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September 21 -- September 27, 2026
Issue No. 660
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Yao Ming -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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While I was an employee for Visa, USA in the Marketing Dept.,
I had the good fortune of meeting a lot of celebrities that endorsed Visa and athletes which were sponsored by the company. One of the athletes that filmed a commercial for Visa was basketball Hall of Fame member Yao Ming and I had a chance to meet him. Here is a second photo he signed for me.
The week he filmed the Visa commercial (with baseball legend Yogi Berra) he stopped by our office to meet with our executives. After the meeting Yao took the time to chat with the Marketing team and signed photos for us. At 7’6” he stood a full two feet taller than me.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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Rod Serling
December 25, 1924 -- June 28, 1975
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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
Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Contents
Games
Cal Bears 49, Wagner Seahawks 7
San Jose Earthquakes 2, LAFC 2
Stanford Cardinal (WSoc) 2, Wake Forest 0
Features & Commentary
Billy Martin, A Fighter, by Bruce Macgowan
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Opposing Offensive Strategies & Quandaries, by Carl Macki
Yao Ming, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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San Francisco 49ers 35, Miami Dolphins 13
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Kittlemania is back! And he brought his friends!
After Miami missed a 51-yard FG, the 49ers, behind a McCaffrey (CMC) run, took a 7-0 lead. Brock Purdy began his display of near perfection with runs, precise passes and a TD run. Two Dolphin FGs made it 14-6, halftime, but so much for a close game. San Francisco was unstoppable in the second half, with George Kittle back with gusto on a Purdy TD pass, a patented Niner precision aerial attack, a
CMC TD run and a TD pass to Juszczyk. With a stellar, opportunistic defense it was 35-6 after a 21-0 3rd Quarter. Purdy finished 20-22, 287 yards, 30 rush yards and a rush TD. Final Score, 35-13, 49ers!
Watch all the action here!
Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers| Week 2, NFL 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV8FmQa0a5w
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/
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Opposing Offensive Strategies
& Quandaries
Have An Opinion?
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49ers Skipper Kyle Shanahan and Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson make fascinating subjects for a study in contrast and comparison because few coaches better demonstrate how a shared offensive foundation can produce
strikingly different systems.
Both speak much of the same offensive language:
pre-snap motion, play-action deception and a
running game designed to make every call
strengthen the next.
Shanahan favors disciplined outside-zone structure,
bootlegs and clearly defined quarterback reads;
Johnson counters with a broader running menu,
rotating backs, inventive personnel packages
and greater freedom to adapt.
Their methods differ—but both aim to keep defenses
reacting instead of thinking.
-- Afterword --
Sunday turned the graphic from theory into sharp contrast. Ben Johnson’s Bears produced 297 yards and reached Minnesota’s red zone three times, evidence that his varied run game and movement concepts created opportunities despite miserable conditions; however, the sequencing never translated into points. A goal-line fumble, an interception, a blocked field goal, third-down pressure, and Caleb Williams’s late hamstring injury turned a workable plan into a 9–3 loss—execution and circumstance overwhelming schematic variety. More will be learned about Williams' injury following
an MRI on Monday.
Shanahan’s 49ers, meanwhile, supplied a near-perfect demonstration of cohesion: touchdowns on their first five possessions, five-for-five red-zone efficiency, and Brock Purdy completing 20 of 22 passes for 287 yards in a 35–13 victory. Even with Christian McCaffrey held to 23 rushing yards, Shanahan’s bootlegs, play-action, and personnel flexibility—deploying McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Kyle Juszczyk as interchangeable threats—created clean reads and relentless answers. One Sunday cannot settle the debate, but it emphatically validated the graphic’s central claim: detail turns concepts into points.
Conceived and illustrated by Carl Macki. Comments?
Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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San Jose Earthquakes 2
LAFC 2
Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Saturday, September 19, 2026
| San Jose Earthquakes defender Reid Roberts scores a goal in the final minute of stoppage time to forge a 2-2 tie with LAFC at Levi's Stadium on Saturday, November 19th. | Forward Preston Judd celebrates after getting the Quakes on the board in the 70th minute. | |
Forward Timo Werner came on in the 62nd minute to
assist on Judd's goal.
| San Jose Earthquakes defender Reid Roberts (center left) heads the ball against Los Angeles Football Club forward Armindo Sieb (9) during the first half at Levi's Stadium. | |
San Jose Earthquakes defender Reid Roberts (center) reacts with defender Vitor Costa (87) after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Football Club during the second half
at Levi's Stadium
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San Jose Earthquakes defender Reid Roberts (18) and midfielder Beau Leroux (34) celebrate after the game against the Los Angeles Football Club at Levi's Stadium. To view a photo album, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
All photos and captions by Darren Yamashita.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luexgDbT1dI
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Cal Bears 49
Wagner Seahawks 7
Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, September 19, 2026
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Cal rebounded in a big way at home against Wagner University, under perfect weather for Northern California. The Bears jumped out to a first quarter lead of 29-0 and rode the momentum for a 49-7 win. Next up is Clemson on Friday night under the lights. Above, standing guard behind the game captains is Cal’s General Manager Ron Rivera. Waiting for game action and the coin toss is Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (#3), Ricky Fletcher (#1), and Adam Mohammad (#24). The California Golden Bears played host to the Wagner University Seahawks at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Saturday,
September 19, 2026.
| Breaking away for a 74-yard run early in the first quarter, Adam Mohammad (#24) tip-toes down the sideline. | |
As his name implies, transfer Ian Strong (#9) uses a stiff arm to block the defender to gain a few more yards on a reception
in the second quarter.
| Getting into the scoring action late in the second quarter, Cooper Perry (#10) celebrates the first touchdown of his career with his quarterback, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (#3). | |
Breaking several tackles and spinning free to cross the goal line, Ashten Emory (#20) adds to the scoring for Cal midway
through the third quarter.
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Another game, another Interception for Kingston Lupa (#2) who returned it 27 yards down to the two-yard line before being pushed out late in the third quarter. To view a
photo album, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
All photos and captions by Ron Sellers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HZjVgGzAqc
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Billy Martin -- A Fighter
by Bruce Macgowan
| Billy Martin famously argued with umpires and was known for his explosive temper and fiery ejections | |
The tension was palpable when I trooped into manager Billy Martin’s office after his A’s lost a narrow decision to the visiting Detroit Tigers. Billy rarely enjoyed meeting with reporters after games anyway. Especially after losses. Billy’s eyes were bleary and he had a sour look on his face like the unhappy inebriate slumped over on his stool in the bar.
There was a good 10-15 seconds of uneasy silence as reporters looked intently at their notebooks as if they were studying bugs. Finally, I broke the tension by asking the first question.
“Billy, the A’s have really been struggling lately,” (they had just lost their eighth of ten games.) Is there any one problem you can attribute that to?”
Billy slowly looked up at me, his face screwing into a tight frown.
“Yeah, there’s three fucking things wrong: We’re not hitting, we’re not fielding and we’re not pitching. Any other stupid questions?" he snorted sarcastically.
Undaunted, I followed up with two more questions which he actually gave thoughtful answers to but when I was about to ask him a fourth question he cut me off.
“Is this a fucking one-on-one interview because if you want one of those you shoulda come here before the game. You see these other assholes standing here? They gotta ask me their dumb questions too. This is what we call a press conference. You know what that is, don’t you?”
I smiled and backed off. I didn't mind being browbeaten or even embarrassed by a coach or an athlete in front of my peers. It came with the job.
To continue -- click here!
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Bay FC 2
Racing Louisville FC 0
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
Sunday, September 20, 2026
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Racing Louisville defender Arin Wright (#3) battles Bay forward Karlie Lema (#5) for the ball in the first half. Bay FC defeated Racing Louisville FC, 2–0, in a NWSL match at PayPal Park on Sunday, September 20, 2026 in San Jose, California.
© 2026 Alex Ho
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Bay forward Racheal Kundananji (#9) attacks with a header
in the second half. © 2026 Alex Ho.
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Bay forward Karlie Lema (#5) celebrates her goal in the
56th minute. © 2026 Alex Ho.
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Bay goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz (#29) deflects a Racing Louisville FC free kick in the 82nd minute. © 2026 Alex Ho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zsboTU7kaQ
| | Letters to the Editor continued... | |
A Must Read for Baseball Fans
One Day in September: Baseball, Brotherhood,
and the Birth of the All-Star Game
This C-SPAN author-interview is a terrific 52-minutes on the history of Baseball. Author Scott Reich discusses his book, "One Day in September," which chronicles the birth of baseball's first All-Star Game in 1917, featuring the likes of Babe Ruth, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb and others. That game led to the first of the series of All-Star games
in 1933.
This video is packed with real and fresh baseball history and the societal changes which made it all possible.
"Baseball, Brotherhood and the Birth of Baseball's All-Star Game."
52 minutes, free, C-SPAN. Filmed at Cooperstown.
https://www.c-span.org/program/book-tv/one-day-in-september/683069
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/
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Stanford Cardinal 2
Wake Forest Demon Deacons 0
Cagan Stadium, Stanford, CA
Sunday, September 20, 2026
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Stanford Cardinal forward Peyton Marinos celebrates after breaking a scoreless tie with a goal in the 77th minute as the sixth-ranked Cardinal defeated the third-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 2-0, at Cagan Stadium
on Sunday, September 20th.
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Forward/midfielder Charlotte Kohler takes the ball away from Wake Forest goaltender Valentina Amaral at midfield, allowing her to stroll in for an empty net goal in the waning
moments of the game.
| Sophomore goalkeeper Caroline Birkel makes her one save of the game on her way to her sixth career clean sheet. Birkel was one of six Cardinal players returning from playing in the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland. | Stanford Cardinal midfielder Lily Freer (23) heads the ball against Wake Forest Demon Deacons midfielder Amaya Dawkins (center right) during the first half at Cagan Stadium. | |
Stanford Cardinal head coach Paul Ratcliffe yells during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Cagan Stadium. To view a photo album,
visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
All photos and captions by Darren Yamashita.
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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.
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Above, San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers against the Chicago White Sox on March 24, 2026. Devers' grand slam fueled an 8-5 win for the Giants
on that Sunday afternoon. Photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Devers undergoes successful surgery, on track for 2027 return
By Zach Sweet
ST. LOUIS -- Rafael Devers underwent successful surgery Tuesday in Philadelphia to repair the left side core muscle injury that ended his 2026 season, Giants manager Tony Vitello said before San Francisco’s game against the Cardinals.
Vitello said the procedure went as expected, with doctors finding essentially what they had seen on Devers’ MRI.
“Got done what they needed to do,” Vitello said. “They felt like he’ll do well afterwards, do well with the recovery.”
Devers is expected to remain in Philadelphia for a brief period before returning to San Francisco, potentially as soon as Wednesday. Vitello said the baseline recovery timeline is approximately three months, though that could vary depending on how Devers’ body responds during the rehab process.
continued...
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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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Are you looking for an opportunity in Sales?
The Ultimate Sports Guide seeks talented souls to join our growing company in a Sales capacity. If you like Sports, consider joining the USG Team. Send along your resume and get ready
to Play Ball!
Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
p.s. -- The handsome gentleman above is a
regular at USG's Central Coast office.
| | Cross-country charitable work earns Gelof the A's Clemente Award nomination | | |
by Martín Gallegos
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
ST. PETERSBUG -- Zack Gelof struggled to hold back the tears when he heard the news.
Not long after he became a big leaguer in 2023, Gelof quickly learned how special it is just to be considered for the Roberto Clemente Award, widely considered baseball’s most prestigious honor. Earlier this week, Gelof found out that he is this year’s A’s nominee for the award.
“It means so much,” Gelof said. “You look at Roberto Clemente and all he means to the baseball community being from Puerto Rico and all he did off the field in addition to 3,000 hits and all that stuff. It’s one of the biggest honors in sports. I’m super proud of that.
“It’s not why you try to give back to the community, but to be recognized, I try to take a step back and appreciate it. It’s a really cool honor and something I will be super proud of.”
continued....
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Ballers Fam,
The 2026 season may be over. We may have fallen short of our playoff goals. But we are somehow still beaming. Why?
Because when we look back at all of the magical moments that happened at Raimondi Park this season, there is one constant: You.
Win or lose, we made history together. 51 Themes, 51 Giveaways, 51 opportunities to celebrate Oakland baseball with you, and the vibes, the noise, the energy you delivered all season long were off the charts.
This season we brought 116,524 fans to Raimondi Park in West Oakland, which was a 5% increase over last year’s historic regular season gate. We can’t thank you enough for showing up.
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Your participation matters here. And we want to keep this sacred mission to preserve Oakland baseball going forever. You are the key to that. If you had fun at Raimondi Park this season, tell a friend. Tell your family. Make sure to spread the word and bring people with you next season. Because if you experience the Ballers just one time, you’re hooked!
And if you buy 2027 season tickets, they are now stackable. Meaning you can go solo to 48 games or take 48 friends to one game. Or take a friend to 24 games. Sharing is caring and the season tickets come with key discounts that are worth checking out.
continued...
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San Francisco 49ers --
Melbourne Snapshots
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DL Romello Height, T Trent Williams.
Terrell Lloyd / 49ers
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Los Angeles Rams TE Colby Parkinson, TE George Kittle.
Terrell Lloyd / 49ers
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LB Fred Warner, S Ashtyn Davis.
Terrell Lloyd / 49ers.
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LB Jaden Dugger. Terrell Lloyd / 49ers
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DL Osa Odighizuwa, Los Angeles Rams S Quentin Lake.
Terrell Lloyd / 49ers
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LB Fred Warner, DL Nick Bosa, QB Brock Purdy.
Terrell Lloyd / 49ers
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Buffalo Bills' Super Fan Ken Johnson,
aka "Pinto Ron"
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Buffalo Bills fans have become so disgusted with the menu prices inside the stadium they’ve shifted their partying to the tailgate mode of weekend sports dining.
This is a place where adults make the pilgrimage to the legendary Pinto Ron and Pizza Pete tailgate spot in the Hammer Lot where Pinto Ron’s team of merry pranksters pour shots of liquor into a bowling ball finger hole.
Inside the arena, here’s what you get for $113 – Two beers (16 oz., I believe); two of the prized beer horns – yes, they have lids so you don’t spill beer as you’re walking around; a bucket of popcorn, and personal pizza.
Ken Johnson, shown above and better known as "Pinto Ron",
is a Buffalo Bills' Super Fan known for attending every single Bills home and away game and hosting a tailgate party from 1994 to 2020, even attending the 2015 Bills–Jaguars
game in London.
A software engineer by day, Johnson is known for his red Ford Pinto and antics of cooking food on his car hood in a variety of objects such as a shovel and army helmet; furthermore, he holds a tradition of being doused in ketchup and mustard.
Most notably Johnson served shots out of a bowling ball until he was forced to shut down by the National Football League. Johnson moved his tailgate party to private property next to the stadium where the NFL has no jurisdiction and was able
to resume serving bowling ball shots.
-- Steve Chain / Innovative Food Fanatic
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Warriors To Celebrate Don Nelson With “Nellie Night”
Golden State Will Honor Hall Of Fame Head Coach On October 6th vs. Los Angeles Lakers
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September 18, 2026 12:02 PM PDT
The Golden State Warriors will honor Hall of Fame head coach Don Nelson with “Nellie Night” when the team hosts the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on October 6 in the Warriors’ first home preseason game of the 2026-27 season. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.
The evening will celebrate Nelson’s legacy with former Warriors players and members of Nelson’s family in attendance, special in-game tributes and in-arena offerings, including:
- All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative “Nellie” pin upon entry.
- Souvenir “Nellie Night” beer koozies for 24-ounce cans, featuring logos from Warriors teams coached by Nelson, will be available for purchase at select locations in limited quantities.
- In a nod to Nelson’s 1,335 career coaching victories, select eateries at Chase Center will offer the “Nellie Ball Three-Pointer” for $13.35, featuring three Italian-style beef meatballs with roasted tomato sauce, whipped ricotta, Parmesan, garlic breadcrumbs and warm garlic bread.
continued...
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San Jose Sharks Head Coach
Ryan Warsofsky signed to a
multi-year extension
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San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Mike Grier announced today that the club has signed Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky to a multi-year contract extension. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Warsofsky, 37, begins his third season behind the bench as the 11th full time Sharks Head Coach after being named to the role on June 13, 2024. This is his fifth season overall with the team, previously serving as Assistant Coach.
Warsofsky remains the NHL’s youngest active head coach in the NHL, and has been successful at nearly every level of hockey he has coached at in his career. Since becoming a head coach for the first time in 2016 with the South Carolina Stingrays, he has earned an IIHF World Championship Gold Medal as Head Coach with Team USA in 2025, a Calder Cup Championship with the Chicago Wolves (Head Coach, 2021-22) and Charlotte Checkers (Assistant Coach, 2018-19) in the American Hockey League (AHL), and owns a career 105-47-11-7 regular season record (.671%) in the AHL.
In just his second season under the helm as head coach of the Sharks, he helped orchestrate a significant turnaround of a team who finished last in the standings for two straight years. With his developmental approach to guiding several of the organization’s youngest players and a commitment to franchise’s identity and team culture, the Sharks authored a historic turnaround, having a year-over-year improvement of plus-19 wins, nearly doubling the team’s total wins from 2024-25, and 34 standings points, which marked the eighth biggest jump in wins over the last 30 years across the league. The on-ice success of Warsofsky’s direction resulted in the team in the hunt for the postseason for 80 of the team’s 82 games, just missing the playoffs by four points.
continued...
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Kaila Charles and Laeticia Amihere
Postgame Press Conference | 9/19/26
Listen!
continued...
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MATCH RECAP:
Earthquakes 2, LAFC 2
Saturday, Sep 19, 2026, 07:34 PM
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Reid Roberts scored in the last minute of stoppage time and the San Jose Earthquakes secured a 2-2 draw with Los Angeles Football Club on Saturday night in their annual PRIME TIME clash at Levi’s Stadium to extend their unbeaten streak to five league matches.
The match, which was presented by DUDE Wipes and aired globally on Apple TV as their Walmart Saturday Showdown, did not disappoint the 40,518 fans in attendance—the ninth-largest crowd in Major League Soccer regular-season play so far this season.
The visitors opened the scoring in minute 34 when Son Heung-min unleashed a left-footed shot from the top of the box that found the back of the net to make it 1-0 for LAFC. Two minutes later, the Earthquakes responded when Beau Leroux’s through ball found Niko Tsakiris, who was denied a goalscoring opportunity by Aaron Long just outside the box. Referee Drew Fischer pulled out the red card and the LAFC defender was sent off. Now with a man advantage, San Jose assailed the net but nothing came to fruition before the first half concluded.
After intermission, LAFC doubled their advantage in minute 53 when Son conducted a counterattack down the right half-space and fed a streaking Denis Bouanga across the goal for the shorthanded finish to make it 2-0. In minute 63, second-half substitute Preston Judd headed a Tsakiris service on target, but LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris batted it away. Judd would find the mark in the 70th minute when he headed home fellow second-half substitute Timo Werner’s cross from the right wing to cut the lead in half, 2-1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luexgDbT1dI
continued...
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Wilson Makes History, McIntosh Shines in Roots’ 1-0 Road Victory Over Indy Eleven
Watch!
Date: September 20, 2026
Roots extended their perfect record in the all-time series versus Indy Eleven on Sunday afternoon in Indiana, leaning on a record-breaking goal from Peter Wilson and a dazzling clean sheet performance from Kendall McIntosh in their 1-0 victory on
the road.
The first half of the match was well contested throughout, with both sides finding some success building out their attacks, and both defenses rising to the occasion to keep the score at 0-0 heading into halftime.
Kendall McIntosh was instrumental for Roots in the first frame, making a few highlight-worthy saves to keep his side well positioned to battle for three points in the second.
After beginning the second half with some newfound vigor, Oakland began applying heavy pressure to the Indy defense, eventually breaking that defense in the 59th minute with a beautiful run of play leading to Peter Wilson opening the scoring with his 32nd goal in a Roots kit to become the lone leader in club history in the scoring department.
The goal came as it has many times already this season, via a gorgeous assist from Wolfgang Prentice that gave Wilson an open look on goal from within the penalty area that he made no mistake on to make it 1-0.
Roots pushed for a cushion, and Indy Eleven began fighting desperately for a point, but the Oakland defense was resolute in their determination, and McIntosh continued to put together a career performance as the final whistle blew with Roots still holding a lone goal lead.
The win keeps Oakland in the playoff conversation as the 2026 USL Championship season nears its end.
Roots will look to continue their success as the postseason push continues, next time at home versus Phoenix Rising FC back at the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday, September 26th at 7 PM PT.
continued...
| | Racing Louisville defender Ella Hase #6 collides with Bay forward Alex Pfeiffer #17 in the second half. Photo by Alex Ho. | |
Match Recap: Bay FC 2-0,
Racing Louisville 0
Bay FC put together one of its stronger performances of the season and picked up a 2-0 win over Racing Louisville FC on Sunday, Sept. 20, at PayPal Park.
After dominating the action in the first half but having nothing to show for it, the home squad finally broke through early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Racheal Kundananji won possession with her intense defensive pressure deep in the final third, and crossed a pass to the middle of the box, and Alex Pfeiffer finished with her third goal of the season and first since late March. Karlie Lema scored six minutes later when she deflected Louisville’s clearance attempt into the goal for her seventh goal of the year, matching a team record for goals in a season. Jordan Silkowitz had two saves to preserve her seventh clean sheet of the year, and in the process became the sixth player in league history to reach 100 saves in a season.
After gaining points in each of the last two matches, Bay FC will look to extend its unbeaten streak to three when the club hosts its Latino Heritage Match on Sunday, Sept. 27, against Orlando Pride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtNnrpvWdrU
continued...
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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 655 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
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Comments? Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
Who is the Only Professional Baseball Pitcher to Strike Out 27 Batters
in a Nine Inning Game?
Hint: He achieved this historic feat on May 13, 1952, while playing for the Class-D
Bristol Twins against the Welch Miners
in the Appalachian League.
answer below...
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|
Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 202: Cruz Cleared The Senate But He Cannot Take The PCSA To The House
| | |
by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
| | |
Ted Cruz got the number he has been chasing all year. On September 15, a bipartisan coalition of 74 senators voted to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the Protect College Sports Act, clearing a procedural hurdle that has killed every serious run at federal college sports legislation before this one ever got a floor vote at all. On September 17, the PCSA received 77 votes to proceed to a final vote in the Senate.
Anyhow, none of that is the headline. The headline is what happened after the cloture vote, when Speaker Mike Johnson canceled the House's remaining votes for the week and sent members home for a recess that, by most reporting, will not end until after the November midterms, something on the order of 6 weeks.
A bill that just cleared its first serious Senate hurdle in the entire history of these efforts may end up sitting in front of a chamber that will not be in session to receive it for over a month, and will not be back in Washington D.C. at all until an election has come and gone.
Cruz has been telling reporters, both before and since the vote, that he expects the House to move quickly once the Senate finishes its work, but what would be Johnson's incentive to bring House members back for a vote after telling them to go home? A member from a competitive district, sent home to campaign for 6 weeks specifically because leadership decided that was worth more than staying in session, has no obvious reason to fly back to Washington D.C. to cast a vote on transfer restrictions and fair market value standards in the middle of that campaign, whatever President Trump is reportedly telling House leadership in private about wanting a signature before the election. As I've previously stated, a compressed House calendar protects vulnerable members from hard votes rather than manufacturing courage to take them. Nothing about this week's news moves me off that position.
continued...
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Uncork The Fun: NASCAR Returns to Wine Country July 10-11, 2027
SONOMA, Calif. (August 26, 2026) – NASCAR racing returns to Sonoma Raceway July 10-11, 2027, bringing the roar of the NASCAR Cup Series to Northern California for a summer weekend of high-speed action, spectacular scenery and the unmistakable flavor of wine country.
Set among the rolling hills and vineyards of Sonoma Valley, the NASCAR weekend will feature two days of racing and entertainment, highlighted by the 38th running of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, July 11 and the 5th running of the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 NASCAR O’Reilly Series race on Saturday, July 10.
Coming just one week after the Fourth of July, the 2027 NASCAR weekend offers fans the perfect opportunity to extend their summer holiday with a getaway to Sonoma. With long summer days, great weather, world-class wineries, outstanding restaurants and some of the most picturesque scenery in motorsports, there’s no better time to experience NASCAR in wine country.
“There’s simply nothing like NASCAR in Sonoma, and moving our weekend into the heart of summer makes the experience even more special,” said Brian Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sonoma Raceway. “Fans can spend the Fourth of July with family and friends, then make their way to Wine Country for an incredible weekend of racing, food, wine and everything that makes Sonoma such a special destination.”
continued...
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ROLEXES AND ORC NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONS AWARDED AT 62ND ROLEX BIG BOAT SERIES
West Coast’s Premier Regatta Featured Four Days of Dramatic Competition in Classic San Francisco Conditions
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© ROLEX / Daniel Forster
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. — After four days of thrilling sailing on San Francisco Bay, champions were crowned at the 2026 Rolex Big Boat Series, on September 20, at St. Francis Yacht Club. The top prizes—two Rolex Submariner Date Timepieces, seven perpetual trophies, and the ORC North American Championship titles in four divisions were awarded after a long “bay tour” race for all 81 competitors.
Strong and steady afternoon breezes made for excellent viewing conditions throughout the week for fans spectating from the Race Deck of StFYC’s clubhouse. The scenic red towers of the Golden Gate Bridge framed showstopper finishes, dramatic broaches and parades of spinnakers in full press for the finish line.
“Sailing in this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series while serving as Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club has been such an incredible honor,” said Susan Ruhne. “This year’s fleet had world and national champions, sailors of all ages from around the globe and a deeply competitive fleet. We are proud to have hosted the ORC North American Championship and showcase StFYC and RBBS as the premier West Coast sailing venue and regatta.”
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| | Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | | |
Ron Necciai
"After striking out 27 batters in a minor league game in 1952, Ron Necciai was destined for the big leagues,"
is the opening line from the entry regarding a ball from the game, which is a part of baseball's
Hall of Fame exhibit.
Necciai recounted his famous outing on
May 13, 1952, when he struck out 27 batters
in a nine-inning, no-hitter for the Bristol Twins
of the Class D Appalachian League.
Necciai is the only professional pitcher to record
27 strikeouts in a nine-inning game, and a ball from that 7-0 win over the Welch Miners, which Necciai donated to the Hall of Fame in 2001, is on display in the museum’s One for the Books exhibit.
This link will take you to a bunch of info about
the event and the sad history of Ron Necciai's career. (Necciai will turn 95 on June 18.)
Sadly, I did not see this exhibit
during my 2024 visit.
Go Red Sox!
| | JKS, Bears Overwhelm Wagner | | |
Sagapolutele Throws For Career-High 413 yards and 3 TDs
By: Cal Athletics
BERKELEY - The California football team quickly took care of business against FCS school opponent Wagner in a 49-7 victory at California Memorial Stadium on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon.
The Bears scored touchdowns on each of their four possessions, building a 29-0 lead in the first quarter and cruising the rest of the way.
| |
Cardinal Takes Down
No. 2 Trojans
Bernardo Herzer makes career-best 22 saves
STANFORD, Calif. – No. 3 Stanford will play for the Overnght MPSF Invitational championship tomorrow, after topping No. 6 Long Beach State and No. 2 USC today. Bernardo Herzer was heroic in the cage against the Trojans, posting a career-best 22 saves in the 10-8 semifinal win.
Stanford opened the day with a win over No. 6 Long Beach State, opening the day up in a hurry. The Card and Beach traded early goals to knot at 3-3 just two and a half minutes into the game. Ryan Ohl scored with 2:28 to go in the half, and the 4-3 advantage held going into the first break.
Photo by: Shawn Forer
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| |
Graves Leads Spartan Hitters
Against Hornets
SAN JOSE, Calif.—The Spartans hit .317 Friday, led by Morgan Graves at .429, the San José State volleyball team fell to Sacramento State
3-1 (23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-22) at the Battle of NorCal inside Spartan Gym.
- Graves led all hitters with 15 kills on 28 attempts and only three hitting errors.
-
Lolo Fonua hit .429 for the four sets, contributing 10 kills on 21 attempts and only one error, while Learden Lee hit .462 with eight kills on 13 attempts and only two errors.
continued...
| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MXC | Gaels Take Second with Three Top-10 Finishes at Home Saint Mary’s Invitational
CONCORD, Calif. — The Saint Mary's men's cross country team returned to racing at home for the first time since the 2021 WCC Championships, placing second overall in a field of 13 teams and earning three top-ten individual finishes at the Saint Mary's Invitational.
Photo by Saint Mary's Athletics: Tod Fiener
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| |
Dons Push Winning Streak to
Three, Defeat Lumberjacks
in Straight Sets
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco volleyball team (7-5) recorded its third straight victory with a 3-0 win over Northern Arizona Friday evening at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
-
San Francisco persevered past a furious Northern Arizona rally in the first set, holding on for a 31-29 win after leading by seven points at 18-11 earlier in the set. With the match tied at 29, Katariina Korhonen recorded a kill, and Laura Amaro finished the frame with a service ace to give the green and gold the early lead.
Photo: Christina Leung
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No. 17 Broncos Drop Two at
MPSF Invitational
| | |
STANFORD, Calif. - No. 17 Santa Clara men's water polo dropped a pair of matches against ranked teams on Saturday at the Avery Aquatic Center in the second round of the 2026 Overnght MPSF Invitational. The Broncos dropped a close 15-13 final to No. 14 UC Santa Barbara before falling 16-11 in the nightcap against No. 16 Cal Baptist. SCU (6-4) will wrap up the tournament tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. PT against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Zussino Collects Career-High 15 Kills to End Non-Conference Play
Against Wyoming
| | |
Box Score POCATELLO, Idaho – The Pacific women's volleyball program battled until the end, ultimately falling short to Wyoming 25-17, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22 to end the weekend from Reed Gym at the Orange & Black Classic.
The Tigers (4-8) kept the pressure on the Cowgirls (7-4), recording 152 attacks on the match. The team turned those into 48 kills, highlighted by a career-high 15 from freshman Vanessa Zussino. Zussino's previous high coming into the match was eight kills against UC San Diego.
Junior Nicole Zake also recorded double-digit kills with 11 to go along with her 11 digs for her fifth double-double on the season.
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Aggies Wrap Up Non-Conference Play In Four Set Win Against UCSB
Score: UC Davis 3, UC Santa Barbara 1
Location: Los Angeles, Calif. (Galen Center)
Records: UC Davis 4-7, UC Santa Barbara 4-6
LOS ANGELES — UC Davis volleyball finished the 2026 non-conference season on Saturday, Sept. 19 in a four set win over former league foe UC Santa Barbara.
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| | |
Cal State University East
Bay Pioneers
| |
Pioneers Push No. 15 Cal Poly Pomona in Four Sets
HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay battled No. 15 Cal Poly Pomona in four sets Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Gymnasium, taking the second set and pushing the Broncos to 26 points in the fourth before falling 25-20, 21-25, 25-18, 26-24.
After dropping the opening set, East Bay responded in the second. The Pioneers held Cal Poly Pomona to a .085 hitting percentage and took the frame 25-21 to even the match at one set apiece.
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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, September 21, through
Sunday, September 27, 2026
| | |
Monday, September 21
San Francisco Giants vs. Minnesota Twins, 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, September 22
San Francisco Giants vs. Minnesota Twins, 6:45 p.m.
Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels, 6:40 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries @ Portland Fire, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, September 23
San Francisco Giants vs. Minnesota Twins, 12:45 p.m.
Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels, 6:40 p.m.
Thursday, September 24
Athletics vs. Houston Astros, 6:40 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries @ Los Angeles Sparks, 7 p.m.
Friday, September 25
San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:15 p.m.
Athletics vs. Houston Astros, 6:40 p.m.
Cal Bears vs. Clemson Tigers, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday,September 26
San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Athletics vs. Houston Astros, 6:40 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ Portland Timbers, 7:30 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC vs. Phoenix Rising FC, 7 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal vs. Georgia Tech Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 27
San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1:05 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders @ New Olreans Saints, 1:25 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 12:05 p.m.
Athletics vs. Houston Astros, 12:05 p.m.
Bay FC vs. Orlando Pride, 2 p.m.
| | |
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, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young. Dave Newhouse (dec.)
Software Engineer / Sports Today! Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Technology Advisors: Silas Everett, Gaurav Chaulagain
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired), Elliott Smith (dec.)
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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