Sports News Roundup: Soccer-Rapinoe meets high stakes with a smile ahead of NWSL championship; Basketball-Mexican fans dream of an NBA franchise as the league promises expansion and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Soccer-Rapinoe meets high stakes with a smile ahead of NWSL championship The stakes are sky-high for Megan Rapinoe as she plays the final match of her career in the NWSL Championship on Saturday but the two-times Women's World Cup winner said she will walk off the pitch with a smile on her face no matter the outcome.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Rapinoe meets high stakes with a smile ahead of NWSL championship

The stakes are sky-high for Megan Rapinoe as she plays the final match of her career in the NWSL Championship on Saturday but the two-times Women's World Cup winner said she will walk off the pitch with a smile on her face no matter the outcome. With an Olympic gold, the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom and the 2019 Ballon d'Or, there are few accolades that the charismatic figurehead of American soccer has failed to collect across her career.

Soccer-NWSL to launch expansion process for 16th team

The NWSL will begin the process of expanding to a 16th team, Commissioner Jessica Berman said on Friday, as the top-flight North American league looks to build with a landmark new broadcast deal in place. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) previously announced it will welcome a 13th and 14th club next year, the San Jose-based Bay FC and the Utah Royals, and a Boston-based team is expected to join beginning in 2026.

Basketball-Mexican fans dream of an NBA franchise as the league promises expansion

A stormy Thursday evening could not stop the National Basketball Association (NBA) from taking over Mexico City as the Atlanta Hawks beat the Orlando Magic 120-119 in front of a sellout crowd, as the league promises more matches for Mexican fans. NBA commissioner Adam Silver sees Mexico as a gateway for further expansion of the sport throughout Central and Latin America, making it an attractive potential growth market.

ATP roundup: Alexander Shevchenko, Jack Draper reach maiden finals

Russia's Alexander Shevchenko will play in his first ATP Tour final after topping Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France 6-4, 6-4 on Friday in the semifinals of the Moselle Open in Metz, France. Despite 10 aces from Herbert, Shevchenko was the better server in the 77-minute match, hitting eight aces and winning 82 percent of points on first serve compared to 69 percent and three double faults from his opponent.

Cuban athletes seek asylum, new life in Chile after Panamerican Games

On a rare rainy spring day in Santiago, a group of Cuban athletes toured a gym, one of their first public activities since they represented their country at the Panamerican Games - and then asked to stay in Chile. "We already feel calmer; God willing we get everything we're hoping for," said Yunia Milanes, one of six field hockey players who has sought asylum in Chile.

Soccer-Brazil's Kerolin named NWSL's Most Valuable Player

Brazil forward Kerolin of North Carolina Courage has been named the 2023 National Women's Soccer League's Most Valuable Player, the league said on Friday. Kerolin, who scored a career-high 10 goals in 19 games during her second NWSL season and finished as the Golden Boot runner-up, is the first South American-born player and fourth international to win the league's highest individual honor.

Father of Liverpool soccer star Diaz not leaving Colombia after kidnapping

The father of Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz said on Friday he will keep living in Colombia after enduring nearly two weeks of captivity by guerrillas, marked by sleepless nights and exhausting days of horseback riding through the mountains. Luis Manuel Diaz, 58, was released on Thursday by the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) 12 days after he was taken hostage on Oct. 28 in Barrancas, a rural municipality where he lives in the northern province of La Guajira.

Motorcycling-Ducati's Bagnaia beats rival Martin to snatch pole at Malaysian Grand Prix

Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati seized pole position at the Malaysian Grand Prix by setting a lap record of 1:57.491 on Saturday, building pressure on Pramac Racing's championship contender Jorge Martin. Bagnaia put on a brilliant final lap at the Sepang International Circuit to secure his first pole since the Catalan Grand Prix in September and beat last year's Malaysia poleman Martin, who crashed in the final minutes of the second qualifying session (Q2).

Tennis-Murray splits with Lendl for third time

Andy Murray has parted ways with his long-time coach Ivan Lendl for a third time, the former world number one said on Friday. Lendl helped the 36-year-old Murray to his three Grand Slam titles and teamed up with the British player again last year.

Russian anti-doping agency hoping for fair ruling in Valieva case

Russia's national anti-doping agency (RUSADA) said on Friday it hoped for a fair ruling in the doping case of figure skater Kamila Valieva, which is being heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. Valieva tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine, which prevents angina, at the Russian national championships in December 2021 as a 15-year-old.