MILAN — It seemed only fitting that the player who gave his two front teeth to Team USA’s quest for Olympic hockey gold would score the game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.

Jack Hughes took a high stick to the mouth from Canada’s Sam Bennett in the third period, which drew blood and kept Hughes down on the ice for a few moments.

‘My first thought was, I looked down on the ice and saw my teeth,’ Hughes said, giving media members a big toothless grin on Sunday. ‘Like, here we go again. … I know the last time that happened, wasn’t really fun.’

Hughes’ second thought was he just landed his team an ‘elite first power play,’ four-minutes to be exact, after Bennett was called for a double minor penalty at 53:26. ‘I thought they were going on the ice to score. It was going to be a gold medal. And then obviously I come on the ice and I take a penalty,’ Hughes said.

Hughes, too, was called for high sticking at 56:37, effectively cutting Team USA’s advantage to 2 minutes and 49 seconds and putting the Americans at a disadvantage in the closing minutes of regulation.

As for Hughes’ third thought? ‘I pictured myself on Barstool (Sports) being the guy that America hates because Canada scores in the power play and I was like, ‘Oh my God, here it is.’ And (Dylan Larkin) and (Brock Nelson) did an unbelievable job in that penalty kill. So just glad we got out of that pickle I put us in.’

Shop Team USA hockey gold medal gear

Neither side could capitalize on their respective power plays and the gold-medal game went to the sudden-death, 3-on-3 overtime format. That’s when Hughes got the Americans out of a bind.

In the extra period, Hughes showed his grit, even without his missing teeth, by hustling down the ice on a U.S. rush, and taking a perfect pass from Zach Werenski to beat Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington 1:40 into overtime. When the puck hit the back of the net, U.S. men’s hockey claimed its first Olympic gold since 1980.

‘Jack ‘the Superstar’ Hughes. I don’t know how many (teeth) he lost, but it’s only fitting,’ Matthew Tkachuk said following the overtime win, which coincidently happened on the 46th anniversary of the ‘Miracle on Ice’ victory in 1980. ‘That’s a guy who is willing to give it all and what a huge goal.’

Hughes was all smiles, except for parts of those two missing teeth, coming off the ice.

Quinn Hughes said he’s ‘proud’ and ‘happy’ for his younger brother, who he dubbed ‘a fricking gamer. He’s always been a gamer. Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. An American hero.’ Quinn Hughes said it was ‘extra special for me to watch him do that,’ considering Hughes’ long journey back from injury.

‘There’s a bunch of idiots out there and they don’t know … what it’s like to get surgery for six months, not really feel good for 10 months and do that back to back,’ Quinn Hughes said. ‘And for him to just persevere and keep believing and just keep going no matter what happens. He’s a special guy and a special player.’

Quinn Hughes recalled the specific moment he realized his brother’s deep passion for the game and the lessons it teaches. He said all the highs and lows helped keep his brother even-keeled ahead of overtime. Hughes didn’t even appear to be nervous during the intermission before the extra period, Quinn Hughes added.

‘I remember when he got injured … he was just crushed. And a couple days after that he sent me a text message of what he wanted to say to the media in a post on Instagram. It was basically a long message about how much he loves the game and … just wants to play,’ Quinn Hughes said. ‘It was so raw and I told him to take some stuff out. But I remember thinking this guy just loves the game. He just wants to play it. And for him to make that impact, I’m not surprised because when I look around the room before overtime, there’s probably three or four guys that look at him, that guy’s not nervous. He wants to be that guy. And I felt that way about Jack.’

Head coach Mike Sullivan said Hughes is ‘a high stakes player’ for the team.

‘Jack had a terrific tournament from the first game on. The goals he scored were big-time goals,’ Sullivan said. ‘It’s an emotional rollercoaster when you go through these experiences and I just think Jack was at the center of a lot of the good things that happened for our team. … He brought his very best when these stakes were the highest. Tonight was a perfect example of it.’

Although Hughes is being hailed as a hero, he quickly shifted the focus away from himself and turned it to his teammates: ‘It doesn’t matter about the goal. It’s an unbelievable team. Unbelievable team win … (Connor Hellebuyck) stood on his head. … We’re so proud to win for our country. We’re gold medalists.’

But his teammates turned the spotlight back to Hughes because he’s deserving of it. When asked about his favorite moment from the 2026 Winter Olympics, the first to allow NHL players since 2014, Auston Matthews immediately said, ‘When Jack scored. That moment’s going to stick with me for a very, very long time.’

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March is right around the corner. Buckle up.

On Saturday, the NCAA Tournament selection committee unveiled its first crack at the top 16 seeds for the men’s tournament. A week earlier, the women’s first top 16 was revealed. It’s all to whet the appetite for Selection Sunday.

When is Selection Sunday?

• Date: Sunday, March 15

Selection Sunday will take place on Sunday, March 15 for both the men’s and women’s tournaments.

What channel is Selection Sunday show?

• TV channels: CBS | ESPN
• Streaming options: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

The men’s NCAA tournament Selection Sunday show air nationally on CBS. The women’s NCAA tournament Selection Sunday show will air nationally on ESPN.

You can stream both bracket reveal shows on Fubo, which not only carries CBS and the ESPN family of networks, but also offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Watch bracket reveal live with Fubo (free trial)

What time is March Madness bracket released?

• Men’s Tournament selection show time: 6 p.m. ET
• Women’s Tournament selection show time: 8 p.m. ET

Full men’s March Madness 2026 schedule 

Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament:

• First Four: March 17-18
• First round: March 19-20
• Second round: March 21-22
• Sweet 16: March 26-27
• Elite Eight: March 28-29
• Final Four: April 4 at Indianapolis
• National championship game: April 6 at Indianapolis

Full women’s March Madness 2026 schedule 

Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA women’s tournament:

• First Four: March 18-19
• First round: March 20-21
• Second round: March 22-23
• Sweet 16: March 27-28
• Elite Eight: March 29-30
• Final Four: April 3 at Phoenix
• National championship game: April 5 at Phoenix

FBI Director Kash Patel was on site in Milan for the USA men’s hockey team’s gold-medal win over Canada on Sunday, Feb. 22, and also celebrated with the team in the locker room after the overtime victory.

Patel posted photos of himself with members of the team to his account on X on Feb. 22. One photo features a group of players, including overtime hero Jack Hughes and the Tkachuk brothers, sporting their medals around their necks. Another shows the players celebrating in the background as Patel took a photo with USA coach Mike Sullivan.

‘Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world,’ Patel wrote in the post. ‘These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created.’

Patel was also shown drinking what appeared to be alcohol with the team in a video posted to social media before a player put a gold medal around his neck. Patel, who was jumping up and down while celebrating with the team, shared another message on social media directed at the ‘concerned media’ regarding his appearance.

Kash Patel at Olympics

Patel was spotted celebrating the win not long after he announced on social media that the FBI was helping investigate a fatal shooting at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

During the third period of the hockey game, Patel’s official government account on X posted this statement regarding the Mar-A-Lago incident: ‘FBI is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning’s incident at President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago – where an armed individual was shot and killed after unlawfully entering the perimeter. We will continue working closely with (the Secret Service) as well our state and federal partners and will provide updates as we are able.’

This latest incident comes after Patel faced criticism for his handling of, and communications surrounding, sensitive cases like the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Patel came under fire for keeping his dinner reservation at a hard-to-get-into New York restaurant on the night of Kirk’s killing and making improper public statements about the case.

Patel has also drawn scrutiny for his reported use of government jets for personal travel.

Patel’s trip to Italy is not personal and reports have ‘purposefully misled people to think Kash was flying to Italy to hang out at the Olympics,’ according to Ben Williamson, assistant director for public affairs at the FBI. Williamson said on X on Feb. 19 the trip would include a meeting with Italian law enforcement and security officials as well as a U.S. consulate briefing on Olympic security.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.

Patel, an avid hockey fan, has appeared at NHL games in the past since taking over as FBI Director.

Another day, another strong outing from pre-tournament underdog Jacob Bridgeman. Despite strong performances from the likes of Aldrich Potgieter, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy on Saturday, Bridgeman is heading into the final round at Riviera Country Club.

Bridgeman has yet to win an event as a PGA Tour pro, but his odds look fantastic heading into Sunday. In fact, he’s been playing some of the best golf of his career in 2026. He’s yet to finish outside the top-20 at any of the five tournaments he’s played in, tied for the longest such streak of his career.

Now, heading into Sunday, Bridgeman has the opportunity to win this event hosted by Tiger Woods. Here’s how to watch the action.

How to watch final round of 2026 Genesis Invitational

• Start Time: 9:45 a.m. ET
• TV coverage: 1 – 3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, 3 – 6:30 p.m. on CBS
• Streaming: 3 – 6:30 p.m. on Fubo, CBS Sports App

Stream the final round of the Genesis Invitational with Fubo

Genesis Invitational leaderboard

Leaderboard through Saturday’s third round. Keep up with Sunday’s third round in real time.

• 1 — Jacob Bridgeman: −19
• 2 — Rory McIlroy: −13
• 3 — Aldrich Potgieter: -12
• 4 — Aaron Rai: -11
• T4 — Xander Schauffele: −10
• T4 — Kurt Kitayama: −10

Genesis Invitational final round tee times

You can view the full tee times for Sunday’s groups here.

• Group 1 (10:05 a.m. ET): Sepp Straka
• Group 2 (10:10 a.m. ET): Matthias Schmid, Brian Harman
• Group 3 (10:20 a.m. ET): Ryo Hisatsune, Andrew Novak
• Group 4 (10:30 a.m. ET): Taylor Pendrith, Denny McCarthy
• Group 5 (10:40 a.m. ET): Rickie Fowler, Sami Valimaki
• Group 6 (10:50 a.m. ET): Ben Griffin, Viktor Hovland
• Group 7 (11:00 a.m. ET): Harris English, Jhonattan Vegas
• Group 8 (11:10 a.m. ET): Corey Conners, Ryan Gerard
• Group 9 (11:20 a.m. ET): Si Woo Kim, Nick Taylor
• Group 10 (11:30 a.m. ET): Shane Lowry, Patrick Rodgers
• Group 11 (11:45 a.m. ET): Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama
• Group 12 (11:55 a.m. ET): Ludvig Aberg, Tony Finau
• Group 13 (12:05 p.m. ET): Sam Stevens, Sahith Theegala
• Group 14 (12:15 p.m. ET): Min Woo Lee, Matt McCarty
• Group 15 (12:25 p.m. ET): Tom Kim, Robert MacIntyre
• Group 16 (12:35 p.m. ET): Matt Fitzpatrick, Scottie Scheffler
• Group 17 (12:45 p.m. ET): Wyndham Clark, Jordan Spieth
• Group 18 (12:55 p.m. ET): Pierceson Coody, Collin Morikawa
• Group 19 (1:05 p.m. ET): Patrick Cantlay, Alex Noren
• Group 20 (1:15 p.m. ET): Akshay Bhatia, Cameron Young
• Group 21 (1:30 p.m. ET): Tommy Fleetwood, Adam Scott
• Group 22 (1:40 p.m. ET): Ryan Fox, Jake Knapp
• Group 23 (1:50 p.m. ET): Max Greyserman, Marco Penge
• Group 24 (2:00 p.m. ET): Kurt Kitayama, Xander Schauffele
• Group 25 (2:10 p.m. ET): Aldrich Potgieter, Aaron Rai
• Group 26 (2:20 p.m. ET): Jacob Bridgeman, Rory McIlroy

One of the most successful bobsledders in Olympic history teamed with a rookie to add another piece of hardware to the USA’s 2026 medal count.

Pilot Kaillie Armbruster Humphries and push athlete Jasmine Jones finished third in the two-woman bobsled event Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Cortina Sliding Center, giving Armbruster Humphries her sixth Olympic medal. The medal was also Armbruster Humphries’ second bronze of these Games following her third-place finish in monobob earlier this week, while Jones collects her first.

Armbruster Humphries’ medal count now equals that of fellow bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor and legendary speed skater Bonnie Blair as the most decorated American women in Winter Olympic history with six medals apiece.

‘This is the first mom duo that gets to be on an Olympic podium,’ said Armbruster Humphries, who had son Aulden in June 2024, of herself and Jones, who had daughter Jade in Feb. 2021. ‘It really is special to team up with Jasmine this year, this season. But to share this moment together with her, to know what it took from all of our families to be able to support us, not just as athletes, but within our mom journeys as well, it really took everything we had. And I’m so proud of how Jasmine pushed and kept me in the game fighting.’

Laura Nolte and Deborah Levi of Germany successfully defended their 2022 gold. Their countrywomen Lisa Buckwitz and Neele Schuten took silver.

The first three medals of Armbruster Humphries’ Olympic career came during her time with Team Canada before she began competing for Team USA in 2019. In her first Olympics with the U.S., Armbruster Humphries won gold in the monobob in the 2022 Games in Beijing before adding monobob bronze behind Meyers Taylor’s gold here in Cortina on Feb. 16.

After two runs in two-woman Friday, Team USA had two of three sleds in the top five.

Humphries and Jones were third with a two-run time of 1:54.16, 0.23 seconds off leaders Laura Nolte and Deborah Levi of Germany. Kaysha Love and Azaria Hill were fifth with a time of 1:54.55, 0.39 seconds behind their closest teammates. Elana Meyers Taylor, the 2026 monobob gold medalist, and Jadin O’Brien were 12th at 1:55.13 after a disastrous second run that pushed them from 0.22 seconds behind the leader to 1.03.

Both Armbruster Humphries and Love held their position in the third run, while Meyers Taylor zoomed to sixth. Love finished fifth, while Meyers Taylor wasn’t able to overcome the second run and tied Swiss sliders Debora Annen and Salome Kora for seventh. It was the first non-podium finish of her Olympic career.

Jones was a sprinter at Eastern Michigan, where her coach nominated her for an All-American Award in 2018. That’s when Meyers Taylor reached out to Jones via email. Five years later, Jones made her IBSF World Championship debut. Three years after that, she won gold as Armbruster Humphries’ push athlete in an IBSF World Cup race in St. Moritz. 

Now, she’s an Olympic medalist.

This story will be updated.

Reach USA TODAY Network sports reporter Payton Titus at ptitus@gannett.com, and follow her on X @petitus25.

Ryan Garcia produced a dominant performance against Mario Barrios in a WBC welterweight title fight on Saturday, Feb. 21 in Las Vegas.

It’s the first major championship victory of Garcia’s career. He brought the crowd to their feet early in the fight, knocking Barrios down with a right hand during the first 30 seconds of the opening round.

The new championship mentioned in his post-fight interview that he thinks he should’ve had the knockout at some point during the fight but hurt his hand.

The fight was considered a critical one for Garcia, after losing his last fight against Rolando Romero. Garcia had just one victory in his last four fights.

Garcia improves to a 25-2-0 record. Barrios falls 29-3-2 record. His most recent loss took place back in Feb. 2022 in a unanimous decision to Keith Thurman.

Garcia called out Shakur Stevenson, who was in attendance for the fight, after the victory.

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios highlights

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios results

Round 12: Garcia and Barrios go the distance, but the fight was never in doubt. The challenger just outboxed the champion from beginning to end.

Round 11: Garcia has slowed down but still looked good enough to win every round so far.

Round 10: Garcia delivered a successful combination, including a shot that may have broken Barrios’ nose. The doctor looked at Barrios again, but the champion will fight in the 11th round.

Round 9: Barrios still hasn’t shown enough to earn a round so far tonight. Doctors are taking a look at Barrios after the round.

Round 8: Barrios had a better showing in the round, but still not enough to take it from Garcia. There’s a level of frustration being shown by Barrios.

Round 7: The champion still doesn’t have an answer for Garcia’s right hand. Garcia landed another strong right early in the round before following it up with another flurry of shots.

Round 6: Garcia delivers a body shot that appeared to knock Barrios down, but it’s not ruled a knockdown. The fighters’ feet may have tangled up there.

Round 5: Barrios continues to show his toughness as Garcia delivers the punishment. Barrios’ legs got a bit woozy after taking a right-handed shot to the head.

Round 4: Garcia set the pace early with fast combinations. He’s having a lot of success with the right hand tonight against Barrios.

Round 3: Garcia continues to deliver through the third round. Barrios is certainly taking damage. Barrios doesn’t have an answer for Garcia’s speed.

Round 2: Garcia managed to win the second round. Garcia’s speed has clearly worked to his advantage early against Barrios. The challenger has looked strong through the first two rounds.

Round 1: Garcia delivered a right hand to the top of Barrios’s forehead to knock him down within the first 30 seconds of the opening round. Barrios was in trouble early but managed to survive the first round.

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios: Time, PPV, streaming for fight

Ryan Garcia will face Mario Barrios on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios main event ringwalks: 11:50 p.m. ET (estimate)
• Stream: DAZN

Watch Garcia vs Barrios fight with DAZN

Gary Antuanne Russell def. Andy Hiraoka results

Russell got the best of Hiraoka in the opening round of the WBA super lightweight title fight.

Both fighters exchanged jabs to start the fourth round, but it was Russell who continued to take a majority of the early rounds.

Hiraoka began to target Russell’s body in the later rounds of the fight to close the gap.

In the 10th round, Russell had a point deducted after hitting Hiraoka below the belt.

Russell earned the unanimous decision victory over Hiraoka (117-110, 116-111, 116-111) to retain the WBA super lightweight title.

Mario Barrios arrives for main event fight

Barrios arrives at T-Mobile Arena for the main event fight.

Draw: Frank Martin-Nahir Albright

Martin managed to get the best of Nahir Albright in the opening round, despite Albright’s effort to push Martin early.

Martin rocked Albright with a left hand at the end of the fifth round. Martin continued to be the be agressive, starting the sixth round with a flurry of shots.

Martin has been in complete control throughout the night. Albright put together some good rounds to finish out the fight. The officials all scored the final a draw with a 95-95 score.

Bektemir Melikuziev def. Sena Agbeko

Melikuziev earned the victory in the seventh round of the fight. He delivered a left hand to the face of Agbeko to drop him on the mat. Agbeko managed to get back up and got clearance to continue from the official.

Melikuziev walked back over and delivered one more punch straight to the face of Agbeko, forcing the official to stop the fight.

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios: Prelims results

Super featherweight: Mohammed Alakel def. David Calabro (second-round KO)

Heavyweight: Joshua Edwards def. Brandon Colantonio via unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)

Super lightweight: Richardson Hitchins was unable to fight due to illness. His IBF title fight with Oscar Duarte was cancelled.

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios: Full fight card

• Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia: WBC welterweight title
• Richardson Hitchins vs. Oscar Duarte: IBF super lightweight title
• Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka: WBA super lightweight title
• Frank Martin vs. Nahir Albright: Super lightweight
• Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Sena Agbeko: Super middleweight

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios odds

All odds are for moneyline bets as of Saturday, via BetMGM

• Ryan Garcia (-225) vs. Mario Barrios (+170): WBC welterweight title

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios full fight card odds

All odds are for moneyline bets as of Saturday, via BetMGM

• Ryan Garcia (-225) vs. Mario Barrios (+170): WBC welterweight title
• Richardson Hitchins (-500) vs. Oscar Duarte (+333): IBF super lightweight title
• Gary Antuanne Russell (-325) vs. Andy Hiraoka (+240): WBA super lightweight title
• Frank Martin (-350) vs. Nahir Albright (+250): Super lightweight
• Bektemir Melikuziev (-1400) vs. Sena Agbeko (+600): Super middleweight

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios predictions

USA TODAY: Garcia by KO

Josh Peter writes: ‘This is a critical fight for Ryan Garcia, coming off a disappointing loss to Rolly Romero in May and a victory over Devin Haney in 2024 that was tainted by a positive drug to test. Generally speaking, it’s wise to disregard training camp footage as a sign of a fighter’s preparedness. (Case in point: Mike Tyson’s convincing video clips released before the Jake Paul fight.) But Garcia has looked strong and fast, and Mario Barrios, well, he barely held off a 46-year-old Manny Pacquaio in July. Granted, Pacquiao’s fighting style remains confounding. But the 27-year-old Garcia is stronger and more dangerous than Pacquiao. Wouldn’t be shocked to see Garcia get knocked down. But will be shocked if he’s not the last man standing. Prediction: Garcia by KO, Round 9.’

ESPN: Garcia wins

Teddy Atlas for ESPN writes, ‘I think Garcia wins. If he shows up as a mess mentally, then Barrios could be more consistent, more deliberate, more dependable. And that could be enough. His experience and his dependability, his heart, maybe that’s enough to get him across the finish line. But I think that if Garcia is halfway together or a little more than halfway together mentally, I think he wins. I think Garcia has got a chance to hurt Barrios.’

Sporting News: Garcia via unanimous decision

Daniel Yanofsky writes, ‘There is one thing to wonder: Which Garcia will show up? Barrios can give Garcia some issues early on if the latter isn’t 100% physically and mentally. Providing pressure will be key for Barrios. One has to think Garcia, who hasn’t officially won a fight since 2023, understands the stakes here. Garcia should go for the knockout, but the bout going the distance might make sense.’

Ryan Garcia’s career record

Ryan Garcia comes into Saturday’s fight with a 24-2-0 record, having lost to Rolando Romero last May by unanimous decision and to Gervonta Davis in 2023 by knockout.

Mario Barrios’ career record

Mario Barrios comes into his fight with Garcia holding a 29-2-2 record. His most recent loss took place back in Feb. 2022 in a unanimous decision to Keith Thurman.

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios main card, ring walk start times

• Main card start time: 8 p.m. ET
• Main event ring walks: 11:50 p.m. ET (approximate)

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios live stream, price

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios will stream exclusively on DAZN for $69.99.

Los Angeles FC delivered a statement victory over reigning league champion Inter Miami in what might have been Major League Soccer’s most enticing season-opening game in the league’s 31-year history.

LAFC dominated Inter Miami, 3-0, in front of 75,673 fans at the historic L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 21. That attendance number marks the second-most ever for a standalone MLS game. With the victory, LAFC has won every season-opening game (9-0-0) in team history.

Instead of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion Lionel Messi delivering in the game’s pivotal moments, it was David Martinez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz who assured LAFC emerged with an impressive victory. Son Heung-min also played a huge role in the victory, assisting on the game’s opening goal.

The defending MLS Cup champions going down on the road against LAFC isn’t a total surprise … the Black and Gold — alongside Messi’s team — are considered a favorite to win MLS Cup this season. It was the matter in which Miami was defeated. LAFC dominated — outside of possession (63% for Inter Miami) — as Messi and Co. struggled to break down LAFC’s defense.

Both squads have a season of high expectations lying ahead. In addition to being considered top MLS Cup contenders, Inter Miami and LAFC are the league’s best hopes of winning Concacaf Champions Cup (something an MLS club hasn’t done since 2022), and will also take part in the Leagues Cup later this summer.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights for the LAFC-Inter Miami match:

LAFC vs. Inter Miami highlights

LAFC 3, Inter Miami 0: Nathan Ordaz seals the victory

Ordaz, the pride of Encino, secured an impressive season-opening win for LAFC over the defending MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami.

The stoppage-time goal gave LAFC an emphatic win at the historic L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

LAFC 2, Inter Miami 0: Denis Bouanga extends Los Angeles’ lead

Inter Miami had dominated for much of the second half, but LAFC can strike in an instant. That instant came in the 73rd minute when Denis Bouanga caught Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair in no-man’s land and put the ball in the back of the net to put LAFC up 2-0.

Germán Berterame nearly equalizes with diving header

Inter Miami’s high-priced newcomer came very close to scoring the tying goal on a diving header in the 63rd minute. However, the attempt flew wide right of goal and LAFC continues to hold onto a 1-0 lead.

Inter Miami, however, has been the more dangerous side during the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Inter Miami makes halftime player swap

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano made a tactical switch at intermission, replacing right back Ian Fray with Facundo Mura. This is Mura’s Inter Miami debut after joining the team in January from Racing Club in Argentina.

Lionel Messi just misses on shot on goal

Seven minutes into first-half stoppage time, Messi collected the ball just outside the 18-yard box and fired a shot that just missed the upper left corner of the goal mouth as LAFC’s Hugo Lloris dove in an attempt to block the shot.

It might have been Inter Miami’s best goal opportunity of the first half. LAFC enjoyed the better chances and it shows on the score line as the hosts lead, 1-0.

Maximiliano Falcón issued a yellow card

Three minutes into first-half stoppage time, Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón was shown a yellow card after leaping onto LAFC’s Timothy Tillman. It was the first yellow card of the game.

LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0: David Martinez scores after giveaway

Inter Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul lost possession at midfield and LAFC made the Herons pay for the bad giveaway.

Son Heung-min delivered a quick pass to David Martinez, who beat Dayne St. Clair for the game’s opening goal.

This is a big season for Martinez, a 20-year-old from Venezuela who’s entering his third season with LAFC.

Still scoreless after a half hour of play

Inter Miami has enjoyed more possession, LAFC has had more chances on goal.

Neither team has been able to break through for the game’s opening score.

Miami has a 58% possession edge, while LAFC has generated eight shots to Miami’s one. LAFC’s efforts also created four corner kicks.

Lionel Messi has yet to take a shot.

LAFC with first scoring chance

After Inter Miami dominated possession in the first few minutes at the Coliseum, LAFC had a breakaway chance in the sixth minute with Son Heung-min leading the charge. Son had to break off the attack and pass to Denis Bouanga, whose shot was saved by Dayne St. Clair.

The ensuing corner kick didn’t result in a scoring threat.

Score: LAFC 0, Inter Miami 0

How to watch LAFC vs Inter Miami

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Live stream: Apple TV
• Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Watch MLS games on Apple TV

Inter Miami starting 11: Lionel Messi, Germán Berterame in lineup

Two-time reigning league MVP Lionel Messi and high-priced newcomer Germán Berterame are in Inter Miami’s starting lineup for the showdown against LAFC at the Coliseum.

Dayne St. Clair, another big offseason acquisition for Miami, makes his debut with the team. St. Clair was MLS Goalkeeper of the Year last season with Minnesota United.

LAFC starting 11: Son Heung-Min anchors front line

LAFC is rolling out the same starting lineup that throttled Real España of Honduras, 6-1, in Concacaf Champions Cup play on Feb. 17.

In that match, Denis Bouanga had a hat trick, and Son Heung-Min scored on a penalty kick and had three assists. Son and Bouanga will need to be very active if LAFC looks to knock off the reigning league champions.

Who is Germán Berterame?

Germán Berterame, a 27-year-old forward, joined Inter Miami on a reported transfer fee of $15 million in January.

Berterame had previously played for Liga MX powerhouse Monterrey, scoring 68 goals in 153 appearances in all competitions over the course of four seasons with Los Rayados. Berterame, who was born in Argentina and began his professional career for Argentine club San Lorenzo, plays for the Mexican national team and made his international debut against the USMNT on Oct. 16, 2024.

Berterame occupies a designated player spot and is under contract through the 2028-29 MLS season with an option for 2029-30.

Lionel Messi injury update: Reigning two-time MVP to play vs. LAFC

Lionel Messi picked up a hamstring injury during the preseason, forcing the postponement of an Inter Miami friendly match in Puerto Rico.

On Friday, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Messi’s availability for the 2026 MLS season opener in Los Angeles.

‘Messi is good. He trained the whole week with the group and had a very good feeling,’ Mascherano said. ‘He comes in well, ready just like the rest of the team.’

Inter Miami posted a photo of Messi training inside BMO Stadium, home of LAFC.

Why is Inter Miami vs LAFC being played at the LA Coliseum?

The presence of Lionel Messi has made away matches for Inter Miami a hot ticket wherever the club travels. LAFC also has shown it can attract a huge crowd. Saturday’s LAFC-Inter Miami game could be one of the highest-attended standalone matches in the league’s history.

An LAFC match against El Tráfico rival LA Galaxy drew an MLS-record crowd of 82,110 at the Rose Bowl on July 4, 2023. On the Fourth of July the following year, LAFC defeated the LA Galaxy in front of 70,076 fans.

On April 13, 2024, Inter Miami’s visit to play Sporting Kansas City drew 72,610 fans to Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. That represents the third-highest attended standalone match in league history. Per ESPN, Messi also helped draw crowds of 60,000-plus for six matches and another six matches at 50,000-plus in attendance.

So much sports history at LA Coliseum

Built in 1923, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will become the first stadium to host three Summer Olympics when the city hosts the 2028 Games. It was also the centerpiece venue for the 1932 and 1984 Olympics.

The Coliseum serves as the regular home for the USC Trojans football team, but has also been the home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams (1946-1979 and 2016-2019) and Raiders (1982-1994). The Coliseum also hosted Super Bowl I — then referred to as the first AFL–NFL World Championship Game — as well as Super Bowl VII, which was won by the Miami Dolphins to complete their undefeated 1972 season.

The UCLA Bruins football team played at the Coliseum for more than five decades (1928-1981), including when Hall of Fame baseball player Jackie Robinson was star football and track and field athlete for UCLA, with games and meets taking place at the iconic venue.

On top of hosting international soccer matches and friendlies through the years, the Coliseum was briefly the home stadium for the Los Angeles Aztecs of the original NASL.

MLS schedule: Opening weekend games

(All games on Apple TV)

Saturday, Feb. 21

• St. Louis City SC 1, Charlotte FC 1
• FC Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 0
• D.C. United 1, Philadelphia Union 0
• New York Red Bulls 2, Orlando City SC 1
• Vancouver Whitecaps 1, Real Salt Lake 0
• Austin FC 2, Minnesota United 2
• FC Dallas 3, Toronto FC 2
• Houston Dynamo 2, Chicago Fire 1
• Nashville SC 4, New England Revolution 1
• Los Angeles FC 3, Inter Miami 0
• Portland Timbers 3, Columbus Crew 2
• San Diego FC 5, CF Montreal 0
• San Jose Earthquakes 3, Sporting Kansas City 0

Sunday, Feb. 22

• LA Galaxy vs. New York City FC, 7 p.m. ET
• Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids, 9:15 p.m. ET (FS1)

MLS 2026 season predictions

Can Lionel Messi lead Inter Miami to consecutive league championships, thus becoming the first repeat MLS Cup winner since the Los Angeles Galaxy did it in 2011-12? Which teams are the top contenders to displace Miami’s station atop the league? Who will win league MVP honors? Which player will score the most goals and claim the Golden Boot?

MLS championship odds

According to BetMGM, Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC are the favorites to win the 2026 league championship:

• Inter Miami: +400
• Los Angeles FC: +600
• San Diego FC: +900
• Vancouver Whitecaps: +900
• Philadelphia Union: +1400
• FC Cincinnati: +1400
• New York City FC: +1800
• LA Galaxy: +1800
• Seattle Sounders: +1800
• Columbus Crew: +1800

Which MLS clubs are in Concacaf Champions Cup?

Both Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC are among the nine MLS teams taking part in this year’s edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup, the top club competition for North, Central America, and the Caribbean.

While Inter Miami (along with the Seattle Sounders) earned byes into the Round of 16, LAFC already played its first game, earning a resounding 6-1 win over Real España of Honduras on Feb. 17. LAFC — a two-time runner-up in the competition (2020 and 2023) — hosts Leg 2 at BMO Stadium on Feb. 24.

MLS clubs in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup tournament are:

• FC Cincinnati (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings)
• Inter Miami (2025 MLS Cup winner)
• LA Galaxy (2025 Leagues Cup third-place finisher)
• Los Angeles FC (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings)
• Nashville SC (2025 U.S. Open Cup winner)
• Philadelphia Union (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield winner)
• San Diego FC (2025 MLS Western Conference regular-season winner)
• Seattle Sounders (2025 League Cup winner)
• Vancouver Whitecaps (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings)

Inter Miami 2026 schedule

(All games on Apple TV unless otherwise noted)

• Feb. 21 – at Los Angeles FC (L.A. Memorial Coliseum), 9:30 p.m. ET
• March 1 – at Orlando City SC, 7 p.m. ET
• March 7 – at D.C. United, 4:30 p.m. ET
• March 14 – at Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• March 18 – Concacaf Champions Cup vs. TBD (Inter Miami CF Stadium), 7 p.m. ET (FS2, TUDN)
• March 22 – at New York City FC, 1 p.m. ET
• April 4 – vs. Austin FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• April 11 – vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET
• April 18 – at Colorado Rapids, 4:30 p.m. ET
• April 22 – at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. ET
• April 25 – vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. ET
• May 2 – vs. Orlando City SC, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
• May 9 – at Toronto FC, 1 p.m. ET
• May 13 – at FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ET
• May 17 – vs. Portland Timbers, 6 p.m. ET
• May 24 – vs. Philadelphia Union, 7 p.m. ET (FOX)
• July 22 – vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET
• July 25 – at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 1 – vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 15 – at Nashville SC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 19 – at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 22 – vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 29 – vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 5 – vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 9 – at Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 12 – vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 20 – vs. San Diego FC, 7 p.m. ET
• Sept. 27 – at Columbus Crew, 7 p.m. ET
• Oct. 10 – vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 14 – vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 17 – at Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 24 – at New York Red Bulls, 4:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 28 – vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Nov. 1 – at New England Revolution, 7 p.m. ET
• Nov. 7 – vs. Charlotte FC, 4 p.m. ET

LAFC 2026 schedule

(All games on Apple TV unless otherwise noted)

• Feb. 17 – Concacaf Champions Cup: LAFC 6, Real España 1
• Feb. 21 – vs. Inter Miami (L.A. Memorial Coliseum), 9:30 p.m. ET
• Feb. 24 – Concacaf Champions Cup vs. Real España, 10 p.m. ET (FS2, TUDN)
• Feb. 28 – at Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m. ET
• March 7 – vs. FC Dallas, 10:30 p.m. ET
• March 14 – vs. St. Louis City SC, 10:30 p.m. ET
• March 21 – at Austin FC, 8:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
• April 4 – vs. Orlando City SC, 9:30 p.m. ET
• April 11 – at Portland Timbers, 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
• April 19 – vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 7 p.m. ET
• April 22 – vs. Colorado Rapids, 10:30 p.m. ET
• April 25 – at Minnesota United, 1:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
• May 2 – at San Diego FC, 9:30 p.m. ET
• May 6 – at New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• May 10 – vs. Houston Dynamo, 9 p.m. ET
• May 13 – at St. Louis City SC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• May 17 – at Nashville SC, 8 p.m. ET
• May 24 – vs. Seattle Sounders, 9 p.m. ET (FOX)
• July 17 – at LA Galaxy, 10:45 p.m. ET (FS1)
• July 22 – vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
• July 25 – vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 1 – at Vancouver Whitecaps, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 15 – vs. San Diego FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 19 – at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 22 – vs. Portland Timbers, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 29 – at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 5 – at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 9 – vs. New York Red Bulls, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 12 – at Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 19 – at San Jose Earthquakes, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 26 – at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 10 – vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 14 – vs. Austin FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 25 – vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m. ET
• Oct. 31 – vs. Minnesota United, 5 p.m. ET
• Nov. 7 – at Seattle Sounders, 7 p.m. ET

MILAN — Even before Ilia Malinin took the ice Saturday night for his confrontational individual gala performance portraying the questions and doubts he harbored during the run-up to the Winter Olympics, he got one big hurdle out of the way.

He landed a quadruple jump — a relatively simple quad toe — as part of the U.S. gold-medal-winning team’s up-beat group exhibition number, then happily punched the air with his right fist.

Normally the act of landing a quad is so routine for the “Quad God” Malinin that it goes without a punctuation mark. But at these Olympic Games, eight days after he fell twice and stumbled across the ice in the men’s long program, dropping to eighth place, Malinin wasn’t taking anything for granted.

He landed another quad toe in his individual performance, and four backflips overall, and was warmly welcomed by the audience at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, which sent him off the ice with a sustained standing ovation when his gala number was over.

Malinin, 21, skated that performance to the music of his favorite artist, the rapper/singer NF, which features a question — ”Is this what you wanted?” — repeated multiple times. Malinin said he has been working on the exhibition number for a “few months,” meaning it was not designed as a specific response to his Olympic struggles.

‘This program was a very emotional piece,’ he said after he skated. ‘This message and this program and song really spoke to me and really represented how I’ve been feeling for the last year leading up to these Olympics. There’s been so much pressure, so much doubt, and everything around me: the noise, the media, the people, the environment, has been so overwhelming, being in this pressure of coming to the Olympics and having a good successful skate.

‘With what happened (here), I’m still very grateful to be here and I want to show to the world that we’re also human beings and we also have real thoughts, real feelings, even though it looks like we’re completely like robots, (with) super-human abilities, but in the end, deep inside, we’re still as similar as all of you.”

While striking a cautionary and at times foreboding tone in the week since his deeply disappointing long program, Malinin also has repeatedly said he “wouldn’t change a thing” about what he has gone through at these Games.

‘I learned so much from these Olympics,” he said, adding he is pleased to now have ‘one Olympics under my belt” so he can ‘understand what I can do differently and have even better strategy” for the next.

Let the record show that he was responsible for clinching the team title for the United States in a riveting, three-day quest for the first gold medal given out in figure skating at these Games. It was believed at the time that by skating both the short and long programs in the team event, Malinin was working through his nerves for what he hoped would be an exquisite men’s event. Obviously, that was not how things turned out.

Since then, he has been back to practicing and hanging out with his American teammates and other skaters in the Olympic Village, with some skating shows on the horizon in Switzerland before returning to his home in the Washington, D.C., suburbs to begin preparing to defend his title at next month’s world championships in Prague.

For all the doubts and concerns that he has, and that so many have about him, he ended one of his interviews in the Olympic mixed zone with a smile and a promise:

‘It’s not the last of me.”