Sports
Is this English soccer club the next Wrexham story?
In the heart of Birmingham, in a district that was once the rugged industrial center of England’s second city, there is a pilgrimage. It takes you past former factories, abandoned buildings and leads you through “spit and sawdust” pubs that are brimming with character and tradition.
But the destination you reach isn’t strictly a place of worship – at least, not in a traditional sense.
St. Andrew’s, the stadium that greets you at the end of this journey, stands tall. It has been home to soccer club Birmingham City FC for more than a century. The Blues – as the team is known – are beloved in this part of the city and have been since they were founded as the Small Heath Alliance in 1875.
Above the ground, three flags fly high. Two of them you might expect to find at this stadium; one bears the club’s crest and the other the St. George’s cross that adorns the national flag of England. But the third – the famous stars and stripes of the United States – is more surprising.
The US flag has been flying above St. Andrew’s for more than a year now, ever since the beleaguered Birmingham City was taken over by the American-based Knighthead Capital Management, which counts NFL legend Tom Brady as a partner in its ownership of the club.
Knighthead co-founder Tom Wagner and Brady have, from across the pond, promised to rejuvenate the club both on and off the pitch.
With them, the ownership has brought a sunny sense of optimism which often feels unique to Americans. Brits, in particular British soccer fans, are not usually known for their positivity. And, until recently, Bluenoses –
Sports
Trial for Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers over domestic violence allegations is delayed a day because of a water main break
A water main break has delayed a trial scheduled Wednesday for Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers on allegations that he shoved his girlfriend’s head into a wall and repeatedly choked her after she received a phone call while they were in bed together.
Peppers, 29, faces charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class B substance believed to be cocaine, court documents show.
He was scheduled to appear in court in Quincy, Massachusetts, but the court was closed following a water main break, the clerk’s office said Wednesday morning. Peppers’ case was rescheduled for Thursday.
Sports
Jimmy Butler wears Phoenix Suns-themed shoes in Miami Heat loss to Portland Trail Blazers as trade rumors swirl
Miami forward Jimmy Butler appeared to nod at trade rumors of a move to Phoenix, turning out for the Heat’s 116-107 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday in a pair of Suns-themed colorway shoes.
The six-time NBA All-Star returned to the lineup on Friday following a seven-game suspension for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks.
Sports
Australian Open: American Madison Keys stuns world No. 2 Iga Świątek to set up final showdown against Aryna Sabalenka
American Madison Keys stunned world No. 2 Iga Świątek in an all-time Australian Open classic, coming from a set down to win 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8) and set up a final showdown against Aryna Sabalenka.
There were seven breaks of serve between No. 19 seed Keys and Świątek in an epic back-and-forth first set, with the Polish star edging ahead after breaking her opponent for the fourth time.
The second set could not have been more different, with Keys breaking every one of Świątek’s service games to level the match in impressive fashion.
But it was the third set that really elevated the match to classic status. With the scores tied at 5-5, Keys suffered the first break of the deciding set as Świątek took a 6-5 lead with a chance to serve out the match.
The loss will be particularly galling for Świątek, who had match point at 40-30 up but was unable to convert and reach her first Australian Open final.
That meant the match would be decided on a 10-point championship tie-break, which only provided further heartbreak for Świątek. She led for almost the entirety of the tie-break and was two points away from the win at 8-7.
However, a series of booming shots from Keys broke Świątek’s resistance. The American won the final three points to seal a 10-8 win and reach her first grand slam final since the 2017 US Open.
In her on-court interview after the match, Keys could scarcely believe what she had just achieved.
“I’m still trying to catch up to everything that’s happening,” she said while whirling her fingers around her head. “Umm … yeah … I’m in the final!”
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