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September 22 -- September 28, 2025
Issue No. 608
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"The website looks really good and
the people who put it together
should be congratulated."
-- Bruce Macgowan
Medhavee Upadhyaya, take a bow!
www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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San Francisco
49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals
| | | Mac Jones Drops 34-Yard Dime to Ricky Pearsall | | |
The First Half ended with an unusual score: (6-3) 49ers. SF had nine rush yards, 110 pass yards, 1/5 on third downs, and only 8:50 time of possession. Fortunately, AZ and QB Kyler Murray only had 81 pass yards, and 41 run yards. That speaks of a solid 49er defense with
Warner, Winters, Jason Pinnock and Bryce Huff in control. It was one burst of passing offense by Mac Jones, with Ricky Pearsall a major factor, plus Jake Tonges and Kendrick Bourne, which enabled the 49ers' second FG from 51 (what a luxury!). On defense, steady pressure on the wily Kyler Murray prevented big plays, with the D-Line stuffing the runs. (6-3), San Francisco, first half score.
The Second Half: High Drama!: With Nick Bosa injured, AZ tied the score at (6-6) to end the 3rd Quarter. San Francisco capitalized on an end zone grounding penalty with a surprise long pass to Ricky Pearsall and a clever TD pass to #44, Juszczyk (13-6 San Francisco). A pass interference call in the end zone gave AZ the ball, which
culminated with a TD on a one-yard pass to McBride (13-13). A holding call on Dominick Puni in the end zone would award a two-point safety to AZ (15-13 AZ). Solid "D' by Upton Stout forced an AZ punt, returned by the capable Skyy Moore. Despite a knee brace and obvious injury, Mac Jones got hot and hit Tonges, Moore and Bourne ("money"). After a quick throw to Christian McCaffrey, with six seconds left San Francisco stopped the clock and the ball was centered for Eddy Peniero for the game-winner FG. (16-15 San Francisco). Pearsall finished with eight catches for 117 yards, with other notable performances by Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Brian Robinson Jr., as well as the entire D-Line which repeatedly stepped up to stuff the run and stop the elusive Kyler Murray. Kudos to Big Mac as he guided the team, despite injury, on a dramatic drive under intense time pressure. (16-15 S.F.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpdgrfZgzic (16:25)
Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers Game Highlights | 2025 NFL Season Week 3
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Contents
Games
Bay FC 1, Gotham FC 1
Cal Bears (WSOC) 2, Santa Clara Broncos 0
Oakland Ballers 8, Idaho Falls Chukars 1
Oakland Roots SC 1, FC Tulsa 1
San Jose Earthquakes 1, St. Louis City SC 3
Features & Commentary
Dick "Night Train" Lane, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Giants and 49ers Feeling Good on a Sunday, by Bruce Macgowan
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Ryder Cup Rumble, by Robert Moselle
Three Alums Find Faults in Baseball, by Dave Newhouse
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
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San Francisco Nighthawks
San Francisco Unicorns
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
SF City
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
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Sports Today's
Weekend Highlights!
| | | | |
Giants and 49ers Feeling Good on a Sunday
by Bruce Macgowan
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Now all but mathematically out of the playoff chase, the Giants had a chance to showcase some of their young players and three of them came through in the clutch in Los Angeles Sunday against San Francisco’s hated rival.
In a scoreless game, backup infielder Christian Koss made two terrific defensive plays and then in the eighth inning, started a game-deciding three run rally by legging out an infield hit.
But the biggest play of the afternoon was turned in by the much-heralded rookie first baseman Bryce Eldridge. Earlier in this series he ripped a bases clearing double for his first big league hit. In the finale Sunday, Los Angeles was leading 1-0 and on the verge of a big inning with two runners aboard and one out. But Los Angeles’ Tommy Erdman hit a sizzling liner that Eldridge snatched out of the air. He then alertly threw across the diamond to third baseman Chapman who doubled off Andy Pages. That play snuffed out a rally and kept it a one-run game.
But the big story was the MLB debut of little-known Trevor McDonald, a 24-year-old righthander who had been toiling in the minor leagues for several years. McDonald showed no fear on the big stage, quieting better than 46,000 Los Angeles fans by scattering six hits and striking out three in six innings while giving up just one run. Striking out the fearsome Shohei Ohtani to lead off the first inning gave the young man a jolt of confidence and who knows, perhaps the Giants have found a new pitcher for their starting rotation in 2026.
Meanwhile, the 49ers continued to give their “Faithful” heart palpitations with another cliffhanger win over Arizona. Now 3-0, this rag-tag, injury riddled 49er team is strutting confidently.
The heroes in this one? How about second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who snagged eight Mac Jones passes for 117 yards, including a superb catch in the deep right corner near the goal line to set up a TD.
Then there’s quarterback Mac Jones, pressed into service for the last couple of weeks because of Brock Purdy’s toe injury. Jones exhibited poise, even though he was pursued relentlessly by a fierce Cardinal defense.
But after incurring a knee twist, the former Alabama star was clutch as he guided his team 63 yards in 10 plays in the final 1:43 of the game to set up Eddy Piniero’s game winning, 34-yard field goal.
And not enough can be said about the 49ers’ defense. This unit features a cast of mostly unknowns and rookies but they’re playing at a high level, thanks in part to the creative and brilliant work of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The biggest play of the day was turned in by rookie DB Upton Stout, who broke up a Kyler Murray pass which probably would have sealed an Arizona win.
Injuries killed the 49ers in 2024, and the early part of this season more players have been hurt. The latest is premier pass rusher Nick Bosa, who will probably be gone for at least several weeks with a knee injury. Yet winning three nail-biters to start the 2025 season has given hope that when stalwarts such as George Kittle, Bosa and perhaps even Brandon Aiyuk return to action, the 49ers might make a deep run in the playoffs.
Stranger things have happened!
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* * *
Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published shortly. For earlier articles by Magowan published in
Sports Today, click HERE.
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Bay FC 1
Gotham FC 1
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
Sunday, September 21, 2025
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Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji came off of the bench to score the team's lone goal in a 1-1 tie with NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, September 21st at PayPal Park. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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Kundananji is congratulated by defenders Kiki Pickett (23) and Sydney Collins (16) after scoring a goal in the second half.
.Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
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Bay FC forward Rachel Hill (center) dribbles against NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Geyse da Silva Ferreira (left) and defender Lilly Reale (right) during the first half at PayPal Park. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz settled down after allowing a first half goal, finishing with three saves. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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Gotham FC and USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the first half.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
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Bay FC forward Rachel Hill (center) poses for a photo with her family after being recognized for her 150th NWSL cap before the game against NJ/NY Gotham FC at PayPal Park. To view
a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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San Jose Earthquakes 1
St. Louis City SC 3
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
Saturday, September 20, 2025
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Left wide player Ousseni Bouda #11 reflects on a missed opportunity. The San Jose Earthquakes played host to St. Louis City SC on Saturday evening, September 20 at PayPal Park.
Score: San Jose 1, St. Louis 3. Photo and caption by Alex Ho.
| Cristian Arango #9 of the San Jose Earthquakes regrets a missed opportunity in the first half. Photo and caption by Alex Ho. | |
Right defensive midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye #14 of the San Jose Earthquakes heads the ball in the first half.
Photo and caption by Alex Ho.
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Left wide player Ousseni Bouda #11 rises for a header.
Photo and caption by Alex Ho.
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San Jose Earthquakes left centre back Dave Romney #12 rises for a header in the second half. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Photo and caption by Alex Ho.
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Cal Bears 2
Santa Clara Broncos 0
Edwards Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, September 20, 2025
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Cal Bears forward Mia Van More celebrates after scoring a goal as the Bears defeated the Santa Clara Broncos, 2-0, at Edwards Stadium on Saturday, September 20th. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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Defender Malia McMahon (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second half. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
| Senior goalkeeper Teagan Wy earned a clean sheet as the Bears defense prevented the Broncos from registering a shot on goal. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | |
Santa Clara Broncos defender Izzy De Buyl (5) heads the ball away from goal during the first half against the California Golden Bears.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
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Santa Clara forward Mailin Orozco takes one of the Broncos' four shots on the day. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
| | Philadelphia's Trea Turner was leading the NL with a .305 batting average before a hamstring strain sidelined him... | | | | |
Three Alums
Find Faults
In Baseball
by Dave Newhouse
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Major League Baseball concludes its regular season Sunday, looking for a place to hide in shame when it comes to individual achievement.
For there’s no escaping the embarrassment of both pitchers and position players, whose overall lack of productivity has historic relativity.
Could there be a batting champion this year hitting under .300, an all-time low? Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski came close in 1968, leading the American League at .301, prompting MLB to lower the mound, because Detroit’s Denny McLain won 31 games in ’68.
The mound still is lowered, but Philadelphia's Trea Turner was leading the NL with a .305 batting average before a hamstring strain sidelined him. He should be back for the postseason, but a few days ago, he was the only NL player above .300. He’s hoping that still is the case come October, but he’ll have to live with this shameful low.
It’s nearly as depressing on the mound. Max Fried of the New York Yankees and Freddy Peralta of Milwaukee entered last weekend with 17 victories apiece to lead their leagues, thus with little chance of reaching 20 wins. Cy Young Award, anyone?
Baseball is on the decline, not the incline, in terms of millionaire ball players performing as grossly overpaid employees. Perplexed, I reached out to former major leaguers to interpret this descent, interviewing Mike Krukow, Bip Roberts and Shooty Babitt.
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“You can blame Greg Maddux. He opened the door to
pitching movement." -- Mike Krukow
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“These kids today have incredible movement, which makes it hard to hit .300,” Krukow said of current pitchers. “You can blame Greg Maddux. He opened the door to pitching movement. His philosophy was to hit the corners — fastball, slider, cutter, changeup. Thirty percent of pitchers used the cutter back then; now everyone has a cutter. Pitchers today have six types of movement and three different speeds. There’s never been a generation of pitchers who have so many varieties of pitchers.”
And they’re not even loading up the baseball like Gaylord Perry. Krukow, a darn good pitcher himself before becoming the game’s best broadcast analyst, analyzed the falloff of batting averages.
“In the old days, hitters had large bats, 35 to 41 ounces in weight, with thick handles,” he said. “Now they all have thin handles to deal with all these pitching movements, so you can have bat control.”
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Aaron Judge is leading the American League in hitting,
though nothing to brag about
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That’s not going over so well in the NL, but in the AL, six hitters were above .300 this weekend, led by the Yankees’ Aaron Judge at .325. Power, not punch, now is the name of the game; five players from both leagues had 44 homers or more a few days ago.
“Most teams have a slugging mentality; they don’t move runners along,” complained Babitt, a former big-league infielder who’s now a superb studio voice. “The art of pitching is lost; the radar gun is a major thing. Pitchers just rare back and throw. They're not built to go the distance; it’s a bullpen mentality.”
Mentality, mentality. Babitt has knowledge, he said, of doctors doing six to eight Tommy John surgeries on pitchers — daily.
“Pitchers aren’t built to go nine innings,” repeated Babitt. "Most of these guys average 20 pitches an inning. They’re trying to overpower everyone.”
With unpredictable success, as evidenced by Cy Young Award recipients. Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom won 10 games in 2018 and 11 in 2019, and won back-to-back Cy Youngs. Maybe MLB should put Cy on waivers permanently.
“In our era, you never missed your pitch,” said Roberts, a .294 career-hitting infielder. “Today I see guys missing their pitch once or twice an at-bat. That’s glaring. Home runs don’t happen with consistency, though guys are trying to hit home runs.
"But if you have one good year, you could get seven to nine million a year, and it's a 10-year deal. That’s the state of the game. We had numbers to keep us from being sent to the minors. Today’s players don’t have to look at it like we did. It’s a different game.”
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* * * * *
Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. Newhouse is the author of 19 books. His most recent book, Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in Sports Today, click HERE.
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Ryder Cup Rumble
Ryder Cup fans at Bethpage Black Course will
arrive ready to rumble
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Don't be surprised if fisticuffs among American and EU fans erupt, possibly even between the golfers. The talk about a 1-stroke per round tariff on the EU squad may spark some friction.
As to the respective teams, I had predicted in previous issues of Sports Today that if U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley selected himself to be on the team, the U.S. would lose, but if he elected to step aside to focus on this complicated job, the U.S. would win. He did step aside, so here we go. In my opinion, America's automatic Six Qualifiers are the superior squad, but Europe's Pick-Six has an edge. Most were part of the team which bested the U.S. in the "Real Housewives of USA Golf" Rome Debacle. In Rome it was Patrick Cantlay's demand for payment which helped fuel discord among U.S. players, and he's back as a selected member, despite a less than stellar tour record. Now that players will be paid, instead of having the honoraria go directly to charities, show us what you got, Patrick! No excuses!
Prediction: New York fans will be the difference. They cracked Sergio Garcia like a walnut when they counted his backswings out loud, and he's never been the same. Which EU players will melt under the heat of a hostile Bethpage crowd is the only question. U.S. Victory!
U.S. Ryder Cup Team Roster: https://www.rydercup.com/us-team-roster
Scheffler, Spaun and Henley are likely to dominate. Others are holdovers or politically correct, establishment picks who will have to play better at Bethpage than they have all year. However, in view of the intensity and selfless dedication shown by U.S. Captain Bradley, I trust his ability to expertly match team members and craft a strategy to win back the Ryder Cup.
EU Team Roster: https://www.rydercup.com/eu-team-roster
Loaded with veterans and other recent winners. A real challenge for the U.S. Team.
https://www.rydercup.com Updates and Information
Oh, for those who can't go to the Tournament, the PGA of America offers party kits for those watching from home: Only $1,081. As a New Yorker whose home course is Bethpage, I'd prefer an up-close-and-personal $750 per-ticket Rumble where I can put my 5-iron to work. U.S.A.!
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.cce-mcle.com/aboutus
Marketing Director, Sports Today
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We are currently offering the opportunity to feature your advertisement in our weekly publication -- starting at $100.
This is a great chance to increase the visibility for your business among thousands of Bay Area readers who trust and enjoy our content each week.
If you're interested, we'd be happy to provide more details, including placement options and audience reach, etc. Let us know if you'd like to chat further at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Our Mission:
Weavery's mission is to provide data and ai strategy advice, training, and innovative solutions to high impact humanitarian organizations. Weavery leverages artificial intelligence to enhance operations and amplify impact to serve a world in need.
| | Bryce Eldridge's first major league hit was a 3-run double | |
Giants' top prospect Eldridge laces bases-clearing 2B for 1st MLB hit
by Maria Guardado
LOS ANGELES -- With the Giants’ playoff hopes nearly extinguished, the final week of the regular season is shaping up to be less about the present and more about the future.
Bryce Eldridge is certainly giving them plenty to dream on.
The Giants’ No. 1 prospect delivered a bases-clearing double to record his first career hit and kick off a four-run first inning against Tyler Glasnow, but the early lead wouldn’t hold against the Dodgers, who cranked four home runs to rally for a 7-5 win at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night.
continued...
| | Brent Rooker, A's All-Star |
From death stare to 162: How Rooker became A's Iron Man
Martin Gallegos
21, 2025 · 0:1s in the 3rd inning
PITTSBURGH -- About midway through August, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay approached Brent Rooker inside the weight room during a road series in Minnesota to inform him that he was getting a day off.
It didn’t take much from Rooker to change his skipper’s mind.
“I told him I was going to give him a day, and he just mean-mugged me,” Kotsay said. “He’s allowed to do that. I saw him in the gym, and he was putting up some weight that I don’t think I can handle anymore.”
Kotsay has since given up trying to find a day for Rooker. Not only to avoid another death stare, but because there has been no reason to. The All-Star slugger has shown no signs of fatigue as the season winds down, now batting .265 with an .824 OPS following his 2-for-4 effort in Sunday’s 11-0 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park.
continued...
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SPT 60 — Super Bowl 60:
The Game Behind the Game
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Quarter: Fall
Duration: 7 weeks
Date(s): Sep 25-Nov 30
Class Meeting Day: Thursdays
Class Meeting Time: 6:00-7:30 pm (PT)
Please Note: No class on Oct. 16 and Oct. 23
Tuition: $430
Refund Deadline: Sep 27
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Unit(s): 1
Status: Open
Instructor(s): Andy Dolich
Location: Online
Class Recording Available: Yes
Grade Restriction: No Letter Grade
See syllabus for details (subject to change)
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* * *
In February 2026, the Super Bowl returns to Silicon Valley, a spectacle that blends sports, business, media, and technology on a global stage. This course examines the history of the Super Bowl and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the most-watched single-day event in American sports is planned,
promoted, and produced.
Each week, students will hear from football insiders and industry leaders, examining everything from team analytics and player development to broadcast strategy and brand partnerships. We’ll explore how the NFL, the Bay Area Host Committee, and the 49ers are preparing for Super Bowl LX, and how each Super Bowl reflects shifting media habits, global audiences,
and regional impact.
Guest speakers, including iconic players and executives, will illuminate the event’s evolution on and off the field. Together, we’ll unpack the decisions behind $8 million ad buys, security coordination, tech-driven fan experiences, and more. Whether you're a fan, strategist, or cultural observer, this course offers a unique perspective on the Super Bowl as a lens into American ambition,
spectacle, and identity.
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Guest Speakers Include:
Pat Gallagher, Executive Vice President of the
San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee
Al Guido, President of the San Francisco 49ers
and CEO of Elevate
Zaileen Janmohamed, President and CEO of the
Bay Area Host Committee
Matt Maiocco, San Francisco 49ers Beat Reporter
for NBC Sports Bay Area
Scott Ostler, Sports Columnist at the
San Francisco Chronicle
Brent Schoeb, Chief Revenue Officer and Marketing Officer of the San Francisco 49ers
Keena Turner, Vice President and Senior Advisor to the
General Manager of the San Francisco 49ers;
Four-time 49ers Super Bowl Player
Please note: Speakers may be subject to change.
While this course takes a broad view of the Super Bowl, the guest speakers’ expertise reflects their strong ties to Bay Area
teams and the region.
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* * *
ANDY DOLICH
President, Dolich Consulting
Andy Dolich has held executive positions in MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Capitals. He is a co-author of Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival with Dave Newhouse, 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes, and LOL, Loss of Logo: What's Your Next Move? He is also the co-host of the podcast Life in the Front Office and a columnist for the Ultimate Sports Guide.
To Enroll: continuingstudies.stanford.edu
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"Join us for Great Food, Great Beer and a Great Time."
We are located one block from the Moscone Convention Center, only a short walk from many of downtown San Francisco's familiar hotels, attractions, and diverse businesses. Open Monday through Thursday 4pm. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12pm. Come by and raise a glass with us. Sláinte!
www.thechieftain.com
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Oakland Wins 2025 Pioneer League Championship
Ballers Win Final Three Games to
Beat Idaho Falls
By Nevada Cullen
OAKLAND, Calif. -- In just the second year of the team's existence, the Oakland Ballers are Pioneer League champions. The Ballers toppled the Idaho Falls Chukars, 8-1, in front of a sellout crowd of 4,100 at Raimondi Park on Sunday night, to bring a well-deserved championship to Oakland.
With a 73-23 regular season, the Ballers broke the PBL modern era record for wins in a campaign. They dominated opposition all year, winning 13 straight series through the completion of the regular season.
But, the playoffs were more difficult for Oakland. The Ogden Raptors pushed the Ballers to three games, and the Chukars won the first two in Idaho Falls to put Oakland on the brink of elimination. Still, Ballers found a way to take the championship series, outscoring the Chukars 26-6 in the process.
Tremayne Cobb Jr. lined a base hit to left-center field to lead off the contest for the Ballers, and Esai Santos followed him with a walk. Later in the game's opening frame, with two down, Jake Allgeyer teed off on a first-pitch, middle-in fastball, clobbering it over the Oakland bullpen in right for a three-run tank.
Next, Allgeyer showed off his slick fielding skills. WIth the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the second, Johnny Pappas rolled a weak grounder to the left side. Allgeyer slid to the ground to smother the baseball, got up quickly and threw out Pappas at first to end the threat.
In the bottom of the second, Michael O'Hara and Tyler Lozano drew back-to-back free passes with one away. Cobb plunged a single in front of Idaho Falls left fielder Eddie Pelc to score Lozano and increase the lead to 4-0 for the Ballers.
Noah Millikan, Oakland's ace throughout the regular season, lasted just two innings as the game five starter for the Ballers. The Milkman exited two pitches into the third with shoulder soreness.
Brooklyn native and first-year pro Adam Bogosian came to Millikan's aid as the first pitcher out of the Ballers bullpen. Bogo stymied the Chukars over 3.1 scoreless innings, fanning four and refusing to allow a hit.
Idaho Falls starter Shane Spencer settled in after the early damage. Spencer ended up allowing only five hits over 6.1 innings, struck out nine and did not allow a run from the third frame to the sixth.
At last, the Ballers got some more runs with a four-run seventh. O'Hara led off with a two-strike single, and TJ McKenzie pinch ran, stole two bases and touched home on a fielder's choice.
Then, for the second straight night, Cam Bufford launched a late, three-run homer to give the Ballers eight runs in the score column. Bufford smashed a 93-mph fastball at the top of the zone off of the batter's eye in center for a three-run dagger.
Bogosian was not the only Baller to throw multiple frames out of the pen. Hayward native James Colyer tossed two hitless, scoreless innings and struck out the last four Chukars he faced in order.
Trevor Rogers started the ninth with a solo bomb to left.
But Connor Sullivan, Oakland's closer, fittingly grabbed the final three outs and fanned the last two to seal the title.
Thank you for listening to the action on 860 AM The Answer and on the Oakland Ballers YouTube channel all season! Like the rest of you, I can't wait to see what next year brings.
But for now, enjoy this one, Oakland. You deserve it.
continued...
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Oakland Roots SC 1
FC Tulsa 1
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Saturday, September 20, 2025
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Roots Earn a Point Versus Western Leaders FC Tulsa in 1-1 Draw
at Home
Roots played up to their competition once again on Saturday at the Coliseum, as Oakland played to a 1-1 draw versus Western Conference leaders FC Tulsa to earn an all-important point in the standings as the end of the season draws near and the playoff push intensifies.
Oakland started the match looking like they understood the importance of the outcome for their playoff aspirations.
Roots moved the ball quickly and decisively in the initial phases of the match, making good runs and attempting to use burst speed down the wings to create space for their attack. This gameplan worked well for Oakland who created a number of truly dangerous scoring chances early in the match.
Roots capitalized on their hot start 23 minutes into the contest when Peter Wilson continued his hot scoring streak by putting Roots up 1-0 when he found room in the Tulsa box to receive a cross from Wolfgang Prentice. Wilson finished the tap in for his club-leading 10th goal of the season.
Only one of Tulsa’s 12 first-half shot attempts found their way to Raphael Spiegel, while two rang the crossbar. Roots looked willing to allow volume offense from Tulsa while limiting the quality of those chances in order to open their own offense by allowing their wingbacks to push up.
Tulsa opened the second half looking better than they did in the first, and leveled the match in the 51st minute when Taylor Calheira forced a turnover on the left side of Oakland’s defensive third, taking the ball into the box himself before firing a low strike to the opposite side to beat Spiegel and make it 1-1.
Roots struggled to repeat their offensive push from the first half, but found a groove late in the second, putting some balls in dangerous areas as time dwindled — and limited Tulsa’s chances as well.
At the final whistle, both sides were still deadlocked at 1-1, giving Roots their second straight draw versus two top-tier opponents. While the draw isn’t as flashy as a win, it does push Roots in the right direction for their late playoff run, and provides an opportunity to make their next match extremely consequential.
Oakland will now head on the road to face current eighth place Western Conference side Phoenix Rising in a huge six-point swing game which could go a long way in determining the playoff picture in the West. That game is scheduled for September 27th at
7 PM PT.
continued...
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Dick "Night Train" Lane-- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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I met Dick “Night Train” Lane in 1981 at a sports show. I never saw him play but I knew of his name and reputation. I saw this incredible photo on his table and had him sign it for me and he included HOF 74. He was a nice guy and shook my hand
and I was happy.
As an active player he was known as one of the most ferocious tacklers in NFL history. His clothesline tackles were called the “Night Train Necktie” which later became prohibited.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 150: Arkansas' Yurachek Says The Quiet Part Out Loud And Admits What We All Know
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
There are moments in the NIL era that crystallize exactly where we are as an industry. Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek's candid comments at the Little Rock Touchdown Club this week represent one of those watershed moments, not because of what he revealed, but because he dared to say it publicly.
"Until we get our [college athletics NIL] enforcement agency up and running, you're going to continue to have schools operating in that third lane and that's a bad place to be in my opinion," Yurachek said. "It's bad for college athletics. I don't want to operate there, but to be competitive, we may have to figure out what that third lane looks like for the University of Arkansas."
Let's pause here. A sitting Power Five athletic director just openly admitted on the record that his program is considering breaking NIL rules because everyone else is doing it. Not in a private donor meeting. Not in a closed-door strategy session. At a public speaking engagement, knowing full well his comments would go national.
"Let's all raise our hands. If you're driving down I-40 and the speed limit is 55, but you know a state trooper is not going to be out that day, how many of us are going to go 65?"
The highway analogy is perfect, and terrifying. Yurachek has essentially described college athletics as an unsupervised interstate where everyone knows there's no enforcement, so why follow the rules?
This brings us to a fundamental truth about the House settlement that many celebrated as the solution to college athletics' NIL "problems." It didn't solve anything. It just created a new set of problems, complete with fresh loopholes and creative workarounds. As CBS Sports' Gary Parrish astutely observed, when a solution to a problem just creates more problems, you're not really fixing anything. You're just trading one set of issues for another that will inevitably need to be addressed again.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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The GRIDLIFE Laguna Festival returns to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca September 26 - 28, 2025! Motorsports fans will enjoy a weekend of TrackBattle Time Attack, GRIDLIFE Touring Cup (GLTC), GRIDLIFE Grand Touring (GLGT), GRIDLIFE Rush and the only place you will catch Full Course Drifting at this legendary circuit. Off track, fans will have plenty to keep them entertained between sessions or when the track goes cold.
The AFTER GRID entertainment includes live music performances at night on the NOS Energy Main Stage. The popular GRIDLIFE Arcade will serve as the social hub of the festival, complete with racing simulators, arcade games, and more. Representing style and car culture is our massive GRIDLIFE Motoring Meet presented by FCP Euro. This showfield includes an invitation only Concours presented in partnership with SPOCOM, as well as options for all enthusiasts to display their rides in a no-application-needed, priority display area in the Lakebed, including specific make corrals sponsored by Subimods, and Hyundai N (register by 9/22 to save)! All this within the unmatched energy and vibes of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, this is guaranteed to be the not miss event of the year.
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Bears Blank Broncos, 2-0
Cal Defeats Santa Clara In Bay Area Battle
BERKELEY– The California women's soccer team shutout Bay Area rival Santa Clara 2-0 Saturday evening at Edwards Stadium to extend its unbeaten streak to seven matches.
The 56th meeting between these two programs, who have met at least once a year since 2007 and seven times in the NCAA Championship, was a gritty, physical match from start to finish. In all there were 17 fouls committed, and six yellow cards distributed.
continued...
Photo: William O'Melveny/KLC Fotos
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Stanford Smothers
No. 15 Santa Clara
Card holds Broncos scoreless for second
and third quarter
LOS ANGELES – The No. 4 Cardinal moved to 6-0 on the season with another dominant defensive showing, smothering No. 15 Santa Clara to win 19-7 at day one of the Overnght MPSF Invitational.
The Cardinal jumped out to the lead with a dominant first half, going ahead 6-3 in the first period before shutting out the Broncos in the second to go ahead 9-2 at the break.
Stanford poured it on in the third, scoring five goals and again holding Santa Clara scoreless to lead 13-3 heading into the fourth period.
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Spartans Take Down Vandals for
First Win of Season
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Jabari Bates and Danny Scudero each surpassed 100 yards and Denis Lynch nailed the 48-yard game-winning field goal with eight seconds left to lead the San José State football team (1-2, 0-0 MW) in a 31-28 victory over Idaho (2-2, 0-0 Big Sky) Saturday afternoon from CEFCU Stadium.
After trailing 14-0 midway through the second quarter, the Spartans stormed back with 14 unanswered points to tie the game at halftime. Bates provided the spark with an 87-yard touchdown run, the longest play from scrimmage of the season for SJSU. Walker Eget later connected with Kyri Shoels on a 15-yard strike to even the score at 14-14 going into the break.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
VB | Gaels Go the Distance with 20th Ranked Utah, Fall in Five
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — A season ago at the Mott Athletic Center, the Gaels took on 19th ranked Arkansas, went ahead two sets to one, but couldn't finish off their nationally ranked foe. Today, in almost deja vu fashion, the Gaels (2-9) went ahead 2-1 against 20th ranked Utah (8-3), but again fell just short in another five set thriller. That said, the Gaels won seven of 13 sets in their final weekend of the non-conference slate, and will look to keep that positive momentum rolling into conference play next week.
It was a dream start in set one for the Gaels, who scored the first eight points of the match before the Utes could sideout, sparked by three kills and a block from Genevieve Bane. Utah responded with a 10-2 run of their own to level things at 10 apiece, and three points later, held their first lead at 12-11. Both teams traded blows back and forth to the finish of the first frame, but Utah would eventually go ahead 1-0 with a 25-21 opening set victory. Bane finished the set with a team-high five kills, with setter Ivona Lazovic going for four assists and a team-best five digs in the opening stanza.
Photo:
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Taylor Registers Match-High 15 Kills as Dons Fall to Spartans at Home
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco volleyball team (2-8) concluded its nonconference slate Saturday afternoon as it dropped a 3-1 decision to San Jose State (5-6) at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Despite a solid hitting performance, San Francisco dropped the opening set to San Jose State 25-23 to fall behind early in the match. The Dons swung at a high rate throughout the frame, totaling a .342 hitting percentage.
Photo: Christina Leung
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Wiersdorf's Goal Pulls Men’s Soccer Even In 1-All Draw Against No. 16 Utah Valley
OREM, Utah – Will Wiersdorf delivered the second half equalizer and Carter Tseu made a penalty kick save as Santa Clara men's soccer salvaged a 1-all draw against No. 16 Utah Valley on Saturday night at UCCU Stadium. The goal by Wiersdorf was the first given up by the Wolverines all season long, having entered the game as one of two teams in the nation to not concede a goal the whole season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Wiersdorf scored in the 67th minute, picking up the loose ball in front of the goal and beating Kolby Sessions to the far post. Up until that moment, Utah Valley (6-0-1) had outscored their opponents 20-0 with Sessions making 17 saves on the year.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
No. 9 Men’s Water Polo Tops Team China-Shanghai in Competitive Exhibition
STOCKTON, Calif. – In what felt like a marquee regular season showdown, the ninth-ranked Pacific men's water polo program used a big third quarter to leap in front of Team China-Shanghai and sealed the game defensively in the end to win 15-13 in a friendly at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center on Friday.
The Tigers were clinging to a 14-13 edge when China-Shanghai had the ball in the final possession and sent its goalkeeper on the offensive
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UC Davis Shows Solid Efforts on Day One at Nevada Reno Invite
Location : Reno, Nev.
The short story: UC Davis men's tennis opened play at the Nevada Reno Invitational with a mix of results on day one, setting the stage for the rest of the weekend's competition.
COURTSIDE UC
- Davis collected six doubles wins on the day.
- Four Aggies recorded singles victories.
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Ivan Savkin and Kurt Miller won two straight sets to win their matches.
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| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Sayfurahman Scores Her Second Goal of the Season on Saturday
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Cal State East Bay women's soccer showed grit and determination on Saturday afternoon at Harrington Field, but a second-half surge wasn't enough to overcome an early deficit in a 2-1 loss to (RV) Western Washington. Mika Sayfurahman found the net for the second time this season and 19th tim in her career to climb the Pioneer record book for goals.
Photo: Rob Edwards: KFC fotos
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Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
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2025/26 Schedules
San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, September 22, through
Sunday, September 28, 2025
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Monday, September 22
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, September 23
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.
Athletics vs. Houston Astros, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, September 24
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.
Athletics vs. Houston Astros, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, September 25
Athletics vs. Houston Astros, 12:35 p.m.
Friday, September 26
San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 7:15 p.m.
Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals, 7:05 pm.
Saturday, September 27
San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:05 p.m.
Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals, 7:05 pm.
San Jose Earthquakes @ San Diego FC, 7:30 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ Phoenix Rising FC, 7 p.m.
Bay FC vs. Utah Royals FC, 7 p.m.
Cal Bears @ Boston College Eagles, 12:30 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal vs. San Jose State Spartans, 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 28
San Francisco 49ers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:05 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Chicago Bears, 1:25 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 12:05 p.m.
Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals, 12:05 pm.
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Sales: Ayiko Konopaski
Contributors: Lydia Chain, Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Software Engineer / Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Advisor: Arif Khatib
Artist: Carl Macki
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
| | LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | | The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | | More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | | The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | | To Order: $10 hardcover, $7 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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