Sports
Rams roundtable: Will 49ers sit their starters? Playoff date ahead in Detroit?
The Rams held on to defeat the New York Giants on the road when Mason Crosby, who was a member of the Rams for a week, missed a potential game-winning 54-yard field goal in the waning seconds. The Rams clinched a playoff spot when Seattle lost to Pittsburgh later in the day. Los Angeles Times Rams beat writer Gary Klein, NFL columnist Sam Farmer and columnist Dylan Hernández discuss what happened and upcoming prospects:
Matthew Stafford aside, who do you think has made the biggest difference on the improving Rams’ offense this season — running back Kyren Williams or receiver Puka Nacua?
Farmer: Puka Nacua has been spectacular. What a find. But Kyren Williams changes the whole complexion of the offense. Williams has made the biggest impact, not just in running the ball but in protecting Stafford.
Klein: Sorry, they both made huge impacts. The Rams would not be going to the playoffs without either one of them. Nacua has made multiple big plays as a receiver and also has contributed as a runner and blocker in the rushing attack. Williams has made the rushing attack go, and that has helped the passing attack.
Hernandez: Williams opens up the field for Nacua and vice versa, no? That said, if you put a gun to my head and make me pick one, I’d go with Williams. He gives the Rams a running game they haven’t had since Todd Gurley was healthy.
The Rams’ Kyren Williams (23), who scored three times against the New York Giants, find running room.
(Adam Hunger / Associated Press)
Aaron Donald aside, who have been the new stalwarts on defense for the Rams, who have been elevated by many young players.
Klein: Lineman Kobie Turner and edge rusher Byron Young have been starters since the start of the season. And they have played very well during the Rams’ second-half run. But the Rams also have received significant contributions from cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon — a veteran-minimum signee — and second-year safety Quentin Lake.
Hernandez: Rookies Kobie Turner and Byron Young continue to be impressive. Obviously, there are benefits to playing with Aaron Donald and they’re taking full advantage of it.
What worries you most about the Rams’ performance against the Giants for the future?
Farmer: The Rams have shown an inability to close the deal in the red zone. That’s a big concern. The kicking game, and coverage teams, have had some big breakdowns. This is one of the youngest teams in the league, so how are those guys going to hold up in the pressure cooker of the playoffs?
Klein: I’m not worried about anything, but Sean McVay is concerned about special teams. And with good reason. The Rams also are giving up a lot of explosive plays. Matthew Stafford will be fine.
Hernandez: OK, I know I just complimented Kyren Williams and the running game, but the Rams really had trouble moving the ball and running down the clock. This could be a problem if they find themselves with a lead in the playoffs.
Do you think the 49ers, who already clinched the top seed in the NFC, and the Rams will play starters in the season finale? For Rams, it is a matter of if they get seed 6 or 7.
Farmer: The Rams will play their starters. They need to keep the momentum going. It would make sense for the 49ers to rest players, seeing as they have already locked up the No. 1 seed. But do they really want to sit guys for three weeks? That’s a real cost-benefit analysis.
Klein: Don’t know all of the playoff scenarios yet. But it seems like the Rams would want to be seeded as high as possible, especially if it means avoiding a playoff matchup against the 49ers. And yes, the Rams beat the 49ers in the NFC championship game two years ago. But if not for a dropped interception …
Hernandez: I wouldn’t. Too much could go wrong. Look at what happened to the Chargers last year with Mike Williams. (Editor’s note: The Chargers’ starting receiver was lost for the season because of an injury in a meaningless Week 18 game.)
The Rams will be either the No. 6 (likely against Detroit) or 7 seed (likely Dallas) after Week 18. Which would be a better matchup for the Rams?
Farmer: There are big challenges with either of those opponents, so I’m going to go with my interest in story lines. Rams-Lions is preferable by far. It would be Matthew Stafford going back to Detroit to at long last play a postseason game at Ford Field, and Detroit’s Jared Goff looking to show Sean McVay the door. Is this football or a soap opera?
Hernandez: Yeah, who cares about which would be the better matchup for the Rams? Our concern should be which is the better matchup for the L.A. Times, and that’s unquestionably the Lions. Think about it: Matthew Stafford returns as an opponent to a city in which he remains beloved. Sam can spend a week in the great city of Detroit reporting that story.
Klein: Agreed who cares about what’s better for the Rams? For sure, the best story line is Rams vs. Lions with Matthew Stafford returning to Detroit to face Jared Goff. That’s also probably a better matchup for the Rams. Despite the Cowboys’ recent playoff history, McVay and Stafford would gladly avoid having to play Micah Parsons.
Sports
US lifts costly visa bond requirement for some World Cup travelers, Trump administration says
FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown: New York, New Jersey prepare
Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee, discusses the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in New York and New Jersey. He details plans for free fan experiences across five boroughs and New Jersey, emphasizing public transit solutions for 1.2 million fans. Lasry confirms real grass will be installed at MetLife Stadium for the event, highlighting the global excitement for this major sporting event.
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Citizens of a select group of countries who have purchased tickets to this summer’s World Cup matches in the U.S. will no longer be required to provide thousands of dollars in visa bonds to enter the country and attend the tournament.
On Wednesday, the State Department confirmed the Trump administration is waiving a prior mandate requiring visitors from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia to post visa bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.
The department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries it said had high rates of visa overstays and other security concerns as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Travelers from at least 50 countries are subject to the bond requirement, but the five aforementioned nations’ teams have qualified for this year’s World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed outside the White House in Washington, D.C., ahead of the FIFA World Cup Draw on Dec. 2, 2025. (Michael Regan/FIFA/Getty Images)
World Cup team players, coaches and some staff already had been exempt from the bond requirement as part of the administration’s orders to prioritize the processing of visas for the tournament.
STATE DEPT TO START ROLLING OUT FIFA PASS FOR FOREIGN SOCCER FANS LOOKING TO ATTEND WORLD CUP IN US
“The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history,” Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. “We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets” and opted in to the FIFA Pass system that allows expedited visa appointments as of April 15.
In its own statement, FIFA said the announcement shows “our ongoing collaboration with the U.S. government and the White House task force for the FIFA World Cup to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event” and thanked the administration for the partnership.
President Donald Trump draws the United States card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2025. (Michael Regan/FIFA via Getty Images)
However, the administration has barred travelers from Iran and Haiti, though World Cup players, coaches and other support personnel are exempt. Travelers from the Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions under an expanded version of that travel ban, even without the visa bond exemption.
The World Cup begins June 11 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Some measures from the administration prompted Amnesty International and dozens of U.S. civil and human rights groups to issue a “World Cup travel advisory” that warns travelers about the climate in the U.S.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hands the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy to President Donald Trump during an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 22, 2025. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
In a report this month, the main advocacy group for U.S. hotels blamed visa barriers and other geopolitical issues for “significantly suppressing international demand,” leading to hotel bookings for the soccer tournament that are far below what had initially been anticipated.
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As of early April, the number of World Cup fans affected by the bond requirement was believed to be relatively small, perhaps only about 250 people, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. But they said that number was changing rapidly as more people buy tickets and some with tickets opt against traveling.
FIFA had requested the waiver, which had to be approved by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, officials said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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CITY SECTION BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Quarterfinals
OPEN DIVISION
#8 Wilmington Banning at #1 Birmingham, Thursday
#4 Carson 6, #5 Garfield 5
#6 Granada Hills 2, #3 Bell 0
#2 El Camino Real 11, #7 South Gate 0 (5 innings)
First Round
DIVISION I
#1 Sylmar 7, #16 LA Marshall 0
#8 Chatsworth 5, #9 North Hollywood 4
#5 Sun Valley Poly 1, #12 LA University 0 (8 innings)
#13 Verdugo Hills at #4 LACES
#3 Venice 11, #14 San Fernando 8
#6 Palisades 1, #11 Narbonne 0 (8 innings)
#10 Taft 13, #7 San Pedro 9
#2 Cleveland 18, #15 Maywood CES 0 (5 innings)
DIVISION II
#16 Granada Hills Kennedy 13, #1 Monroe 3
#8 Port of Los Angeles 5, #9 Bravo 3
#5 LA Roosevelt 17, #12 Northridge Academy 0
#4 LA Wilson 10, #13 Legacy 9
#3 Torres 5, #14 Vaughn 0
#6 South East 7, #11 Rancho Dominguez 1
#7 Franklin 1, #10 Downtown Magnets 0
#2 Sherman Oaks CES 3, #15 Chavez 0
THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Games at 3 p.m. unless noted)
Second Round
DIVISION III
#16 Fairfax at #1 WISH Academy
#9 LA Hamilton at #8 Fulton
#13 Westchester vs. #4 Sotomayor at Arroyo Park
#21 King/Drew at #5 Sun Valley Magnet
#11 Eagle Rock vs. Triumph Charter at SIBL, 2:30 p.m.
#19 Arleta at #3 Marquez
#23 Gardena at #7 Fremont
#15 Roybal at #2 Van Nuys
Note: Divisions I-III quarterfinals May 16; Divisions II-III semifinals May 19; Open and Division I semifinals May 20 at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. at TBD; Open and Division I finals May 23 at Dodger Stadium (times TBD).
Sports
Mets get unlikely assist from umpire collision as Tigers baserunner is thrown out at home plate in key moment
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The New York Mets’ offseason priority for this year was run prevention, and with a little help from an umpire, that’s exactly what they got.
Just about everything has gone badly for the Mets this season, as they boast one of the league’s worst records at 16-25 despite their league-high $334.8 million payroll.
But finally, something broke their way.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith is tagged out by New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez while trying to score during the fifth inning at Citi Field in New York City on May 12, 2026. (John Jones/Imagn Images)
The Mets led the Detroit Tigers, 3-2, in the top of the fifth inning when Detroit’s Riley Greene singled into right field, and Colt Keith headed to third.
Keith was safe, beating the throw that got away from third base, so Keith took a gamble and started sprinting toward home.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith hits a single against the New York Mets during the fifth inning at Citi Field in New York City on May 12, 2026. (John Jones/Imagn Images)
EX-MLB PITCHER ACCUSED OF ‘CONTROLLING BEHAVIOR’ IN UGLY DIVORCE BATTLE AMID NUMEROUS 911 CALLS TO HOME
However, when Keith started heading toward the plate, he crossed paths with third-base umpire Rob Drake. The two collided, and Drake fell right to the infield grass.
That held Keith up for just a couple of seconds, and it was enough for Keith to be thrown out by pitcher Freddy Peralta at home, ending the inning and killing a rally the Tigers could have needed.
The game wound up getting away from the Tigers later, as the Mets scored three runs in both the sixth and eighth innings, and the Mets’ bullpen was able to hold Detroit scoreless for the rest of the game for a 10-2 New York win.
Colt Keith of the Detroit Tigers reacts during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 29, 2026. (Kathryn Skeean/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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The Mets are the owners of the league’s longest losing streak of the season at 12 games, but they have now won six of their last 10 as they desperately try to turn things around.
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