Mystics take on the Sparks on 3

Los Angeles Sparks (9-17, 6-10 Western Conference) at Washington Mystics (12-13, 6-9 Eastern Conference)

Washington; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT

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Chelsea has signed goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton on a seven-year contract. The transfer fee was reported to be 25 million pounds ($32 million) for the Spain international who is expected to challenge Kepa Arrizabalaga for a starting spot. The 25-year-old Sanchez made 23 Premier League appearances last season.

Manchester United has signed Denmark striker Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta in a move that ends the Premier League club’s search for a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. Højlund cost an initial 64 million pounds ($82 million) and that fee could go up by a further 8 million pounds ($10 million) dependent on his success. He has signed a five-year contract with an option to extend by 12 months. In an offseason that has seen United repeatedly linked with a move for Harry Kane the club has opted to go with an emerging talent of Højlund. The 20-year-old Højlund has impressed with his performances for Atalanta in the Italian league.

South Africa has already upset the odds to advance to the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup. Now it is aiming to spring another surprise against one of the tournament favorites. Captain Refiloe Jane says “anything is possible” against Netherlands for a team that has become one of the big stories of this World Cup. Thembi Kgatlana’s stoppage-time winner against Italy secured South Africa’s place in the round of 16. The joyous scenes after the final whistle of that 3-2 win created some of the most memorable images of the World Cup so far. South Africa faces a Netherlands team that topped Group E ahead of the defending champion U.S. team.

Japan has scored its 14th goal of the Women’s World Cup and conceded its first in a 3-1 win over Norway to reach the quarterfinals for the fourth time. Hinata Miyazawa sealed the win with her fifth goal of the tournament to remain the leading scorer. Risa Shimizu’s 50th-minute goal followed an Ingrid Syrstad Engen own goal in the first half to help give Japan its fourth consecutive win of the tournament.

Fans of the United States women’s soccer team remained faithful viewers no matter what hour the game was on. The Americans three group stage matches at the Women’s World Cup had an average combined English- and Spanish-language audience of of 5,256,000. Trying to replicate that over the next four matches will be a difficult task. With its second-place finish in Group E, the remaining U.S. matches will take place overnight. Had the Americans won the group, its round of 16 and quarterfinal matches would have been in prime time.

DALLAS — He is 30. His Heisman Trophy-winning season at Texas A&M was 11 years ago. The last of his 258 NFL pass attempts occurred on Dec. 27, 2015.

LOS ANGELES — The basketball game that changed Greg Brown's life and set the course for that of his oldest son came on a winter night in 1996 in the Philadelphia suburbs.

CHICAGO — Once known as the “Conference of Champions,” the Pac-12 appears to be going the way of Blockbuster and Napster.

DENVER — As harsh changes in the economic climate wreak havoc on the college football landscape, Neon Deion Sanders burns hotter than the sun, chuckling as the Pac-12 Conference crumbles into the ocean.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Safe to say everyone participating in the Chiefs’ training camp at Missouri Western State arrived here aware of what’s within their grasp this season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — This had been in the works for a while.

This story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, call or text 988.

UNDATED (AP) — The Big 12 is adding Arizona, Arizona State and Utah as members next year, completing its raid of the Pac-12. The latest blow to the Pac-12 came just hours after the Big Ten welcomed Oregon and Washington to grow its new West Coast wing next year. A little more than a year ago…

Manchester City has signed Croatia center-back Joško Gvardiol from Leipzig for 90 million euros ($99.2 million). He is among the most expensive defenders in soccer history. The 21-year-old Gvardiol is known as “Little Pep” because of his name’s likeness to City manager Pep Guardiola. He is one of the most highly rated defenders in the world and enhanced his reputation with impressive performances for Croatia at the World Cup last year. He won the German Cup in back-to-back seasons with Leipzig and played in the Champions League. The transfer fee puts Gvardiol among the likes of Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk among the costliest defenders in the world.

A Norwegian who has just become the fastest climber to scale all the world’s 14 highest mountains announced she was retiring from climbing high peaks upon her return to Nepal. Kristin Harila and her Sherpa guide Tenjin were given a hero’s welcome at the Kathmandu airport on Saturday where hundreds including mountaineers, government officials and well-wishers gathered to welcome them back with cheers and flower garlands. They scaled Mount K2 in Pakistan last week, thus concluding the climb of the 14th peak — that is more than 8000 meters (about 26,000 feet) — high in 92 days, shattering the previous record of 189 days. Harila said Mount K2 was very difficult to climb this year because of heavy snow.

Star playmaker Alexia Putellas has come off the bench and goalkeeper Cata Coll has made her full international debut as Spain beat Switzerland 5-1 to reach the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals for the first time. Coll was a surprising new cap to replace Misa Rodriguez after Spain conceded four goals in a group-stage loss to Japan. Spain coach Jorge Vilda made five changes to his starting lineup in response to that loss. Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Putellas is coming back from a serious knee injury and Spain coaches have managed her gametime so far at the tournament. She went on the 77th minute.

The New York Yankees host the Houston Astros on Saturday.

The Chicago White Sox come into the matchup with the Cleveland Guardians as losers of five straight games.

The Kansas City Royals will try to prolong a seven-game win streak with a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Milwaukee Brewers host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

The New York Mets hit the road against the Baltimore Orioles looking to stop a five-game road losing streak.

The Detroit Tigers take on the Tampa Bay Rays looking to break a four-game home skid.

The Toronto Blue Jays lead 1-0 in a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox.

The Arizona Diamondbacks look to stop their four-game losing streak with a victory over the Minnesota Twins.

The Colorado Rockies take on the St. Louis Cardinals after Nolan Jones had four hits against the Cardinals on Friday.

The Cincinnati Reds will try to end their four-game skid when they take on the Washington Nationals.

The Los Angeles Dodgers aim to keep a four-game win streak alive when they take on the San Diego Padres.

The Texas Rangers, on a five-game home winning streak, host the Miami Marlins.

The Oakland Athletics aim to end their four-game losing streak when they take on the San Francisco Giants.

The Atlanta Braves will try to keep a three-game win streak alive when they take on the Chicago Cubs.

The Los Angeles Angels will try to break their four-game losing streak when they play the Seattle Mariners.

Star forward Ada Hegerberg has been named on the bench to start Norway's Women’s World Cup round of 16 match against Japan. The former Ballon d’Or winner hasn’t played since Norway lost 1-0 to New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament on July 20. She had been due to start against Switzerland in the group stage but withdrew just before kickoff because of a groin injury. Norway placed second in Group A. Japan finished atop Group C after trouncing Spain 4-0.

UNDATED (AP) — Florida State President Rick McCullough believes the Seminoles will have to consider leaving the Atlantic Coast Conference unless there is a "radical change to the revenue distribution.” McCullough made his remarks Wednesday at a board of trustees meeting, stoking more specula…

Aitana Bonmati has scored twice as Spain routed Switzerland 5-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time. Spain responded emphatically to its 4-0 loss against Japan in the group stage with a blowout against the Swiss in Auckland. Alba Redondo, Laia Codina and Jennifer Hermoso also scored in the win at Eden Park. Codina had an own goal in the first half that, for a while, tied game at 1-1. Switzerland was one of only three teams that didn't concede a goal in the group stage but was 4-1 down by halftime.

Friday

Three powerhouse teams play on the second day of the Women’s World Cup knockout stage and at least one of the best will be eliminated. The U.S. team has won the last two titles and is ranked No. 1 in the world. The Americans play third-ranked Sweden in the round of 16. The final whistle will close the international career of either Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. or Caroline Seger of Sweden. Both stars are retiring at the end of the tournament. In the second Sunday game, Netherlands faces South Africa. Netherlands is ranked ninth in the world and was runner-up to the U.S. four years ago.

All Times EDT

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