Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Altidore goal helps propel Toronto FC to first MLS Cup
Jozy Altidore's second half goal helped propel a relentless Toronto FC to a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday to claim their first Major League Soccer championship after a gut-wrenching loss in last year's final. The victory capped a superb season for the Reds, adding the MLS Cup to the Supporters' Shield that goes to the club with the best regular-season record and the Voyageurs Cup as Canadian champions.
Figureskating: Russia's Zagitova takes gold in debut Grand Prix Final
Russian teenager Alina Zagitova took gold in the women's skate at her debut Grand Prix Final on Saturday, while French ice dancers Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron ended the winning streak of Canadian team Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. The tournament, seen as a key step on the road to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in two months, lacked the presence of two-time world champion and fellow Russian Evgenia Medvedeva, widely seen as a favorite for Olympic gold, after she qualified but then withdrew with a fractured bone in her foot.
United 2026 bid needs to build support for U.S. not stadiums
The heads of a joint bid from the United States, Mexico and Canada to host the 2026 World Cup trumpeted a winning plan on Saturday that technically ticks most if not all the boxes FIFA wants, but could miss the mark when it comes to winning friends. On the surface the fight to stage the expanded 2026 tournament, the first to involve 48 nations, would appear a David and Goliath struggle with Morocco, the only other bidder, up against the commercial and organizational might of the North and Central Americans.
Yankees to land Marlins' Stanton: reports
The New York Yankees agreed to acquire National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins in a blockbuster trade, according to multiple reports on Saturday. The two teams reached terms for a deal pending final approval from the 28-year-old Stanton under the terms of his no-trade clause. The trade approval is expected to be a formality.
Alpine skiing: Vonn injured and Gut crashes at St Moritz
American Lindsey Vonn was injured after finishing the World Cup Super G race in St Moritz on Saturday while Switzerland's Lara Gut crashed halfway down the course. Vonn, four-times overall World Cup champion and the finest woman skier of her generation, fell to the ground grimacing as she slowed down after the finishing line and she staggered away with what appeared to be either a hip or back injury.
National Football League roundup
New England quarterback Tom Brady on Saturday put to rest any talk of a rift between himself and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. During the 23-3 win over the Bills last Sunday in Buffalo, McDaniels and Brady exchanged words and the New England quarterback stormed off the field animated while continuing to bark at McDaniels.
Motor racing: Bottas shrugs off his low rating by F1 bosses
Valtteri Bottas has shrugged off a poll of Formula One team bosses that rated the Mercedes driver in only 10th place despite him winning three races this year and ending up third in the championship. The placing was one lower than the Finn had managed with Williams in 2016.
Baseball: Ohtani introduced by Angels amid high expectations
Shohei Ohtani said he had felt "something click" with the Los Angeles Angels as his reason for joining the team when being introduced at Anaheim Stadium on Saturday. The Angels won a heated race to sign the coveted 23-year-old Japanese, both a starting pitcher and an accomplished batter, who was introduced to raucous applause from cheering fans.
Wiggins' rowing debut ends in disappointment
Retired former Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins was back in a velodrome but not on two wheels as his competitive rowing debut ended in disappointment on Saturday. Wiggins, the five-times Olympic cycling champion who is considering a switch to rowing with an eye on Tokyo 2020, finished 21st in the British Indoor Rowing Championships.
Alpine skiing: Pinturault wins in Val d'Isere after Hirscher tangles with a flag
Six-times World Cup champion Marcel Hirscher was upstaged by Frenchman Alexis Pinturault after getting in a tangle with a gate flag at the Val d'Isere giant slalom on Saturday. Hirscher appeared to be heading for the 24th giant slalom win of his World Cup career when he led after the first leg with 56.74 seconds.
