Pulisic remains limited with calf injury, in doubt for Australia clash
USMNT star Christian Pulisic was on his third day of a modified individual training regimen after being subbed off at halftime against Paraguay with a calf injury.
Good morning! The World Cup lands in our backyard today — SoFi Stadium hosts a Group B match at noon — with the USMNT’s showdown against Australia now just a day away. Ronaldo’s Portugal got a scare, the Dodgers finished off a sweep, and the Sparks ran into a buzzsaw. Let’s get into it.
🚨 HEADLINES
⚽ Tomorrow’s the day. Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT meets Australia on Friday with first place in the group on the line — and a never-back-down mentality fueling the run.
⚾ Prospect watch. Kellon Lindsey’s hot start is turning heads inside the Dodgers’ system, as our man at ONT Field reports.
⚾ Big words. A young Dodger calling a teammate the best ever is worth unpacking — Fredo Cervantes explains why.
🏀 Tough night. The Sparks returned home to face Olivia Miles and the Lynx in a marquee matchup.
🏈 Unc’s day. Chargers safety Tony Jefferson was honored by his hometown of Chula Vista in a feel-good ceremony.
See what else is trending at The Sporting Tribune.
📋 SCOREBOARD — WEDNESDAY
⚽ World Cup: Portugal 1, DR Congo 1 · England 4, Croatia 2 · Ghana 1, Panama 0 · Colombia 3, Uzbekistan 1
⚾ MLB: Dodgers 5, Rays 4 (sweep) · Padres 6, Cardinals 1 · Diamondbacks 8, Angels 1
🏀 WNBA: Lynx 99, Sparks 83
⚽ THE WORLD CUP COMES TO INGLEWOOD — TODAY
The tournament returns to Southern California today: SoFi Stadium — branded “Los Angeles Stadium” for the World Cup — hosts Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at noon PT, a Group B match with both sides chasing their first win after opening draws. The buildup, of course, points to Friday, when the U.S. meets Australia in Seattle with the top of the group at stake. After Ronaldo’s Portugal was held to a 1-1 draw and England survived Croatia 4-2 on a Harry Kane brace, the margins are tightening across every group.
GO DEEPER
› Pochettino drills American mindset ahead of the Australia clash (The Sporting Tribune)
› Jordan’s defensive posture backfires against Austria (The Sporting Tribune)
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⚾ A DODGER’S BOLD CLAIM
Words carry weight in a clubhouse chasing a three-peat — and when a young Dodger labels a teammate “the best player of all time,” it’s worth pausing on. Columnist Fredo Cervantes breaks down why the praise lands, what it says about the room, and how a defending champion keeps raising its own bar deep into June.
› “He’s the best player of all time”: Why Wrobleski’s words carry weight (The Sporting Tribune)
🏀 SPARKS RUN INTO THE LYNX
The Sparks came home to a measuring-stick matchup against Olivia Miles and the Lynx — and ran into one of the league’s standards. Minnesota pulled away for a 99-83 win at Crypto.com Arena, a reminder of the climb still ahead for an improving L.A. side that doesn’t play again until Sunday against the New York Liberty.
› Sparks return home to play Olivia Miles, Lynx (The Sporting Tribune)
📺 WATCHLIST — THURSDAY, JUNE 18
⚽ World Cup: Czechia vs. South Africa — Fox — 9 a.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: Switzerland vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina — Fox — 12 p.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: Canada vs. Qatar — FS1 — 3 p.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: Mexico vs. South Korea — Fox — 6 p.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Angels at Athletics — FanDuel SN West — 6:40 p.m. PT
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⚽ World Cup: Switzerland vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina — SoFi Stadium — $645
🌴 TWO-MARKET TRIVIA
SoFi Stadium hosts 2026 World Cup matches under the name “Los Angeles Stadium.” Which two NFL franchises call SoFi home?
Answer at the bottom.
🎧 THE SPORTING TRIBUNE TODAY
Today’s episode previews the World Cup’s stop at SoFi Stadium and the USMNT’s looming clash with Australia, digs into a Dodgers club still finding new gears, and sizes up where the Sparks stand after a measuring-stick loss to the Lynx. Hear it on the radio across Southern California and Las Vegas via Westwood One Sports.
› Listen to the latest episode
Trivia answer: The Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers both play their home games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
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