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ST. LOUIS — The Michigan Panthers defeated the DC Defenders badly in their lone matchup of the 2025 UFL regular season.

The Defenders returned the favor in a 58-34 UFL championship game drubbing of the Panthers.

Jordan Ta’amu’s MVP performance fueled the Defenders. DC’s quarterback set a UFL record with 390 passing yards and had five total touchdowns during the contest. That included a 73-yard strike to receiver Ty Scott, in which Ta’amu demonstrated pinpoint accuracy and hit his receiver in stride.

Michigan’s offense had issues dealing with Blake Williams’ attacking defense but nearly broke through late. They were able to execute the UFL’s onside kick alternative, a fourth-and-12 attempt from their 28-yard line, twice and cut DC’s lead to 18 in the later stages of the fourth quarter.

However, Kiondre Thomas broke up a pass intended for Cole Hikutini to break Michigan’s streak. That allowed Defenders receiver Chris Rowland to score on a 19-yard scamper and put the game out of reach.

The victory put a bow on Shannon Harris’ first season as Defenders coach, a job he took on six days before the season opener after Reggie Barlow’s departure to take an opening at Tennessee State.

DC Defenders win 2025 UFL championship

The Defenders were able to stop the Panthers on a fourth-and-3 with 1:38 left in regulation. Michigan has just one timeout remaining, so DC will be able to run out the clock and win the 2025 UFL championship.

DC Defenders vs. Michigan Panthers UFL championship game highlights

Chris Rowland notches 19-yard TD run to re-extend Defenders lead to three scores

The Defenders were able to chew some clock with running plays and Rowland found the end zone after an 19-yard scamper. They couldn’t get the 1-point conversion, but DC’s lead is 24 with 3:33 left in regulation. Defenders 58, Panthers 34

Defenders stop Panthers fourth-and-12 attempt

After twice allowing Michigan to notch fourth-down conversions, DC finally gets a stop. Kiondre Thomas undercut Bryce Perkins’ pass to Cole Hikutini, who briefly appeared to be open before Thomas flashed in front of him. DC will now have a chance to run some clock and rest its defense while nursing an 18-point lead.

B.T. Potter makes 49-yard field goal to make it two-score game

Michigan wasn’t able to get into the end zone after their second conversion, so they attempted a 49-yard field goal. Potter’s kick was true and cut DC’s lead to 18, which is a two-score game in the UFL thanks to the league’s 3-point conversion. Defenders 52, Panthers 34

Michigan converts second consecutive fourth-and-12 to keep ball

Once again, the Panthers have managed to execute their onside kick alternative to perfection. Bryce Perkins scrambled away from pressure and found Malik Turner for 15-yard gain. This will be Michigan’s third consecutive possession, and they have held the ball for 5:29 of consecutive game time – and counting.

Malik Turner gets third TD as Panthers cut lead to 21

The Panthers made the Defenders pay for allowing them to convert the fourth-and-7. Bryce Perkins found Turner, who made a nice catch amid tight coverage for his third score of the game. Michigan couldn’t punch in a 2-point conversion, but they have cut DC’s lead to 21 with 9:57 left in regulation. Defenders 52, Panthers 31

Panthers convert fourth-and-7 to keep ball

In the UFL, teams are allowed to attempt a fourth-and-12 conversion from their 28-yard line instead of an onside kick. Michigan’s attempt became a fourth-and-7 attempt after DC jumped offside, and Bryce Perkins found Devin Ross for a 22-yard gain.

That will allow Michigan to keep the ball and try to further cut into DC’s 27-point lead.

Panthers score: Malik Turner notches second TD

The Panthers are on the board for the first time in the second half. Bryce Perkins found Turner open over the middle of the field and he managed to make his way into the end zone for a 26-yard score. The Panthers’ 2-point attempt was slightly behind the receiver, so Michigan’s deficit remains 27. Defenders 52, Panthers 25

Defenders set single-game scoring record after Briley Moore scores

Jordan Ta’amu once again had a wide-open receiver, as Moore broke away from his defender to notch a 1-yard touchdown. The score pushed the Defenders over 50 points, making them the first team in UFL history to reach that plateau.

Moore was whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play, which moved the try back to the 17-yard line. A holding penalty on Michigan then moved the try to the 12-yard line. The Defenders couldn’t convert but now lead by 33 with 14:56 left in the fourth quarter. Defenders 52, Panthers 19

End of third quarter: Defenders in control with 46-19 lead

The Defenders are closing in on a championship as they continue to pull away from the Panthers in the second half. DC outscored Michigan 9-0 in the third quarter and will be on the goal line again to open the fourth quarter.

Jordan Ta’amu has set a single-game UFL passing record while another DC score would give Shannon Harris’ team the record for the most points scored in a UFL game.

Jordan Ta’amu sets UFL single-game passing yards record

Ta’amu hit Seth Williams for a 45-yard gain with just about three minutes remaining in the third quarter. That gave him 388 passing yards for the game, good for the most in a single game in the UFL’s two-season history.

Score update: Deon Jackson scampers for second TD

DC continues to pour it on. Jackson found a seam behind the left side of the offensive line and ran untouched into the end zone for a 19-yard score. The Defenders went for a 1-point conversion, but Abram Smith couldn’t get it. DC’s lead has now ballooned to 27, and they are threatening the record for most points scored in a UFL game. Defenders 46, Panthers 19

Bryce Perkins intercepted by Kiondre Thomas

Michigan’s first drive of the second half was not as successful as DC’s. Perkins was desperately trying to keep a play alive after scrambling left out of the pocket and then back to his right. He ultimately threw the ball downfield but sailed it directly to Thomas. The defensive back returned it to Michigan’s 31-yard line, once again putting DC in scoring range.

Defenders score: Matt McCrane makes 38-yard field goal to open second half

The Defenders continue to score every time they touch the ball. They couldn’t turn the opening possession of the second half into a touchdown, but McCrane came on to put a 38-yard field goal through the uprights to give DC a three-score lead. Defenders 40, Panthers 19

Jordan Ta’amu halftime stats

Ta’amu is on his way to a potential MVP performance at halftime. Below is a look at his statline from the first half:

  • Comp./Att.: 16 of 20 (80%)
  • Passing yards: 320
  • Passing TDs: 3
  • Interceptions: 0
  • Passer rating: 158.3
  • Carries: 4
  • Rushing yards: 10
  • Rushing TDs: 1

Who are The Black Moods?

The UFL booked The Black Moods to perform their halftime show in 2025. They are a rock band comprised of guitarist Josh Kennedy – who is originally from Wheaton, Missouri – bassist Brendan McBride and drummer Chico Diaz.

Kennedy also performed an instrumental version of the National Anthem at the UFL championship game.

Halftime score: Defenders hold 37-19 lead over Panthers

The 2024 UFL championship game was all about the Birmingham Stallions’ defense. This year, DC and Michigan are trading offensive haymakers, as they notched a combined 56 points in the first half.

Jordan Ta’amu has been the game’s star so far. The Defenders quarterback has completed 16 of 20 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, demonstrating pinpoint downfield accuracy throughout the game.

The Panthers offense has also been solid, with UFL MVP Bryce Perkins completing 8 of 13 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns, but Blake Williams’ defense managed to pressure him at times in the second quarter. Those stops helped DC notch 25 unanswered points, and 31 total in the second quarter, to bring an 18-point lead into the half.

Jordan Ta’amu hits Ty Scott for 73-yard TD

The Defenders and Panthers continue to trade 70-plus-yard scores. This time, Ta’amu found Scott behind the defense and hit the 6-1 receiver in stride for the score. The Defenders couldn’t make the 2-point conversion, so DC’s lead will remain 18, which is a two-score game in the UFL. Defenders 37, Panthers 19

Bryce Perkins finds Malik Turner for 71-yard touchdown

The Panthers finally ended the Defenders’ run of 25 consecutive points. Perkins scrambled away from pressure and managed to find Turner open after his defender broke off him in an effort to contain the mobile quarterback. Turner then ran through DC’s defense and powered through a tackle near the goal-line to score.

DC used its super challenge to attempt to negate the score, but the play was upheld. Michigan could not convert the 3-point conversion, ensuring DC’s lead would remain two scores. Defenders 31, Panthers 19

Deon Jackson punches in 5-yard Defenders TD run

The Defenders continue to pour it on offensively. Jackson ran for a 5-yard touchdown before Fred Kaiss broke out the ‘Philly Special’ on the ensuing 2-point conversion. Wide receiver Jaydon Mickens’ pass to quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was on the mark, and DC has now scored 25 unanswered points.

Defenders force Panthers to punt for second consecutive possession

The Defenders forced Bryce Perkins into three consecutive incompletions after the Panthers started the drive with a first-and-15 following a too many men in the huddle penalty. As a result, Michigan was forced to punt, and DC will take over at its 45-yard line.

Jordan Ta’amu powers through Michigan defense for fourth-and-1 TD

The Defenders got to the 1-yard line on a third-down run but couldn’t pound it in. Ta’amu kept the ball off play-action and had to power his way through a couple of Michigan defenders to get the ball over the goal line.

Ta’amu then found Briley Moore for the 2-point conversion to give DC a double-digit lead with 7:13 remaining in the first half. Defenders 23, Panthers 13

Michigan fumbles kickoff return, DC gets goal-to-go opportunity

On the kickoff following the Defenders’ touchdown, DC’s special teams made a big play, stripping the ball out of the hands of Panthers returner Xavier Malone. Willie Drew Jr. was able to jump on it and set DC up with a goal-to-go opportunity from the 7-yard line.

Defenders take first lead on 19-yard Cornell Powell TD reception

The Defenders once again moved down the field with relatively little resistance from the Panthers. This time, Jordan Ta’amu found Powell open in the end zone. He managed to make the catch and get both of his feet down before going out of bounds.

DC wasn’t able to complete their 2-point conversion pass, but they still have their first lead of the game with 9:24 left in the second quarter. Defenders 15, Panthers 13

Defenders sack leads to first punt of the game

The Panthers went three-and-out following DC’s field goal. Bryce Perkins attempted to scramble away from pressure on a third-and-4 but was brought down for a 3-yard loss by Malik Fisher.

The Defenders will get the ball back and can take their first lead of the game with a score.

Score update: DC settles for field goal after goal-to-go stall-out

The Defenders couldn’t turn Jaydon Mickens’ explosive play into a touchdown. They opted to kick a field goal on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line and veteran Matt McCrane knocked it through with ease to cut Michigan’s lead to four. Panthers 13, Defenders 9

End of first quarter: Panthers lead 13-6 but Defenders are driving

The UFL championship game is off to a roaring start, as the Defenders and Panthers combined for a whopping 310 yards and 19 points in the first quarter. Michigan has the early lead but DC will open the second quarter with a second-and-goal play.

Jordan Ta’amu has been the game’s early star, as DC’s quarterback has completed 7 of 9 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Bryce Perkins has performed well for Michigan, racking up 84 yards and a touchdown while completing 6 of 7 passes. Nate McCrary (3 carries, 40 yards) has Michigan’s other score.

Defenders’ Jaydon Mickens makes 66-yard reception

Just one play after Cornell Powell’s 70-yard touchdown was wiped out, the Defenders had another massive passing play. This time, Jordan Ta’amu found Mickens open down the middle of the field for a big gain. DC now has a goal-to-go opportunity.

Defenders 70-yard TD called back by penalty

It appeared Jordan Ta’amu and the Defenders had answered immediately again after Cornell Powell had a 70-yard catch-and-run score. However, a member of the offense was illegally downfield, wiping out the score and moving DC back 5 yards.

Panthers score: Bryce Perkins finds Siaosi Mariner for 38-yard TD

Michigan got DC’s defense to bite on a play-action pass after methodically marching down the field. Perkins found Mariner wide open downfield as a result.

Once again, the Panthers went for one. This time, they passed, and Perkins was able to find Mariner to put Michigan up 7. Panthers 13, Defenders 6

Jordan Ta’amu feathers 26-yard TD pass to Jaydon Mickens

The Defenders punched back against the Panthers and scored on their first drive of the game. On a third-and-10, Ta’amu faded back to pass and lofted a pass to Mickens, streaking down the middle of the field and toward the end zone. The 31-year-old receiver had a step on his defender and caught the pass with ease.

DC tried to go for 2 after the score, but Ta’amu couldn’t find anyone open on a bootleg. The teams are tied with 5:12 remaining in the first quarter. Defenders 6, Panthers 6

Panthers open scoring with 35-yard Nate McCrary TD run

The Panthers get on the board first. McCrary, the team’s backup running back, found a lane on the left side of the defense and scampered untouched into the end zone.

Michigan wasn’t able to punch in the ensuing 1-point conversion attempt, but the Panthers have a lead early in the first quarter. Panthers 6, Defenders 0

DC Defenders win coin toss

The Defenders elected to defer, so the Panthers will begin the game with the ball. The game is officially set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Who is home team for UFL championship game?

The Panthers are serving as the home team for the UFL championship game, which is being played at a neutral site in St. Louis. Michigan is wearing white because of its designation while DC is wearing red.

Michigan Panthers inactives

The following Michigan players will not be active for the 2025 UFL championship game: 

  • CB Keni-H Lovely 
  • RB Matthew Colburn 
  • LB Andrew Parker 
  • DE Kenny Willekes 
  • OT Keith Russell 
  • OT Brian Dooley 
  • TE Jalen Wydermyer 

DC Defenders inactives

The following DC players will not be active for the 2025 UFL championship game: 

  • S Tayler Hawkins
  • WR Javon Antonio 
  • DE Davin Bellamy 
  • CB Kelvin Joseph 
  • RB Darius Hagans 
  • LB Brian Abraham 
  • TE Ben Bresnahan 

Who is the Michigan Panthers QB?

Bryce Perkins is the starting quarterback for the Panthers. The 28-year-old went undrafted out of Virginia in 2020 but landed with the Los Angeles Rams. He spent three years in Sean McVay’s organization and was a part of the Super Bowl 56-winning squad. 

Perkins played sparingly during his first UFL season in 2024 but was named the UFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2025. He completed 69% of his passes for 1,342 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions in seven games while adding 269 yards and five scores on the ground.

Who is the DC Defenders QB?

Jordan Ta’amu is the starting quarterback for the Defenders. The 27-year-old has been a spring-league staple, playing five consecutive seasons dating back to the 2020 XFL campaign. 

Ta’amu was one of the league’s most prolific passers in 2025, completing 54.4% of his passes for 2,153 yards, a league-best 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also ran for 178 yards and two scores across nine games. 

Who is the Michigan Panthers coach?

Mike Nolan is in his third season as Michigan’s coach. The 66-year-old who coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2005-08 came out of retirement to lead the Panthers and has posted a 17-13 record across three seasons. 

Nolan led the Panthers to their first championship game appearance since the 2022 USFL reboot and earned his first-ever win over the three-time reigning champion Birmingham Stallions in the conference championship game. 

Who is the DC Defenders coach?

Shannon Harris is coaching the Defenders in 2025. He was named the team’s interim coach six days before the season after Reggie Barlow took the coaching job at Tennessee State.  

Harris led the Defenders to a 6-4 record and an upset win over the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL conference championship game. 

UFL championship game start time

  • Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) 

The Michigan Panthers vs. DC Defenders UFL championship game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 14 at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. 

UFL championship game TV channel

  • TV: ABC 

ABC will broadcast the UFL championship game in 2025. Joe Tessitore (play-by-play) and Jordan Rodgers (analyst) will be on the call while Sam Acho and Tom Luginbill report from the sidelines. 

Erin Dolan will also be a part of ABC’s broadcast as a betting analyst. 

UFL championship game live stream

  • Stream: Fubo | ESPN+ 

Football fans hoping to catch the UFL championship game will be able to watch it on Fubo, which comes with a free trial, or on ESPN’s proprietary streaming service, ESPN+.

Where is the UFL championship game 2025?

  • Venue: The Dome at America’s Center 
  • Location: St. Louis, Missouri 

For the second consecutive season, St. Louis will host the UFL championship game. The contest will be played at The Dome at America’s Center, the home of the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks. 

The Dome has been open since 1995 and has a seating capacity of 67,277.

UFL championship game odds

The Panthers are favored to beat the Defenders in the 2025 UFL championship game, according to BetMGM.  Here is a look at the spread, moneyline and point total for the contest:

  • Spread: Panthers (-3.5) 
  • Moneyline: Panthers (-185) | Defenders (+150) 
  • Over/under: 50.5

What is the UFL?

The UFL is a spring football league that was created in 2024. The league formed after the USFL and XFL merged from two, separate eight-team leagues that competed head-to-head in the 2023 season into one eight-team league. 

Like its predecessors, the UFL operates with a 10-week regular season and a two-week postseason. The season begins on March 28 and will complete play with its championship game on June 14.

What does UFL stand for?

UFL stands for ‘United Football League.’ It was a familiar name chosen by the USFL and XFL after their merger, as another spring league with the United Football League moniker operated from 2009-12. 

This iteration of the UFL has no relation to that league or the spring football league that ran from 1961-64.

Who owns the UFL?

The UFL is a joint venture between Fox Sports, RedBird Capital Partners, Dany Garcia and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Fox Sports, which originally invested in the USFL, owns 50% of the league; the other 50% is shared by the other three partners, according to Fox Sports’ website. 

Garcia and Johnson were previously co-owners of the XFL; Garcia served as the chair of the league.

UFL teams 2025

The UFL fielded eight teams during the 2025 season. They are separated into two divisions, the USFL and XFL divisions, and are as follows: 

USFL division

  • Birmingham Stallions 
  • Houston Roughnecks 
  • Memphis Showboats 
  • Michigan Panthers 

XFL division

  • Arlington Renegades 
  • DC Defenders 
  • San Antonio Brahmas 
  • St. Louis Battlehawks 

These teams are the same eight that participated in the first UFL season. There were no relocations nor was there any expansion ahead of the 2025 campaign.

How much are UFL players paid?

UFL players have a minimum salary of $62,005 for the 2025 season, a 12.7% increase from the previous year. They will also get a small raise for the 2026 campaign, per the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) reached earlier this season. 

Below is a look at the league’s minimum salary by year since 2024: 

  • 2024: $55,000 
  • 2025: $62,005 
  • 2026: $64,000

Who won the 2024 UFL championship game?

The Birmingham Stallions won the 2024 UFL championship game. They beat the San Antonio Brahmas 25-0, marking their third consecutive spring-league title.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The dust has settled after moving day at the 2025 U.S. Open.

American Sam Burns (-3) sits atop the leaderboard following the third round of play on Saturday at Oakmont Country Club, which has proven to be a challenge as only four golfers are currently under par. Adam Scott (-2), J.J. Spaun (-2), Viktor Hovland (-1) and Carols Ortiz (E) rounds out the top five.

U.S. Open leaderboard

  • 1. Sam Burns: -4 (F)
  • T2. J.J. Spaun: -3 (F)
  • T2. Adam Scott: -3 (F)
  • 4. Viktor Hovland: -1 (F)
  • 5. Carlos Ortiz: E (F)
  • T6. Thriston Lawrence: +1 (F)
  • T6. Tyrrell Hatton: +1 (F)
  • 8. Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen: +2 (F)
  • T9. Robert MacIntyre: +3 (F)
  • T9. Cameron Young: +3 (F)

Adam Scott into the co-lead

Adam Scott is climbing up the leaderboard. The Australian golfer birdied three of the past five holes to move into the co-lead at 3-under on the day. He’s carded four total birdes in the third round and one bogey. Scott, who turns age 45 next month, looks to become one of the oldest players to win the U.S. Open. Hale Irwin became the oldest champion when he won the 1990 U.S. Open while aged 45 years and 15 days.

Sam Burns takes solo lead

Sam Burns is alone at the top. Burns took sole possession of the lead at the 2025 U.S. Open after sinking a birdie on hole No. 13, marking his second birdie of the third round. He saved par on hole No. 14 to maintain his one-stroke lead over J.J. Spaun through 14 holes.

Ben Griffin gets back to even

After scoring two-over on the front nine, Ben Griffin notched birdied on two of three holes to get his score back to even and into a tie for fourth place.

Carlos Ortiz cards 3-under third round

A bogey on No. 18 was Carlos Ortiz’s only blemish to an otherwise splendid third round at the U.S. Open. Ortiz finished the day with a 3-under, which puts him at even heading into Sunday’s final round.

In addition to the bogey, Ortiz had four birdies and pars on the other 13 holes. He enters the clubhouse three strokes behind J.J. Spaun and Sam Burns, who currently share the lead.

Tyrrell Hatton making late charge

Tyrell Hatton is back to even at the U.S. Open after putting up three birdies over his past four holes. Hatton is 3-under for the day.

Carlos Ortiz surging in third round

Carlos Ortiz went into the clubhouse after Friday’s second round at 3 over par, but he’s in the thick of contention after a sizzling third round at Oakmont.

Ortiz has made four birdies and 10 pars to move to 1-under after 14 holes. He’s in third place, just two strokes behind co-leaders J.J. Spaun and Sam Burns.

JJ Spaun tied for US Open lead

J.J. Spaun drained the first birdie on No. 1 of the day and got himself into a tie for the lead with Sam Burns.

Last group on the course trying to maintain momentum

Sam Burns (-3) and J.J. Spaun (-2) took their tee shots for the third round, as two of three golfers who are currently under par. Viktor Hovland began the day two shots back and bogeyed his first hole of the day, while J.J. Spaun took a share of the lead with a birdie on his first hole.

Two-time champ tees off for third round

Brooks Koepka, the 2017 and 2018 U.S. Open champion, began his third round at 2-over tied for ninth as the final five groups get set for their rounds with the last group starting at 3:35 p.m. Koepka started off on the par 4, 487-yard first hole and missed for a 10-foot par putt to start his day to push him back to 3-over.

2025 U.S. Open prize money, purse

The $21.5 million total purse is the same as it was last year, and the winner will also take home the same amount that Bryson DeChambeau did when he won at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024.

  • 1st: $4,300,000
  • 2nd: $2,322,000
  • 3rd: $1,459,284
  • 4th: $1,023,014
  • 5th: $852,073
  • 6th: $755,520
  • 7th: $681,131
  • 8th: $610,034
  • 9th: $552,103
  • 10th: $507,118
  • 11th: $462,792
  • 12th: $427,901
  • 13th: $398,716
  • 14th: $367,995
  • 15th: $341,663
  • 16th: $319,719
  • 17th: $302,164
  • 18th: $284,609
  • 19th: $267,054
  • 20th: $249,499
  • 21st: $234,358 
  • 22nd: $219,217
  • 23rd: $204,515
  • 24th: $190,910
  • 25th: $179,060
  • 26th: $168,966
  • 27th: $161,286
  • 28th: $154,483
  • 29th: $147,900
  • 30th: $141,317
  • 31st: $134,734
  • 32nd: $128,151
  • 33rd: $121,567
  • 34th: $115,643
  • 35th: $110,815
  • 36th: $105,987
  • 37th: $101,379
  • 38th: $96,991
  • 39th: $92,602
  • 40th: $88,213
  • 41st: $83,824
  • 42nd: $79,436
  • 43rd: $75,047
  • 44th: $70,658
  • 45th: $66,269
  • 46th: $62,320
  • 47th: $58,370
  • 48th: $54,639
  • 49th: $52,445
  • 50th: $50,251
  • 51st: $48,934
  • 52nd: $47,837
  • 53rd: $46,959
  • 54th: $46,520
  • 55th: $46,081
  • 56th: $45,642
  • 57th: $45,203
  • 58th: $44,765
  • 59th: $44,326
  • 60th: $43,887
  • 61st: $43,448
  • 62nd: $43,009
  • 63rd: $42,570
  • 64th: $42,131
  • 65th: $41,692
  • 66th: $41,254

Slow starts defining third round

If golfers are expecting to get off to a fast start in the third round, the first two holes haven’t been cooperative.

The first two holes have produced only three birdies for the more-than-30 golfers that have taken the course on Saturday, and the first hole, a par 4, 487-yard hole, hasn’t recorded a single birdie. The back nine isn’t much better with one birdie carded on the 10th hole.

Future U.S. Open sites

  • 2026: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club – Southampton, New York (June 18-21)
  • 2027: Pebble Beach Golf Links – Pebble Beach, California (June 17-20)
  • 2028: Winged Foot Golf Club – Mamaroneck, New York (June 15-18)
  • 2029: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (Course No. 2) – Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina (June 14-17)
  • 2030: Merion Golf Club – Ardmore, Pennsylvania (June 13-16)
  • 2031: Riviera Country Club- Pacific Palisades, California (June 12-15)
  • 2032: Pebble Beach Golf Links – Pebble Beach, California (June 17-20)
  • 2033: Oakmont Country Club – Oakmont, Pennsylvania (June 16-19)
  • 2034: Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course) – Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (June 15-18)
  • 2035: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (Course No. 2) – Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina (June 14-17)

Rough start for golfers in third round

As the third round commences, those who are already on the golf course are having a tough time posting positive scores, with a light rain soaking the course. Almost two hours into the round, only two golfers are under par, with very few birdies. Brian Harmon got a birdie at the par-five four to improve to 6-over and Matthew Fitzpatrick has the same score after his 31-foot birdie putt on 600-yard par-five fourth hole.

Rory McIlroy, who won this tournament in 2011 and finished second in 2023 and 2024, has begun his third round and sits at 6-over through 36 holes.

Third round underway at Oakmont

Sam Burns is the 36-hole leader at the U.S. Open after the second round was completed early Saturday morning and is only one of five players who are above par heading into the weekend.

The third round is underway with golfers who barely made the cut line at 7-over par, starting with Philip Barbaree, Jr. and Cam Davis being among nine golfers set to tee off before 10 a.m. ET.

U.S. Open 2025 live leaderboard

  • 1. Sam Burns: -3 (F)
  • 2. J.J. Spaun: -2 (F)
  • 3. Viktor Hovland: -1 (F)
  • T4. Adam Scott: E (F)
  • T4. Ben Griffin: E (F)
  • T6. Victor Perez: +1 (F)
  • T6. Thriston Lawrence: +1 (through 17)
  • T8. Russell Henley +2 (F)
  • T8. Brooks Koepka +2 (F)
  • T8. Si Woo Kim: +2 (F)
  • T8. Thomas Detry: +2 (F)

Click here to see the complete U.S. Open leaderboard

When will U.S. Open second round finish today?

Thirteen golfers were still on the course when the second round was suspended for inclement weather. All 13 had completed at least 16 holes, and each will pick up exactly where they left off on Saturday, June 14, beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET.

South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who is tied for sixth on the leaderboard at +1, is among the golfers that still need to complete the second round. Two other golfers – Chris Gotterup (+5 through 17) and Philip Barbaree Jr. (+6 through 16) are hovering around the projected cut line of +7.

Where to watch the U.S. Open: TV channel, streaming Saturday

The 2025 U.S. Open is being broadcast by NBC and USA Network, with the two networks splitting coverage for the third and final rounds. All rounds of the U.S. Open will be live streamed on Peacock, usopen.com, the USGA app and Fubo, which offers a free trial. Peacock will also broadcast U.S. Open All-Access, its whip-around style offering, for every round.

Third round: Saturday, June 14

  • 10 a.m.-Noon ET on USA Network, Fubo
  • Noon-8 p.m. ET on NBC, Fubo

Watch the U.S. Open on Fubo (free trial)

US Open 2025 Saturday tee times, groups for Round 3

Tee times for the third round have been set. Here’s the complete schedule, pairings, with all players teeing off from the No. 1 tee:

All times Eastern; (a) amateur

  • 9:12 a.m. – Philip Barbaree, Jr.
  • 9:23 a.m. – Cam Davis, Brian Harman
  • 9:34 a.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Andrew Novak
  • 9:45 a.m. – Harris English, Hideki Matsuyama
  • 9:56 a.m. – James Nicholas, Laurie Canter
  • 10:07 a.m. – Ryan McCormick, Patrick Reed
  • 10:18 a.m. – Ryan Gerard, Niklas Norgaard
  • 10:34 a.m. – Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele
  • 10:45 a.m. – Jordan Smith, Justin Hastings (a)
  • 10:56 a.m. – Tony Finau, Marc Leishman
  • 11:07 a.m. – Michael Kim, Corey Conners
  • 11:18 a.m. – J.T. Poston, Matt Wallace
  • 11:29 a.m. – Chris Gotterup, Johnny Keefer
  • 11:40 a.m. – Maverick McNealy, Tom Kim
  • 11:56 a.m. – Mackenzie Hughes, Matthieu Pavon
  • 12:07 p.m. – Sungjae Im, Jordan Spieth
  • 12:18 p.m. – Ryan Fox, Robert MacIntyre
  • 12:29 p.m. – Taylor Pendrith, Trevor Cone
  • 12:40 p.m. – Rasmus Højgaard, Aaron Rai
  • 12:51 p.m. – Daniel Berger, Jhonattan Vegas
  • 1:02 p.m. – Cameron Young, Scottie Scheffler
  • 1:18 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Denny McCarthy
  • 1:29 p.m. – Jon Rahm, Nick Taylor
  • 1:40 p.m. – Sam Stevens, Keegan Bradley
  • 1:51 p.m. – Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Carlos Ortiz
  • 2:02 p.m. – Chris Kirk, Jason Day
  • 2:13 p.m. – Tyrrell Hatton, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
  • 2:24 p.m. – Adam Schenk, Max Greyserman
  • 2:40 p.m. – Emiliano Grillo, Thomas Detry
  • 2:51 p.m. – Si Woo Kim, Brooks Koepka
  • 3:02 p.m. – Russell Henley, Thriston Lawrence
  • 3:13 p.m. – Victor Perez, Ben Griffin
  • 3:24 p.m. – Adam Scott, Viktor Hovland
  • 3:35 p.m. – J.J. Spaun, Sam Burns

What is the weather forecast today for US Open Round 3 at Oakmont?

It could be a frustrating day for both competitors and fans if the weather forecast holds, which calls for a 100% chance of precipitation. The Weather Channel is projecting rain in the morning at Oakmont then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. The day will begin with temperatures in the high 60s before reaching a high of 75 degrees. Humidity is expected to be around 90%.

US Open odds: Favorites at Oakmont

All odds via BetMGM as of evening of Friday, June 13

  • 1) Sam Burns: +360
  • 2) Viktor Hovland: +550
  • 3) J.J. Spaun: +750
  • 4) Scottie Scheffler: +800
  • 5) Ben Griffin: +1200
  • 6) Adam Scott: +1400
  • 7) Brooks Koepka: +1800
  • 9) Jon Rah : +2500
  • 10) Russell Henley +3000
This post appeared first on USA TODAY

For the first time since 1998, the series is racing outside the U.S. with a stop at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. The circuit is one of the most prestigious in Mexico, and the country’s home of racing for Formula 1 as well as Formula E.

It is the second road course race of the year. It’ll be a tough challenge for the drivers due to the high elevation of Mexico City. At 7,349 feet above sea level, the air is thin enough to strain both the cars and drivers as they power through the 15-corner track layout.

This is the first time NASCAR is racing internationally in a points-paying event since 1958. But it’s not an entirely unfamiliar track to some of the drivers on the 2025 grid. The Xfinity Series raced at the circuit for four years in the 2000s, and reigning race winner Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag in one of those events.

Hamlin secured himself a top seed in NASCAR’s first in-season challenge with his win at Michigan International Speedway on June 8. The 32-driver field will have another chance to move up or down the bracket in Mexico City, which marks the second of three seeding races. They’ll have one more chance at Pocono Raceway on June 22.

NASCAR IN-SEASON CHALLENGE: What you need to know about the new tournament

But the immediate focus is navigating the circuit in Mexico. Here’s all the information you need to get ready for the historic race in Mexico City on June 15.

What time does the NASCAR Cup race at Mexico City start?

The Viva Mexico 250 is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. ET Sunday at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.

What TV channel is the NASCAR Cup race at Mexico City on?

The Viva Mexico 250 is the latest race on the calendar to be broadcast exclusively on Prime Video, meaning there is no national TV coverage for the race. This is the fourth week in a row on the streaming service and there will be one more NASCAR race exclusively shown on Prime Video. Pre-race coverage will start at 2 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cup race at Mexico City?

Yes, the Viva Mexico 250 will be streamed on Prime Video.

How many laps is the NASCAR Cup race at Mexico City?

The Viva Mexico 250 is 100 laps around the 2.429-mile track for a total of 242.9 miles. The race will have three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 20 laps; Stage 2: 25 laps; Stage 3: 55 laps.

Who won the NASCAR Cup race at Mexico City last year?

As this is the first Cup Series race in Mexico City, there was no winner last season. NASCAR’s second tier Xfinity Series ran four races at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez from 2005 to 2008. Kyle Busch won the most recent race there in 2008 following wins by Juan Pablo Montoya (2007), Hamlin (2006) and Martin Truex Jr. (2005).

What is the lineup for the Viva Mexico 250 at Mexico City?

(Car number in parentheses)

  1. (88) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet
  2. (60) Ryan Preece, Ford
  3. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
  4. (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
  5. (71) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet
  6. (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet
  7. (34) Todd Gilliland, Ford
  8. (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
  9. (22) Joey Logano, Ford
  10. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
  11. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
  12. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet
  13. (21) Josh Berry, Ford
  14. (43) Erik Jones, Toyota
  15. (35) Riley Herbst, Toyota
  16. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford
  17. (7) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
  18. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford
  19. (19) Chase Briscoe, Toyota
  20. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford
  21. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
  22. (45) Tyler Reddick, Toyota
  23. (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
  24. (38) Zane Smith, Ford
  25. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
  26. (41) Cole Custer, Ford
  27. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet
  28. (10) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
  29. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet
  30. (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
  31. (20) Christopher Bell, Toyota
  32. (42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
  33. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
  34. (51) Cody Ware, Ford
  35. (4) Noah Gragson, Ford
  36. (11) Ryan Truex, Toyota
  37. (78) Katherine Legge, Chevrolet

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fastDownload for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

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OMAHA, NE ― Dave Van Horn has built Arkansas into one of college baseball’s best powerhouses. Under Van Horn, the Razorbacks have made the NCAA tournament 21 times with eight College World Series appearances. Van Horn himself has been named SEC Coach of the Year three times.

But there’s one accolade still missing: a national championship. And the route to that feat got a lot harder with Arkansas’ 4-1 loss to LSU on June 14 in its Men’s College World Series opener at Charles Schwab Field to drop to the losers’ bracket. The Razorbacks will face Murray State in an elimination game June 16.

Arkansas is one of the best programs nationally to never win a national title. Entering 2025, its 11 trips to Omaha without a title were fourth in the country after Florida State (24), North Carolina (12) and Clemson (12).

But Clemson hasn’t made it to Omaha since 2010, and Florida State and North Carolina have been in and out of relevance. Arkansas has made five of the last 10 College World Series; meanwhile, in that span, Florida State has gone three times, North Carolina twice and Clemson not at all.

The Razorbacks’ road to the title will be a long and difficult one. They’ll need to win four games in four days to even advance to the championship series, then two of their final three should they stave off elimination. In the last 25 tournaments, 22 champions won their first game.

Van Horn should be familiar with one of the teams that didn’t, though — 2018 Oregon State, the team that beat Arkansas in the championship series after three Razorbacks failed to catch what would’ve been a championship-clinching pop-up.

Since then, the postseason has been full of heartbreak. The 2019 team went to Omaha but lost two one-run games to get eliminated. The 2021 team was the No. 1 national seed and heavy title favorite but dropped a home super regional to NC State. The 2023 and 2024 teams both lost home regionals as national seeds. Only the 2022 team — the only Arkansas team since 2016 to not host a regional — did well in Omaha, making it to the semifinals.

‘We need to move on from this one and get over it and not think too far down the road,’ Van Horn said. ‘We’ve just got to take care of business on Monday. We need to play good Monday because if we don’t there’s no Tuesday. … These guys, they’ve come back and won games. They’ve done some great things this year. So that’s what I told them. We’ve got a bullpen full of pitchers. We’ve got a bunch of hitters that can hit. They didn’t have a good night. We need to move on and get ready for Monday.’

Van Horn will face some tricky decisions with his pitching. He said the likely starter for the elimination game was Gage Wood. After that, he could turn to Landon Beidelschies, Aiden Jimenez or Colin Fisher. Starter Zach Root, who lasted just 1⅔ innings and threw 38 pitches, could return as soon as Tuesday. But relief ace Gabe Gaeckle, who pitched a career-high six innings out of the bullpen, likely won’t be available until at least the semifinals, if Arkansas makes it that far.

In theory, if anyone has the pitching and offensive depth to make a run through the losers’ bracket, it’s the Razorbacks. Arkansas ranks top-15 nationally in on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), home runs and ERA. While Root has been a solid arm, the Razorbacks have thrived all season without a true ace to the level of LSU’s Kade Anderson, who threw seven innings of one-run ball in the opener. Instead, Arkansas has the sort of reliable relief options that every team longs for. And its starting lineup for the opener featured seven players with double-digit home runs.

‘No one here is worried,’ outfielder Charles Davalan said. ‘We’ll try to be ready by Monday and play hard.’

The Razorbacks have won four games in four or fewer days once this season, when they swept Washington State on opening weekend. But the College World Series is an entirely different challenge, and it’s one Van Horn will need to solve for the first time to finally get the monkey off his back.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that concerns over national security risks posed by Nippon Steel’s $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel can be resolved if the companies fulfill certain conditions that his administration has laid out, paving the way for the deal’s approval.

Shares of U.S. Steel rose 3.5% on the news in after-the-bell trading as investors bet the deal was close to done. Trump, in an executive order, said conditions for resolving the national security concerns would be laid out in an agreement, without providing details. “I additionally find that the threatened impairment to the national security of the United States arising as a result of the Proposed Transaction can be adequately mitigated if the conditions set forth in section 3 of this order are met,” Trump said in the order, which was released by the White House.

The companies thanked Trump in a news release, saying the agreement includes $11 billion in new investments to be made by 2028 and governance commitments including a golden share to be issued to the U.S. government. They did not detail how much control the golden share would give the U.S. Shares of U.S. Steel had dipped earlier on Friday after a Nippon Steel executive told the Japanese Nikkei newspaper that its planned takeover of U.S. Steel required “a degree of management freedom” to go ahead after Trump earlier had said the U.S. would be in control with a golden share.

The bid, first announced by Nippon Steel in December 2023, has faced opposition from the start. Both Democratic former President Joe Biden and Trump, a Republican, asserted last year that U.S. Steel should remain U.S.-owned, as they sought to woo voters ahead of the presidential election in Pennsylvania, where the company is headquartered.

Biden in January, shortly before leaving office, blocked the deal on national security grounds, prompting lawsuits by the companies, which argued the national security review they received was biased. The Biden White House disputed the charge.

The steel companies saw a new opportunity in the Trump administration, which began on January 20 and opened a fresh 45-day national security review into the proposed merger in April.

But Trump’s public comments, ranging from welcoming a simple “investment” in U.S. Steel by the Japanese firm to floating a minority stake for Nippon Steel, spurred confusion.

At a rally in Pennsylvania on May 30, Trump lauded an agreement between the companies and said Nippon Steel would make a “great partner” for U.S. Steel. But he later told reporters the deal still lacked his final approval, leaving unresolved whether he would allow Nippon Steel to take ownership.

Nippon Steel and the Trump administration asked a U.S. appeals court on June 5 for an eight-day extension of a pause in litigation to give them more time to reach a deal for the Japanese firm. The pause expires Friday, but could be extended.

June 18 is the expiration date of the current acquisition contract between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel, but the firms could agree to postpone that date

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Three sectors stand out, with one sporting a recent breakout that argues for higher prices. Today’s report will highlight three criteria to define a leading uptrend. First, price should be above the rising 200-day SMA. Second, the price-relative should be above its rising 200-day SMA. And finally, leaders should trade at or near 52-week highs. Let’s compare the Utilities SPDR (XLU) to see how it stacks up.

The CandleGlance charts below show the top five sectors and SPY. I am ranking performance using Fast Stochastics (255,1). Stochastic values reflect the level of the close relative to the high-low range over the given period. 255 trading days is around 1 year. An ETF is at a 52-week high when the value is above 99 (XLK) and an ETF is near a new high with a value above 90 (XLU). The CandleGlance charts show XLK, XLI and XLU with values above 90, which means the are near new highs.

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TrendInvestorPro is following the breakout in XLU, the bull flag in GLD, a small wedge in AMLP, a breakout in XLP and more. We also covered trailing stop alternatives for the pennant breakouts in some key tech related ETFs. Take a trial and get three free bonus reports.

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Now let’s turn to price action. XLU is trading above its rising 200-day SMA. Thus, the long-term trend is up. XLU also broke falling channel resistance in early May. The pink lines show a falling channel that retraced around 61.8% of the July-December advance (23.6%). Both the pattern and the retracement amount are typical for corrections within a bigger uptrend. The early May breakout signals a continuation of the long-term uptrend and new highs are expected. The May lows mark first support at 78. A close below this level would warrant a re-evaluation.

And finally, let’s measure relative performance using the price-relative (XLU/RSP ratio). The lower window shows the price-relative in an uptrend for over a year and above its 200-day SMA since early March. This shows long-term relative strength. The pink trendlines show relative performance corrections when XLU underperformed for short periods. XLU is currently experiencing an underperformance correction because the broader market surge from early April to early June.

TrendInvestorPro is following the breakout in XLU, the bull flag in GLD, a small wedge in AMLP, a breakout in XLP and more. We also covered trailing stop alternatives for the pennant breakouts in some key tech related ETFs. Click here to learn more and gain immediate access.

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Catching a sector early as it rotates out of a slump is one of the more reliable ways to get ahead of an emerging trend. You just have to make sure the rotation has enough strength to follow through.

On Thursday morning, as the markets maintained a cautiously bullish tone, I checked the New Highs panel on the StockCharts Dashboard, scanning the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 9-month highs list. A clear theme emerged—biotech and healthcare stocks dominated the shorter-term highs.

Seeing strength in healthcare and biotech, I checked the Market Summary BPI panel to compare breadth across sectors. Healthcare posted a 63.93% reading—an early sign the sector may be turning higher.

Comparing the broader sector with the biotech industry, the Key Ratios – Offense vs. Defense panel showed that Biotech outperformed Healthcare by a modest 2.31% over the past three months. This panel compares the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI), which represents the biotech sector, with the broader Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV).

Are Biotech and Healthcare Starting a Bullish Rotation?

So, are we seeing an early rotation of both industry and sector toward the upside, and could either be shaping up as an opportunity for investment? Let’s take a comparative look at both relative to the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), our broad market stand-in.

Comparing XBI and XLV to SPY: Signs of Leadership?

FIGURE 1. PERFCHARTS OF XBI, XLV, AND SPY. This is typical of what you’d see during an early-stage rotation.

This PerfCharts view shows a one-year snapshot of relative performance, with biotech lagging behind healthcare, and both trailing the SPY in negative territory. Yet XBI and XLV are showing signs of recovery, with XBI exhibiting a sharper angle of ascent.

Seasonal Strength in Healthcare and Biotech Stocks

Now here’s an interesting addition to the current analysis: what if we considered the industry and the sector from a seasonality perspective? The reason for this is that certain sectors and the industries within them tend to exhibit recurring patterns of strength or weakness during specific times of the year. If we’re seeing a potential turning point in either, could a seasonality lens offer additional insight or clarity to the analysis?

Biotech Seasonality: Strong Months for XBI

Let’s start with XBI, and notice how it’s now entering a cluster of seasonally-favorable months.

FIGURE 2. SEASONALITY CHART OF XBI. The industry is entering a cluster of seasonally strong months.

According to this 10-year seasonality chart, June, July, August, and November tend to be strong months for XBI, with positive closing rates well above 50% (see figures above each bar) and higher-than-average returns (see figures at the bottom of the bars). Among them, June and November stand out as XBI’s strongest seasonal months.

XLV Seasonality: November Still Reigns

FIGURE 3. SEASONALITY CHART OF XLV.  According to this, July is XLV’s second-strongest month after November.

XLV’s seasonal profile shares a similar pattern, with a few key differences. July emerges as XLV’s second-strongest month, boasting a close rate of 89% and an average return of 3.1%. Like XBI, November is XLV’s top month in terms of average return.

What this tells us is that the biotech industry and the broader healthcare sector have historically performed well during these periods (especially November), suggesting that seasonal strength could serve as a tailwind if the current rotation continues to build momentum.

Charting the Rotation: XBI Trend Structure Shows Some Clarity

Next, let’s take a look at their current price action, starting with a daily chart of XBI.

FIGURE 4. DAILY CHART OF XBI. Notice how the trend structure is well-defined by the Fibonacci retracement, providing clear measurements for you to gauge the subsequent directionality once the market decides which way XBI will go.

XBI’s price action shows it reversed at the 50% Fibonacci Retracement level (November high to April low). Will the bears take control, or will XBI’s near-term reaction strengthen into an uptrend, eventually pushing XBI past the 61.8% retracement level, a threshold wherein bears may fold their positions and bulls increase theirs?

In light of the latter, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 61 and rising, indicating room for upside, but only under the condition that the current bullish swing maintains its trajectory.

A few actionable tips. If you’re bullish on XBI and planning to add it to your portfolio, consider the following:

  • If XBI were to pull back deeper, watch to see if it bounces near the last recent swing low area at $76.
  • If XBI reverses to the upside, expect resistance at the 61.8% Fib retracement at around $91. Also, watch the yellow-shaded zone around $94, an area of concentrated trading activity which may also act as a strong resistance zone.

If XBI rotates in a bullish fashion, these key levels can help guide your analysis.

XLV Technical Setup: Strength, But Not Yet a Breakout

Next, shift over to a daily chart of XLV. You’ll notice it’s quite different despite also exhibiting a recovery.

FIGURE 5. DAILY CHART OF XLV. Unlike the previous example, XLV’s price action is more muddled.

XLV’s recovery doesn’t appear as convincing just yet, as it still needs to clear multiple swing highs and resistance levels clustered between $139 and $141 (highlighted in green). If it manages to break above this zone, the next resistance range—shaded in yellow—sits between $148 and $150. In short, the sector proxy faces several hurdles and technical headwinds ahead.

The RSI, at 58 and rising, is nowhere near overbought territory, but it may not immediately indicate bullishness unless XLV is able to establish an uptrend. For now, it isn’t clear if that will happen, so exercise caution.

From an actionable standpoint, the current technical structure doesn’t offer a clear entry setup. That’s largely because the trend lacks a well-defined sequence of higher swing highs and higher swing lows—something you’d typically look for when establishing favorable entry and exit positions.

At the Close

If healthcare and biotech are starting to rotate higher, XBI and XLV are the charts to watch. XBI shows a stronger trend structure, while XLV still faces resistance.  With seasonality on their side, add them to your ChartLists to track key levels and price action.


Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

With Friday’s pullback after a relatively strong week, the S&P 500 chart appears to be flashing a rare but powerful signal that is quite common at major market tops. The signal in question is a bearish momentum divergence, formed by a pattern of higher highs in price combined with lower peaks in momentum, which indicates weakening buying power after an extended bullish phase.

Today, we’ll share a brief history lesson of previous market tops starting with the COVID peak in 2020. And while we don’t necessarily see a sudden downdraft as the most likely outcome, this bearish price and momentum structure suggests limited upside for the S&P 500 until and unless this divergence is invalidated.

First, let’s review some classic market tops, see how divergences are formed, and learn what often comes next.

The year 2020 started in a position of strength, continuing the uptrend phase of 2019. But conditions soon deteriorated, with weaker momentum and breadth signals flashing cautionary patterns. In the chart below, we can see the higher highs and higher lows in price action in January and February 2020.

Notice how the RSI was overbought at the January peak but not overbought at the February top? This pattern of higher prices on weaker momentum is what we’re looking for, as it implies a lack of buying power and therefore limited upside.

Almost two years later, the market had been driven higher due to an unprecedented amount of liquidity injected into the financial system. Toward the end of 2021, however, we saw the familiar bearish divergence flash again.

Here, we can see the higher price highs in November 2021 through January 2022 were marked by lower readings on momentum indicators like RSI. It’s worth noting here that these divergences don’t happen in a vacuum. In other words, we can use other tools in the technical analysis toolkit to evaluate the trend and determine if the price is reacting as expected to the bearish divergence.

In the weeks after the 2022 peak, we can see that the price broke down through an ascending 50-day moving average. The RSI eventually broke below the 40 level, confirming the rotation from a bullish phase to a bearish phase. So while the divergence itself does not imply a particular path in the months after the signal, it alerts us to use other indicators to validate and track a subsequent downtrend move.

More recently, the February 2025 market peak featured some classic momentum patterns going into the eventual top.

Starting in August 2024, we can see a series of higher price highs that were accompanied by improving RSI peaks. As the price was moving higher, the stronger momentum readings confirmed the uptrend phase. Then, starting December 2024, the next couple price peaks were marked with weaker momentum readings. This bearish divergence with price and RSI once again signaled waning momentum going into a major market peak.

That brings us to the current S&P 500 chart, featuring yet another bearish momentum divergence. And based on what we’ve reviewed so far, you can probably understand why I’m a bit skeptical going into next week!

To be fair, I’ve highlighted price and momentum divergences from significant market tops, many of which came after extended bull market phases. In this case, we’re still only two months off a major market low. However, I would argue the basic premise still holds true. With Friday’s pullback, the S&P 500 appears to be flashing this same pattern of higher prices on weaker momentum. Considering this negative rotation on momentum, I would anticipate at least a retest of the May swing low around 5770.

What would change this tactical bearish expectation? The only way for a bearish divergence to be negated is for the price to continue higher on stronger momentum. So, until we see the price make a new peak combined with the RSI pushing back up to overbought levels, a pullback may be the most likely scenario in the coming weeks.

RR#6,

Dave

P.S. Ready to upgrade your investment process? Check out my free behavioral investing course!


David Keller, CMT

President and Chief Strategist

Sierra Alpha Research LLC

marketmisbehavior.com

https://www.youtube.com/c/MarketMisbehavior


Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

The author does not have a position in mentioned securities at the time of publication. Any opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of any other person or entity.

Harvest Gold Corporation (TSXV: HVG) (“Harvest Gold ” or the “Company ”) is pleased to announce the results of its annual general meeting (the “AGM”) held on June 12, 2025. All resolutions presented to the shareholders were approved with over 99% of votes cast being in favour of each resolution.

A total of 21,129,144 common shares were voted representing 23.97% of the issued and outstanding common shares. As a result,

  • Dale Matheson Carr‑Hilton Labonte LLP was re-appointed as the auditor of the Company
  • The number of Directors was set at five with the following nominees elected as directors: Richard Mark, Christopher P. Cherry, Edward Zablotny, Patrick Donnelly and Len Brownlie.
  • The Company’s 10% Rolling Stock Options Plan was re-approved.

Following the AGM, the board appointed Len Brownlie (Chair); Edward Zablotny and Patrick Donnelly to its Audit Committee and Patrick Donnelly (Chair) and Edward Zablotny to its Compensation Committee.

About Harvest Gold Corporation

Harvest Gold is focused on exploring for near surface gold deposits and copper-gold porphyry deposits in politically stable mining jurisdictions. Harvest Gold’s board of directors, management team and technical advisors have collective geological and financing experience exceeding 400 years.

Harvest Gold has three active gold projects focused in the Urban Barry area, totalling 377 claims covering 20,016.87 ha, located approximately 45-70 km west of Gold Fields – Windfall Deposit.

Harvest Gold acknowledges that the Mosseau Gold Project straddles the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay and Abitibi territories. Harvest Gold is committed to developing positive and mutually beneficial relationships based on respect and transparency with local Indigenous communities.

Harvest Gold’s three properties, Mosseau, Urban-Barry and LaBelle, together cover over 50 km of favorable strike along mineralized shear zones.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rick Mark
President and CEO
Harvest Gold Corporation

For more information please contact:

Rick Mark or Jan Urata
@ 604.737.2303 or info@harvestgoldcorp.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed ‘forward looking statements’. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Harvest Gold expects to occur, are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words ‘expects’, ‘plans’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘projects’, ‘potential’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘may’, ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur.

Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

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Here’s a quick recap of some of the most impactful resource sector news items for the week.

The period saw the Trump administration move to reverse a Biden-era ban on copper and nickel mining near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, while Dundee Precious Metals (TSX:DPM,OTC Pink:DPMLF) penned a deal for assets in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, and China exerted control over rare earth mines in Myanmar.

Trump admin moves to roll back mining moratorium near Boundary Waters

The Trump administration is starting the process of reversing the Biden-era 20 year moratorium on copper-nickel mining in a 350-square-mile area upstream of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The decision could allow the restart of development at the proposed Twin Metals underground mine, owned by Chile’s Antofagasta (LSE:ANTO,OTC Pink:ANFGF). The Biden administration had cancelled the leases for the project, located in the region affected by the moratorium, as part of the 2022 decision.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum argue that the original mineral withdrawal was unnecessary and pledged to boost domestic critical mineral supply.

Rollins shared the news on her social media account.

The news was quickly denounced by the Save the Boundary Waters advocacy group and Tina Smith, US Senator for Minnesota.

“The announcement by Secretaries Burgum and Rollins is shocking,” said Ingrid Lyons, the group’s executive director. “They claim to have consulted with the people of Minnesota about the Boundary Waters when they clearly have not. We deserve so much better than this, as Minnesotans and as Americans.”

Senator Smith took to social media to highlight her dismay and condemn what she described as ‘pseudoscience (used) to justify bad actions.’

The Trump admin decision aligns with a broader push to accelerate mining approvals and reduce red tape, aiming to enhance US supply chain security for critical minerals.

Dundee Precious Metals to acquire Adriatic in US$1.3 billion deal

Canada’s Dundee Precious Metals has agreed to acquire UK-based Adriatic Metals (LSE:ADT1,OTCQX:ADMLF) in an approximately US$1.3 billion cash-and-stock transaction.

The deal secures Dundee full control of Adriatic’s high-grade Vareš underground silver-lead-zinc-gold mine in Bosnia and Herzegovina, plus its Raška zinc-silver project in Serbia.

Vareš offers an estimated 15 year mine life with annual payable output around 168,000 ounces gold equivalent and low all-in sustaining costs of US$893 per ounce.

“Vareš is a logical fit with our portfolio, as it significantly increases DPM’s mine life while adding near-term production growth, a highly prospective land package, and cash flow diversification,” said David Rae, president and CEO of Dundee Precious Metals.

Upon closing, Dundee shareholders will own 75.3 percent of the combined entity, with Adriatic shareholders holding 24.7 percent. The transaction is expected to close by year-end, pending shareholder, regulatory and Bosnian competition approvals.

China tightens grip on Myanmar’s rare earths

The United Wa State Army (UWSA), a China-supported militia, has taken control of newly established rare-earth mining operations in Myanmar’s Shan State, according to a Reuters report. Satellite imagery confirms the construction of leaching pools and chemical extraction facilities, with Chinese-speaking managers overseeing operations and trucks ferrying ore across the border.

As noted in the report, China currently relies heavily on Myanmar for heavy rare-earth elements like terbium and dysprosium, critical materials for high-tech industries including EVs, wind turbines and electronics. The country supplied nearly half of China’s imports during the first four months of 2025.

Rare earth exports to China have surged since Myanmar’s military junta took power in 2021. Between 2021 and 2024, Myanmar exported US$3.6 billion worth of rare earth metals to its neighbor, a dramatic increase compared to just US$400 million in the prior four year period.

The majority of these imports previously came from mineral belts in Kachin State, but this supply was disrupted in October 2024 when the Kachin Independence Army seized control of the region from the junta.

Analysts suggest this move to protect operations in Shan State helps Beijing reinforce its global dominance in rare earth supply chains by tapping into more stable regions under Chinese-aligned militia protection.

China has further tightened its grip on the global rare earth industry over the past year, reinforcing control across multiple fronts. Domestically, Beijing implemented new regulations in late 2024 to centralize mine quotas, smelting, separation and export licensing, reinforcing state dominance across the entire rare earth supply chain.

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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