate team player.

Mahershala Ali: A look back at his East Bay basketball career

To those who remember Hayward’s Mahershala Ali’s time on the basketball court, it’s fitting he won the Oscar for best supporting actor Sunday for his role in “Moonlight.” Ali, known then as Hershal Gilmore while helping Mt. Eden High reach the Division III state championship in 1990, was the ultimate team player.

Summer work, NBA lessons fuel Jackson’s rise at No. 5 UNC

There’s nothing complicated about how North Carolina’s Justin Jackson dramatically improved his 3-point range and scoring output to make himself a candidate for Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year . No, the 6-foot-8 junior said it’s simply a revamped mentality after lessons learned from workouts for NBA teams last summer.

Few’s focus fuels Gonzaga’s consistent success

Attracting a strike can take an entomologist’s mind; deciphering the hatch and the weather, knowing insect life stages and finding the fly pattern to match, mimicking the movements with a flick of the rod tip. Even when everything is right, the fish still might not bite, possibly full from a previous feeding or spooked by something out of the angler’s control.

Kaepernick opts out of contract, becomes free agent

In this Dec. 11, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick stands in the bench area during the second half of the team’s NFL football game against the New York Jets in Santa Clara, Calif. Kaepernick is a free agent after opting out of his 49ers contract Friday, March 3, 2017.

Captain Morgan felt England were in charge throughout West Indies win

Eoin Morgan sensed England were just about in control throughout the first one-day international against West Indies after his century set up a 45-run win at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Morgan figured in a stand of 110 with Ben Stokes and two others that put on more than 50 with Sam Billings and Moeen Ali as England worked hard for their 296 for six after being put in on a sluggish surface following heavy morning rain.

Bracketology

Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events While all the Power Five conferences – plus the typically multi-bid Atlantic 10 and Big East – roll out their tournaments next week, there are still a few leagues that wrap up well before Selection Sunday. The most significant for tracking the at-large field is the Missouri Valley, where it’s tough to tell how well its two dominant teams stack up.

Southern Illinois turns back Loyola 55-50 in MVC quarters-Image1

Mike Rodriguez scored 16 points, Sean Lloyd had 14 and fourth-seeded Southern Illinois held off fifth-seeded Loyola Chicago 55-50 on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. A week after the Salukis beat the Ramblers 72-70 with a late 3-pointer to close the regular season, both teams struggled.

Astros’ Carlos Correa discusses offseason swing adjustments

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa takes batting practice in the batting cages during spring training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, in West Palm Beach, Florida, Tuesday, February 21, 2017. Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa takes batting practice in the batting cages during spring training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, in West Palm Beach, Florida, Tuesday, February 21, 2017.

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The Lady Lancers will play in the 4A state finals Saturday after defeating Cedar Rapids Xavier, 58-49. Freshman Grace Boffeli lead the team with 17 points, senior Karli Rucker finished with 14 points. KWQC’s Gabriella Rusk recaps the game. Watch highlights and reaction in your video player.

A Realistic Look at Free Agency and The Cap

I decided that a post like this was absolutely necessary with the discussions on every single page about the guys who could/would/should sign this free agency. It seems like a lot of people think that we have the ability to spend a lot of money this free agency when that is a complete fallacy.

Co-leaders help Crimson Tide roll to the front at Rucker Intercollegiate

Defending champion Cheyenne Knight went bogey-free upon her return to the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate on Friday, while Alabama teammate Kristen Gillman blistered Long Cove Club’s front nine for matching 3-under-par 68s that left them part of a four-way tie for the individual lead. Not surprisingly, the Crimson Tide also grabbed the team lead as Lauren Stephenson – a onetime Clemson standout – also finished among the 14 golfers who shot par or better.

NFL report: Colin Kaepernick opts out of contract with 49ers

The six-year veteran quarterback who drew particular attention and headlines last season by not standing for the national anthem, met with new General Manager John Lynch and Coach Kyle Shanahan before making the move. Kaepernick made a meteoric rise with the 49ers under coach Jim Harbaugh , leading them to the 2012 NFC title and a close loss to Baltimore in the Super Bowl .

Phillies happy about settled lineup

Matt Gelb is the Phillies beat writer for the Inquirer, the Daily News, and Philly.com. A graduate of Central Bucks High School West and Syracuse University, he covered the Phillies from 2010 to 2014 with a one-year tour on the Metro desk between baseball assignments.

Revs being patient with DP Xavier Kouassi

The New England Revolution are expecting big things from midfielder Xavier Kouassi, even if he isn’t ready for 90 minutes during week one. Kouassi signed as a Designated Player on Feb. 1, 2016, though he wouldn’t be eligible to join the Revs until his contract with Swiss side FC Sion expired in the summer.

F1 ACCESS03 Mar 2017 Food for thought – Eric Boullier on McLaren’s start to 2017

With Honda’s 2017 power unit featuring fundamental changes over its predecessor, it was perhaps inevitable that McLaren would experience a few teething problems with their MCL32 car at this week’s first pre-season test in Spain. We caught up with racing director Eric Boullier for an exclusive chat about what went wrong, what went right, and where they go from here Q: Eric, keeping expectations in check, the McLaren Technology Group’s Executive Director Zak Brown previously indicated that wins are pretty much out of the question this season.

Houston Texans 3 Round Mock Draft 1.0

The Houston Texans can go in a so many different directions during the first three rounds of this year’s NFL draft. When putting together this three round mock draft I used FanSpeak.com ‘s draft simulator, which uses difference big boards from draft websites from around the web.

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Let’s call it a brief hiatus. Last year it was my sad duty to write that while sports like basketball, baseball, football and tennis were the topic of conversations and panel discussions at the largest gathering of sports analysts, golf was nowhere to be found.

Julio Jones expected to have minor foot surgery Monday

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday that the Falcons star receiver is expected to have foot surgery on Monday, per a source. Still, it marks yet another foot-related operation for Jones, who spent the season playing through two ligament issues in his toe and a “mid-foot” ailment.

Deshaun Watson: Joke ‘wasn’t a diss’ against Browns

Cleveland Browns fans who might be bugged by a joke Deshaun Watson made at the club’s expense might not like the explanation the former Clemson quarterback gave Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine , but they couldn’t have asked for a more detailed one. Watson suggested that the Dallas Cowboys make a trade with the Cleveland Browns to acquire him during his acceptance of the Davey O’Brien Award last month.

Oklahoma Sooners Baseball: Central Connecticut State Preview and Thread

Following a weekend sweep of the 19 Ways Invitational and a Tuesday-night triumph over Little Rock, the Oklahoma Sooners return to action this weekend with a four-game series against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils who, apparently, exist. With another Saturday doubleheader, OU continues its jam-packed early schedule as it looks to pad its overall record with mid-major foes.

Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Announces Bjork Digital…

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association announces the West Coast premiere of Bjo Srk Digital , an exhibition of groundbreaking digital and virtual reality video works featuring music from the artist’s latest album, Vulnicura. Bjo Srk Digital will run from May 19 to June 4 at Magic Box at The Reef in downtown Los Angeles.