RONALD BLUM Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Chelsea's Joao Pedro reacts after scoring his side's opening goal during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Fluminense and Chelsea in East Rutherford, N.J., Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

João Pedro doesn’t celebrate goals for Chelsea, saying former team `gave everything to me’

July 8, 2025

João Pedro scored twice in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Fluminense, securing a spot in the Club World Cup final. The 23-year-old forward, who joined Chelsea last week, refused to celebrate out of respect for Fluminense, the club that developed him. He scored in the 18th and 56th minutes with precise right-footed strikes. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca praised his ability to break down defensive teams. Chelsea plays Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s final.

Borussia Dortmund's coach Niko Kovac waits for the beginning of the Club World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in East Rutherford, N.J., Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Dortmund coach Niko Kovač says MetLife Stadium field more suited to golf than to soccer

July 5, 2025

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač has criticized the MetLife Stadium field and extreme heat during the Club World Cup. Speaking after a 3-2 quarterfinal loss to Real Madrid, he compared the field to a golf green, saying it was unsuitable for high-level soccer. The match kicked off at 3 p.m. in East Rutherford, where the temperature was 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). Kovač noted similar issues in Cincinnati, with on-field temperatures reaching 113 degrees during earlier games. He suggested later kickoff times to improve conditions. Next year’s World Cup in the U.S. may face similar challenges, with many venues lacking roofs or air-conditioning.

FILE - United States Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro, left, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino present President Donald Trump with soccer jerseys during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

One year from World Cup opener, FIFA leaves questions unanswered on tickets and security

June 10, 2025

A year from the largest World Cup ever, there has been no announcement on general ticket sales, prices for most seats, location of a draw and security arrangements as FIFA mostly avoids disclosing details of an event set for 16 stadiums across the United States, Mexico and Canada. There is uncertainty about whether fans from some nations will be welcome in the U.S., where 11 of the venues are located and all matches will be played from the quarterfinals on. At the last major soccer tournament in the U.S., the 2024 Copa America final at Miami Gardens, Florida, started 82 minutes late after spectators breached security gates.

From left, Atlanta president Dan Corso, North Texas organizing committee president Monica Paul, Houston president Chris Canetti, San Francisco Bay Area CEO Zaileen Janmohamed, Philadelphia executive Meg Kane, (New York/New Jersey CEO Alex Lasry, Miami CEO Alina Hudak, Seattle chief strategy officer April Putney, Kansas City CEO Pam Kramer, Boston CEO Mike Loynd, and Los Angeles vice president Jason Krutzsch meet at the Paley Center in New York a year ahead of the 2026 World Cup, on Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ronald Blum)

World Cup host city organizers acknowledge immigration crackdown may impact next year’s tournament

June 9, 2025

Philadelphia’s host city executive for the 2026 World Cup says organizers accept that an immigration crackdown by the U.S. federal government may be among the outside events that impact next year’s tournament. At a gathering of the 11 U.S. host city leaders on Monday, Meg Kane said, “We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made.” The World Cup will be played at 16 stadiums in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year, a tournament expanded to 48 nations and 104 games.

Orlando City defender Alex Freeman, left, clears the ball to stop a scoring attempt by Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba (18) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Pulisic among the US starters to miss CONCACAF Gold Cup, last competitive matches before World Cup

May 22, 2025

Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Antonee Robinson, Josh Sargent and Joe Scally will miss the CONCACAF Gold Cup, leaving the United States with a depleted roster for its last competitive soccer matches before the 2026 World Cup. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Gio Reyna already were expected to miss the regional championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean because FIFA ruled the expanded Club World Cup has priority on players over national teams. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino announced his 27-man squad for friendlies ahead of the tournament, and missing players also included defender Cameron Carter-Vickers and midfielder Tanner Tessmann.

RONALD BLUM Sports Writer.

João Pedro doesn’t celebrate goals for Chelsea, saying former team `gave everything to me’

Dortmund coach Niko Kovač says MetLife Stadium field more suited to golf than to soccer

One year from World Cup opener, FIFA leaves questions unanswered on tickets and security

World Cup host city organizers acknowledge immigration crackdown may impact next year’s tournament

Pulisic among the US starters to miss CONCACAF Gold Cup, last competitive matches before World Cup

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