The event will be held in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Lionel Messi netted two goals, captivating a record-breaking crowd of New England Revolution supporters, and propelled Inter Miami CF to a resounding 4-1 triumph on Saturday evening.

Messi impressed the crowd of 65,612 at Gillette Stadium by scoring a goal with his left foot from a long distance inside the penalty area. This was his ninth goal of the season, which occurred in the 68th minute, breaking the 1-all deadlock.

Lionel Messi Gets 2 Goals In Front Of Record New England Crowd As Miami Beats Revolution 4-1

Indeed, he also achieved a minor historical milestone. Miami said on social network X that he holds the distinction of becoming the inaugural player in MLS history to contribute 16 goals in the first seven games of a season.

He has been doing it consistently throughout his entire life. “We anticipate this behavior from him,” stated teammate Benjamin Cremaschi, who successfully scored the third goal following Messi’s blocked shot. He effortlessly demonstrates proficiency.” We are pleased to have him on our team. Whenever he is presented with a chance, he seizes it.

The attendance surpassed the previous record of 61,316, set when the LA Galaxy defeated the Revolution in the 2002 MLS championship.

During the first half, he positioned himself a short distance inside the penalty area and successfully scored with a left-footed kick, resulting in a 1-1 tie in the 32nd minute.

“In the first half, following our goal, I believed that we had effectively contained them,” stated Caleb Porter, the coach of New England. “They were not receiving ample opportunities, nor were they being granted sufficient time and freedom to execute their actions.” Messi then demonstrated his typical skill and ability by identifying a weakness or vulnerability.

Lionel Messi Gets 2 Goals In Front Of Record New England Crowd As Miami Beats Revolution 4-1

Amidst a match between the top-ranked Miami team in the Eastern Conference and the bottom-ranked Revolution team, the 36-year-old who won the 2022 World Cup scored a goal, resounding cheers reverberating throughout the bleachers.

Cremaschi and Luis Suarez scored goals toward the end of the match for Miami. Messi was attributed with an assist on Suarez’s goal.

In the opening minute, the Revolution took a 1-0 lead as Tomas Chancalay skillfully evaded a defender and executed a shot over the charging netminder, Drake Callender.

Despite the presence of the Celtics and Bruins, both local winter professional teams are now competing in the playoffs. Much of the focus in the sports world this week was around Messi’s arrival.

Hundreds of fans, primarily children, donning the pink Miami Messi shirt, entered the stadium approximately 90 minutes before the match.

Once the stadium was filled, they were readily seen amidst the crowd.

Among the items, a few of the Messi No. 10 Argentina shirts, which featured white and blue stripes, were intermingled among the items.

“I am filled with great enthusiasm,” expressed Stacy Mills, a 31-year-old itinerant healthcare professional from East Tennessee, who was donning one of the Argentina jerseys featuring Messi.” “I have been a follower of his career since playing with Barcelona.”

Her buddy, Caleadia Jessup, 53, a travel nurse from Fayetteville, North Carolina, was equally proud to display her Messi Argentina jersey.

Lionel Messi Gets 2 Goals In Front Of Record New England Crowd As Miami Beats Revolution 4-1

“I trailed him during his participation in the World Cup representing his home nation,” she remarked, beaming.

Many children had the opportunity to witness a renowned soccer player at the previous residence of Tom Brady, who is widely regarded as the greatest of all time in the NFL. Brady achieved the impressive feat of winning six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

“I have been engaged in playing since my early years.” “The Miami star is my favorite player,” stated Cameron Howell, a 14-year-old from Halifax, Massachusetts.

SOURCE – (AP)

Candace Parker has expressed her certainty in recognizing the appropriate moment to retire. The day in question occurred on a Sunday.

The individual who has won the Women’s National Basketball Association championship three times and has achieved the Olympic gold medal twice, said on social media that her professional career has come to an end after a span of 16 seasons.

“The innate drive for competition within me always yearns for an additional opportunity, but the present circumstances dictate otherwise,” Parker expressed in a post on Instagram. “My heart and body were aware, but I required time for my mind to acknowledge and embrace it.”

Parker, aged 38, expressed to The Associated Press in November her desire to continue playing for another season, contingent upon her recovery from a foot injury that prevented her from participating in the previous season. However, she emphasized her desire to maintain integrity and not deceive the game or herself. She reiterated this sentiment when she announced her retirement before the Aces’ pursuit of a third consecutive championship. Parker has undergone a total of 10 surgical procedures over her professional career.

Candace Parker, A 3-Time WNBA Champion And 2-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Announces Retirement

“I made a commitment to never engage in dishonest behavior in the game and to contribute to its improvement during my involvement.” “I have always desired to leave the court without any public celebration or tour, but rather in a private manner with my loved ones,” she expressed. As my final game approached, I left the court accompanied by my daughter. I concluded the excursion in the same manner that I commenced it, alongside her.

Parker spent her initial 13 seasons in the league exclusively with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she quickly asserted her superiority as the top pick, earning both the Rookie of the Year and league MVP titles in her debut season. Parker was the sole WNBA player to achieve this accomplishment, maintaining an average of 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Her contributions aided the Sparks in achieving a 10-win improvement in 2008.

Parker received her second Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade in 2013 and achieved her first championship victory in 2016 as a member of the Sparks team. She subsequently won her second championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021, then her third with the Las Vegas Aces the season before. She holds the unique distinction of being the sole player in the history of the league to achieve a championship victory with three distinct teams.

Candace Parker, A 3-Time WNBA Champion And 2-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Announces Retirement

The Aces expressed in a statement that Candace Parker has left a lasting impact on women’s basketball fans, and her contributions to the game go beyond her achievements and statistical records. “In her roles as a teammate, mentor, mother, wife, baller, broadcaster, and businesswoman, she has served as a source of inspiration for numerous young individuals, regardless of gender, encouraging them to pursue and accomplish their aspirations.”

Parker was a member of the Tennessee basketball team that won the national title in 2007 and 2008 under the coaching of the late Pat Summitt. Afterwards, she departed with one year of eligibility still available.

She achieved Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, but was unexpectedly excluded from the 2016 team.

“Undoubtedly, Candace has had a remarkable career.” “I feel somewhat melancholic about it because I enjoy competing against her, considering the legendary status she possesses,” stated Breanna Stewart, the top player of the Liberty team. “Her accomplishments both on and off the court have been remarkable for our league.” I deeply value and acknowledge all the assistance she has provided in enabling me to reach my current position. We will certainly feel her absence throughout this season.

Sandy Brondello, the coach of the Liberty team, trained Parker in Russia for several winters.

She is a pioneer or innovator. Brondello expressed admiration for the remarkable individual and her contributions to the sport. ‘I hope it is commemorated with joy and recognition. I hold her in high esteem. The children developed alongside each other during my tenure as a coach in Russia. It is really melancholic. It is universally understood when the appropriate moment has arrived.

Candace Parker, A 3-Time WNBA Champion And 2-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Announces Retirement

Parker commenced her career in broadcasting while she was still actively involved in her playing profession. She has served as an analyst for the NCAA Tournament with CBS Sports and NBA TV.

In July 2023, she underwent foot surgery and informed the AP that she still experienced pain at the end of the previous year.

“This offseason has been unpleasant due to a non-compliant foot,” she stated in her Sunday post. “My life’s purpose, as Pat Summitt always emphasized, is to relentlessly pursue both people and passions, ensuring that I will never experience failure.” Being a wife and mother continues to be my top concern, and I have come to realize that time passes quickly. Therefore, I intend to fully embrace and cherish my family.

SOURCE – (AP)

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers managed to overcome the Denver Nuggets’ dominance in this rivalry and prolonged their presence in the playoffs for at least one more game.

Unsurprisingly, LeBron James took the lead.

James scored 30 points, while Anthony Davis contributed 25 points and 23 rebounds. On Saturday night, the Lakers secured a 119-108 victory over Denver in Game 4 of their first-round series, preventing their elimination from the postseason.

D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves scored 21 points for the Lakers, the seventh-seeded team that ended its 11-game losing run against the reigning NBA champions by securing its first victory against the Nuggets since December 2022.

The Lakers ultimately emerged victorious as the series, characterized by distinct patterns and rhythms, underwent a significant shift. For the fourth game in a row, Los Angeles established a double-digit advantage, but Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets led a second-half comeback.

LeBron Scores 30, And The Lakers Avoid 1st-Round Elimination With A 119-108 Win Over Champion Denver

However, in this series, the Lakers showed tenacity and refused to buckle under the pressure from the defending champions. James, who is 39 years old, scored 14 points in the fourth quarter by making 6 out of 8 shots. Once again, he single-handedly led the Lakers to victory in the late stages of his 21st NBA season.

The series’ fifth game will take place on Monday evening in Denver.

“We have granted ourselves an additional opportunity to succeed, and now we are facing a decisive game,” James stated. “The game on Monday holds utmost significance for us this season, and we fully comprehend that.”

Last season, Denver completely defeated Los Angeles in the Western Conference finals. However, despite being down 0-3, the current Lakers showed a remarkable performance that was more fitting for a club with a strong record of 12 victories in 15 games leading up to the tournament.

“We have the chance to play an additional game, and if we are victorious, we will have the opportunity to play another one and continue progressing,” Reaves stated. “Although the odds are not in our favor, we are always willing to face challenges and seize any opportunity to achieve something remarkable while maintaining our stability.”

Jokic achieved a remarkable performance with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, marking his 18th career triple-double and second in this series. However, despite his efforts, the two-time MVP and his teammates could not regain their typical late-game superiority against the Lakers.

LeBron Scores 30, And The Lakers Avoid 1st-Round Elimination With A 119-108 Win Over Champion Denver

The Lakers’ commanding 19-point advantage, which they held for over six minutes, gradually decreased to 113-106 after Jokic’s successful three-point play with 1:25 left on the clock. However, Reaves responded by making a quick jump shot and securing four free throws in the last minute.

Denver finally failed to overcome another sluggish offensive beginning in a series replete with such starts.

“Naturally, we desire to commence with greater speed. However, I have acquired knowledge from horse racing that emphasizes the significance of one’s conclusion rather than one’s initial performance,” Jokic remarked. “Our performance today was not satisfactory, so we aim to improve in the future.” Our intention was to take the lead and dominate the game, but it appears that we were unable to achieve that.

Michael Porter Jr. contributed 27 points and 11 rebounds to Denver’s performance, while Jamal Murray scored 22 points despite missing all four 3-point attempts. Aaron Gordon’s scoring output for the Nuggets was limited to just seven points, a significant drop from his 29-point performance in Game 3, his highest-scoring playoff game. However, Coach Michael Malone attributed the Nuggets’ struggles to factors other than offense.

“The defense in the paint was laughable,” Malone commented, expressing his dissatisfaction with his team’s performance as they conceded an astonishing 72 points.

“During every huddle, I repeatedly made the same point tonight,” Malone added. “Each huddle was focused on the task of painting.” Our opponents scored 70 points in the third game, but we won. They scored a total of 72 points tonight. That is an astounding figure. We lacked the necessary physical strength and sense of urgency. This game was not the final game in the series.

Last season, the Nuggets, ranked second, also lost a game that might have closed out the series against Minnesota in the first round. However, Denver managed to win the series in five games and only suffered three more losses on their path to winning their first championship.

Although Jokic had great skill and James attracted attention towards the end, Davis consistently performed exceptionally well for the fourth consecutive game. He achieved a career playoff high of 23 rebounds and led the Lakers’ team with six assists.

“Being swept is a challenging experience,” Davis remarked. “No one desires that sensation, particularly when heading into the summer season.” It would help if you endured that sensation throughout the entire summer. We did not engage in a discussion over the matter. We are aware of the potential consequences or risks involved. No one wants to experience that sensation in their oral cavity during summer. How we performed tonight is how we must perform throughout the remainder of the series.

LeBron Scores 30, And The Lakers Avoid 1st-Round Elimination With A 119-108 Win Over Champion Denver

In Game 4, despite their difficult situation, the Lakers demonstrated great determination by consistently attacking the basket and scoring 44 points in the paint throughout the first half. As a result, they managed to take the lead at halftime for the fourth time in the series.

The Lakers increased their lead to 15 points in the third quarter until the closing minutes. At that moment, Jokic and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ignited a rally for the Nuggets.

“They were exerting a significant amount of effort to maintain a fast tempo,” Jokic stated. “They had uncontested shots near the basket.” They were dominating us in the interior. We were unable to successfully take a shot. At times, they were also unable to make a shot, but it seemed that this greatly impacted our defense. “That team is excellent.”

Reggie Jackson, who sprained his ankle in the second half of Game 3, played for nine minutes for Denver.

Caleb Williams, a former USC quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy and was selected as the Chicago Bears’ first overall pick in the recent NFL draft, observed the game from a seat near the basketball court.

SOURCE – (AP)