What's next for USWNT after crashing out of World Cup? | José Ramírez, Tim Anderson trade blows

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Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you're well.

Let's get right to it.

It's not such a good morning for ...

THE UNITED STATES WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM

Millimeters of difference, miles of disappointment. The United States women's national team crashed out of the World Cup, falling to Sweden in penalty kicks, 0-0 (5-4), in the Round of 16, their earliest World Cup exit ever.

The USA was in good shape through three rounds of the shootout afterNathalie Bjrnsent her attempt over, giving the Stars and Stripes a 3-2 lead with Megan Rapinoe stepping up. But Rapinoe, who hadn't missed a penalty for club or country since 2018, shockingly missed hers, too.

Alyssa Naeher came to the momentary rescue with a huge save on Rebecka Blomqvist, giving Sophia Smith a shot at glory. But Smith missed, and Hanna Bennison forced sudden death.

After Naeher and Magdalena Erikssonboth converted in the first round of sudden death, Kelley O'Hara hit the goalpost. Naeher then got to Lina Hurtig's shot and batted it away twice. But video review revealed the ball snuck over the line by the narrowest of margins, sending Sweden into joyous delirium and the United States into disheartened disbelief.

The USWNT finished the tournament on a 238-minute goal-less drought, their longest in a World Cup. While they generated opportunities (11 shots on net), excellent goalkeeping by Zecira Musovichelped keep things scoreless. The defense, meanwhile, remained excellent, which is reflected in Sandra Herrera's player ratings.

Ultimately, the team struggled to bridge the age gap in the attack: Alex Morgan (34) and Megan Rapinoe (38) likely have played in their final World Cup and aren't the players they once were. Smith (22), Trinity Rodman (21) and Alyssa Thompson (18), meanwhile, aren't yet the players they will be. The United States had never had fewer than five different scorers in a single World Cup until this year, when they had just two: Smith and Lindsey Horan.

Speaking of bridging gaps, the margin between the world's top teams continues to narrow, something the United States must adapt to, writes Pardeep Cattry.

Cattry: "This tournament marks the end of an era in many ways, but not just as it pertains to the USWNT's dominance. Thequality gap is closingat a rapid pace -- just ask Germany, Brazil, and Canada. ... The USWNT coach -- be it Vlatko Andonovski

or a new hire -- will need to demonstrate a tactical prowess that will allow the four-time World Cup winners to beat a crop of rising talent. ... Not everything is down to the coach, though. The federation will need to ensure that it invests wisely in its youth program after a string of unimpressive results."

Speaking of Andonovski. Sandra has a list of candidates the U.S. could target to replace himif they move on.

Not so honorable mentions

Josh Jungfractured his thumb.

Brandon Marsh(bruised knee) is on the IL.

Tyler Glasnow

back spasms) was scratched from his start.

Alex Verdugogotbenched for being late.

And a good morning to everyone else, but especially to ...

THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS

It was a wonderful weekend in Canton, Ohio withnine new members being inductedinto the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ronde Barber

Darrelle Revis

Ken Riley

Chuck Howley

Zach Thomas

DeMarcus Ware

Joe Thomas

Joe Klecko

Don Coryell

We havehighlights from all of the speeches here.

Now, we turn our attention to the 2024 class .. or rather, who could be in the 2024 class. Bryan DeArdo broke down thelist of candidates, and two in their first year of eligibility stick out.

DeArdo:"Julius PeppersandAntonio Gateshave the best shot at being inducted in their first year of eligibility. ... Peppers was a nine-time Pro Bowler who made the 2010s All-Decade Team after racking up 159.5 career sacks. Also a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, Gates was a Pro Bowler for eight straight years. He's currently first all time among tight ends with 116 touchdown receptions, while his 11,841 receiving yards are the third-highest total."

Honorable mentions

Lionel Messi scored again. Surprise! (Not.)

TheEaglesbeefed up their linebacking corps withZach CunninghamandMyles Jack.

ThePantherssigned veteran pass rusherJustin Houston.

Florida Statepicked up five-star 2024 safetyK.J. Bolden.

Four-star 2024 running back

Nate Frazierisheading toGeorgia.

How about thisheartwarming story out ofEastern Michigan?

Justin Thomas misses FedEx Cup Playoffs by smallest of margins; Lucas Glover wins

Justin Thomas battled and battled and battled. He came up a few inches -- and one spot -- short. Now he'll wait. Thomas, needing birdie to sneak into the top 70 and qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs,hit the pin on his birdie chip on the 72nd hole of the Wyndham Championship and settled for par ... and 71st in the standings.

Thomas entered the tournament having missed five of seven cuts. It's been a tough season for the two-time PGA Championship winner; he missed the cut in three of the four majors with a T-65 in the Masters. It's his first winless season since 2014-15.

Though missing the playoffs is a bummer, it's especially tough for Thomas because he won't be able to make his case for a Ryder Cup captain's pick, nor will he be able to accrue points toward earning an automatic selection.

Thomas loves the Ryder Cup. He owns a 6-2-1 record in two appearances, but more than that, he's a tremendous competitor and teammate. He's a guy you'd want to bring with you to Europe -- where the United States hasn't won since 1993 -- this fall ... if he were playing better golf.

As for someone who did play his way into the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Lucas Glover needed at least a solo second at the Wyndham Championship, and he ended up just winning it instead, leaping from 112th to 49th in the standings. Patrick McDonald says Glover will be "firmly in the mix to see at least the second weekend of the playoffs."

Elsewhere,Bryson DeChambeaushot a 58 to win LIV Golf Greenbrier. It's the first sub-60 round in league history.

Realignment reactions: Winners and losers, plus Nick Saban, Deion Sanders chime in

It finally happened. After slipping and struggling, the bottom fell out of the Pac-12, withOregonandWashingtonset todepart for the Big Ten in 2024andArizona, Arizona StateandUtahjoining the Big 12 in 2024.

Shehan Jeyarajah declaredwinners and losers from a whirlwind day in college athletics, including...

"Losers: Oregon and Washington --Both programs earned a rightful place in one of the top conferences in college football. However, their arrival comes through the back door with a diminished share. ... To make matters worse, the Big Ten is a logistical nightmare for the newest West Coast additions. ... At least USC and UCLA earn $75 million per year to make the nightmare trips; Oregon and Washington will be struggling on a budget."

"Winner: Arizona --

Football moves the levers of power in college athletics, but few schools can be happier about the boon to their basketball programs than Arizona. The Wildcats rank among the greatest college hoops programs of all time, and they are now set to join the unquestioned top basketball league in college athletics."

BothNick Saban(here) andDeion Sanders (here) shared their thoughts on realignment.

The Pac-12 is now the Pac-4 --Washington State, Stanford, CalandOregon State-- and those schools arenone too happy about their current predicament. They're in a broken conference withno media rights deal, and, as Dennis Dodd writes,

don't expect anyone to take responsibility.

MLB Power Rankings plus weekend recap: Jose Ramirez lands punch heard 'round the world

When it's late summer and your team is struggling, it's easy for frustrations to spill over. But rarely do we see it like this.Jos RamrezandTim Andersontraded punches, with Ramrez landing a haymaker, sending theWhite Soxshortstop to the dirt and inciting a benches-clearing incident.

Ramrez slid into second base between Anderson's legs, and Anderson kept his tag on for a while. Ramrez took exception, pointed at Anderson, and the fight was on.Here's the video.

Anderson, Ramrez,GuardiansmanagerTerry Francona, Guardians closerEmmanuel Clase, Guardians third base coach

Mike Sarbaughand White Sox managerPedro Grifolwere all ejected. The entire incident lasted roughly 15 minutes.

Later, Ramrez said Anderson has"been disrespecting the game for a while."

To put it nicely, neither of those teams are featured highly in Matt Snyder's MLB Power Rankings. Here's the top five:

1. Braves

2. Orioles

3. Rays

4. Rangers

5. Astros

What we're watching Monday

We're watching the Women's World Cup.Here's how.

The First Cut

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1401 West Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309