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June 6 -- July 12, 2026
Issue No. 649
| | Note: Most photos in each issue are linked to Facebook albums produced by our talented photographers. To enjoy additional photos, simply click on a photograph or on the link provided at the end of each report. New albums, contributor essays and Sports Today issues are continually posted to: www.ultimatesportsguide.net | | |
Contents
Games
Athletics 2, Miami Marlins 7
San Jose Earthquakes 1, Tijuana 2
San Francisco Nighthawks 0, California Storm 5
Features & Commentary
2026 NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Save Mart 350, by Rich Yee
Alysia Liu, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heiter, Esq.
Out With Crackerjacks!, by Steve Chain
Watch Party: United States 2, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0, by Alex Ho
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Watch Party:
United States 2
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
San Pedro Square Market, San Jose, CA
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
| USA fans celebrate as the United States takes a 1-0 lead over Bosnia and Hertzegovina at the FIFA World Cup 2026 watch party at San Pedro Square Market organized by the San Jose Earthquakes, the City of San Jose and the San Jose Sports Authority. Photo and caption by Alex Ho. | |
2026 NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Save Mart 350
Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA
Sunday, June 28, 2026
| Thirty six drivers were in the starting field for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on June 28. Photo and caption by Rich Yee. | | |
The 2026 Toyota/Save Mart 350 was contested over 110 laps. The race covered a total distance of 218.9 miles around the
12-turn, 1.99-mile road course. It was broken down into three stages. Stage 1: 25 laps; Stage 2: 30 laps (ends on lap 55),
and Final Stage, 55 laps (ending on lap 110).
Photo and caption by Rich Yee.
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Athletics 2
Miami Marlins 7
Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
Saturday, July 4, 2026
| The Athletics spent the Fourth of July on the wrong end of a 7-2 decision to the Miami Marlins at Sutter Health Park. Zach Gelof returned from the disabled list to hit a double in the first inning. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita | |
Third baseman Joshua Kuroda-Grauer continued his hot hitting since being brought up to the Majors on June 29th, finishing with two hits to raise his batting average to .444.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita
| Gelof is hit by a pitch in the third inning by winning pitcher Sandy Alcantara. Gelof had a 22-game hitting streak before getting hurt against the San Francisco Giants on June 23rd. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita | |
Clouds at sunset appear behind the stadium clock during the seventh inning of the game between the Athletics and the Miami Marlins at Sutter Health Park. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita
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Fans stuck around for the patriotic fireworks show that followed the conclusion of the game. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita
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Athletics mascot Stomper salutes while impeding the path of a photographer (not shown) that wanted to walk past before the game against the Miami Marlins. To view a photo album, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita
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San Jose Earthquakes 1
Club Tijuana 2
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
Friday, July 3, 2026
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The Quakes prepare for the national anthem amidst the sprinklers of PayPal Park. Club Tijuana defeated the San José Earthquakes, 2–1, in an international friendly match at PayPal Park on Friday, July 3, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Caption and photo by 2026 Alex Ho.
| Timo Werner, #11, congratulates Beau Leroux, #34, after his goal in the 15th minute. Caption and photo by 2026 Alex Ho. | |
Right attacking midfielder Ousseni Bouda, #7, of the San Jose Earthquakes, tries to nudge the ball past Club Tijuana goalkeeper Jorge Hernandez #29
Caption and photo by 2026 Alex Ho.
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Right attacking midfielder Ousseni Bouda #7, of the San Jose Earthquakes, centers the ball in the first half
Caption and photo by 2026 Alex Ho.
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Centre forward Preston Judd #19 of the San Jose Earthquakes reacts to a missed opportunity. To view a photo album, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Caption and photo
by 2026 Alex Ho.
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San Francisco Nighthawks 0
California Storm 5
San Mateo High School, San Mateo, CA
Friday, July 3, 2026
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The San Francisco Nighthawks battled the California Storm for the Women's Professional Soccer League NorCal Conference championship on Friday, July 3rd at San Mateo High School. The Storm captured the championship with a 5-0 victory.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita
| Nighthawks goalkeeper Kalen Young makes a save in front of the Storm's Susie Long. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita | |
San Francisco Nighthawks forward Sulma Plancarte (front) and California Storm defender Miya Alamares (back) leap for the ball during the second half of the WPSL NorCal Conference championship at San Mateo High School.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita
| San Francisco Nighthawks midfielder Ana Pintard (center) passes against California Storm forward Kennedy Mayo (left) and midfielder Elizabeth Hutchinson (right) during the second half of the WPSL NorCal Conference championship at San Mateo High School. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita | |
The Nighthawks pose for a photo after the game. Despite the loss, the team travels to Sacramento to participate in the WPSL Regional Championships. To view a photo album, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita
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over 14,404 guests have visited our remarkable new site for sports updates and outstanding photography.
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Luis Arraez versus the Miami Marlins on April 26, 2026.
Photo by Darren Yamashita
| | Arraez, Webb to rep Giants in Philly for Midsummer Classic | | |
"Join us for Great Food,
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| | Athletics Brent Rooker versus the Cincinnati Reds on September 14, 2025. Photo by Darren Yamashita | | Rooker's season-ending knee surgery scheduled for All-Star break | | |
By Martín Gallegos, Theo DeRosa
WEST SACRAMENTO -- The Athletics will have to move forward without their clubhouse leader.
After Brent Rooker paused his rehab from a left knee bone bruise to be reevaluated by doctors at Stanford Medical Center, the All-Star slugger is now set to undergo knee surgery, A’s manager Mark Kotsay revealed before Wednesday’s series finale against the Dodgers at Sutter Health Park.
The procedure, which Rooker said Friday will take place at Stanford during the All-Star break, will address a cartilage tear in Rooker’s left knee and will keep him out for the remainder of the 2026 season.
“This is a big blow,” Kotsay said. “It’s a middle-of-the-order bat. It’s a guy that produced for us offensively for the last three seasons with 30-plus homers. In terms of replacing Rook, there’s not one guy that is going to come in here and step in with that type of production. We’ll do our best to fill that void and make the best of the situation.”
This is the latest hit in what has been a brutal stretch of injuries. Over the past week, the A’s have also lost key players Zack Gelof, Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom to the injured list. The club has a season-high nine players on the injured list and has already used the IL 13 times this year.
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Flaming Hot Cheetos Tenders
If you’re lucky enough to land a ticket for the United States versus Belgium in the FIFA World Cup round of sixteen soccer match in Seattle, the food choices will be as exciting
as the match itself.
Lumen Field in Seattle features a massive lineup of
chef-driven, gourmet food throughout the stadium which spotlights over 40 local restaurants across the city.
Walter Jones, who was a Hall of Fame left tackle who
played his entire 12-year NFL Career (1997-2008) with the
Seattle Seahawks, is also famous for his Flaming Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders and spicy chicken sandwiches.
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Strawberry Dubai Chocolate
Along with another 38 specialties ranging from foot-long nachos to strawberry Dubai chocolate to bbq sliders to Korean corn dogs, the stadium has become a cornucopia for
any fan’s gourmet indulgences.
-- Steve Chain / Innovative Food Fanatic
| Brock Purdy Ranked No. 85 on NFL's 'Top 100 Players of 2026' | |
Briana Jeannel / Team Reporter
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy earned the No. 85 spot on NFL Network's annual "Top 100 Players" list.
Widely regarded as one of the league's most efficient quarterbacks, Purdy continues to lead San Francisco's offense with accuracy and playmaking ability. Entering his fifth NFL season, Purdy is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he completed 197 passes for 2,167 yards and 20 touchdowns across nine regular season starts while posting a 100.5 passer rating and helping guide the 49ers to a 7-2 record in those appearances. Purdy also contributed on the ground with 147 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns and helped lead San Francisco back to the postseason.
The "Top 100 Players of 2026" is a video series produced by NFL Films, highlighting the league's elite talents and is now being revealed on X and streaming on NFL+. Two players will be revealed at 7 a.m. PT and 8 a.m. PT daily Monday through Friday from June 22-Aug. 21, before one Top 10 player is unveiled each weekday beginning at 7 a.m. PT on Monday,
Aug. 24 through Friday, Sept. 4.
The "NFL Top 100" began ahead of the 2011 season, and the list is determined by current NFL players voting on their peers based on their body of work from the previous year.
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| Golden State Warriors first round draft pick, Yaxel Lendeborg | Lendeborg Shines as Warriors Route Lakers by 32 in California Classic Opener | |
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 104-72 on Friday night at Chase Center in game one of the California Classic, presented by CarMax.
2026 draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg led the offensive efforts with 19 points on 6-for-6 shooting from the field, followed by sophomore guard Will Richard tallying 16 points. Combined the pair made eight of the team's 16 total three pointers. Six Dubs scored in double digits on Friday night.
Holding the advantage for majority of the game, the Warriors' highest margin over the Lakers was 37 points. As a whole, the team shot an impressive 63% from the field and 62% from the three point line.
LENDEBORG PERFECT SHOOTING GAME
First round draft pick, Yaxel Lendeborg, did not miss for the entire 22 minutes he was on the court in Friday night's victory. Starting off hot, he shot 3-for-3 from beyond the arc in the first quarter and recorded 11 points in the frame.
He finished the game with four three pointers, shooting a perfect 6-6 from the field and ended with 19 points and six assists to round out his debut at Chase Center.
SECOND QUARTER RUN
The Warriors were up by just five points at the start of the second quarter before the momentum shifted by going on a 24-5 scoring run to close out the first half.
RETURNING DUBS
Will Richard, the Warriors' 2025-26 rookie, went 4-4 from the three point line in the first half. His sharp shooting was highlighted by back-to-back threes before a tough and-1 drive in the final two minutes before the break. He finished with 16 points and three assists over 21 minutes played.
Fellow returning Dubs, LJ Cryer (12) and Malevy Leons (11) both had a solid outings as they recorded double digits in points.
SPARK OFF THE BENCH
Chance McMillian was the lone Warrior reserve to record double figures, with 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting in 18 minutes played. The guard was a part of the Santa Cruz Warriors for the 2025-26 season, averaging 17.0 points a game.
UP NEXT
The Warriors will face the Milwaukee Bucks on Day 2 of the California Classic, presented by CarMax, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, July 4 at 12:00 p.m. The Warriors will return to Chase Center when they host the Miami Heat on
July 6 for day four of California Classic, buy tickets here.
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| Sharks sign forward Ivar Stenberg to an entry-level contract | |
San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Mike Grier announced today that the club has signed forward Ivar Stenberg to a standard, entry-level contract.
Stenberg, 18, led SHL U19 skaters in scoring this season with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) and in assists and in points per game (0.77). He helped Frolunda HC capture the 2026 Champions Hockey League Championship, tallying four points (all assists) in six games with his club. He recorded a career-high four-point game at the SHL level on Nov. 22 at Leksands IF, tallying one goal and three assists. He also logged a career-long 10-game point streak (four goals, 10 assists) at the SHL level from Oct. 30 through Dec. 6, the longest such streak by an 18-year-old or younger in SHL history.
At the conclusion of finishing his second season in the SHL with Frolunda, he was awarded SHL most assists by a Junior (22) and SHL most points by a Junior (33). Stenberg also received the prestigious honor of being named Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year (Arets Junior), awarded annually to the top young ice hockey talent in Sweden by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association and Elite Prospects.
Internationally, he helped Team Sweden win the Gold Medal at the 2026 U20 World Juniors Championship, recording four goals and six assists in seven games. Among tournament skaters, he finished tied for fifth in points, tied for seventh in goals, and tied for ninth in assists. Stenberg found the score sheet in six of his seven tournament games, including a three-point effort (one goal, two assists) in the Gold Medal game against Czechia on Jan. 5 and was named U20 World Junior Championship Top 3 Player on Team. He represented Sweden at the World Championships and finished the tournament ranked second in goals (4), third in points (8), and tied for fourth in assists (4) among his team.
During his 2024-25 season, he posted career highs across all scoring categories (26 goals, 27 assists) at the J20 Nationell level and finished ranked sixth in the league in goals. Among Frolunda HC J20 skaters, he led his team in goals, was second in points (53), and fifth in assists. He also skated in three games and tallied eight points (one goal, seven assists) in the J18 Region and one game in the J20 Nationell, where he tallied six points (one goal, five assists), both with Frolunda HC J18. He captured the Silver Medal with Sweden at the 2025 U18 World Junior Championship where he posted 13 points (eight goals, five assists) and was named U18 World Junior Championship All-Star Team. He also captured the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Bronze Medal and earned Hlinka Gretzky Cup Most Goals (4).
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound native of Stenungsund, Sweden, was selected by San Jose in the 2026 NHL Draft (first round, second overall).
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Ballers Fam,
We heard you loud and clear, so we’re releasing more $2 Tuesday tickets for our “Immigrants: We Get the Job Done” game against the Modesto Roadsters on July 7.
We want you there. All of you.
These $2 tickets sold out fast the first time. They’ll go quickly again, so grab yours before they’re gone.
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This country just turned 250 years old, and as we mark that milestone, we want to say something plainly: the United States was built by people who came from everywhere. People who arrived with almost nothing and gave everything.
Our history is complicated, but it is also undeniably beautiful.
The East Bay is one of the most vivid expressions of that story anywhere in the world. The languages, the food, the music, the faith, the hustle: all of it is what makes this one of the greatest places on Earth.
Tuesday night is for the people who helped build this country with their hands, their vision, and their determination. It’s for every community that has ever been told they didn’t belong and proved otherwise.
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This week, we honor the cultures, roots, and tireless hard work that make our community beautiful and resilient. And we hope you’ll be there with us.
We built the Ballers on the belief that this ballpark belongs to our community. Every corner of it. Every neighborhood. Every background. Every story.
Tuesday’s game is a chance to fill Raimondi Park with exactly that, and we hope to see you there.
-Ballers
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MATCH RECAP:
Earthquakes 1, Club Tijuana 2
Quakes edged by LIGA MX side as Leroux scores for San Jose; Black and Blue return to MLS play Wednesday, July 22, to host Orlando City SC at PayPal Park
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to LIGA MX’s Club Tijuana 2-1 in an international friendly at PayPal Park on Friday night.
Club Tijuana struck first in the sixth minute when Adonis Preciado headed in an Ignacio Rivero corner kick to make it 1-0 for the visitors. The Earthquakes almost answered in minute 10 when a Timo Werner cross from the left wing was almost headed home by a surging Jamar Ricketts in the box. San Jose equalized in minute 16 when high pressure resulted in Preston Judd recovering the ball on the right wing and then feeding Beau Leroux in the center of the box. The midfielder took one touch and calmly slotted the ball past Xolos goalkeeper Salím Hernández to make it 1-1. In minute 25, the Quakes had an excellent chance to score when Hernández came off his line and Daniel Munie was point-blank range in front of net but the ball was cleared before he could shoot. In minute 40, Judd had his own chance in the six-yard box, but his backheel for the far post was just wide. Two minutes later, Xolos recaptured the lead when Preciado took the ball on the left wing, cut inside, and uncorked a curler for the far post past Quakes goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. to make it 2-1 to close the first half.
After intermission, San Jose made wholesale changes, substituting out all 11 starters. The second wave of Quakes created chances almost immediately. In minute 48, Jack Skahan unleashed a long-range attempt from the edge of the box that was deflected over the crossbar. In minute 61, Club Tijuana called on their bench to replace half the lineup. Ramping up their sense of urgency as time wound down, the Black and Blue had their opportunities to equalize once more but could not find the second goal. In minute 89, Paul Marie created space in the box on the middle left channel but his attempt was blocked; the ensuing corner floated dangerously but was punched away. Homegrown midfielder Edwyn Mendoza, making his Quakes debut, had a shot blocked in the first minute of stoppage time. San Jose gave it one last go when Jack Jasinski’s cross from the right wing spun toward net, but Marie’s header landed wide left.
The Earthquakes return to Major League Soccer play Wednesday, July 22, when they host Orlando City SC. Kickoff from PayPal Park is set for 7:30 p.m. PT, with the match airing on Apple TV (English/Spanish) and via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish).
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Oakland Mounts Second Half Comeback, But Fall 1-2 to New Mexico United on the Road
View!
Despite a second half that saw Roots nearly erase a two goal deficit earned in the first, it was not to be for Oakland on Independence Day in Albuquerque as Roots eventually fell 1-2 to New Mexico United on Saturday evening.
It was a forgettable start for Oakland. In just the 6th minute of the match New Mexico nearly broke the scoring open when an odd bounce on the Roots endline found a United boot that required a goal-line clearance to keep the match level.
But just seconds later in the 7th, New Mexico found a goal anyway when a long ball from the center line into the box found United’s Cristian Nava who corralled the ball with a touch before firing a shot off the bounce that found the top left corner to make it 0-1.
The momentum of the match continued to heavily favor New Mexico as United looked able to get men behind the backline almost at will while Roots struggled to develop any attacking momentum of their own.
After Roots eventually did begin to work their way back into the match, New Mexico doubled their lead on a counterattack in the 41st minute when Dayonn Harris on a full speed run into the left side of Oakland’s penalty area played a low cross to Zico Bailey on top of the 6-yard box who poked it home to make it 0-2.
A couple key halftime substitutions including the addition of Roots leading goalscorer Peter Wilson worked effectively to level the momentum of the match as Oakland began finding some opportunities of their own.
In the 65th minute Roots officially started to turn the tide after being awarded a penalty kick when Wilson was fouled hard from behind while exiting the New Mexico box. Wilson deposited the spot kick to become the all-time club leader in USL Championship goals and make it 1-2 in the 67th.
After the penalty conversion, Oakland began to look hungry for a leveler, shifting their shape to push higher up the field and torment the New Mexico backline.
While Roots did create a number of chances that easily could have drawn the game level and earned them a point on the road, their salvation could not be found before the final whistle blew and the match ended still showing a 1-2 New Mexico advantage on the scoreboard.
Roots will now return to the East Bay for a Members only home match at Merritt College in Oakland to face USL League One side Spokane Velocity in a Group Stage fixture of the Prinx Tires USL Cup on July 11th.
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Midfielder Claire Hutton Earns First Career Goal and First Assist with Bay FC
Match Recap: Bay FC Start Fast, Draw 2-2 Sunday at Boston
Legacy FC
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (July 5, 2026) – Bay FC resumed NWSL play with a 2-2 draw at Boston Legacy FC Sunday morning in Pawtucket, R.I. as the club returned to the pitch following the NWSL’s summer break. Midfielder Claire Hutton got the day going early with a goal and an assist to forward Karlie Lema in the first 18 minutes of the match, giving the club an early advantage. Boston would pull one back before the break and pull level from the penalty spot as time ticked down.
“Frustrating day at the office. Obviously, we put ourselves in a really good position, I thought there was a real momentum shift in the game,” said Head Coach Emma Coates. “I think the thing that Boston do really well is they frustrate you and get you in a state, and the game tipped into a state of chaos. And I thought we really struggled to get ourselves out of that, and as I say, I feel it’s two point lost rather than a point won, but the good thing is, is that you know, we, we’ve still got a point on the board.”
Bay FC forward Alex Pfeiffer returned to the pitch for the first time since April 5 due to injury, while new midfielder Kennedy Fuller made her club debut. Pfeiffer won the club’s 5th-minute penalty, making a fast impact in her return, helping Bay FC go ahead early. Midfielder Claire Hutton converted from the spot on the ensuing kick from the mark, her first career NWSL goal and first in a Bay FC shirt.
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Natalie Nakase Postgame
Press Conference on 7/4/26
after the win over the
Atlanta Dream,
88-83.
Listen Here!
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Haris Rauf bowls against Washington Freedom at the
Fairplex Ground, Pomona.
| UNICORNS' RECOVERY EFFORT FALLS SHORT AGAINST FREEDOM | |
POMONA, CA (JULY 4, 2026) — The San Francisco Unicorns were unable to complete the double over Washington Freedom, despite fighting performances from Matthew Short and Hassan Khan and an early burst with the ball, eventually falling by five wickets at the new Fairplex venue in Pomona, LA.
After losing the toss and being put into bat, the Unicorns began positively through Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who struck a boundary from the first ball of the innings and raced to 16 from 12 deliveries. Finn Allen also found the rope twice as San Francisco moved to 30/1 in the fourth over before Washington seized control through Jack Edwards.
Edwards dismissed Allen for 12 before removing Aaron Hardie and Sanjay Krishnamurthi in the same over, reducing the Unicorns to 45/4. Mitchell Owen then removed Hammad Azam to leave San Francisco in further trouble at 58/5, before captain Matthew Short and Hassan Khan combined to steady the innings.
The pair added 51 runs for the sixth wicket, with Hassan clearing the rope off Nikhil Chaudhary and Short finding boundaries off Ian Holland and Mitchell Owen as the Unicorns passed 100. Short top-scored with 39 while Hassan contributed 27, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as San Francisco were bowled out for 126 in 19.3 overs, with Edwards finishing with figures of 4/13.
Defending a modest total, the Unicorns made the perfect start when Xavier Bartlett bowled Mitchell Owen in the opening over. Haris Rauf then removed Jack Edwards before Brody Couch accounted for Andries Gous, leaving Washington struggling at 19/3.
Washington captain Steve Smith and Mark Chapman responded with a decisive partnership, combining for 70 runs to take control of the chase. Chapman struck 44 before Hassan Khan held a sharp catch off the bowling of Rauf to provide San Francisco with renewed hope.
Smith continued to anchor the innings, bringing up his half-century with a six off Couch before departing for 56 with victory in sight. Nikhil Chaudhary struck the winning runs with 11 balls remaining to hand Washington a five-wicket victory.
Major League Cricket continues in Los Angeles, with the San Francisco Unicorns set to take on MI New York on Saturday as they look to bounce back in a tightly contested playoff race.
San Francisco Unicorns, 126 (M Short, 39; H Khan, 27) lost to Washington Freedom, 129/5 (S Smith, 56; M Chapman, 44), by 5 wickets.
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SPECIAL LINKS TO BACK ISSUES
Years of Back Issues, Facebook Albums,
Autographs and Haikus
Immediately below is a link to over 350 issues of
Sports Today! which bring to life memories of Bay Area sporting events and the stories behind them. Reclaim memories of titles won and lost and championships reclaimed and slipped away.
Sports Today Links
https://conta.cc/4mTASdh
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Comments? Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Alysa Liu -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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I attended the Stars On Ice show this year as a fan and not a sports photographer. It was a great show as always and featured two-time Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu. After the show, I stopped by the merch stand and saw this autographed photo of Alysa for sale. I bought it without thinking twice.
Alysa is the youngest US Figure Skating Champion at just 13 years old. She retired from competition at 16 in 2022, then returned to compete at the 2026 Olympics, winning
two gold medals.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 191: The College Sports Commission Is No Longer Watching From The Sidelines
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
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The College Sports Commission spent its first several months looking like an administrative afterthought to the House v. NCAA settlement. That characterization no longer holds. The CSC has become the active gatekeeper of third-party NIL compensation, and the deals most likely to draw its scrutiny are those structured through intermediaries that handle payment execution rather than those that sit entirely outside the transaction.
Every deal routed that way now runs through NIL Go, and NIL Go is applying two tests with real teeth. The first is Valid Business Purpose, which asks whether the compensation actually advances the promotion or endorsement of goods or services offered to the general public for profit. The second is Range of Compensation, which is Deloitte's methodology for testing whether the dollar figure attached to a deal is consistent with what similarly situated athletes receive once you account for institutional market reach, social media footprint, and athletic performance. The Commission has been actively declining to clear deals totaling many millions of dollars, with the overwhelming majority rejected for lacking a defensible business purpose, failing to reflect actual NIL activation, or proposing compensation untethered from market comparables.
Nebraska made the stakes concrete. A neutral arbitrator upheld the CSC's denial of multiple purported NIL agreements between Playfly Sports and Nebraska football players, finding that Playfly qualified as an associated entity, that the arrangement lacked a valid business purpose, and that it amounted to warehousing, meaning Playfly had effectively purchased rights to future NIL activation without defining what that activation would be. The ruling did not end the players' NIL relationship with Playfly. Instead, it sent all of those deals back to be renegotiated with concrete deliverables and resubmitted.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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"Seven-Time" will be on the
grid for IROC
Jimmie Johnson is returning to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, and current NASCAR team owner will compete during Monterey Car Week. IROC Presented returns as part of the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, bringing another all-star lineup of racing royalty back to the world-famous circuit.
Buy tickets now.
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Send It from One San Francisco Bridge to the Other
Registration Opens for Ronstan Bridge to Bridge
at St. Francis Yacht Club
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—How fast can you get from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge, racing across San Francisco Bay in your watercraft of choice in full-send downwind conditions?
This is the premise of Ronstan Bridge to Bridge, an annual race hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club and scheduled for August 22, 2026. First run in 1998, the event was conceived to settle a friendly bet between windsurfers and skiff sailors over which watercraft could get from one bridge to the other the fastest. The inaugural race was won by Olympic sailors Jonathan and Charlie McKee on a 49er skiff with a time of 27 minutes and 18 seconds.
Since then, it’s been contested in everything from a Formula 40 catamaran to a Mod 70 trimaran, early generation kiteboards and foiling windsurfers, and even a hydropter.
“It’s ‘bring what you got’," says Mike Martin, StFYC’s chair of the event and a frequent competitor who won it in 2008 racing an 18ft skiff with Howard Hamlin and Paul Allen. Over the years, the feat has been tackled by sailors using the latest in board sports technology, with several wins clocked by world champion Johnny Heineken on kiteboards and hydrofoil kites as the sport evolved. The current race record is nine minutes, set by Markus Edegran in 2024, who was fresh off his Olympic campaign in the Formula Foil Kite.
This year's race will be held on Saturday, August 22, allowing for weekend travel and with an earlier start than in the past, during peak wind and during a flood tide.
“Conditions are prime for the record to be broken,” adds Martin.
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| | Maggie Kane Named The Stacy Savides Director Of Women’s Tennis | | |
Cal Lands One of College Tennis’ Brightest Rising Stars
Former Oklahoma State assistant coach and UC Santa Barbara Associate Head Coach Maggie Kane has been named The Stacy Savides Director of Women's Tennis, California Co-Directors of Athletics Jay Larson and Jenny Simon-O'Neill announced Thursday.
"We are thrilled to welcome Maggie to Berkeley as the newest member of the Cal family and the leader of the women's tennis program," Larson and Simon-O'Neill said. "Maggie is a rising star in the intercollegiate tennis community. She is a proven winner who cares deeply about the holistic development of student-athletes. She presented a clear vision for how she will lead the program, and we are excited for her to carry on the proud tradition of excellence on and off the courts for Cal women's tennis."
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Sotelo Míguez at FIBA U20 EuroBasket With Spain
Tournament begins Saturday in Alytus and Klaipėda, Lithuania
and features the best 16 teams in Europe
STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford junior Inés Sotelo Míguez has been named to Spain’s roster for the FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket, which begins Saturday in Alytus and Klaipėda, Lithuania and features the best 16 teams in Europe.
Spain is in Group A with Israel (Saturday, July 4 at 5:30 a.m. PT), Lithuania (Sunday, July 5 at 8 a.m. PT) and Croatia (Tuesday, July 7 at 5:30 a.m. PT). All the action will be streaming live on FIBA’s YouTube channel.
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123 Student-Athletes
Earn Academic All-Mountain
West Honors
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.— This spring, 123 San José State University student-athletes from 11 Spartan sports teams earned Academic All-Mountain West honors, as announced by the conference office.
The women’s swimming and diving team led all teams with 21 student-athletes honored, followed by men’s track and field with 18, baseball with 17, softball with 15, women’s track and field with 13, and women’s gymnastics with 11.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MBB | Gaels Set to Take on Nevada at Tahoe Blue Event Center on Nov. 8
STATELINE, Nev. — As the Gaels continue to build an exciting and formidable 2026-27 non-conference schedule, the Saint Mary's basketball team is set to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack on Nov. 8 at the Tahoe Blue Event Center.
This is the second Mountain West foe added to the Gaels' fall slate, as Saint Mary's will face New Mexico in December. The contest will mark the 90th all-time meeting between the Gaels and Wolf Pack, and will be the first ever men's college basketball game played at the Tahoe Blue Event Center, which opened in September 2023. Ticket information for the event will be announced later this summer.
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Volleyball Announces Schedule
for 2026 Season
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco volleyball program and Head Coach Diogo Silva have announced the schedule for the upcoming 2026 season.
"I am really proud of what we built together this season," Silva said. "We have a talented group, but more importantly, we have people who are willing to embrace challenges, support each other, and fight through adversity as one team. I'm excited to start working with the group, get everyone on the same page, and do everything we can to achieve our goals, both on and off the court."
continue...
| | Women's Basketball Adds Kaycie Dunkerley as Video Coordinator | | |
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara women's basketball has added Kaycie Dunkerley as its director of video. Dunkerley spent the previous four seasons on the women's basketball staff at Lewis & Clark.
"We are excited to welcome Kaycie to the Bronco family," Santa Clara head coach Loree Payne. "Her experience as a player and coach makes her a tremendous addition to our program. During her time as a graduate assistant at SFA, she gained experience in video coordinating and scouting within a highly successful women's basketball program. Kaycie's passion for the game and commitment to excellence will make her a valuable part of our continued growth."
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | | Cherise Roberts Steps Up to Director of Track and Field and Cross Country | | |
STOCKTON, Calif. – Pacific Athletic Director Adam Tschuor announced that Interim Cross Country/Track & Field Head Coach Cherise Roberts has been promoted to Director of Track & Field and Cross Country on Tuesday afternoon after joining the program last season as an assistant coach.
"I could not be more excited to name Cherise Roberts as our new Director of Track & Field and Cross-Country programs. Her boundless enthusiasm, experience, and buy-in that she has been able to instill in our student-athletes is simply amazing and we are all extremely fortunate to continue to have her and her family be a part of the Pacific family," Tschuor said.
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UC Davis Officially Joins Mountain West as Conference Launches MW+ Streaming Platform Powered
by Kiswe
DAVIS, Calif. — July 1 marks the beginning of a new era for UC Davis Athletics as the Aggies officially join the Mountain West Conference and launch alongside MW+, the Conference's new direct-to-consumer streaming platform powered by Kiswe.
Beginning today, Aggie fans can subscribe to MW+ and enjoy live and on-demand coverage of UC Davis Athletics throughout the academic year. The platform will serve as the dedicated home for hundreds of Mountain West events annually, providing expanded visibility for UC Davis student-athletes while creating new opportunities for fans to stay connected from anywhere.
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Cal State University East
Bay Pioneers
| |
Quintero Earns CSC
Academic All-America Second
Team Honors
AUSTIN, Texas – Cal State East Bay softball standout Marissa Quintero was recognized for her success both in the classroom and on the field this week, earning 2026 CSC Academic All-America Second Team honors.
Quintero was one of just two pitchers selected to the Division II Academic All-America Second Team and was recognized alongside some of the nation's top student-athletes for her achievements as a kinesiology major and one of the premier pitchers in NCAA Division II softball.
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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/
| | |
Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, July 6, through
Sunday, July 12, 2026
| | |
Monday, July 6
San Francisco Giants vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, July 7
San Francisco Giants vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 6:45 p.m.
Athletics @ Detroit Tigers, 3:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers vs. Modesto Roadsters, 6:35 p.m.
Wednesday, July 8
San Francisco Giants vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 12:45 p.m.
Athletics @ Detroit Tigers, 3:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers vs. Modesto Roadsters, 6:35 p.m.
Thursday, July 9
San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 6:45 p.m.
Athletics @ Chicago White Sox, 3:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers vs. Modesto Roadsters, 6:35 p.m.
Friday, July 10
San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 7:15 p.m.
Athletics @ Chicago White Sox, 4:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers vs. Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, 6:35 p.m.
Bay FC @ Racing Louisville, FC, 5 p.m.
Saturday, July 11
San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:05 p.m.
Athletics @ Chicago White Sox, 11:10 a.m.
Oakland Ballers vs. Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, 4:35 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC vs. Spokane Velocity FC, noon
Sunday, July 12
San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:05 p.m.
Athletics @ Chicago White Sox, 11:10 a.m.
Oakland Ballers vs. Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, 1:05 p.m
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
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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. | | |
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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