Euro 2024: Netherlands comes back to stun Turkey

• July 6, 2024

BERLIN — The Netherlands came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 on Saturday and book its place in the European Championship semifinals.

An own goal from Mert Muldur in the 76th minute, only six after Stefan De Vrij canceled Samet Akaydin’s first-half header for Turkey, was enough for the Dutch in the last of the quarterfinals.

The Netherlands will face England in the second semifinal in Dortmund on Wednesday. Spain faces France in the first on Tuesday.

Turkey was without defender Merih Demiral, who was suspended for two matches by UEFA for making a nationalistic hand gesture after scoring in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Austria. The gesture is used by Turkish nationalists and associated with an ultra-nationalist group.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was at the game after he changed his plans because of the diplomatic row with Germany over Demiral’s gesture.

German interior minister Nancy Faeser had said Demiral used his celebration “as a platform for racism” and federal minister Cem Özdemir, a German politician of Turkish descent, said the gesture “stands for terror, fascism.”

Many Turkish fans made the gesture on their way to Berlin’s Olympiastadion, and again during Turkey’s national anthem before the game.

The Dutch made a better start, but Turkey’s defenders dug in to limit the impact of Cody Gapko, Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay. Turkey lined up with five at the back without the ball, as it had in the win against Austria, and gradually improved.

Akaydin rewarded a period of Turkish pressure by scoring in the 35th. Arda Guler delivered a butter-soft cross for the defender to head in off the underside of the crossbar.

It set off wild celebrations among Turkey’s coaching staff and fans. Guler was swamped in the coaching area with hugs, while fans in the west end of the stadium set off flares. Most stayed standing after the goal.

Turkish supporters greatly outnumbered their orange-clad counterparts in a city that’s home to a large community of people with Turkish roots. Most are descendants of Turkish “guest workers” who arrived in what was West Germany to help rebuild the post-war economy. Germany is home to some 3 million Turks or people with Turkish roots, making them the country’s largest ethnic minority, and the team has enjoyed fevered support at Euro 2024.

The Dutch pushed for an equalizer before the break to a chorus of whistles.

Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, who won Euro ’88 as a player with the Netherlands, reacted at the break by sending on big forward Wout Weghorst for Steven Bergwijn.

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Weghorst’s presence gave the Dutch wingers a target, leading to a period of intense pressure.

Guler hit the post with a free kick, but it was an isolated effort as Dutch pressure continued.

It finally paid off in the 70th when De Vrij was left free to head in Depay’s cross.

Suddenly the Dutch supporters could be heard again, and they were cheering again six minutes later when Gapko forced the own goal from Muldur by getting in front of the defender to Denzel Dumfries’ low cross.

​ Orange County Register 

Tyler Anderson dominates as Angels’ hitters end drought

• July 6, 2024

CHICAGO —When Kevin Pillar gave his teammates a speech before the game about how it was his “mentality” that allowed him to reach 10 years of big-league service, it resonated with Tyler Anderson.

“And I felt like for me, that’s something I can relate to,” the Angels left-hander said. “I feel like the last few starts I’d gotten away from that, so just trying to go back to being the way I am normally, and trying to compete more than anything. That was really rewarding for me, more than anything else.”

Anderson took that attitude to the mound for eight dominant innings in the Angels’ 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon, ending the team’s five-game losing streak.

“He gave us what we needed today,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “He did a tremendous job.”

Anderson was good enough that he could have won even if the Angels (37-51) hadn’t finally woken up at the plate. After they scored one run in the previous three games, they scored in each of the first five innings.

That gave Anderson the freedom to pound the strike zone, with a first-pitch strike to 18 of 27 hitters.

“If I’m ahead in the count, I can throw whatever I want,” Anderson said. “You have a lot more options than when you’re behind. I had been falling behind a lot the last few starts, so that was a big thing for me.”

Anderson gave up a leadoff single and then retired the next 13 Cubs in a row. He allowed only three singles, retiring 24 of 27 hitters. Chicago didn’t have a runner reach second base. Anderson struck out 10, equaling his career high. He threw just 98 pitches, and only two of them cracked 90 mph.

“Eleven ground balls, 10 K’s and three fly balls,” Washington said. “That’s about as good as it gets really.”

Anderson has been good all season, compiling a 2.86 ERA in 18 starts and 110 innings. It’s been a remarkable turnaround from his 5.43 ERA in the first year of his three-year, $39-million deal with the Angels.

Now, he’s got a good shot to be named an All-Star when the full rosters are announced Sunday.

“It’s a cool honor if you can get it,” Anderson said. “I think for me, this year, I felt like my goal was to go out and compete and give the guys a chance. Last year, I didn’t do that very well. Wasn’t myself. This year, the whole thing is about just trying to go out and compete.”

Anderson did to the Cubs exactly what pitchers had been doing to the Angels this week. The Angels were shut out on 92 pitches Wednesday, and they saw just 95 pitches in scoring one run on Friday.

Looking to work deeper counts Saturday, the Angels began the day with a promising plate appearance. Nolan Schanuel drew a nine-pitch walk. Schanuel came around to score, and the Angels added a run in the second, three in the third and single runs in the fourth and fifth.

Jo Adell capped the scoring with a 431-foot homer in the fifth. It was his 13th of the season. Adell, who has been slumping lately, said Pillar also inspired him before the homer with a talk about his approach at the plate.

“It was just kind of a cool moment to kind of take a little bit of his experience and his advice and be able to go and produce,” Adell said.

Everyone in the lineup had a hit or a walk by the fourth inning.

Schanuel reached base four times, including two hits. Taylor Ward reached three times. Keston Hiura and Logan O’Hoppe each had two hits, including a double for O’Hoppe.

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All told, the Angels had 12 hits and six walks.

The performance came after the Angels took batting practice on the field, which they weren’t going to do. Washington wanted to skip it for all three of the games in this series because he felt the players needed a mental break. But hitting coach Johnny Washington disagreed, so Ron Washington deferred to his judgment.

Yes, the Angels are going to have batting practice again Sunday.

“Just goes to show you,” Ron Washington said, “sometimes as the skipper you don’t know what you’re doing.”

​ Orange County Register 

Rottie Trinity is a healthy girl ready for a home

• July 6, 2024

Breed: Rottweiler

Age: 2 years

Sex: Spayed female

Size: 68 pounds

Trinity’s story: Trinity was malnourished upon arrival at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center. But she was given multiple small feedings and slowly gained weight. Despite being abandoned, Trinity is a happy dog who craves attention and would make a great addition to almost any family.

Adoption cost: $180

Adoption procedure: Application and screening of potential adopters is required to ensure they are the right fit for Trinity. Visit her at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, 28095 Hillcrest, Mission Viejo; call 949-470-3045; or email ask-shelter@cityofmissionviejo.org. More information on Trinity and other dogs in need of homes can be found online.

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​ Orange County Register 

Just call kittens Izzy and Olli the ‘dynamic duo’

• July 6, 2024

Breed: Domestic shorthairs

Age: 12 weeks

Sex: Izzy, spayed female; Olli, neutered male

Izzy and Olli’s story: These “dynamic duo” kittens are bonded. Rescued a few weeks apart, they have become the best of friends and are looking for a home together. They are so happy with one another, whether cuddling or playing. They are affectionate and sleep with their foster family’s teenage daughter, who reports that they sleep through the night. They love to chase one another and play peek-a-boo in cardboard boxes. After playing, their favorite activity is a good cuddle. They have had full veterinary care, including vaccinations, worm and flea treatments, microchips, baths and nail trims.

Adoption cost: $250 for both

Adoption procedure: Contact Joanne with Long Beach Spay and Neuter Foundation at fishmjo@yahoo.com to request a required application. Upon receiving the application, a volunteer will contact you to arrange to meet Izzy and Olli.

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​ Orange County Register 

Galaxy’s Mauricio Cuevas seizes upon opportunities

• July 6, 2024

The Galaxy’s Mauricio Cuevas created a special moment was able to share it with his family after a recent victory over San Jose.

Early in stoppage time, Cuevas scored his first MLS goal in a 3-0 win on June 30 at Stanford.

“It was a moment I can’t describe,” he said of the goal. “It was a surreal feeling, it’s a blessing and the most important thing for me was that both of my parents were there and it was my mom’s birthday. Couldn’t have scripted it better.”

Cuevas, 21, grew up in the Galaxy Academy system. The L.A. native joined Galaxy II in 2019 and a couple of years later headed to Europe to the youth system at Club Brugge in Belgium.

The Galaxy made a move last season, bringing him back home, singing him to a three-year contract through 2025, with two option years through 2027.

“This is my hometown club, my ultimate goal is to 100 percent be a starter, be a consistent player and helping the team in whatever way possible,” he said.

Cuevas has certainly played his way into a contributing role. The defender has seen more time as a winger.

“He’s dynamic, even when he plays fullback,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of Cuevas. “With Johnny (Jonathan Perez) being down, we needed to manufacture a little bit there and he’s come on and proven that he actually really understands the role and has actually proven that he can help us out there.

“It (the winger position) isn’t going to be his primary role, but to be versatile, especially as a young player, can certainly help you to get more minutes and get on the field.”

Cuevas made his first-team debut last season, eventually making eight appearances. This season, he’s made 10 appearances as the Galaxy head into Sunday’s home meeting against Minnesota United FC.

Vanney recently said that he trusts Cuevas in any situation.

“Knowing that the coach has my back and the team has my back means a lot,” he said. “I want to take any responsibility I can to help the team.”

Cuevas joined the Galaxy Academy when he was 13 and left when he was 18.

“I think it was a great learning experience,” he said of moving to Europe. “I never doubt myself on the field. I grew so much out there and I was to bring that growth and experience back here.

“I wanted to come back, because who wouldn’t want to come back home? It’s a great opportunity for me, getting back home to my family. What else could I want? Especially having two immigrant parents who couldn’t fly out to visit me in Belgium. I was out there by myself. It was a lot.”

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Cuevas is part of a young group of players finding their roles in contributing to the Galaxy’s success.

“I think there’s a great balance between experienced and young guys,” he said. “We complement each other great. We (the youngsters) might be a lot to handle, but the experienced players are able to deal with us. We love those guys. It’s a special bond that we all have.”

MINNESOTA UNITED FC at GALAXY

When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Dignity Health Sports Park

How to watch: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)

​ Orange County Register 

Swanson: If JJ Redick is Lakers’ only big move, is it enough?

• July 6, 2024

In a world where the Boston Celtics have just won an 18th championship, the Lakers are turning to an unlikely hero to save them.

In a world where great risks can bring extraordinary rewards, the Lakers are banking on an unknown.

In a world where pressure is mounting daily, the Lakers resist: Their one and only big splashy offseason move remains swapping Darvin Ham for JJ Redick.

You can almost hear Don LaFontaine narrating this movie’s trailer, it’s about to be that kind of season.

The Lakers took away the keys from a first-time head coach who in two seasons at the wheel was 90-74, dissatisfying despite the Western Conference finals appearance in 2023, and handed them to a broadcaster-podcaster whose only coaching experience was leading his kid’s team to two 55 Swish League championships in the third- and fourth-grade division.

A bold choice, their second choice. And an intriguing one, because it could prove a brilliant decision – or a disastrous one. And according to the championship-or-bust laws of Lakerdom, it’ll be one or the other.

But breathe, Lakers fans who’ve come to count on major roster overhauls every offseason – the coaching change was their big move. Plus, you’re turning purple; that’s probably not healthy, especially considering you could be holding your breath till Feb. 6, next season’s trade deadline, by which time you’ll have a better idea of what this team under Redick needs – or doesn’t.

Remember, the Lakers liked the lineup they brought into last season, and you probably did too. ESPN painted that unit as the fifth best in the league. Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura all got new contracts after contributing to a conference finals run. Anthony Davis’ take a year ago: “We obviously look good on paper.”

But obviously they didn’t like how it looked with the reins in Ham’s hands, how reluctant he was to give his best players time together, how reliant he became on Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish instead of the contingent that had been brought back in the hopes of building valuable continuity.

Eventually he went back to what worked the season before and the Lakers finished strong – 30-16 after the first week of January, better than all but Boston, Denver and Oklahoma City in that span – though by then Ham had lost the huddle and the Lakers were on their way to losing again to the Nuggets in the postseason, this time in round one.

And in an “apron world” that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and his counterparts now are navigating, he hasn’t found a trade partner to dance with this offseason to improve the roster in a significant way.

Smartly, he hasn’t sacrificed scarce assets for guys like Jerami Grant or Bruce Brown or Cam Johnson, sideways pickups whose purported price tags would wind up only setting the Lakers back.

Luckily perhaps, he failed to land Klay Thompson on a reported four-year $80 million potential albatross of a deal – or, for that matter, UConn coach Dan Hurley, who went on that bizarre interview-and-tell tour after turning the Lakers down.

Incredibly, they’re relying on the rookie Redick to redeem them. To satiate a what-have-you-done-for-me-this-hour fan base.

The Lakers are betting on the polished former player from Duke, the smartest guy in every room, to be that adaptable communicator who can employ modern tactics and keep clicking with LeBron James while relating to everyone else. Hoping he’ll hit the ground sprinting, helping and inspiring and cajoling and creating competitive joy without fracturing the fragile chemistry of a team featuring a King and his son.

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For what it’s worth, Redick thinks it’s doable, or so he said at his introductory news conference.

“I don’t look at the current roster as being that far off from a championship-caliber team,” said Redick, whose big ideas include ways to generate more 3-pointers and who wants to give players freedom to crash in order to improve the team’s 29th-ranked offensive rebounding percentage, and much more, surely.

Sounds good in theory, and when you imagine LaFontaine narrating it.

But we won’t know whether it works or not until the show opens in the real world, with the same cast but a new director and the same exceptional expectations.

“Sitting in this seat, I know what the expectations are… the expectation is a championship… that’s what I signed up for.”

– JJ Redick, new Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers pic.twitter.com/MzGp8p2Ehx

— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2024

​ Orange County Register 

Clippers sign 7-footer Mo Bamba

• July 6, 2024

Veteran center Mo Bamba officially signed with the Clippers, the team announced Saturday. Although no contract details were given, it is reportedly a one-year deal.

Largely a rotation player, Bamba appeared in 57 games for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, taking over the starting center job when 2023 MVP Joel Embid was out for two months after having knee surgery.

The 7-foot Bamba averaged 4.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in his lone year with the Sixers.

He is expected to back up Clippers starter Ivica Zubac after the departure of Mason Plumlee (Phoenix Suns) and Daniel Theis (Europe).

The Orlando Magic selected Bamba with the overall No. 6 pick in the 2018 draft out of the University of Texas. He played for the Magic for four-plus seasons before being part of a four-team trade that landed him with the Lakers.

The Lakers waived him after the 2023 season, and he then signed with the Sixers.

In college, Bamba was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team and Big 12 All-Freshman Team in his lone season with the Longhorns.

Bamba is the first of several anticipated signings by the Clippers, the first day that free agents can officially sign deals.

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​ Orange County Register 

Man arrested in sexual assault of woman in her UCLA dorm

• July 6, 2024

A man has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a female UCLA student in her dorm room on campus, authorities said.

The suspect entered the room at Saxon Residential Suites in the 300 block of De Neve Drive at about 2:40 a.m. Friday, July 5, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her while she was in bed, according to a statement from the UCLA Police Department.

He then left the room in an unknown direction. The woman, a student at UCLA, was “medically treated on scene,” according to the statement.

It was not immediately known when or where the man was taken into custody. He was described as a heavyset man in his 30s with a curly beard who wore all black clothing and a beanie during the alleged attack.

Anyone with information about the alleged crime was urged to call the UCLA Police Department at 310-825-1491 or the Anonymous Tip Hotline at 310-794-5824.

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​ Orange County Register