Sports
LAFC is best in the West after surging past rival Galaxy on Decision Day
LAFC had no margin for error heading into its regular-season finale Saturday.
To finish atop the Western Conference table, it needed to beat the San José Earthquakes, needed the Galaxy to lose in Houston and needed to overcome a two-score deficit to the Galaxy in goal differential.
It got all three, thanks to an improbable finish in Houston, where Daniel Steres scored for the Dynamo 11 minutes into stoppage time to take the title away from the Galaxy and give it to LAFC.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable,” LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead said, holding an LAFC championship hat from 2022, his first year with the team. “For it to happen in that manner? What a story.”
LAFC will open the postseason next week, facing the winner of a wild-card game between the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps in a best-of-three series. LAFC will play the first three rounds of the postseason at home, where it has the best record in MLS since entering the league in 2018.
But whatever drama the playoffs have in store will have trouble matching what happened Saturday. When LAFC defender Marlon came off the bench to score on a header in the first minute of stoppage time at BMO Stadium, sealing a 3-1 win over the Earthquakes, it left LAFC (19-8-7) and the Galaxy even on points and wins atop the conference table and gave the black and gold a one-score edge in differential, the tiebreaker.
While LAFC was celebrating in Los Angeles, the Galaxy’s Gabriel Pec scored on a penalty kick in stoppage time in Houston, seemingly setting them up to secure a draw and the point they needed to clinch the title and home-field advantage in the conference playoffs.
That too was only temporary because their title was snatched away seconds later when Steres, a former Galaxy defender, scored on a header on the last meaningful touch of the game, giving the Dynamo a 2-1 win and sending the title back to LAFC.
Hollingshead was on the field celebrating with teammates but unaware of the situation in Houston — until he heard a roar from the fans, who were watching the Galaxy game on their phones.
“The whole stadium went crazy,” he said. “That’s how I knew.”
The first two LAFC goals came 11 minutes apart in the second half, the first from Denis Bouanga to tie the score in the 64th minute and the second from Eduard Atuesta to put his team ahead.
It was a long climb back in a short time for LAFC, which fell behind when Jackson Yueill’s first goal of the season gave San José a 1-0 halftime lead. Defender Paul Marie set up the goal, pushing the ball into the box for Yueill, who reached out his right foot to control it, eluded LAFC’s Eddie Segura, then beat keeper Hugo Lloris cleanly from just outside the six-yard box.
Olivier Giroud appeared to tie the score for LAFC eight minutes later, rounding Earthquakes keeper Daniel and putting a right-footed shot into an empty net. But the LAFC striker was offside and assistant referee Felisha Mariscal was quick to raise her flag, disallowing the goal.
The scoreless first half against the league’s most porous defense triggered a harsh halftime speech from LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo, whose team had one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes.
“There were some words for sure,” he said. “Inspirational? Probably not. Emotional? Very much.”
Cherundolo, who has taken LAFC to the conference title twice, wanted his team to play with more urgency. And in the second half it did, with Bouanga and Atuesta converting.
The sequence on Bouanga’s goal began with midfielder Timothy Tillman bending a cross toward Giroud in the center of the box. San José defender Rodrigues headed the ball away but it fell at Bouanga’s feet near the right edge of the penalty area and he did the rest, lining a right-footed shot into the back of the net for his 20th goal of the season.
The goal was the 76th the Earthquakes have given up, most in MLS history. But it wouldn’t be the last with Atuesta putting LAFC ahead to stay, scoring from almost the same spot seconds after coming off the bench.
The goal, Atuesta’s second since March 30, gave him a career-high four for the season and set the stage for the stoppage-time fireworks, where Marlon’s header gave LAFC the conference title.
“To be honest, this was pretty cool,” Cherundolo said.
With its 25th loss, San José matches the 1999 MetroStars for most in a season.
Sports
Golf star records lowest round in LPGA major history with astounding performance at Evian Championship
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
There are good days on the golf course, and then there is what Haeran Ryu just did on Saturday.
Ryu, 25, recorded the lowest round in LPGA major history on Saturday with an 11-under 60 at the Evian Championship. With the South Korean golfer’s historic round, she holds a three-stroke lead.
Ryu’s round comes just two weeks after winning her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. On the 18th hole, Ryu left a 30-foot eagle putt a few inches short, and instead settled for a birdie.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Haeran Ryu of South Korea reacts on the 18th green after the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
She said after the round that she had no idea what she had done until she counted up her scorecard.
“But after the putt and I counted my score with my caddie,” she said. “Oh my God, it’s 11-under par today. It was so amazing. My caddie says, ‘Yep.’ I’m so happy right now.”
If Ryu had made the eagle putt on the 18th hole, she would have been just the second player to shoot a 59 in LPGA history.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Haeran Ryu of South Korea celebrates a birdie on the 15th green during the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 11, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Her 60 broke the record for the lowest round in an LPGA major by one shot. Leona Maguire and Jeungeun Lee6 in 2021, and Hyo Joo Kim in 2014, each shot 61 at the Evian Championship, which was designated as an LPGA major in 2013.
The lowest round in a men’s major is 62, which is shared by four players — Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Lottie Woad of England interact after their round on the 18th green during the third round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Ryu hopes her historic third round can help propel her to a second major win in three weeks.
“That is amazing, amazing dream,” Ryu said. “So I just want that one to come true, but we have one more day.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Taylor Crabb is no stranger to South California beaches. The Long Beach State alum returns home this weekend to compete in AVP League matches.
It marks the first time AVP will compete in Long Beach since 2020 and allows players to compete at the 2028 Olympics beach volleyball venue.
Crabb, 34, made his AVP debut in 2013 with his brother, Trevor, and advanced from the qualifier in Manhattan Beach before finishing 25th in his first tournament.
After years of competing with various different partners, Taylor Crabb and Andy Benesh have delivered the top performances this AVP season.
The following interview with Crabb has been edited for clarity and length.
Are you excited to compete in this weekend’s event at Long Beach?
Crabb: Very excited. A lot of my college teammates and part of the school have reached out, saying that they’re gonna come. So I’m excited to get a chance to play in front of them again.
When was the last time you were in Long Beach?
Crabb: I always try to go down there for alumni events or any big games they have. I went to UCLA against Long Beach last year, when it was No. 1 versus No. 2, so I always try to get down there and support them.
You missed out on the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions and chose not to pursue a spot at the 2024 Olympics. Are you fired up to try to compete in the 2028 Olympics, knowing that Long Beach will host the competition?
Crabb: Yeah, it’s definitely an exciting time having the Olympics in Long Beach, and we kind of get to break it in this weekend. As you said, Tokyo didn’t go the way I wanted, but I’m going full force now. I have a great partner in Andy Benesh, who obviously went to the Paris Olympics, and if it weren’t for the Olympics being in Long Beach, and me getting a partner like Andy, I’m not even sure I’d be going for it, but because of those two things, I want to make the most of it.
You mentioned that if it wasn’t for a partner like Andy, you wouldn’t be going for it. What do you mean by that?
Crabb: I didn’t feel motivated by playing in all the international events, but now, I think, sitting out kind of lit the fire under me, and I’m really motivated now.
You’ve had different partners throughout your time. What other motivation does Andy give you?
Crabb: He’s been, in my mind, the top blocker for the U.S. the last four or five years. Seeing the professionalism he brings every day to practice, on and off the court, while traveling and when showing up to tournaments, it rubs off on you and that’s really motivating to see. And I just want to make him proud.
Why do you love volleyball?
Crabb: A lot of reasons, but it’s just a feeling I have when I’m out there on the court. It feels natural. It feels like home. I was born into a volleyball family. I had a volleyball in my hands my entire life, so I’ve always just enjoyed it.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
CM Punk appeared on “Friday Night SmackDown” ready to take on any challenger that was ready to step to him after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.
Punk entered the ring in Oklahoma City and called back to the “Monday Night Raw” after WrestleMania 42 when he told Cody Rhodes he’d be ready to deliver if a championship opportunity fell “out of the sky.”
COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL
Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face off during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
“When championship opportunities fall out of the sky, CM Punk catches them,” he said.
Punk named potential SmackDown superstars he’d think might come for the title, including Gunther, Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. He even said that Zayn could come back around and get his rematch if he wanted. He didn’t mention Rhodes’ name, but the “American Nightmare” came out uncalled and marched his way down to the ring.
“I don’t think you and I can run away from each other anymore,” Punk told Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes looks on during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
Rhodes agreed and mentioned that Punk would want a match with him, just “say when.” It was a quick retort from Punk, who said, “when.” SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, who was in the ring for the segment, booked the match for SummerSlam.
Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, which takes place Aug. 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
First, however, Punk and Rhodes will be involved in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City next week. Aldis made the match after Gunther demanded that Aldis put him in a match against Punk. Gunther was hoping it would be for the championship. Instead, Gunther will tag with Zayn.
Gunther didn’t take too kindly to that and attacked Aldis. Rhodes came back out to break up the calamity. He wanted to take on Gunther after the show went off air but Gunther walked away.
Gunther makes his entrance during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Punk definitely has his hands full as he moves to SmackDown to become a fighting champion.
-
Los Angeles, Ca58 minutes ago19-year-old arrested, accused of distributing marijuana to minors across Riverside County
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoPhillies end the Tigers’ winning streak at 6 with a 4-2 victory
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoGiants select Barry Bonds’ nephew Peyton in third round
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoMark Cuban takes legal action against the Dallas Mavericks ownership over proposed arena deal
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoSouth Florida businesses report economic boom, as FIFA officials estimate a billion dollar economic impact
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoForecast: Looking ahead to toasty temps next week
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver weather: Warming trend continues this weekend and into next week
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoTech Investor Vinod Khosla to Acquire the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks for $9.6 Billion
