Sports

(CHICAGO) — After over 200 appearances on the field with the U.S. women’s national soccer team, Megan Rapinoe played her final game Sunday.

Rapinoe, a former USWNT co-captain, donned the captain’s armband one last time on Sunday and helped lead her team to a 2-0 victory against South Africa at Chicago’s Soldier Field, ending her international soccer career on a high note.

“I know that I am a liked player, and I know that I mean a lot to the game,” Rapinoe said, addressing the crowd after the game, according to the Associated Press. “But to have this night come and to actually feel it and see it — from my teammates, from our staff and certainly from the fans, who have been such a huge part of our success on and off the field, really — it was very special.”

On Sunday, when Rapinoe exited the game in the 54th minute, she hugged her teammates as the crowd at Soldier Field gave her a standing ovation.

After the game, Rapinoe’s teammates spoke about what she has meant to them personally and to the sport.

“It’s really hard for me because I’m losing, just, an idol,” midfielder Lindsey Horan said of Rapinoe, according to the AP. “It’s hard. That’s what you’ve looked up to. It’s another reason why you fall in love with the game, those kinds of players that you watch on TV do those things. And you come in and now you’re training with them everyday? It’s freakin’ wild.”

“She radiates acceptance and love,” added Midge Purce, forward for the USWNT.

Rapinoe, 38, announced in July that she would retire from professional soccer at the end of this season.

During her history-making career, Rapinoe scored over 60 goals and made over 70 assists in USWNT games. She also won two World Cups, gold and bronze Olympic Medals, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot.

Off the field, Rapinoe helped lead the fight for gender equity, a fight that culminated in a landmark deal that now sees the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams receiving the same pay and being provided the same working conditions.

Rapinoe and the rest of the women’s team fell short of winning a third World Cup earlier this summer with the team’s heartbreaking loss to Sweden early in the tournament.

Following that loss, Rapinoe reflected on the sport she loves and the teammates she competed with.

“This game is so beautiful, even in its cruelest moments,” Rapinoe wrote on Instagram at the time. “This group was so very special, and I am immensely proud of every single one of us. This team is in special hands as I walk away, just like it always was, and always will be. Because that is what this team is all about.”

She ended her post with a note of gratitude, writing, “It has been my honor to play for our country, with so many incredible woman, for so many years,” she said. “Thank you, a million times over.”

Rapinoe has three more games to play with Seattle’s OL Reign through the end of the National Women’s Soccer League season.

She is scheduled to play her final home game in Seattle on Oct. 6, and her final regular season NWSL game on Oct. 15, back in Chicago against the Chicago Red Stars.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Sunday’s sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

INTERLEAGUE
Arizona 7, NY Yankees 1

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Chi White Sox 3, Boston 2
Toronto 9, Tampa Bay 5
Baltimore 5, Cleveland 1
Minnesota 9, LA Angels 3
Kansas City 6, Houston 5
Texas 9, Seattle 8
Detroit 2, Oakland 0

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Washington 3, Atlanta 2
Cincinnati 4, Pittsburgh 2
Miami 6, Milwaukee 1
Chi Cubs 4, Colorado 3
San Diego 12, St. Louis 2
Philadelphia 5, NY Mets 2
Atlanta 8, Washington 5
Final L.A. Dodgers 3 San Francisco 2

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PRESEASON
Pittsburgh 3, Columbus 2 (SO)
Ottawa 3, Toronto 2
Buffalo 4, Washington 3 (SO)
Minnesota 4, Colorado 3
Dallas 7, Arizona 0
Boston 3, NY Rangers 0
Winnipeg 2, Edmonton 1 (SO)
Columbus 4, Pittsburgh 3 (OT)
San Jose 5, Vegas 2
Anaheim 3 Los Angeles 2 (OT)
Calgary 10, Vancouver 0

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Buffalo 37, Washington 3
Cleveland 27, Tennessee 3
Detroit 20, Atlanta 6
Green Bay 18, New Orleans 17
Houston 37, Jacksonville 17
Indianapolis 22 Baltimore 19 (OT)
LA Chargers 28, Minnesota 24
Miami 70, Denver 20
New England 15, NY Jets 10
Seattle 37, Carolina 27
Arizona 28, Dallas 16
Kansas City 41, Chicago 10
Pittsburgh 23, Las Vegas 18

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
New York City FC, 3 Toronto FC 0
Miami 1, Orlando City 1 (Tie)

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Thursday’s sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Tampa Bay 5, LA Angels 4
NY Yankees 5, Toronto 3
Cleveland 5, Baltimore 2
Detroit 7, Oakland 3

NATIONAL LEAGUE
LA Dodgers 7, San Francisco 2
Milwaukee 6, St. Louis 0
Philadelphia 5, NY Mets 4
Atlanta 10, Washington 3
Pittsburgh 8, Chi Cubs 6

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
San Francisco 30, NY Giants 12

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(LOS ANGELES) — A Los Angeles Dodgers star who spent the past seven years playing baseball in the United States while his mom lived in Venezuela saw his dream come true Wednesday night.

Brusdar Graterol pitched at Dodger Stadium in front of a packed crowd that included his mom Ysmalia Graterol.

“My wife actually took a picture of where they were sitting, and then I was able to signal exactly where she was when I was pitching,” Graterol said through an interpreter after the game, according to a video shared by Major League Baseball. “[There was] so much emotion going through me, obviously, just happy tears the whole time.”

Brusdar Graterol was first reunited with his mom on Sunday, when she arrived from Venezuela after spending seven years trying to get to the U.S. to see her son.

“I was paralyzed in that moment when I first saw her. I didn’t really know what to say. I didn’t know what to do,” he said. “[I] just embraced her as much as I could. And obviously she would say how beautiful I am, how big I’ve gotten. And then I just remember telling her how it felt like home.”

Brusdar Graterol, 25, was born in Calabozo, Venezuela, and made his Major League Baseball debut in 2019 with the Minnesota Twins, according to his MLB profile.

He said that after working for so many years for his mom to be allowed into the U.S., there was finally forward movement that happened in the last two weeks that brought her to Los Angeles.

“We got a document that helped her get here,” Brusdar Graterol said. “We obviously wanted to move this as fast as possible. Luckily, we were able to do it this past weekend.”

Brusdar Graterol was brought out to pitch in the eighth inning in Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, which the Dodgers went onto win 3-2.

He said he was “emotional” until the music started and he prepared to throw his first pitch, which got him to focus back on the game.

After pitching, an emotional Brusdar Graterol was seen hugging a member of the Dodgers coaching staff in the dugout and then both pointing to his mom, who blew a kiss back to her son.

“Me and my mom grew up together. We went through all of it together,” Brusdar Graterol said. “She was a mom and dad figure for me the whole time, and I’ve always wanted to be an example for her and for her to be proud of me.”

In addition to watching her son pitch for the Dodgers, Ysmalia Graterol also got to see her daughter-in-law Allison Landa Graterol — Brusdar Graterol’s wife — and her granddaughter Aria, whom the couple welcomed earlier this year.

Brusdar Graterol said his mom is planning to stay for several more weeks, hopefully through the World Series, which will end in early November.

“She’ll be with us for the end of this season and then hopefully she’ll be with us to celebrate the World Series,” he said.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(NEW YORK) — “Coach Prime” Deion Sanders has led the Colorado Buffaloes to a winning start this season — ranked 19th in the nation — and with it comes a new level of excitement for college football fans.

The head coach for the University of Colorado Boulder joined ABC News’ Good Morning America on Wednesday and credited God, first and foremost, who he said is “at the helm of this thing.”

“We’re just enjoying life. We’re getting smart, tough, fast, disciplined like-minded young men, like-minded coaches who love kids and who enjoy the company of kids, and we’ve created something that is hard to identify and it’s hard to really articulate,” Sanders said. “It’s a beautiful thing from our alumni, from the student body and everyone. It’s just pandemonium and we love it.”

Sanders has made his new home turf a family affair, coaching two of his sons, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, 21, and defensive back Shilo Sanders, 23.

“His nickname is ‘Grown’ because he’s been grown ever since he was a young man — he’s always been mature,” Sanders said of Shedeur.

He added, “We differ so much, but he really thinks he’s me right now and that’s the problem.”

“Coach Prime” said that being surrounded by his family, and team that feels like family, there is “no way that I can even have a remotely bad day.”

“I’m here with 120 athletes that I love them to life, I treat them like they’re my sons,” he said. “But I am here with my sons, three of my sons, two play on the team, one runs social media, and my daughter plays for the CU [women’s] basketball team. I am loving life and I love the life I live.”

Even Sanders’ mother Connie Knight has gotten involved with the fanfare, addressing comments from Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell to fire up the team last game day.

“There was controversy last week because a gentleman we coached against said his mother didn’t raise him a certain way — not to wear a hat and shades in an interview,” Sanders — who has worn both during interviews — recalled. “That was insinuating that my mother raised me the wrong way. And that rubbed my mother wrong. She wanted to have her say. She said, ‘I raised him the right way and also I raised you to be true to who you are. Also, I raised you, if somebody bothers you, to kick some you-know-what.”

Sanders and the Buffs have garnered a serious fandom and spurred on Colorado pride early this season, even attracting A-listers like Lil Wayne and The Rock to the sidelines to catch a CU game in person.

For the NFL veteran and eight-time Pro Bowler, Sanders said the biggest challenge of having a dream season is “consistency.”

“Everyone’s not used to success — some of the coaches have been coaching with me for 20 years, so we understand this. We understand this and we expect this,” he said. “So, getting everybody on the right page to understand that this is real, this is authentic, and when you work your butt off, you study and you prepare, these are the results that you can have.”

He added, “We want everybody in the country to start believing in themselves.”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

 (NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Wednesday’s sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

INTERLEAGUE
Detroit 4, LA Dodgers 2
Minnesota 5, Cincinnati 3
Washington 13, Chi White Sox 3

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Texas 15, Boston 5
Kansas City 6, Cleveland 2
Houston 2, Baltimore 1
Seattle 6, Oakland 3
LA Angels 8, Tampa Bay 3
Toronto 6, NY Yankees 1

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia 6, Atlanta 5
Arizona 7, San Francisco 1
San Diego 3, Colorado 2
NY Mets 8, Miami 3
Milwaukee 8, St. Louis 2
Pittsburgh 13, Chi Cubs 7

WOMEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Connecticut 90, Minnesota 75

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Philadelphia 2, Charlotte FC 2 (Tie)
Columbus 3, Chicago 0
Atlanta 1, D.C. United 1 (Tie)
Miami 4, Toronto FC 0
Cincinnati 1, CF Montreal 1 (Tie)
Austin FC 1, New York 1 (Tie)
New York City FC 2, Orlando City 0
Houston 4, Vancouver 1
Nashville 3, Sporting Kansas City 0
Los Angeles FC 0, Saint Louis City SC 0 (Tie)
Seattle 2, Colorado 1
FC Dallas 3, Real Salt Lake 1
LA Galaxy 4, Minnesota 3
Portland 2, San Jose 1

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(BOSTON) — An investigation is underway after a lifelong New England Patriots fan died after “an incident” at the Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game at Massachusetts’ Gillette Stadium, officials said.

Dale Mooney, a 53-year old New Hampshire man, died “following an incident” during Sunday night’s game, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. Responders found Mooney “in apparent need of medical attention” and he was taken to a hospital, prosecutors said.

Witness Joseph Kilmartin told Boston ABC affiliate WCVB-TV that Mooney “basically grabbed another fan. … They started tussling around for a few minutes. At one point, another fan walked over. He punched him … and [Mooney] just went out.”

“It was pretty hard to watch,” Kilmartin said.

An autopsy has not been released.

The district attorney’s office said Monday that Mooney’s death “remains under active investigation” and no charges have been filed.

Mooney’s wife, Lisa Mooney, told WCVB, “I want to know what happened. … What caused this?”

Gillette Stadium officials said in a statement, “We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fans and 30-year season ticket member.”

“We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation,” stadium officials said. “We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those who are mourning his loss.”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(BOSTON) — An investigation is underway after a lifelong New England Patriots fan died after “an incident” at the Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game at Massachusetts’ Gillette Stadium, officials said.

Dale Mooney, a 53-year old New Hampshire man, died “following an incident” during Sunday night’s game, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. Responders found Mooney “in apparent need of medical attention” and he was taken to a hospital, prosecutors said.

Witness Joseph Kilmartin told Boston ABC affiliate WCVB-TV that Mooney “basically grabbed another fan. … They started tussling around for a few minutes. At one point, another fan walked over. He punched him … and [Mooney] just went out.”

“It was pretty hard to watch,” Kilmartin said.

An autopsy has not been released.

The district attorney’s office said Monday that Mooney’s death “remains under active investigation” and no charges have been filed.

Mooney’s wife, Lisa Mooney, told WCVB, “I want to know what happened. … What caused this?”

Gillette Stadium officials said in a statement, “We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fans and 30-year season ticket member.”

“We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation,” stadium officials said. “We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those who are mourning his loss.”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

INTERLEAGUE
LA Dodgers 3, Detroit 2
Washington 4, Chi White Sox 3
Minnesota 7, Cincinnati 0

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Seattle 7, Oakland 2
Tampa Bay 6, LA Angels 2
Toronto 7, NY Yankees 1
Kansas City 7, Cleveland 6
Texas 6, Boston 4
Baltimore 9, Houston 5

NATIONAL LEAGUE
San Diego 2, Colorado 0
Arizona 8, San Francisco 4
Miami 4, NY Mets 3
Atlanta 9, Philadelphia 3
Chi Cubs 14, Pittsburgh 1
Milwaukee 7, St. Louis 3

WOMEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
New York 90, Washington 85 (OT)
Dallas 101, Atlanta 74

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(NEW YORK) — When Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett scored his first NFL career touchdown Sunday against the Chicago Bears, he was seen on camera blowing a kiss to the sky.

The kiss, Barrett later said, was for his 2-year-old daughter Arrayah, who died in April after drowning in a swimming pool at the family’s Tampa residence.

“The camera was on me after I made the play. I told her, ‘I love you. I miss you. Wish you was here,'” Barrett told reporters after the game. “I’m glad I’m able to still get some spotlight for her, and to the Lord above, because he’s the reason that we’re here right now. I’m just trusting his plan.”

Arrayah was the youngest of Barrett’s four children with his wife Jordanna.

She was taken to a local hospital after falling into a swimming pool at the family’s home the morning of April 30, but was pronounced dead a short time later despite life saving measures that were taken following the incident, according to a statement from the Tampa Police Department obtained by ESPN.

Barrett, wearing a necklace tribute to his daughter, said Sunday that faith has kept him and his family going in the months since Arrayah’s death.

“My faith never really wavered going through this situation. I needed him more now [and then] than I needed him ever,” Barrett said. “That was the only way our family was going to make do, by leaning on each other and trusting in the Lord.”

Barrett called his interception and touchdown Sunday against the Bears “divine intervention,” saying, “I do feel like it was divine intervention to be able to get that spotlight for my baby girl.”

“I always played for my family already, but having that extra incentive makes me want to go a little harder for her,” Barrett said. “It never stops sucking. It’s always going to suck, but at least I’m able to shine a little bit of a spotlight on her.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is a leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4.

Shortly after Arrayah’s death, Barrett’s wife paid tribute to their daughter in an Instagram post, writing, “Our world will never be the same. Arrayah was the apple of my eye, and my heart will forever be with hers.”

Writing directly to Arrayah, she also wrote, in part, “We love you forever and ever and always. I can’t wait to see that precious smile again, and just hug you so close. I would do absolutely anything.”

In June, Jordanna Barrett shared on Instagram that the couple is expecting another child.

“I just know Arrayah had a special hand in picking this sweet girl to add to our family!” she captioned a photo of a positive pregnancy test. “We are so beyond blessed, so beyond grateful that God chose to give us another little girl! We miss our Arrayah every second of every day, but I rest in knowing she’s going to be the best big sister angel to little miss Allanah!”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.