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Analysis: New Colorado Rapids coach Chris Armas presses for immediate turnaround in Commerce City. Can he deliver?

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:25:12 GMT

The new era of Colorado Rapids soccer will be brash, in-your-face and Centennial State-approved.At least that’s how Bronx-born, Long Island native Chris Armas said he wants his new team to play in Commerce City.The Rapids formally introduced Armas as their 10th permanent head coach in club history on Thursday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The former MLS star, who spent 12 seasons playing for the L.A. Galaxy and Chicago Fire before transitioning into coaching, addressed several topics while speaking with media members — in addition to his preferred style of play.Here’s what Armas and club president Pádraig Smith had to say:Leaning on tough timesWhat’s the story: Armas’ coaching track record has been a mixed bag, as he led the New York Red Bulls to an Eastern Conference final in his first year in charge, but eventually was fired in September 2020. He lasted 11 games in charge of Toronto FC in 2021 before getting the boot during a COVID-fi...

Kiszla: While Sean Payton struck it rich with Broncos, did DeMeco Ryans win better job in Houston?

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:25:12 GMT

While Sean Payton got big money from the crazy-rich Waltons to coach the Broncos, DeMeco Ryans won the coaching sweepstakes by landing the better job in Houston.Although the Broncos and Texans bring identical 6-5 records to a game Sunday with huge playoff implications for this season, which of these teams is closer to winning the Super Bowl down the road?You tell me: Would you rather build a championship contender around two established NFL veterans in quarterback Russell Wilson and Payton, each with a championship on distinguished resumes, or 22-year-old rookie C.J. Stroud and Ryans, in his first-year as a head coach?Advantage, Texans.Money can’t buy you love or a championship ring.And a glorious history of football success can sometimes be more of a burden than a proud legacy.Let’s roll back the calendar to early 2022, when the Broncos had fired Vic Fangio as coach after a 7-10 record and the Texans were reeling not only from a 4-13 finish, but allegations of sexual misconduct aga...

Southern California family targeted in 'dinnertime burglary'

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:25:12 GMT

Security video captured the latest break-in amid a series of “dinnertime burglaries” targeting San Fernando Valley communities.A Granada Hills home on Wood Ranch Road was targeted Wednesday night where thieves escaped with around $150,000 worth of valuables.Several cases were recently reported where intruders broke into homes between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. — a time when people are believed to be out to dinner.The homeowner, who did not wish to be identified, said he received a security alert on his phone showing four thieves breaking into his house.He was returning home from Christmas shopping with his wife and their newborn baby when he spotted the thieves leaving their driveway in a getaway car.A Granada Hills home was broken into and victims lost around $150,000 worth of valuables in a "dinnertime buglary" on Nov. 29, 2023. The susepects' getaway car is spotted leaving the victim's driveway.The street where a Granada Hills home was broken into and victims lost around $150,000 worth of...

Sharks lose to Boston Bruins as road woes start to approach record territory

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:25:12 GMT

The San Jose Sharks might have played their best hockey of the season on their recently completely homestand, but that meant nothing on Thursday as their struggles on the road remain nowhere close to being resolved.The Sharks allowed two goals in a lopsided second period and never fully recovered in a 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden, as San Jose’s record away from home dropped to an unsightly 0-10-0.After an even first period, the Sharks allowed even-strength goals to Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk to fall behind 2-0. San Jose was unable to mount any type of comeback as it was shut out for the fourth time this season, all on the road.Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves, including 16 in the second period when the Sharks were beset by turnovers.Highlighting the Sharks’ offensive frustrations was their inability to score during a 5-on-3 power play that started near the end of the second period. Once the third period began and with 1:35 of man-advantage time to play with...

Mitty girls coach Sue Phillips makes Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:25:12 GMT

Legendary Archbishop Mitty High girls basketball coach Sue Phillips, who has coached at the San Jose school for 30 years, was announced Thursday as part of the 2024 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame class.Phillips has a 761-165 record as Mitty’s coach and she’s also has been a major part of USA Basketball, coaching many of the youth teams that have won gold medals. Phillips is joined in this year’s class by headliners Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus, both former Minnesota Lynx and USA Basketball teammates. Congratulations to Monarch coaching legend Sue Phillips on being named to the 2024 class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Incredible honor for a tremendous coach who has done so much for the Monarch athletics program and the sport of basketball. #GoMonarchs pic.twitter.com/GOb4EsHU6z— AMHS Athletics (@AMHSAthletics) December 1, 2023Other inductees include former players Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Rita Gail Easterling; former official Violet Palmer, the first woman to r...

DeSantis and Newsom lob insults and talk some policy in a faceoff between two White House aspirants

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:25:12 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two big-state governors with presidential ambitions, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, battled Thursday over the economy, pandemic restrictions and President Joe Biden's leadership in a prime-time showdown filled with fiery clashes over policy and personal insults.“He’s joined at the hip with Biden and (Vice President Kamala) Harris," DeSantis charged after repeatedly referring to Newsom as “slick.” "California represents the Biden-Harris agenda on steroids.”Newsom welcomed the attack: “I'm proud of the work Biden and Harris have done," he said. And he addressed DeSantis' struggling presidential bid head on: “Neither of us will be the nominee for a party in 2024.”The host, Fox News Channel, billed the 90-minute affair hosted by Sean Hannity as “The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate.” Yet it was held in a television studio with no audience in Georgia, a location chosen for its key swing-state implications in national pol...

No. 1 South Carolina rallies from 11 down to beat No. 24 UNC 65-58 in ACC/SEC Challenge

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:25:12 GMT

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bree Hall scored 15 points and top-ranked South Carolina rallied from 11 down in the second quarter to push past No. 24 North Carolina 65-58 in Thursday night’s ACC/SEC Challenge.Te-Hina Paopao added 14 points for the Gamecocks (6-0), who ended up facing their toughest challenge in an early season slate of high-scoring blowouts — including against two ranked teams. South Carolina came in ranked second nationally in scoring offense at 100.4 points and leading the country with an average victory margin of 51.6 points.But the Gamecocks ended up in a fight to the final seconds with the Tar Heels (5-3), who got off to a quick start and then stayed within reach even after South Carolina pushed ahead midway through the third.Paopao hit three second-half 3-pointers, while Hall added a huge one from the left wing with 2:08 left that pushed the Gamecocks to their biggest lead at 60-52. South Carolina also got four straight free throws from Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn...

No. 13 Florida Atlantic hands Liberty its first loss of the season, 83-58

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:25:12 GMT

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Alijah Martin scored 20 points and Vlad Goldin added 18 points and seven rebounds as No. 13 Florida Atlantic cruised past Liberty 83-58 on Thursday night in the opening game of the Field of 68 Tipoff Classic.The Owls extended a 15-point halftime lead to 29 in the second period and handed Liberty (6-1) its first loss of the season.Playing at home for the first time since its Nov. 18 upset loss to Bryant, FAU (6-1) overcame a sluggish shooting start by pounding the ball inside — where Liberty had no answer for Goldin and Martin. The duo combined for 24 of the team’s 44 first-half points, with only one field goal — Martin’s 3-pointer — coming outside the lane.“I thought we took advantage of the right matchups,” FAU coach Dusty May said. “I thought we took advantage of the right spacing.”The Owls’ first six field goals came in the paint. FAU didn’t drain an outside shot until more than eight minutes in, when Bryan Greenlee’s 3-pointer foun...

Raiders have 5 weeks to answer major questions after coming up short against tough opponents

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:25:12 GMT

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The chances were there two weeks ago at Miami and again Sunday against Kansas City, but when it comes to taking advantage against the NFL’s top teams, the Raiders aren’t getting it done.Las Vegas came within a Hail Mary pass of potentially sending their game against the Dolphins into overtime, but couldn’t overcome three turnovers — or capitalize on three takeaways.Then, against the Chiefs, the Raiders jumped out to a 14-0 lead. Kansas City outscored Las Vegas 31-3 the rest of the way.The loss to the Chiefs especially stung. The Raiders have extra time to think about the ways they came up short against their AFC West rival now that they’re on a bye. They next host Minnesota on Dec. 10.“You’ve just got to find a way,” cornerback Amik Robertson said. “When you’re going against them, you’ve got to find a way. Especially if you go up like that, you’ve got to try to stay on their throats. That’s for both sides of the ...

Telfort and Davis combine for 51 points to help Butler beat Texas Tech in Big East-Big 12 Battle

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:25:12 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jahmyl Telfort scored 26 points, DJ Davis added 25 points, and Posh Alexander had a triple-double to help Butler beat Texas Tech 103-95 in overtime on Thursday in the Big East-Big 12 Battle.Alexander had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for Butler’s first triple-double since Roosevelt Jones in 2016.At the end of regulation, Telfort made a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 28.6 seconds left to give Butler an 83-81 lead. The Bulldogs defense surrounded Joe Toussaint in the lane at the other end and he passed it out to Pop Isaacs, who drove the left side of the paint for a tying layup with 3.8 to go. Telfort’s heave from midcourt just before the horn did not hit the rim.Telfort also made a 3-pointer in overtime and Pierre Brooks was awarded a basket following a goaltending to give Butler a 92-86 lead. Brooks added a key 3-pointer from the corner with 43.2 left.Brooks finished with 18 points and Andre Screen added 14 points for Butler (5-3). Cha...