Weekend In Review – US Women Win Second Straight World Cup, MLB Reaches All-Star Break, L.A. Clippers Shake Up NBA, Baseball, And More

(Photo Credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The United States Women’s National Team posted a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands on Sunday in Paris to win its second consecutive World Cup title and fourth overall.

Megan Rapinoe struck first in the 61st minute on a penalty and Rose Lavelle added the second goal, both coming after a scoreless first half. Rapinoe won the Golden Boot, given to the tournament’s highest scorer. She had six goals and three assists despite missing the semifinal match with a hamstring strain, earning the award on a tiebreaker over teammate Alex Morgan. She also won the Gold Ball as the tournament’s outstanding player.

Her team, favored to collect this title for the fourth time, drew withering scrutiny after opening with a 13-0 victory over Thailand, for its fight for equal pay with the men’s team and an openly political stance against U.S. President Donald Trump. There were also snide remarks from various corners of the planet about the team’s attitude on the field and its sportsmanship.

“We are such a proud and strong and defiant group of women. We’ve done exactly what we’ve set out to do, what we wanted to do,” Rapinoe said.

Also:
The U.S. men’s team fell 1-0 to Mexico in the finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Chicago.

Baseball:
The sport takes a break for its All-Star Game and attendant festivities. The Home Run Derby is Monday night (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) and the All-Star Game is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. on Fox.

There’s not a single pennant race in the American League at the moment and only one in the National League, where the Chicago Cubs lead the Central Division by ½ game over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Basketball:
The Los Angeles Clippers changed the face of the NBA with a key free-agent signing and a monster trade. The Clips, trying to keep pace with the Lakers, with whom they share an arena, signed NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard away from the Toronto Raptors. Then they traded with the Oklahoma City Thunder for All-Star forward Paul George, giving up five No. 1 draft picks through 2024 and two players.

The Golden State Warriors acquired All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade. The New Orleans Pelicans have shut down No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson (bruised knee) for the balance of the NBA’s Summer League.

Elsewhere:
NASCAR’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona was postponed from Monday to Sunday and then was still shortened by rain. Justin Haley got his first career win in only his third start.

Top-ranked Ash Barty was eliminated Monday at Wimbledon in the quarterfinals in three sets by Alison Riske.

Matthew Wolff pulled out a 1-shot victory with an eagle on the final hole at the 3M Classic in Blaine, Minnesota, with Bryson DeChambeau and Collin Morikawa tying for second. Wolff was the 2019 NCAA Division I individual champion at Oklahoma State and won the 3M in just his fourth career start.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman