WASHINGTON — Without Lionel Messi, Inter Miami dropped points in the MLS Supporters’ Shield race, with a reserve-heavy lineup settling for a 1-1 draw against struggling D.C. United at Audi Field on Saturday, Aug. 23.

With Messi (right hamstring) and another big name, Jordi Alba (knee), both sidelined with injury, Miami head coach Javier Mascherano opted to swap out most of his starting lineup against one of MLS’s weakest teams. Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo De Paul, and Luis Suárez all began the game on the bench, though the trio of global stars did enter the match in the second half.

In the meantime, United took a shock 13th-minute lead via a fine finish from Jackson Hopkins, capping off a strong opening phase from the hosts. However, Miami improved in the second half, with Baltasar Rodríguez scoring a world-class half-volley to equalize in the 64th minute.

For Miami, a draw against United — who were eliminated from the playoff race with the result — will go down as a disappointment. The Herons (13W-7D-5L) currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 46 points, and trail the Supporters’ Shield leaders Philadelphia Union by eight points.

Here are highlights and what to know about D.C. United vs. Inter Miami MLS game:

Inter Miami vs. D.C. United highlights

Inter Miami vs. D.C. United final score: 1-1

That’s full time at Audi Field, with D.C. United and Inter Miami playing to a 1-1 draw.

Jackson Hopkins’ first-half goal gave the hosts a lead in a livelier performance than their fans have seen in a while, but a rocket from Baltasar Rodríguez got Miami level midway through the second half. Both sides hit the post in the final stages, but the Herons will wonder how all their second-half pressure didn’t amount to a game-winner.

Inter Miami vs. D.C. United: De Paul hits post

Inter Miami has put D.C. United under intense pressure as the game wears down, and Rodrigo De Paul nearly claimed a game-winner in stoppage time just now.

It would have been very lucky, as his free kick missed all of its targets, but the ball bent towards goal and hit the post, with Luis Barraza beaten.

It remains 1-1 in the final seconds.

Inter Miami vs. D.C. United: Murrell goal called back, final subs

This game has turned into something of a thriller, with Jacob Murrell having a goal called back over what seemed like a very narrow offside call.

Inter Miami’s last sub sees defender Ryan Sailor replaced by Ian Fray, while D.C. United goes for broke by throwing forward Dominique Badji into the mix and taking off defender Connor Antley.

Inter Miami vs. D.C. United: Two more DCU subs

D.C. United has added more fresh legs, with René Weiler sending on João Peglow and Rida Zouhir for Jackson Hopkins and Brandon Servania in the 74th minute.

Meanwhile, one of Weiler’s earlier subs, Jacob Murrell, hit the post on an increasingly rare break forward for the hosts.

Goal Inter Miami! Rodriguez scores unreal goal

We’ve had a flurry of activity, most notably a sensational goal by substitute Baltasar Rodríguez in the 64th minute.

A seemingly wayward corner kick floated over another second-half substitute, Luis Suárez (like we said, a lot has happened in the last few minutes), and Rodríguez took advantage, hitting a spectacular half-volley that bent into the furthest reaches of the upper corner to equalize.

This came shortly after a flurry of substitutions from both teams. First, Javier Mascherano opted for a triple substitution, bringing on Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo De Paul, and Baltasar Rodríguez for Gonzalo Luján, David Ruíz, and Telasco Segovia. United made a double-swap of their own, sending Jared Stroud and Jacob Murrell on for Gabriel Pirani and Hosei Kijima, seconds before Suárez entered the fray in place of Tadeo Allende.

Second half underway between Inter Miami and D.C. United

No changes for either team as play resumes at Audi Field.

However, Inter Miami has Sergio Busquets and Rodrigo De Paul warming up, which could flip this game on its head should head coach Javier Mascherano bring them on.

Halftime: D.C. United leads Inter Miami 1-0

It’s a surprising scoreline at Audi Field, with D.C. United leading Inter Miami 1-0 on a 13th-minute Jackson Hopkins goal.

This may be a heavily rotated Inter Miami side, with Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Rodrigo De Paul on the sidelines, but it’s arguably a fair reflection of play. D.C. created some good looks in the first half-hour, and while Miami has played their way into the game, United goalkeeper Luis Barraza has had little to do.

Inter Miami vs. D.C. United: Peltola booked

D.C. United rapidly picks up a second yellow card, this time for holding midfielder Matti Peltola.

The Finn dove in trying to poke a loose ball away from Inter Miami’s Telasco Segovia, but his trailing leg wiped the Venezuelan out.

Inter Miami vs. D.C. United: Yellow card to Herrera

Aaron Herrera is the first player booked, with the D.C. United defender (playing as a midfielder for the second straight game) tripping up Fafà Picault as Inter Miami attempted a counter-attack.

Goal D.C. United! Hopkins gives hosts lead

Miami’s B-team lineup is struggling with D.C. United, who have created several chances and now lead 1-0 in the 13th minute.

The Herons partially cleared a corner kick, but when it was looped back into the area by Matti Peltola, United’s Jackson Hopkins provided an authoritative finish from 10 yards.

Inter Miami at D.C. United kicks off

Miami’s massively rotated lineup kicks off against a D.C. United side that needs to win to keep their incredibly remote playoff hopes alive.

Inter Miami starting lineup: No Messi vs. D.C. United

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has rotated heavily, even without Lionel Messi (hamstring) available. The Herons’ other biggest names are not available to start either, with Jordi Alba (knee) not in uniform after picking up his injury Wednesday.

Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Rodrigo De Paul are all on the bench, as a star-studded Miami side has turned heavily towards reserves and second-choice players.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. D.C. United: Time, TV, streaming

• Date: Saturday, August 23
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)
• TV channel: None
• Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Watch Inter Miami at D.C. United on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

D.C. United starting lineup

Under new manager René Weiler (who oversaw his first match last weekend, a 1-1 road draw against CF Montréal), D.C. United has chosen a defense-first starting lineup.

Captain and star striker Christian Benteke is here at Audi Field in street clothes, as he and midfielder Boris Enow are both suspended due to yellow-card accumulation. United is also missing trade deadline addition Caden Clark, who was announced as out yesterday in Weiler’s first press conference.

Son Heung-min has his first goal for Los Angeles FC.

The club’s much-ballyhooed summer acquisition, netted his first LAFC goal on a free kick in the sixth minute during a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Son took the free kick from a few yards beyond the 18-yard box and was on target and with enough pace to get past FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi. The free kick was earned when LAFC’s Denis Bouanga was fouled by Chris Cappis.

The goal comes a week after Son earned his first assist with LAFC in a 2-0 win over the New England Revolution on Aug. 16.

Son joined LAFC on Aug. 6 from Tottenham Hotspur of the England Premier League. The South Korean international had scored 173 goals in 10 seasons with the London-based club, captaining Tottenham its first trophy in 17 years as Spurs won the 2024-25 Europa League final in May.

AI-assisted summary
• Sanders aims to destigmatize incontinence by openly discussing his experience and incorporating the product into his image.
• The ad campaign follows Sanders’ surgery where his bladder was removed and replaced with a neobladder.
• Sanders uses Depend to manage the changes in his bathroom habits post-surgery.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders did his first advertisement for the Depend adult diaper brand after having his cancerous bladder removed in May.

But it’s not just the latest sponsorship deal for Sanders, who also is seen in advertisements for Blenders eyewear, Aflac insurance and California Almonds.

This one is about his personal health.

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“I wasn’t joking! I truly DEPEND on @Depend,” Sanders said on Instagram on Friday Aug. 22. “Ain’t NO SHAME in taking care of yourself. NO SHAME in getting health screenings. And there certainly ain’t NO SHAME in needing added protection or using Depend to stay in the game. That’s not weakness – that’s WINNING”

The ad shows packages of the underwear underneath his Nike shoes.

The company that owns the brand confirmed to USA TODAY Sports in July that it has a partnership with Sanders. Depend often is associated with jokes about old age and embarrassing problems with incontinence. But Sanders has said he wants to take the shame out of it by discussing it openly and associating it with his personal fashion.

‘I’m about to sexy ’em up,’ Sanders told retired NFL receiver Michael Irvin in an interview posted July 28.

Sanders said after bladder surgery that “I truly depend on Depend. I cannot control my bladder.”

After his bladder was removed, a neobladder was put in its place from his small intestine. It’s led to changes with how he goes to the bathroom. Sanders talked about it with Irvin.

“You have to push through your stomach and force the pee out,” Sanders said. “Like you can’t just pee, and when you feel like you gotta go pee, you need to pee or you gonna start leaking.”

This product helps him deal with that.

“No shame at all!” Depend responded to Sanders on social media site X. “We’re proud to help you stay in the game, Coach Prime.”

Sanders has recovered from cancer and is coaching his team as normal this month. His team opens the season Aug. 29 at home against Georgia Tech.

Follow Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bscrhotenb@usatoday.com

No more crazy playoff ideas. No more lone wolves. 

The Big Ten set the bar this summer for College Football Playoff change, and the SEC just met and exceeded it. 

Your move, Big Ten.

It’s time to see just how badly the Big Ten wants CFP expansion.

The SEC on Thursday, Aug. 22 made the first move to the center of the room, adding a ninth game to its annual conference schedule starting in 2026 — the one thing the Big Ten said it had to see before moving forward with CFP expansion.

The Big Ten has played nine conference games since 2016, and the SEC playing eight has been a sticking point between the super conferences. 

The Big Ten claimed it had a more difficult road to the playoff by playing nine. The SEC countered with, well, “We’re the SEC, and you’re not.” 

That all ended with the SEC’s long-awaited move to nine conference games. 

There’s nothing left to argue now for the Big Ten. It wanted the SEC on a level playing field, and the SEC called the Big Ten’s bluff.   

It not only moved to nine conference games, it kept a rule that forces league schools to schedule at least one non-conference game against a power conference opponent. 

Now the future of College Football Playoff expansion rests with the Big Ten, which can agree to the 5-11 format that every other Bowl Subdivision conference favors – automatic qualifiers from the five highest-ranked conference champions, and 11 at-large teams – or it can continue down the road of obstruction.

By demanding a unrealistic 4-2-1-3 format (it’s too dumb to explain), or an expansion to 24 or 28 teams (speaking of dumb), the Big Ten will expose its true desire: increased revenue at the cost of others.  

If the Big Ten still refuses the 5-11 format – which it said was more advantageous to the SEC because it could earn more at-large selections with an easier road of less conference games – it never cared about the SEC moving to nine games in the first place. 

For years, the SEC has been seen as the college football boogeyman, the all-powerful conference that controlled all things on and off the field. The death of fun, even.

It recruited the best players, won the most championships, and got the most breaks by whatever postseason plan was in place (hello, Alabama). An embarrassment of riches no one could deny or overcome. 

Until Michigan and Ohio State won back-to-back national titles the past two seasons, slowly pulling the SEC’s invincibility into question. The Big Ten then flexed and executed a power play, forcing the SEC to move off its eight-game conference schedule.

It even dragged the Big 12 into the fray, using the prop of the Big 12 playing nine conference games, too. So why couldn’t the SEC?

The Big Ten said it wanted everyone on the same page, including the ACC. Or maybe that was just another Alliance thing.

The next thing you know, SEC coaches left their conference spring meetings in May and declared their desire to play the Big Ten in non-conference games. As soon as possible. 

And for the first time, there was real momentum to move to a nine-game league schedule. Even the longtime holdouts – Kentucky, the Mississippi schools, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, South Carolina – moved toward the inevitability of it all.

“They’ve won the last two national titles,” LSU coach Brian Kelly. “We need to play them, they’re on top now.”

But you know the old southern adage, the higher you get on the ladder, the more your ass shows. The Big Ten is now in danger of this power play blowing up in its lap. 

In a perfect world, playoff strife ends quickly. The Big Ten sees the SEC’s move as genuine, and responds accordingly. 

The 5-11 format passes, and college football moves to a 16-team CFP field beginning with the 2026 season. 

It’s time to see how badly the Big Ten wants playoff expansion.

Or if it’s interested in showing more of its ass. 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

• Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte won the Triple Crown in 1973 with Secretariat.
• Secretariat won the 1973 Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, a record time of 2:24 that stands today.
• Turcotte won 3,032 races and $28,606,490 in earnings during his career.

Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte, who won the Triple Crown in 1973 with Secretariat, has died at the age of 84.

Turcotte’s family announced that the jockey died from natural causes on Friday, Aug. 22, at his home in Drummond, New Brunswick. He is best known for winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in 1973 with the legendary horse Secretariat.

Secretariat won the 1973 Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, a record time of 2:24 that stands today.

Turcotte also won the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes aboard Riva Ridge. He won the 1965 Preakness aboard Tom Rolfe.

Turcotte won 3,032 races and $28,606,490 in earnings during his nearly two-decade career. However, his career ended in 1978 when he fell off a horse during a race, leaving him a paraplegic. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1979.

‘The world may remember Ron as the famous jockey of Secretariat, but to us he was a wonderful husband, a loving father, grandfather, and a great horseman,’ the Turcotte family’s statement said according to the Associated Press.

Boomer Esiason is one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Cincinnati Bengals history. He’s one of two Bengals players to win the NFL MVP award, winning it in 1988 as the team made a run to the Super Bowl.

The franchise created a Ring of Honor in 2021 and made him one of its early inductees in 2023.

He’s invited to the Bengals’ Ring of Honor ceremony this year on Oct. 26 when Cincinnati hosts the New York Jets. But Esiason took issue with his invitation, which he read out loud to co-host Greg Giannotti on his radio show ‘Boomer & Gio’ this week.

‘The Bengals organization is excited to celebrate our legends community and kindly invite you and a guest to join us in celebrating Dave Lapham and Lemar Parrish on Ring of Honor weekend in October, culminating at our game on Sunday, October 26, when the Bengals take on the New York Jets,’ Esiason read. ‘More details are below, and we kindly ask you to RSVP no later than Friday, August 22. You and a guest can receive two complementary tickets with an opportunity to purchase an additional one, if you wish.’

So far, so good. Esiason then got to the part of the invite he found troublesome.

‘If you are traveling in for the weekend from out of town, we have secured a block of rooms at the Renaissance Hotel at a preferred discounted rate,’ Esiason continued. ‘Rooms are limited, so please book directly for the early and the best rate. We look forward to hosting you in The Jungle for an unforgettable weekend. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me or another guy on the staff with any questions. Thank you. And Who Dey.’

‘Who Dey?’ Giannotti said. ‘Who Dey think they are making you pay for your own hotel room?’

Esiason admitted he’s unsure about attending the ceremony after receiving that invitation.

‘You think I’m an elitist if I say no to that?’ Esiason said.

This news comes as the Bengals remain in a contract stalemate with reigning NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson. The two sides seem far apart on total compensation as the season gets closer.

As that’s happening to a current Bengals player, both Esiason and Giannotti were surprised that the team won’t pay for hotel rooms for franchise legends.

Giannotti added that the email invite didn’t seem very personal – a surprise given how few people are in the Bengals’ Ring of Honor.

‘How many people are in a Ring of Honor now? Eight? All right, so they should be getting different emails than this generic email,’ he said.

There are 10 people currently in the Bengals’ Ring of Honor ahead of the 2025 class of cornerback Parrish and former guard and current radio analyst Lapham.

At least Esiason got an invite. Bengals career rushing leader Corey Dillon said on X that he didn’t receive an email invitation at all.

‘At least my guy Boomer got an invite and email ,’ Dillon wrote.

Bengals Ring of Honor members

Esiason is one of two quarterbacks in the Bengals’ Ring of Honor in addition to the team’s career passing leader Ken Anderson. Here’s a list of each member and their year of induction:

*=denotes player/coach inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

• Coach Paul Brown (2021)*
• QB Ken Anderson (2021)
• OT Anthony Muñoz (2021)*
• CB Ken Riley (2021)*
• WR Isaac Curtis (2022)
• OT Willie Anderson (2022)
• WR Chad Johnson (2023)
• QB Boomer Esiason (2023)
• DT Tim Krumrie (2024)
• RB Corey Dillon (2024)

The Minnesota Lynx’s longest losing streak of the season ends at two.

The Lynx overcame a 12-point deficit to defeat the Indiana Fever 95-90 in Indianapolis Friday in a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title game. Lynx guard Kayla McBride led the way with a game-high 29 points (10-of-19 FGs, 4-of-8 on 3-pointers), five assists and one block. Center Jessica Shepard added 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, marking only the second triple-double in Minnesota franchise history.

Minnesota withstood a barrage of 3-pointers from the Fever, who knocked down 10 3-pointers in the first half alone and finished shooting 65% (13-of-20) from the 3-point line. The Lynx took its first lead of the game in the third quarter and extended it to 14 points, before the Fever came within five points.

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell finished with a team-high 27 points and five assists in the loss, while Lexie Hull recorded a new career high with 23 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Fever guard Caitlin Clark (right groin) and Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (right ankle) were both ruled out of Friday’s matchup. It marked Clark’s 14th consecutive absence and Collier’s 7th consecutive game missed.

Minnesota (29-7) has already clinched a playoff bid marking their 14th in the past 15 seasons. Indiana (19-17) is in playoff contention, sitting in sixth place in the standings.

The Fever and Lynx will face each other two more times this season after Friday’s matchup. They will meet on Sunday, Aug. 24 in Minneapolis and on Sept. 9 in Indianapolis.

Here’s a recap of Friday’s matchup between the Fever and Lynx:

Halftime: Fever 52, Lynx 50

It’s raining 3-pointers in Indianapolis.

The Fever started the game 14-20 from the field and shot 71.4% from the 3-point line, knocking down 10-of-14 shots from beyond the arc. Fever guard Lexie Hull is up to 18 points in 18 minutes (3-of-5 3PT), surpassing her previous season-high of 17 points. She’s closing in on her career-high off 22 points scored against the Seattle Storm in 2024. Kelsey Mitchell (3-of-4 3PT) added 13 points and three assists.

Despite the Fever’s barrage of 3-pointers, the Lynx only trail by two heading into halftime. Minnesota, who is coming off a 75-73 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Thursday, isn’t playing bad by any means. The Lynx are shooting 54.1% from the field and 5-of-11 from the 3-point line and have been able to hang with the Fever on second-chance points. The Lynx had 22 rebounds (7 offensive) in the first half, compared to the Fever’s 14 (1 offensive).

Lynx guard Kayla McBride has a team-high 16 points (3-of-4 3PT), while center Jessica Shepard is on triple-double watch already with 11 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Minnesota guard Courtney Williams got off to a rough start and was held scoreless, going 0-of-4 from the field and 0-of-2 from 3 so far.

End of Q1: Fever 27, Lynx 22

The Fever led the Lynx by as many as nine points in the first quarter, but Minnesota cut its deficit to five points heading into the second quarter. Fever guard Lexie Hull came out on a mission on Friday, scoring 11 of the Fever’s 27 first-quarter points. The Fever are shooting 64.3% from the field and 71.4% from the 3-point line.

The Lynx collectively shot 58.8% from the field, but Minnesota gave up seven points on four turnovers, which marks the difference in the game. Center Jessica Shepard leads the Lynx with 10 points and three rebounds.

What time is Indiana Fever vs. Minnesota Lynx?

The Indiana Fever host the Minnesota Lynx in Indianapolis at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) on Friday, Aug. 22 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcast on ION.

How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Minnesota Lynx: TV, stream

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT)
• Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
• TV channel: ION
• Streaming: Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

Indiana Fever starting lineup

The Fever are sending guard Odyssey Sims, guard Kelsey Mitchell, guard Lexie Hull, forward Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston to the floor.

Is Caitlin Clark playing today?

Clark (right groin) was ruled out of Friday’s matchup against the Lynx, marking her 14th consecutive absence and 23rd missed game overall this season. Sydney Colson (left knee), Aari McDonald (right foot) and Sophie Cunningham (right knee) are all out with season-ending injuries. Chloe Bibby (left knee) was also ruled out.

Minnesota Lynx starting lineup

Forward Bridget Carleton, forward Alanna Smith, center Jessica Shepard, guard Kayla McBride and guard Courtney Williams will start for the Lynx on Friday.

Napheesa Collier ruled out

Collier was listed as questionable ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Fever due to her right ankle, but the MVP frontrunner was downgraded to out less than an hour before tipoff.

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