Iran, Belgium draw in Los Angeles; a result neither team should love or hate
Iran and Belgium battled to a scoreless draw Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Group G is now up for grabs with Iran having the ability to win it with a win over Egypt in Seattle.
Good morning! Some weekend. The USMNT beat Australia without Christian Pulisic to lock up a knockout-round spot and first place in Group D; at SoFi, Iran held Belgium scoreless to stay in position to win Group G; Nneka Ogwumike won it for the Sparks at the buzzer; and the Aces rolled in Vegas. Let’s get into it.
🚨 HEADLINES
⚽ Iran on the brink. A scoreless draw with Belgium at SoFi keeps Iran in position to win Group G and within reach of history — Arash Markazi has the column.
🏀 At the buzzer. Nneka Ogwumike won it for the Sparks over the Liberty in the franchise’s 30th-anniversary game — 98-97 at the horn.
🏀 Aces roll. In-game adjustments powered Vegas past the Valkyries 92-73, as Derek Hegna breaks down.
⚾ Orioles rout. Emmet Sheehan struggled again as Baltimore routed the Dodgers — Fredo Cervantes from Chavez Ravine.
🌎 Vegas in MLS mix. Don Garber pushes to keep the Whitecaps in Vancouver as Las Vegas emerges as an MLS opportunity — morei from Lumen Field.
See what else is trending at The Sporting Tribune.
📋 SCOREBOARD — WEEKEND
⚽ World Cup: USA 2, Australia 0 (USMNT win Group D) · Belgium 0, Iran 0 at SoFi · Spain 4, Saudi Arabia 0 · Egypt 3, New Zealand 1
⚾ MLB (Sun): Orioles 12, Dodgers 1 · Angels 9, Athletics 7 · Rangers 4, Padres 3
🏀 WNBA (Sun): Sparks 98, Liberty 97 · Aces 92, Valkyries 73
⚽ A BIG WORLD CUP WEEKEND, ANCHORED AT SOFI
The Americans took care of business in Seattle, beating Australia 2-0 — on an own goal and an Alex Freeman header — to clinch a Round of 32 berth and wrap up first place in Group D, all without the injured Christian Pulisic. Back home at SoFi, the tournament’s most compelling subplot played out as Iran and Belgium fought to a scoreless draw that left Iran atop Group G and, as Arash Markazi writes, on the brink of history. The U.S. closes group play Thursday — back at SoFi — against Türkiye.
GO DEEPER
› Arash Markazi: Iran on the brink of history after drawing Belgium (The Sporting Tribune)
› Steve Carp: Iran, Belgium draw — a result neither team should love or hate (The Sporting Tribune)
› Belgium frustrated by structured Iran as Group G stays tight (The Sporting Tribune)
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🏀 OGWUMIKE BEATS THE BUZZER
On the night the franchise celebrated 30 seasons, the Sparks delivered a finish worthy of the occasion: Nneka Ogwumike beat the buzzer to topple the New York Liberty, 98-97, at Crypto.com Arena. It’s the kind of signature win a rebuilding side can build belief around — and a reminder of why Ogwumike remains the steady heartbeat of this team.
› Ogwumike wins it for the Sparks at the buzzer in 30th-season Anniversary Game (The Sporting Tribune)
🏒 VEGAS HAS ITS NEW COACH
The post-Tortorella era in Vegas has a face. Ryan Craig was officially introduced as the Golden Knights’ head coach, handed the keys to a franchise that has set the standard for stability and contention since 2017. For a team that doesn’t do rebuilds, the mandate is simple: keep the standard where it is.
› Ryan Craig officially introduced as Golden Knights head coach (The Sporting Tribune)
📺 WATCHLIST — MONDAY, JUNE 22
⚽ World Cup: Argentina vs. Austria — Fox — 10 a.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: France vs. Iraq — Fox — 2 p.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Dodgers at Twins — SportsNet LA — 4:40 p.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: Norway vs. Senegal — Fox — 5 p.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Orioles at Angels — FanDuel SN West — 6:38 p.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Braves at Padres — 7:10 p.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: Jordan vs. Algeria — FS1 — 8 p.m. PT
🎟️ GOING TO A GAME TODAY?
Get-in prices across Southern California and Las Vegas — brought to you by TickPick, the no-hidden-fee ticket marketplace.
⚾ MLB: Orioles at Angels — Angel Stadium — $4
⚾ MLB: Braves at Padres — Petco Park — $31
🌴 TWO-MARKET TRIVIA
The USMNT reached the Round of 32 with a game to spare. The U.S. closes group play Thursday at SoFi Stadium against which country?
Answer at the bottom.
🎧 THE SPORTING TRIBUNE TODAY
Today’s episode unpacks a loaded sports weekend: the USMNT clinching its group without Pulisic, Iran’s gutsy stand against Belgium at SoFi, Ogwumike’s buzzer-beater for the Sparks, and the Aces rolling in Vegas. Hear it on the radio across Southern California and Las Vegas via Westwood One Sports.
› Listen to the latest episode
Trivia answer: Türkiye — the U.S. closes Group D play against Türkiye on Thursday, June 25, at SoFi Stadium.
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