We’ve be speaking about it for years, ready and planning for nearly as lengthy, and on Sunday night time, the World Cup lastly arrived in Philadelphia as Ecuador took on Ivory Coast at Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia Stadium. Even Jay-Z was on hand.
From South Philly to Lemon Hill and all throughout the town, followers celebrated as a years-long effort culminated, and a stretch of six video games over the course of the following three weeks commenced. The Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win over Ecuador was the primary of 5 group stage video games, with a Round of 16 finale scheduled for July 4.
To many within the Philadelphia space — exterior of the passionate Ecuadorian and Ivorian followers that made their presence recognized all through the town over the weekend — the end result of final night time’s sport doubtless mattered little or no. What did matter, nevertheless, is that the town’s World Cup social gathering has formally began. And it’s time to take pleasure in that factor it felt like would by no means arrive. Because it is going to be gone earlier than it.
According to columnist Marcus Hayes, Philadelphia was the star during its men’s World Cup debut.
— Matt Mullin, @phillysport, [email protected].
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Phillies interim supervisor Don Mattingly didn’t mince words when speaking in regards to the scenario wherein rookie outfield Justin Crawford now finds himself.
“We’re pretty much platooning him,” Mattingly stated.
That wasn’t the preliminary plan, however the left-handed hitting Crawford is 4-for-28 (.143) with three walks and no extra-base hits towards lefties. And so, the plan modified. But does Crawford must see left-handed pitching with a purpose to enhance towards left-handed pitching? Mattingly is leaning on his on expertise.
“I kind of rely on my own history because when I first came up, I platooned, and it wasn’t a terrible thing for me,” he stated. “I probably would’ve struggled with the lefties. [Crawford]’s a guy that I think is going to hit lefties. But the amount of lefties we see, we don’t see a ton. So, it’s days where he can step back and keep working on his swing.”
Meanwhile, the Phillies dropped two of three to the Brewers in Milwaukee this weekend. The newest sequence loss isn’t trigger for panic given the opposition, however it’s value noting that whereas the Phillies are 38-33 — and 29-14 underneath Mattingly — they’re solely 3-9 towards the Brewers, Dodgers, and Braves, the cream of the National League crop.
Now, the Phillies return house for six video games towards the Marlins and Mets, the beginning of 12 straight towards the 2 groups on the backside of their division.
Next: Phillies vs. Marlins, 6:40 p.m. (NBCSP)
What we’re…
🙋♂️ Asking: Now that the Sixers promoted Jameer Nelson, what’s next for Elton Brand?
🏁 Learning: Why everybody loves Pocono Raceway, which hosted its annual NASCAR event this weekend.
🤔 Wondering: How laborious can it actually be to stop a penalty kick?
It most likely damage most Philly sports activities followers to observe the Knicks, who steamrolled the Sixers within the second spherical, hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy on Saturday night time. They had been a deserved champion, for certain, taking good care of Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in 5 video games, however there’s one thing about seeing a rival — particularly one which so totally beat your hometown staff — win a title.
But for those who went to Villanova or are a Wildcats fan, you’re doubtless ranging someplace between an existential disaster and pure pleasure. And columnist Mike Sielski doubtless wouldn’t blame you for making use of your Villanova loyalties to the ‘Nova Knicks. He believes the seeds of their greatness — especially that of Finals MVP Jalen Brunson — was forged on the Main Line.
“It was the perfect preparation for these playoffs, for these NBA Finals, for a remarkable run capped when Brunson took control of Game 5, when the sub-six-foot guard with the impeccable footwork, with the endless array of head fakes and mid-range shots, with the glorious old man’s sport was as soon as once more the good buyer on the courtroom,” Sielski writes.
Speaking of Villanova, the staff landed a commitment from 7-foot-3 Italian center Luigi Suigo, who lately withdrew his identify from the NBA draft regardless of some scouts suggesting he may go late within the first spherical.
That Villanova was in a position to lure a participant projected to make as much as $3 million as an NBA rookie says a lot, and never nearly their staff subsequent season. In reality, it could say extra in regards to the faculty’s future — and its capability to financially compete with among the sports activities’ largest applications.
It additionally caps off a roster retool that noticed the Wildcats exchange all however one of many eight gamers to look of their NCAA Tournament sport in March. And the reviews so far are promising.
The NHL draft is quickly approaching, and it’s going to be new territory for basic supervisor Danny Briere, whose staff made the playoff for the primary time in his tenure and holds the 21st overall pick, not a lottery choose. But there are nonetheless loads of wants — and plenty of options — for the Orange and Black.
Last week, Jackie Spiegel caught up with Briere for a two-part interview about all issues Flyers, including the draft and some of the team’s young players. But this week, she zeros in on simply subsequent week’s draft with assistant GM Brent Flahr, who runs the staff’s draft, in another two-part interview.
Sports snapshot
It was a lovely weekend, so hopefully you had been exterior having fun with the beginning of summer season. If you had been, listed here are a couple extra tales you would possibly’ve missed from across the sports activities world …
🧠 Trivia time
Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges usually are not the primary members of Jay Wright’s two Villanova nationwide championships groups to win an NBA title. Who was the primary?
A) Collin Gillespie
B) Eric Paschall
C) Donte DiVincenzo
D) Ryan Arcidiacono
We compiled at the moment’s publication utilizing reporting from Scott Lauber, Mike Sielski, Gina Mizell, Devin Jackson, Ariel Simpson, Jeff Neiburg, Jackie Spiegel, Henry Savage, Lauren Jones, Jonathan Tannenwald, and the Associated Press.
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