As the Union inflicted another loss upon themselves Sunday night, Matt Freese mostly got to just stand there and watch.
The Wayne native wasn’t really challenged until the late stages of his side’s 2-1 win at Subaru Park. In his sixth game for New York City FC against the team he grew up with, Freese didn’t face an official shot on target until the 54th minute, and the biggest save of his five didn’t come until the 80th.
Sure, there was Indiana Vassilev’s penalty kick equalizer in the 89th, followed by 10 minutes of stoppage time. But once Olwethu Makhanya was sent off for a second yellow card three minutes later, the field tilted back the other way, leading to Tayvon Gray’s eventual winner.
It might be a while before Freese has another day that easy, whether a Sunday or any other. In fact, many will soon be quite the opposite.
Three weeks from now, the 27-year-old goalkeeper will head to the U.S. men’s soccer team’s last training camp and games before the World Cup roster is set. Freese will arrive in Atlanta as the expected starter, a position he has done enough to keep while others have done too little to challenge him.
Along with the internal competition, Freese will be challenged by world powers Belgium and Portugal on the 28th and 31st. Both games will draw big crowds to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with a sellout expected for the latter since it could be Cristiano Ronaldo’s first game on U.S. soil in 12 years.
Of all the positional battles to come in that camp, goalkeeper won’t be the most-watched. Centerback, central midfielder, attacking midfielder, and striker will all rank higher – which is every position except outside back.
But there will still be plenty of scrutiny on the net. Critics will pounce if Freese slips up, whether or not Matt Turner, Patrick Schulte, or any other candidate steps up to challenge him. Goalkeeper has been the U.S. team’s most solid position for decades, and it remains quietly awkward that right now it isn’t.
Matt Freese (center) in net during the U.S. men’s team’s game at Subaru Park last November.
Excitement for ‘big stages’
Freese isn’t thinking about that yet. He has enough on his plate with a New York team that hopes to silence its own critics, who see a starless roster.
“I’m just thinking about taking everything day by day, game by game,” he told The Inquirer. “I’m going to play some soccer today, and I’m going to play some soccer tomorrow, and [am] just going to continue on like that. So I’m really just focused on being present and improving every day, and making sure I’m ready for anything.”
“It’s a big stage, but I love big stages, I love big moments,” Freese said, “And the thing with big moments is, great preparation leads to great opportunities, and so that’s what I’m focused on: the preparation part.”
Matt Freese jumping to catch a ball in the air during the first half.
As it happens, Freese’s pre-World Cup schedule with New York is stacked with storylines. He’ll face the league’s three biggest stars, starting with Lionel Messi’s Miami on March 22 — the day before he goes to U.S. camp. Not many people these days get to face Messi and Ronaldo in a span of 10 days, and even fewer get to say they’ll host one of them at Yankee Stadium.
Later in the spring, Freese will visit Thomas Müller’s Vancouver, and host Son Heung-Min’s Los Angeles FC in Queens, the heart of New York’s big Korean population. He’ll also line up across from Schulte’s Columbus Crew, though he won’t face Turner’s New England Revolution until later in the year.
And for good measure, he’ll cross paths with Downingtown native Zack Steffen for just the second time. Steffen is out of the World Cup race at this point, but at least the duo might have some stories to swap.
On top in a growing rivalry
“Really, again, just focused on taking everything game by game,” Freese said. “In order to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and obviously this league at this point has, really, some of the best players in the world. It’ll be some big moments in the next two months of the games you’re talking about, but really just more focused on preparing for Orlando now [New York’s next opponent] after relaxing tonight.”
His use of “relaxing” was timely, given how much he could relax during the game. No one knows better how much of a rivalry the Union and New York City now have, except for maybe his old teammate Andre Blake.
“I think it’s just a matchup that brings the best out of each other,” Freese said. “I think it’s interestingly conflicting soccer philosophies, and I think that creates a really interesting game where we have to find different parts of us, and they have to find different parts of themselves. I think it really results in the two teams growing interestingly.”
This time, once again, the Union did not find different parts of themselves. After winning six of seven games against the Pigeons from 2022-24, New York has now won three of the last four, with Freese in net for all of them. And this time, he didn’t have to work too hard for it.
“It’s just part of the position, and that’s why I do so much work on staying in the present,” he said. “And just feeling the moment, and staying mentally engaged, staying vocally engaged, and physically engaged, following the game, and being ready for anything.”
He’ll have to be ready for a lot from now until the summer, and perhaps beyond.
With the NFL scouting combine in the rearview mirror, the collective focus will now turn to the fast-approaching free agency period, which will help paint a clearer view of what needs remain ahead of April’s draft.
But the past week also gave teams an opportunity to meet and learn more about the next group of NFL players. Some team fits have began to materialize, including what the Eagles may end up doing with the 23rd pick.
Here’s how we’re projecting our second first-round mock draft of this draft cycle:
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The buzz coming out of the combine is that Las Vegas is locked in on Mendoza atop the draft. That was the consensus coming into the combine, and the same remains true leaving it.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB/edge, Ohio State
After an elite testing performance, Reese all but sealed his likelihood of getting selected inside the top 4, and the scuttlebutt from the combine all pointed to the Jets coaching staff favoring the versatile Ohio State player.
Bain didn’t test at the combine, but most teams aren’t deterred from drafting the standout Miami edge early in the draft. He can rush from the interior and as an outside pass rusher, and is a stout run defender that can help the rebuilding Cardinals.
Defensive lineman David Bailey (31) runs a drill at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday.
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love’s range begins here, but in this scenario, Tennessee opts to take Bailey, who showed off his linear explosiveness and speed at the combine. Robert Saleh gets his pass rusher to build around for the future.
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles was already getting top-10 buzz coming into the combine, but his unreal testing performance (4.46 second 40-yard dash, 43.5-inch vertical jump, 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump, and 7.09 second three-cone) and New York’s need at linebacker may be too enticing for them to pass up.
Freeling’s stock continues to rise, despite making just 16 career starts. Cleveland gets a much-needed upgrade at a premium position with an elite athlete who shows promise as a pass protector and blocking out in space.
7. Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The idea of pairing Love with Jayden Daniels in the backfield would give nightmares to the NFC East and the rest of the conference. Love is a three-down back with elite speed (4.36 second 40-yard dash) and pass catching ability.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Despite running a 4.53 second 40-yard dash, Tate excels as a route runner when matched up one-on-one against defensive backs and gives Tyler Shough another outside receiver weapon to pair with former Ohio State teammate Chris Olave.
Kansas City’s offensive line has struggled, and Mauigoa can fill a need at either tackle or guard. He also said at his podium this weekend that he will play any of the five spots on an offensive line, which gives Kansas City the flexibility to play him at tackle or guard.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Despite not testing at the combine, Downs is the most instinctual player in the draft and received rave reviews in his interviews with teams from across the league. Cincinnati seems to be the floor of where he will be selected in the first round.
11. Miami Dolphins: Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
This one is a bit of a surprise, considering Miami’s needs in the secondary, but Ioane has an argument as the best offensive lineman in the class and could help solidify a group that struggled at both guard spots last season.
Penn State OL Olaivavega Ioane getting some work in the kick slide drill
One of the worst-kept secrets is Dallas’ intention of drafting a cornerback early, and here that would get them Delane, a smooth cornerback with excellent anticipatory and ball skills that should fit under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Kenyon Sadiq runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Oregon tight end tested historically well at the combine for the tight end position, and seems unlikely to make it out of the top 20. In joining Los Angeles, Sadiq gives Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford a receiving weapon that can replace free agent Tyler Higbee’s production.
Kenyon Sadiq had one of the best days ever by a TE at the Combine:
Woods’ stock is difficult to figure out because of his uneven play in 2025, but the Clemson defensive tackle’s pass rushing and gap shooting ability would be a nice addition to a defensive line that features Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M
Getting more consistent edge rusher production will be among the priorities for Tampa this offseason, and Howell brings that ability, despite having short arms (30¼-inch arms). He has shown the ability to win on a two-way go off the edge.
Cashius Howell (@AggieFootball) reached 14.52 mph while rounding the corner in the pass rush drill, the only defensive lineman to exceed 14 mph during the 2026 Combine.
Howell posted the fastest pass rush speed by any DL prospect since Will Anderson Jr. (14.90 mph) in 2023. pic.twitter.com/Bo0AxRfHBW
16. New York Jets (via Colts): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Lemon looked smooth during the on-field combine drills, but there are concerns with his athletic profile. However, New York needs more playmakers in itsreceiver room and Lemon thrives at the catch point and after the catch.
17. Detroit Lions: Avieon Terrell, DB, Clemson
Detroit has needs along the offensive line, but Terrell has the fearless mentality, ball skills, and coverage instincts to fit at multiple spots in the secondary. Amik Robertson is set to be a free agent and Terrell played outside corner and nickel in college.
McCoy opted to not participate in the combine, and there is no guarantee he will at his pro day either, which could scare some teams from drafting him. He has shutdown corner ability, got his hands on the football in both man and zone coverages and would fit nicely in Brian Flores’ aggressive defense.
19. Carolina Panthers: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson’s medical checks could have him go a lot lower than expected, but his fall ends here with Carolina, especially with Xavier Legette’s unclear future with the team. The Arizona State wideout is dynamic at the catch point and can win as a route runner in the slot and as an outside receiver.
Faulk, who showed some lower-body explosiveness at the combine (35-inch vertical, 9-9 broad jump), is an excellent run defender who played in a contain style of defense, which limited his pass rushing ability.
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano runs a drill at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday.
Isaac Seumalo could be on the way out for Pittsburgh, leaving an opening at guard for the Steelers. Fano has great feet and hands as a tackle, but his movement skills and run blocking disposition could be accentuated even more at guard.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: R Mason Thomas, edge, Oklahoma
Thomas did not run very well at the combine (4.67-second 40-yard dash) but he’s got an elite first step and can beat tackles on their outside or inside shoulders. Los Angeles desperately needs more juice from its pass rushers.
The Eagles showed significant interest in the tight ends and offensive linemen at the combine, and Proctor was among their formal meetings. The Alabama tackle said the Birds “have expressed a lot of interest in me,” during the process, and rightfully so, considering size, athleticism, and run blocking displacement skills.
He also admitted he was open to playing in the interior, a spot the Eagles could upgrade this offseason. He certainly checks the box for the “critical factors” the Eagles look for in offensive linemen.
#Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor says he’s met with with the #Eagles and that they “have expressed a lot of interest in me.”
Says he’s told teams his ideal playing weight has been 355 or less and wants to play tackle but is open to moving inside if teams need him to. pic.twitter.com/nwGlL6K5qu
24. Browns (via Jaguars): Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Concepcion is a dynamic athlete with the ball in his hands and would give Cleveland’s offense a much-needed vertical threat for whoever is under center next season, whether it’s Shedeur Sanders or a free agent signing like Malik Willis.
25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Thieneman was the pleasant surprise of the combine, testing like an elite athlete (4.35 40-yard dash, 41-inch vertical, 10-5 broad jump) and showcasing the range to play as a single-high safety and the instincts to play a box safety role. With Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson hitting free agency, Chicago gets a potential Day 1 impact player.
.@oregonfootball S Dillon Thieneman just casually out-running three of the best WRs in the game 🤷♂️
Allen, the standout Georgia linebacker, has good instincts and playmaking skills at the second level of a defense and fills a need with Matt Milano set to hit free agency for Buffalo.
Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston runs a drill at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Jauan Jennings is set to hit free agency this offseason, and the 49ers may be looking for his replacement in the draft. Boston is a big receiver who can win vertically and thrives at the catch point with his strong hands and impressive body control on jump balls.
28. Houston Texans: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Banks tested like a solid athlete at the combine, but he only played in three games in 2025 and needs to improve his pad level and down-to-down consistency. But his skill set will fit nicely in DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
29. Rams: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Rams have a big need at corner, but instead they upgrade the right tackle spot with Miller, who has light feet in pass protection and the grip strength to stop pass rushers in his tracks. He also has the athleticism to block in space, a big component of Sean McVay’s offense.
30. Denver Broncos: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
One name that kept popping up as a first-round player last week was Cooper, who has the speed to run by defensive backs (4.46-second 40-yard dash) and is tough to bring down in the open field after the catch. He would be a nice, complementary piece in Denver’s offense.
31. New England Patriots: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson
The Patriots need more impactful pass rushers, and Parker relies on his power and is a physical run defender that can stack and shed offensive linemen in the run game. He also has experience dropping into coverage.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Johnson, DB, San Diego State
Johnson’s rise is similar to Quinyon Mitchell’s a few years ago — Johnson crushed the predraft process first at the Senior Bowl, then at the combine (4.4 second 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical, 10-6 broad jump). He is a sticky coverage player in man and zone coverages, and is competitive at the catch point, and fills a need for Seattle in the secondary.
The next two months will be franchise-defining for Howie Roseman and the Eagles. That’s partly a function of how much they need to accomplish in order to get their offense on a sustainable footing. But it’s also a function of how much opportunity they have to do so. In fact, they have more of it than most teams in their situation can hope to have.
The decision-making revolves around the draft, as it always does. The most honest thing anybody can say about the draft is that the best decisions are primarily a result of what’s available. Roseman deserves a ton of credit for projecting Quinyon Mitchell as an elite cornerback. But he gets credit for drafting him only because he lasted until the 22nd pick. Same goes for Cooper DeJean in the second round at No. 40. Who knows what this Eagles defense looks like if Mitchell and DeJean weren’t on the board.
I see a lot of parallels between that 2024 draft and this year’s. The Eagles’ offense is at a similar juncture, particularly in the pass-catching department. DeVonta Smith is great. He’s also the only guy on the depth chart at wide receiver and tight end, if we’re assuming that A.J. Brown is potentially on the way out. The best way to get yourself into trouble when you are on the clock is to focus on immediate needs over expected future value. The Eagles’ opportunity is that this year’s draft looks like it aligns with their needs.
If the mock drafts are to be trusted, the Eagles could have their choice of one of at least three potential difference-makers at No. 23 and perhaps a second if they can move up in the second round. Last year, I was beating the drum for Missouri receiver Luther Burden III, who ended up going No. 39 to the Bears. This year’s trio is even better.
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion. Alabama wide receiver/utility man Germie Bernard.
The comps are Vernon Davis, Antonio Brown/Stefon Diggs, and Deebo Samuel.
I’m not going to sit here and pretend I have an opinion on any of the linemen who could be on the board in the late first round. If the Eagles have a chance to draft one with a Lane Johnson or Jalen Carter grade, they should obviously do it. What I do know is that the pass-catchers should be a priority, and that there are three guys who could offer the value that Mitchell and DeJean did on the defensive side.
This draft is better than people are giving it credit for, particularly in the range where things start to look realistic for the Eagles. The precombine consensus had Sadiq going No. 19, Concepcion going No. 27, and Bernard going No. 69. The Eagles have picks No. 23 and 54, but I’m skeptical that they’ll be in position to pick two of the three.
The idea that Sadiq will last anywhere close to No. 23 always seemed detached from reality. That’s especially true after a combine performance unlike any we’ve seen at the tight end position in recent memory. Sadiq’s 40-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds was the fastest by a tight end since converted quarterback Matt Jones in 2003. His 1.54-second 10-yard split would have ranked him among the Top 12 wide receivers at this year’s combine. He also put up wideout-like numbers in the broad jump and vertical leap.
It would be one thing if Sadiq’s measurements were at odds with his game tape. But they aren’t. The game speed and explosiveness are there. Most notable is the way they show up off the ball. His combination of acceleration and compact strength allowed Oregon to use him in all sorts of ways in their blocking schemes: out wide on wide receiver screens, across the formation on running plays, etc. It is impressive to watch. This isn’t Kyle Pitts. I have to imagine every cutting-edge play designer in the NFL would love to have Sadiq’s skill set at his disposal. Don’t listen to the folks who try to compare him to fellow workout warrior Eli Stowers. The Vanderbilt tight end is a worthy late-second-round gamble. But watch both of their cut tapes and you’ll quickly realize one of these things is not like the other.
Kenyon Sadiq’s 40-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds was the fastest by a tight end since converted quarterback Matt Jones in 2003.
To be clear, Sadiq’s isn’t a conventional skill set. He isn’t anything close to your classic tackle-adjacent receiver-lineman tweener tight end. Which might be one reason why the draft industry rates him where it does. At 6-foot-3 with 31½-inch arms, he is at the negative extreme in terms of length at the position. Of the 14 tight ends who had a 1,000-yard season since 2010, only one was listed at 6-3 or shorter, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com (Delanie Walker, 2015). Sadiq’s arm length measurement ranks in the bottom 10% of tight ends at the combine since 2010. Combined with his chiseled 246-pound frame, he looks more like an H-back than a prototypical pass-catching tight end. That’s only a problem for a scheme that lacks imagination.
If anything, Sadiq’s overall pass-catching numbers are at odds with his game tape. His 892 career receiving yards in three years at Oregon would be the lowest for any tight end drafted with a top-28 pick since at least 2010. Every tight end drafted in the top 15 since 2010 had at least one season with 58-plus receiving yards per game. O.J. Howard at No. 19 in 2017 averaged 40.1 yards, which is about what Sadiq averaged this season (51 catches, 560 yards, 14 games).
Thing is, Sadiq looks the part on film. The guy pops in all phases of the game. Look at his two touchdown catches against USC in October. On goal-to-go from the 8-yard line, he beat USC safety Christian Pierce on a perfect in-breaking route and then was in the process of running away from him when he made the catch in the back of the end zone. On the second, he got behind a late rotation on a seam route and then made a great catch in traffic in front of the deep man before being sandwiched. Sadiq finished the season as one of two major conference tight ends in the last five years to have five TD catches of 20-plus yards.
Sizewise, I see Vernon Davis. The more intriguing comp is George Kittle. Sadiq may never be the blocker that Kittle is, i.e., one of the best ever at the position. But that’s not the point. The point is Kittle as a pass-catcher. In four years at Iowa, he had 48 catches for 737 yards, topping out at 22 catches for 314 yards as a senior. The 49ers drafted him in the fifth round. He would go higher in a redraft.
No position in the NFL draft is less contingent on college production than tight end. Jimmy Graham played one year at Miami, caught 17 passes, and was drafted in the third round. Antonio Gates never played college football. When Travis Kelce turned 23 years old, he was a senior at Cincinnati who’d caught 19 passes for 247 yards in 25 career games. They are the exceptions, sure. But name another position where three such exceptions went on to become three of the greatest of all time (four if you count Kittle).
Let’s reiterate our point here. It isn’t that Sadiq is the same type of prospect as the guys I just mentioned. He’s on a much higher level. It isn’t that he is going to become those guys. The point is that Sadiq’s relatively paltry receiving numbers shouldn’t make him fall in the draft. Chances are, they won’t.
KC Concepcion had 61 catches for 919 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior at Texas A&M.
Concepcion is more likely to be there at No. 23. He’s a bit slight at 6-foot, 196 pounds. He didn’t run the 40 or take part in any of the other athleticism tests at the combine. Silence in a court of law, etc. But none of that should matter when you see the film. The ability to create change-of-direction separation is elite. It shows up in the numbers. In addition to his 61 catches for 919 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior at Texas A&M, and his 70 carries for 431 yards and three touchdowns in three collegiate seasons, he is coming off a season where he averaged 18.2 yards with two touchdowns on 25 punt returns after returning just five in his first two seasons. Whatever the physical measurements, his is an NFL frame, and an NFL game.
Bernard is the DeJean of this year’s draft. Midway through his rookie season everyone will look back and say, how did this guy fall as far as he did? Assuming the current projections are correct and he won’t be a first-round pick. Comps are usually fuzzy things. Man, does he look a lot like Deebo Samuel did during his peak with the 49ers. At 6-1, 206 pounds with a low center of gravity and ballcarrier instincts, Bernard could easily pass for a third-down back. But he is a wide receiver, one who averaged 57 catches for 828 yards over his last two seasons at Alabama. He has as high of a floor as anybody can have at his position. Too many GMs chase upside in a draft. The real test is projecting a player’s probability of achieving that upside. Bernard plays the game with a fluidity and instinct that will translate in some meaningful capacity. So much so that the Eagles shouldn’t hesitate to draft him at No. 23 rather than gambling he’ll still be there beyond.
There is an elephant in the room here, one so large that he has already been mentioned. The Brown thing is simple. Even if he is here next year, he won’t be here much beyond that. Jalen Hurts isn’t one of the rare quarterbacks who makes the pass-catching talent around him better. The Eagles will fail and fail miserably if Smith is his only pass-catcher who is above replacement level. They would be wise to trade Brown if it lands them a draft pick that facilitates the acquisition of someone with the ability to help replace him.
“If someone is going to give you something you didn’t anticipate and you won’t even have the conversation, I don’t think you’re necessarily doing your job or really servicing the team you’re with,” Roseman said at the combine last week. “You never know what someone is willing to do.”
The perfect draft for the Eagles is Sadiq first and then one of Concepcion or Bernard second. Given the value that teams place on the trenches, it’s hard for me to believe in a worthwhile certainty/upside ratio with any lineman who would also be available.
Germie Bernard had 64 catches for 862 yards and seven touchdowns at Alabama last season.
I’m skeptical that Sadiq will last anywhere close to where the current mock drafts have him going. At this time last year, Daniel Jeremiah and Pro Football Focus both had Colston Loveland going in the 18-20 range. In 2024, PFF had Brock Bowers going 18th. Loveland ended up going 10th and Bowers 13th. Both were among the top nine non-quarterbacks off the board. So, I wouldn’t put too much stock into the current projections, which have Sadiq lasting into the 20s and potentially reaching the Eagles at No. 23. I also don’t think the Eagles can bet on Concepcion being there. Nor can they with Bernard at 54.
The idea of trading Brown makes a lot more sense from that perspective. It’s only true if Roseman can somehow finagle something like the No. 31 overall pick from the Patriots. Maybe by swapping No. 54 and No. 68 for the Pats’ No. 63. So, the Eagles trade Brown in order to move up 23 spots from No. 54 to No. 31 while moving down nine spots from No. 54 to No. 63.
There are at least three prospects who would make it worth it.
Kyle Schwarber had the best season of his career in 2025, with 56 homers and a runner-up finish for National League MVP. What can he possibly do for an encore? Schwarber joins Phillies Extra to discuss his goals for the season, the Phillies’ chances of getting over the hump in October, playing for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and more. Watch here.
BOSTON — Neemias Queta scored a career-high 27 points and added 17 rebounds to help the Boston Celtics recover from a slow start and rally to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-98 on Sunday night.
Jaylen Brown added 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and Derrick White finished with 21 points and eight assists as the Celtics became the fourth team to reach 40 victories. They have won six of seven.
It was the 11th double-double of the season for Queta, who also had three blocks. He has three double-doubles — with at least two blocks in each — over his last five games.
Philadelphia cut what was a 16-point lead by Boston in the second half to 103-97 with just over four minutes to play. But Queta scored Boston’s next eight points to put the Celtics in front 111-98 and help close it out.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 33 points and six assists. VJ Edgecombe added 23 points as Philadelphia’s three-game win streak was snapped.
With Queta leading the way, the Celtics used a 15-6 run to erase a 10-point, first-quarter deficit and took a 62-50 lead into halftime.
Baylor Scheierman, who played with a splint on the left thumb he fractured in Friday’s win over Brooklyn, gave a thumbs up after draining a corner 3-pointer at halftime buzzer off a feed from Brown.
Queta carried the early offensive load for the Celtics with 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in just under 14 minutes in the first half.
Philadelphia led throughout the opening period and built as much as a 10-point edge while Boston shot just 30% from the field (8 for 26).
But the Celtics recovered, outscoring the 76ers 36-22 in the second quarter and never trailed again.
NASHVILLE — Lindsey Heaps had a goal and an assist, and Jaedyn Shaw also scored to propel the United States to a sixth straight shutout victory, 2-0 over Argentina in the SheBelieves Cup on Sunday.
The U.S. has outscored opponents 27-1 over its past seven games. Coach Emma Hayes’ squad hasn’t lost since falling 2-1 to Portugal in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 23.
Heaps scored from the top of the box in the 19th minute. Emma Sears worked the ball out of the left corner and into the box, then passed to a wide-open Heaps, who converted with her left foot. It was her 39th international goal, the most on the current U.S. roster.
Shaw found the back of the net from the top left corner of the box. Her right-footed shot curved toward the left post and into the net for her 10th international goal.
After Shaw scored, Lilly Reale was treated for a right leg injury and replaced by Emily Fox.
During stoppage time, Argentina’s Milagros Martín was assessed a yellow card for shoving Trinity Rodman in the back. That sparked concerns about a recurrence of the back injuries that have bothered Rodman for years.
The U.S. dominated possession, holding the ball 67.7% of the time. The Americans had three shots on target, while Argentina had just one on target against U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.
The SheBelieves Cup — a four-team round-robin that also includes Canada and Colombia — moves to Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, when the Americans will take on Canada. The Canadians beat Colombia 4-1 earlier Sunday.
Inquirer staff writer Jonathan Tannenwald contributed to this report.
Instead, New York City FC beat the Union, 2-1, in the team’s Major League Soccer home opener at Subaru Park.
Hannes Wolf put NYCFC up, 1-0, in the 36th minute, and Indiana Vassilev tied the game at one in the 89th minute. But before the Union could escape with a draw, Olwethu Makhanya was sent off in the 92nd minute.
With a man advantage in 10 minutes of second-half additional time, NYCFC (1-0-1) was able to find the game’s decisive goal, a header from Tayvon Gray in the 99th minute.
The Union (0-2-0) outshot NYCFC, 17-13, over the course of the match, but New York City put 10 of those shots on goal, opposed to five shots on goal for the Union.
The Union struggled to create meaningful chances in the first half. They took six shots in the first 45 minutes, but none of them were on frame. NYCFC keeper and Wayne native Matt Freese finished the first half without a save.
“We just need to be sharper,” Vassilev said. “It’s the second game of the season. New York’s a really good team … The second half, I thought we were really good, as well. I thought we deserved more than a goal.”
Conversely, NYCFC kept Andre Blake busy in the first half. It found its first goal in the 36th minute, as Hannes Wolf cleaned up the rebound from one of Blake’s four first-half saves.
Nicolas Fernandez got in behind the Union’s back line and launched a shot from close range at Blake, who palmed the shot away from the net. The Union could not control the shot’s rebound, which fell to an unmarked Wolf at the top of the 6-yard box.
As Blake scrambled to get back to the center of the net, Wolf put New York City up, 1-0, with a left-footed strike.
Looking for an equalizer, Union manager Bradley Carnell brought on Ben Bender for Frankie Westfield and Stas Korzeniowski for Agustín Anello in the 59th minute.
The Union nearly earned a penalty in the 66th minute, as Jovan Lukić went down while trying to get to a Danley Jean-Jacques pass in the 18-yard box.
A video replay was initiated to deem if the contact New York City’s Raul Gustavo made with Lukić warranted a spot kick, but Chris Penso, the match’s referee, decided that no foul was committed.
Still pressing to find a goal, the Union brought on Cavan Sullivan for Milan Iloski in the 83rd and Sal Olivas for Bruno Damiani in the 86th.
Korzeniowski earned the Union a penalty in the 89th minute after being fouled by NYCFC’s Thiago Martins in the 18-yard box.
The Union’s usual penalty takers, Damiani and Iloski, were off the field by the time the team was awarded the kick, so Vassilev stepped up to take the penalty. He beat Freese from the spot to tie the game, 1-1.
“We just took a lot of guys off, and I just happened to be on the field, so I took it,” Vassilev said. “Freese is a good goalie. I thought he was going to dive, so I went down the middle.”
Ten minutes of additional time were tacked on to the end of the second half. The Union played much of it down to 10 men, as Makhanya was shown his second yellow card of the match for dissent in the 92nd minute.
It was the second time a Union player has been shown red in as many MLS matches. Ezekiel Alladoh served a one-game red card suspension on Sunday after being sent off in the team’s 1-0 loss at D.C. United. Makhanya will serve a one-game suspension when the Union face San Jose on March 7.
“Our stuff, over the last two weeks, from a disciplinary standpoint, is probably substandard,” Carnell said.
Carnell made a defensive substitution in the 94th minute, bringing on Geiner Martínez for Vassilev to compensate for Makhanya’s absence.
With its man advantage, NYCFC was able to find a second goal to break the tie in the 99th minute. Tayvon Gray sent a headed attempt past Blake to win it for New York City, 2-1.
“It’s just unfortunate,” Carnell said. “For all the effort that the guys put in, that we don’t earn at least a tie or even have enough chances, in abundance, to win the game. So now we’re left with zero points in the first two games, and this is something that we are fully focused on going into next stretch of games here.”
New York City FC defender Tayvon Gray (center) celebrates his extra-time goal against the Union.
Up next
The Union will return to Subaru Park to face the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday (7:30 p.m., Apple TV).
San Jose (2-0-0, 6 points) is the first of six Western Conference opponents the Union will face this season.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Orion Kerkering couldn’t wait to get back on the mound.
The 24-year-old right-hander threw his first bullpen session in over two weeks on Saturday, after a mild hamstring strain had slowed his start to the spring. Part of the reason Kerkering had been so impatient throughout the rehab process was because he had been toying with a new splitter, and he wanted to get back to working on it.
Kerkering said he felt good coming out of the session, and thought his velocity was where he wanted it to be for the first outing. And he liked the shapes of the splitters that he threw.
“I think it’s a work in progress still, but I think consistently we’re getting a lot better each day with it,” Kerkering said.
Initially, Kerkering believed he had a charley horse when he felt something in his hamstring during a bullpen session last month, before camp had officially opened. He thought he could power through it, but knew something wasn’t right when he tried to run. That meant shutting down for a few weeks.
But now, he’s back on the mound, which means he’s one step closer to testing out his new pitch against hitters. This offseason, he had discussed with pitching coach Caleb Cotham the possibility of adding something to his repertoire of four-seam, two-seam, and sweeper.
“Give the hitters more, ‘Oh [expletive], there’s another fourth pitch here that I have to look for,’” Kerkering said.
He briefly considered a cutter, before deciding on the splitter for another weapon against lefties, one that Kerkering hopes will get more of a swing-and-miss.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson says if Orion Kerkering can master his new splitter it will give him another look.
“It’s just another look,” said manager Rob Thomson. “He’s got a two-seam, got riding. He’s got a ball going this way with the slider. Now you got a ball going straight down, if he can master it. But he’s working on it, anyway.”
The pitch is still in its early stages, and he’s still toying with the grip. Kerkering watched videos of Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert and other pitchers on YouTube breaking down their splitter grips over the offseason to get some ideas.
His next bullpen session is scheduled for Tuesday, and he plans to ask a hitter to stand in the box while he’s throwing to get their point of view.
“If they can see the difference in me trying to grab the grip,” Kerkering said. “… I think just overall, just see what the hitters see. And I think that’s my best feedback on that pitch.”
Wheeler’s second bullpen
On Sunday morning, fans watching through the fence overlooking a pair of mounds at the Phillies’ complex were treated to the sight of Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola pitching side-by-side.
Nola was throwing a side session in preparation for his second Grapefruit League start on Wednesday, before he joins Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. And Wheeler was throwing just his second bullpen session after his thoracic outlet decompression surgery last September.
Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler pitched side-by-side during a bullpen session on Sunday.
Wheeler, who had a blood clot near his right shoulder removed, threw 25 pitches on Sunday. He started mixing in his splitter, after only throwing fastballs in his first session.
“Split was really good,” Thomson said. “Had a lot of bottom to it. He threw the fastball where he wanted to.”
Wheeler is so far remaining on a typical build-up schedule, which involves two days off between bullpens. His next session is planned for Wednesday, and Thomson said he will start throwing other pitches in his arsenal and spinning the baseball more.
When February started, the Temple men’s basketball team was in a three-way tie for third place in the American Conference and in solid position to lock a top-four seed.
Now, after its 80-74 loss to Rice on Sunday at the Liacouras Center, Temple has a six-game losing streak.
During its previous five losses, Temple (15-14, 7-9) was plagued by cold shooting streaks. On Sunday, it was the defense. Rice (12-17, 6-10) constantly poked holes in Temple’s defense as it poured in 45 points in the second half.
Temple is back to the drawing board with two games remaining in the regular season and tied for ninth place, the second-to-last spot to qualify for the conference tournament.
“I think we fight right. There’s no quit,” said coach Adam Fisher. “We have to make sure that continues. The fight. You got to believe that, This is what it’s got to take. We’re right there. And you got to figure out, one bounce, one extra effort … We asked every guy, ‘Look at yourself, starts with me, and I’ll be looking, trust me.’”
Statistical leaders
Temple’s offense kept pace with the conference’s sixth-best scoring offense. Temple shot 50% from the field, led by guards Derrian Ford and Aidan Tobiason. Each finished with 20 points. Temple’s issues came in three-pointers, as it went 5-for-17.
Meanwhile, Rice shot 52% from the field and won the rebounding battle 28-25.
Guard Nick Anderson led the team with 21 points. Guard Trae Broadnax and guard Jalen Smith added 15 points apiece.
What we saw
Tobiason scored six points three minutes into the game to help Temple take an 8-4 lead. Guard Gavin Griffiths ended a 4½-minute scoring drought with a three-pointer followed by a layup and a free throw to complete a three-point play to put Temple’s lead at 15-11.
— Temple Men's Basketball (@TUMBBHoops) March 1, 2026
But everything Temple threw at Rice was instantly answered, mainly through Anderson. Broadnax, Rice’s leading scorer, picked up two fouls in the first 12 minutes, forcing him to watch most of the half from the bench. Anderson stepped up in his place for 11 first-half points.
Temple did well containing Rice, but then it crumbled as halftime neared. Rice went on a 12-9 run, but a Ford jumper kept Temple up at halftime, 36-35.
After the break, Temple overcommitted on stopping Rice. Tobiason scored the team’s first six points in second half, but Rice contained him the rest of the way.
A nearly five-minute field goal drought for Temple ended when Ford drilled a three-pointer to cut Rice’s lead to 65-64. However, that was the closest Temple ever got.
— Temple Men's Basketball (@TUMBBHoops) March 1, 2026
“It’s not so much the second half,” Fisher said. “I think there’s things in the first half that you have to clean up and then it gets magnified in the second half.”
Temple’s defense lets up
Temple’s defense began to crack with the emergence of Broadnax and guard Jalen Smith. Broadnax got on the board with a jumper to tie the game at 42. Twenty-nine seconds later, Smith made a three-pointer to take the lead.
With Anderson, the Rice trio scored 18 straight points in a six-minute span. Temple had little to no answers as 37 of Rice’s 45 second-half points were from the three guards.
“Broadnax’s [is] their leading scorer, a veteran guy,” Fisher said. “He brings you into the post … Give him credit. He had a couple [of] tough shots.”
Up next
Temple will host Tulane (17-12, 8-8) on Thursday (7 p.m., ESPN2).
CLEARWATER, Fla. — From J.T. Realmuto’s point of view, Andrew Painter hasn’t changed much in three years.
Of course, in that span of time, Painter underwent Tommy John surgery, rehab, and then pitched a full minor league season. But the way Painter carries himself, which Realmuto got an up-close look on Sunday while catching in his 2026 Grapefruit League debut, is the same.
“Calm, cool, collected,” said Realmuto. “He throws the ball obviously like an elite pitcher, but his demeanor is something that I really look forward to working with.”
Painter’s two innings on Sunday were exactly three years to the day of Painter’s first-ever spring training start in 2023. At the time, he was 19, with a chance to win a spot in the Phillies rotation, but a UCL sprain brought that to a halt.
Andrew Painter retired all six hitters he faced in the Phillies’ 5-3 loss to the Yankees.
Painter has been waiting a while to make it back here. He retired all six hitters he faced in the Phillies’ 5-3 loss to the Yankees, using an efficient 20 pitches.
“I felt pretty comfortable out there, right when I toed the rubber. I felt like I was in control of the game,” Painter said. “Didn’t speed up on me. And that’s a big thing.”
There were times last year in triple A when Painter hadn’t looked in control. One of Painter’s biggest issues in his first season back from surgery, where he put up a 5.26 ERA, was fastball command. But he thinks both time and a slightly higher arm slot have helped with that.
“I’ve caught a couple pens, and that was the first time I’ve caught him in a live. And every time the command’s been really good,” Realmuto said. “He’s able to work both sides of the plate, but also work up and down as well, which is something that most of our starters do a good job with, and that’s why they’re so successful. So, being able to see him do that is important.”
Painter flashed six different pitches, but leaned the most on his four-seam, which averaged 96.8 mph. Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham and first baseman Ben Rice slugged .527 and .567, respectively, against fastballs in 2025. But Painter attacked both with his four-seam anyway, and the pitch induced a soft pop up from Grisham and a groundout from Rice.
He also won an eight-pitch battle against Jasson Domínguez. The Yankees left fielder fouled off a 97.8 mph fastball — Painter’s hardest pitch of the day — before Painter got him to strike out on a slider.
“I was very encouraged,” said manager Rob Thomson. “I thought he was great. Got ahead in the count, attacked.”
J.T. Realmuto greets Little Leaguers before the game against the Yankees on Sunday.
Painter’s outing was so efficient that he didn’t get the chance to work on throwing his changeup to left-handed hitters as much as he and Realmuto had hoped. He’ll get another chance in his next scheduled start on Saturday.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Painter said. “Still just trying to take it one day at a time and look forward to each start.”
Who stood out
Alec Bohm barreled up a Will Warren fastball that left the bat at 101.4 mph, but the Yankees center fielder made the catch on the warning track.
“Bohm’s had really good at bats throughout spring,” Thomson said. “He’s stronger now, and he’s driving the ball.”
Bryson Stott is 5-for-8 with two homers in five spring games.
Bryson Stott homered to center field. The Phillies second baseman is 5-for-8 with two homers in five spring games.
Rafael Marchán finished 2-for-2 with a double. Outfield prospect Dylan Campbell hit a triple.
On the mound
José Alvarado, Tanner Banks, Kyle Backhus, Chase Shugart, and Jonathan Hernández each pitched a scoreless inning. Johnathan Bowlan allowed one run on two hits. Zach Pop was charged with four runs on a walk and three hits.
“He had a smile on his face when he came out, so that was good to see,” Thomson said of Painter. “He’s been waiting a while to do this. So I’m sure he’s very, very happy with his performance.”
On deck
The Phillies are off Monday before heading to Port Charlotte, Fla., to face the Rays on Tuesday (1:05 p.m., Phillies audio feed). Alan Rangel is set to start.
