MILAN — This time there was only Malinin magic.

It was only an exhibition, mind you, not competition with medals and legacy at stake. But Ilia Malinin delivered. Like only a showman on ice skates can.

Two quads.

A backflip.

Balletic artistry, with street cred.

When the four-minute routine ended, the crowd rewarded Malinin with thunderous cheers at the ice skating exhibition gala.

‘This message and this program and song is something that really spoke to me. It really represented how I’ve been feeling the last year leading up to these Olympics,’ Malinin said. ‘There’s been so much pressure, so much doubt and everything around me, the noise with the media….It’s been so overwhelming.’

Watch Olympics figure skating on Peacock

During the gala on ice, there was a touch of sadness, seeing Malinin’s immense talent and artistry only days after an eighth-place finish on the free skate doomed him in the men’s individual competition.

‘With what happened, I’m still very, very grateful to be here and I want to show to the world we’re also human beings,’ he said.

During his performance at the exhibition, he oozed with confidence. The self-proclaimed ‘Quad God’ vaulted into the air for his signature quad spins. Not once, but twice, followed by the magical backflip.

He was dressed for the moment too. In a dark hoodie. In dark pants that looked painted white on the front and back.

Shaking his mane of sandy blond hair as he glided across the ice. Truly, it was a moment to behold and reminder of how much skill this 21-year-old American has — and what we might see in 2030, the next time he skates on the Olympic stage.

Los Angeles FC delivered a statement victory over reigning league champion Inter Miami in what might have been Major League Soccer’s most enticing season-opening game in the league’s 31-year history.

LAFC dominated Inter Miami, 3-0, in front of 75,673 fans at the historic L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 21. That attendance number marks the second-most ever for a standalone MLS game. With the victory, LAFC has won every season-opening game (9-0-0) in team history.

Instead of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion Lionel Messi delivering in the game’s pivotal moments, it was David Martinez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz who assured LAFC emerged with an impressive victory. Son Heung-min also played a huge role in the victory, assisting on the game’s opening goal.

The defending MLS Cup champions going down on the road against LAFC isn’t a total surprise … the Black and Gold — alongside Messi’s team — are considered a favorite to win MLS Cup this season. It was the matter in which Miami was defeated. LAFC dominated — outside of possession (63% for Inter Miami) — as Messi and Co. struggled to break down LAFC’s defense.

Both squads have a season of high expectations lying ahead. In addition to being considered top MLS Cup contenders, Inter Miami and LAFC are the league’s best hopes of winning Concacaf Champions Cup (something an MLS club hasn’t done since 2022), and will also take part in the Leagues Cup later this summer.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights for the LAFC-Inter Miami match:

LAFC vs. Inter Miami highlights

LAFC 3, Inter Miami 0: Nathan Ordaz seals the victory

Ordaz, the pride of Encino, secured an impressive season-opening win for LAFC over the defending MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami.

The stoppage-time goal gave LAFC an emphatic win at the historic L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

LAFC 2, Inter Miami 0: Denis Bouanga extends Los Angeles’ lead

Inter Miami had dominated for much of the second half, but LAFC can strike in an instant. That instant came in the 73rd minute when Denis Bouanga caught Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair in no-man’s land and put the ball in the back of the net to put LAFC up 2-0.

Germán Berterame nearly equalizes with diving header

Inter Miami’s high-priced newcomer came very close to scoring the tying goal on a diving header in the 63rd minute. However, the attempt flew wide right of goal and LAFC continues to hold onto a 1-0 lead.

Inter Miami, however, has been the more dangerous side during the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Inter Miami makes halftime player swap

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano made a tactical switch at intermission, replacing right back Ian Fray with Facundo Mura. This is Mura’s Inter Miami debut after joining the team in January from Racing Club in Argentina.

Lionel Messi just misses on shot on goal

Seven minutes into first-half stoppage time, Messi collected the ball just outside the 18-yard box and fired a shot that just missed the upper left corner of the goal mouth as LAFC’s Hugo Lloris dove in an attempt to block the shot.

It might have been Inter Miami’s best goal opportunity of the first half. LAFC enjoyed the better chances and it shows on the score line as the hosts lead, 1-0.

Maximiliano Falcón issued a yellow card

Three minutes into first-half stoppage time, Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón was shown a yellow card after leaping onto LAFC’s Timothy Tillman. It was the first yellow card of the game.

LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0: David Martinez scores after giveaway

Inter Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul lost possession at midfield and LAFC made the Herons pay for the bad giveaway.

Son Heung-min delivered a quick pass to David Martinez, who beat Dayne St. Clair for the game’s opening goal.

This is a big season for Martinez, a 20-year-old from Venezuela who’s entering his third season with LAFC.

Still scoreless after a half hour of play

Inter Miami has enjoyed more possession, LAFC has had more chances on goal.

Neither team has been able to break through for the game’s opening score.

Miami has a 58% possession edge, while LAFC has generated eight shots to Miami’s one. LAFC’s efforts also created four corner kicks.

Lionel Messi has yet to take a shot.

LAFC with first scoring chance

After Inter Miami dominated possession in the first few minutes at the Coliseum, LAFC had a breakaway chance in the sixth minute with Son Heung-min leading the charge. Son had to break off the attack and pass to Denis Bouanga, whose shot was saved by Dayne St. Clair.

The ensuing corner kick didn’t result in a scoring threat.

Score: LAFC 0, Inter Miami 0

How to watch LAFC vs Inter Miami

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Live stream: Apple TV
• Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Watch MLS games on Apple TV

Inter Miami starting 11: Lionel Messi, Germán Berterame in lineup

Two-time reigning league MVP Lionel Messi and high-priced newcomer Germán Berterame are in Inter Miami’s starting lineup for the showdown against LAFC at the Coliseum.

Dayne St. Clair, another big offseason acquisition for Miami, makes his debut with the team. St. Clair was MLS Goalkeeper of the Year last season with Minnesota United.

LAFC starting 11: Son Heung-Min anchors front line

LAFC is rolling out the same starting lineup that throttled Real España of Honduras, 6-1, in Concacaf Champions Cup play on Feb. 17.

In that match, Denis Bouanga had a hat trick, and Son Heung-Min scored on a penalty kick and had three assists. Son and Bouanga will need to be very active if LAFC looks to knock off the reigning league champions.

Who is Germán Berterame?

Germán Berterame, a 27-year-old forward, joined Inter Miami on a reported transfer fee of $15 million in January.

Berterame had previously played for Liga MX powerhouse Monterrey, scoring 68 goals in 153 appearances in all competitions over the course of four seasons with Los Rayados. Berterame, who was born in Argentina and began his professional career for Argentine club San Lorenzo, plays for the Mexican national team and made his international debut against the USMNT on Oct. 16, 2024.

Berterame occupies a designated player spot and is under contract through the 2028-29 MLS season with an option for 2029-30.

Lionel Messi injury update: Reigning two-time MVP to play vs. LAFC

Lionel Messi picked up a hamstring injury during the preseason, forcing the postponement of an Inter Miami friendly match in Puerto Rico.

On Friday, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Messi’s availability for the 2026 MLS season opener in Los Angeles.

‘Messi is good. He trained the whole week with the group and had a very good feeling,’ Mascherano said. ‘He comes in well, ready just like the rest of the team.’

Inter Miami posted a photo of Messi training inside BMO Stadium, home of LAFC.

Why is Inter Miami vs LAFC being played at the LA Coliseum?

The presence of Lionel Messi has made away matches for Inter Miami a hot ticket wherever the club travels. LAFC also has shown it can attract a huge crowd. Saturday’s LAFC-Inter Miami game could be one of the highest-attended standalone matches in the league’s history.

An LAFC match against El Tráfico rival LA Galaxy drew an MLS-record crowd of 82,110 at the Rose Bowl on July 4, 2023. On the Fourth of July the following year, LAFC defeated the LA Galaxy in front of 70,076 fans.

On April 13, 2024, Inter Miami’s visit to play Sporting Kansas City drew 72,610 fans to Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. That represents the third-highest attended standalone match in league history. Per ESPN, Messi also helped draw crowds of 60,000-plus for six matches and another six matches at 50,000-plus in attendance.

So much sports history at LA Coliseum

Built in 1923, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will become the first stadium to host three Summer Olympics when the city hosts the 2028 Games. It was also the centerpiece venue for the 1932 and 1984 Olympics.

The Coliseum serves as the regular home for the USC Trojans football team, but has also been the home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams (1946-1979 and 2016-2019) and Raiders (1982-1994). The Coliseum also hosted Super Bowl I — then referred to as the first AFL–NFL World Championship Game — as well as Super Bowl VII, which was won by the Miami Dolphins to complete their undefeated 1972 season.

The UCLA Bruins football team played at the Coliseum for more than five decades (1928-1981), including when Hall of Fame baseball player Jackie Robinson was star football and track and field athlete for UCLA, with games and meets taking place at the iconic venue.

On top of hosting international soccer matches and friendlies through the years, the Coliseum was briefly the home stadium for the Los Angeles Aztecs of the original NASL.

MLS schedule: Opening weekend games

(All games on Apple TV)

Saturday, Feb. 21

• St. Louis City SC 1, Charlotte FC 1
• FC Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 0
• D.C. United 1, Philadelphia Union 0
• New York Red Bulls 2, Orlando City SC 1
• Vancouver Whitecaps 1, Real Salt Lake 0
• Austin FC 2, Minnesota United 2
• FC Dallas 3, Toronto FC 2
• Houston Dynamo 2, Chicago Fire 1
• Nashville SC 4, New England Revolution 1
• Los Angeles FC 3, Inter Miami 0
• Portland Timbers 3, Columbus Crew 2
• San Diego FC 5, CF Montreal 0
• San Jose Earthquakes 3, Sporting Kansas City 0

Sunday, Feb. 22

• LA Galaxy vs. New York City FC, 7 p.m. ET
• Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids, 9:15 p.m. ET (FS1)

MLS 2026 season predictions

Can Lionel Messi lead Inter Miami to consecutive league championships, thus becoming the first repeat MLS Cup winner since the Los Angeles Galaxy did it in 2011-12? Which teams are the top contenders to displace Miami’s station atop the league? Who will win league MVP honors? Which player will score the most goals and claim the Golden Boot?

MLS championship odds

According to BetMGM, Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC are the favorites to win the 2026 league championship:

• Inter Miami: +400
• Los Angeles FC: +600
• San Diego FC: +900
• Vancouver Whitecaps: +900
• Philadelphia Union: +1400
• FC Cincinnati: +1400
• New York City FC: +1800
• LA Galaxy: +1800
• Seattle Sounders: +1800
• Columbus Crew: +1800

Which MLS clubs are in Concacaf Champions Cup?

Both Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC are among the nine MLS teams taking part in this year’s edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup, the top club competition for North, Central America, and the Caribbean.

While Inter Miami (along with the Seattle Sounders) earned byes into the Round of 16, LAFC already played its first game, earning a resounding 6-1 win over Real España of Honduras on Feb. 17. LAFC — a two-time runner-up in the competition (2020 and 2023) — hosts Leg 2 at BMO Stadium on Feb. 24.

MLS clubs in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup tournament are:

• FC Cincinnati (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings)
• Inter Miami (2025 MLS Cup winner)
• LA Galaxy (2025 Leagues Cup third-place finisher)
• Los Angeles FC (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings)
• Nashville SC (2025 U.S. Open Cup winner)
• Philadelphia Union (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield winner)
• San Diego FC (2025 MLS Western Conference regular-season winner)
• Seattle Sounders (2025 League Cup winner)
• Vancouver Whitecaps (2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings)

Inter Miami 2026 schedule

(All games on Apple TV unless otherwise noted)

• Feb. 21 – at Los Angeles FC (L.A. Memorial Coliseum), 9:30 p.m. ET
• March 1 – at Orlando City SC, 7 p.m. ET
• March 7 – at D.C. United, 4:30 p.m. ET
• March 14 – at Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• March 18 – Concacaf Champions Cup vs. TBD (Inter Miami CF Stadium), 7 p.m. ET (FS2, TUDN)
• March 22 – at New York City FC, 1 p.m. ET
• April 4 – vs. Austin FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• April 11 – vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET
• April 18 – at Colorado Rapids, 4:30 p.m. ET
• April 22 – at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. ET
• April 25 – vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. ET
• May 2 – vs. Orlando City SC, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
• May 9 – at Toronto FC, 1 p.m. ET
• May 13 – at FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ET
• May 17 – vs. Portland Timbers, 6 p.m. ET
• May 24 – vs. Philadelphia Union, 7 p.m. ET (FOX)
• July 22 – vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET
• July 25 – at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 1 – vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 15 – at Nashville SC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 19 – at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 22 – vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 29 – vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 5 – vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 9 – at Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 12 – vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 20 – vs. San Diego FC, 7 p.m. ET
• Sept. 27 – at Columbus Crew, 7 p.m. ET
• Oct. 10 – vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 14 – vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 17 – at Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 24 – at New York Red Bulls, 4:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 28 – vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Nov. 1 – at New England Revolution, 7 p.m. ET
• Nov. 7 – vs. Charlotte FC, 4 p.m. ET

LAFC 2026 schedule

(All games on Apple TV unless otherwise noted)

• Feb. 17 – Concacaf Champions Cup: LAFC 6, Real España 1
• Feb. 21 – vs. Inter Miami (L.A. Memorial Coliseum), 9:30 p.m. ET
• Feb. 24 – Concacaf Champions Cup vs. Real España, 10 p.m. ET (FS2, TUDN)
• Feb. 28 – at Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m. ET
• March 7 – vs. FC Dallas, 10:30 p.m. ET
• March 14 – vs. St. Louis City SC, 10:30 p.m. ET
• March 21 – at Austin FC, 8:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
• April 4 – vs. Orlando City SC, 9:30 p.m. ET
• April 11 – at Portland Timbers, 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
• April 19 – vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 7 p.m. ET
• April 22 – vs. Colorado Rapids, 10:30 p.m. ET
• April 25 – at Minnesota United, 1:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
• May 2 – at San Diego FC, 9:30 p.m. ET
• May 6 – at New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• May 10 – vs. Houston Dynamo, 9 p.m. ET
• May 13 – at St. Louis City SC, 8:30 p.m. ET
• May 17 – at Nashville SC, 8 p.m. ET
• May 24 – vs. Seattle Sounders, 9 p.m. ET (FOX)
• July 17 – at LA Galaxy, 10:45 p.m. ET (FS1)
• July 22 – vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
• July 25 – vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 1 – at Vancouver Whitecaps, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 15 – vs. San Diego FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 19 – at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 22 – vs. Portland Timbers, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 29 – at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 5 – at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 9 – vs. New York Red Bulls, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 12 – at Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 19 – at San Jose Earthquakes, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 26 – at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 10 – vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 14 – vs. Austin FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 25 – vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m. ET
• Oct. 31 – vs. Minnesota United, 5 p.m. ET
• Nov. 7 – at Seattle Sounders, 7 p.m. ET

Ryan Garcia produced a dominant performance against Mario Barrios in a WBC welterweight title fight on Saturday, Feb. 21 in Las Vegas.

It’s the first major championship victory of Garcia’s career. He brought the crowd to their feet early in the fight, knocking Barrios down with a right hand during the first 30 seconds of the opening round.

The new championship mentioned in his post-fight interview that he thinks he should’ve had the knockout at some point during the fight but hurt his hand.

The fight was considered a critical one for Garcia, after losing his last fight against Rolando Romero. Garcia had just one victory in his last four fights.

Garcia improves to a 25-2-0 record. Barrios falls 29-3-2 record. His most recent loss took place back in Feb. 2022 in a unanimous decision to Keith Thurman.

Garcia called out Shakur Stevenson, who was in attendance for the fight, after the victory.

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios highlights

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios results

Round 12: Garcia and Barrios go the distance, but the fight was never in doubt. The challenger just outboxed the champion from beginning to end.

Round 11: Garcia has slowed down but still looked good enough to win every round so far.

Round 10: Garcia delivered a successful combination, including a shot that may have broken Barrios’ nose. The doctor looked at Barrios again, but the champion will fight in the 11th round.

Round 9: Barrios still hasn’t shown enough to earn a round so far tonight. Doctors are taking a look at Barrios after the round.

Round 8: Barrios had a better showing in the round, but still not enough to take it from Garcia. There’s a level of frustration being shown by Barrios.

Round 7: The champion still doesn’t have an answer for Garcia’s right hand. Garcia landed another strong right early in the round before following it up with another flurry of shots.

Round 6: Garcia delivers a body shot that appeared to knock Barrios down, but it’s not ruled a knockdown. The fighters’ feet may have tangled up there.

Round 5: Barrios continues to show his toughness as Garcia delivers the punishment. Barrios’ legs got a bit woozy after taking a right-handed shot to the head.

Round 4: Garcia set the pace early with fast combinations. He’s having a lot of success with the right hand tonight against Barrios.

Round 3: Garcia continues to deliver through the third round. Barrios is certainly taking damage. Barrios doesn’t have an answer for Garcia’s speed.

Round 2: Garcia managed to win the second round. Garcia’s speed has clearly worked to his advantage early against Barrios. The challenger has looked strong through the first two rounds.

Round 1: Garcia delivered a right hand to the top of Barrios’s forehead to knock him down within the first 30 seconds of the opening round. Barrios was in trouble early but managed to survive the first round.

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios: Time, PPV, streaming for fight

Ryan Garcia will face Mario Barrios on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios main event ringwalks: 11:50 p.m. ET (estimate)
• Stream: DAZN

Watch Garcia vs Barrios fight with DAZN

Gary Antuanne Russell def. Andy Hiraoka results

Russell got the best of Hiraoka in the opening round of the WBA super lightweight title fight.

Both fighters exchanged jabs to start the fourth round, but it was Russell who continued to take a majority of the early rounds.

Hiraoka began to target Russell’s body in the later rounds of the fight to close the gap.

In the 10th round, Russell had a point deducted after hitting Hiraoka below the belt.

Russell earned the unanimous decision victory over Hiraoka (117-110, 116-111, 116-111) to retain the WBA super lightweight title.

Mario Barrios arrives for main event fight

Barrios arrives at T-Mobile Arena for the main event fight.

Draw: Frank Martin-Nahir Albright

Martin managed to get the best of Nahir Albright in the opening round, despite Albright’s effort to push Martin early.

Martin rocked Albright with a left hand at the end of the fifth round. Martin continued to be the be agressive, starting the sixth round with a flurry of shots.

Martin has been in complete control throughout the night. Albright put together some good rounds to finish out the fight. The officials all scored the final a draw with a 95-95 score.

Bektemir Melikuziev def. Sena Agbeko

Melikuziev earned the victory in the seventh round of the fight. He delivered a left hand to the face of Agbeko to drop him on the mat. Agbeko managed to get back up and got clearance to continue from the official.

Melikuziev walked back over and delivered one more punch straight to the face of Agbeko, forcing the official to stop the fight.

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios: Prelims results

Super featherweight: Mohammed Alakel def. David Calabro (second-round KO)

Heavyweight: Joshua Edwards def. Brandon Colantonio via unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)

Super lightweight: Richardson Hitchins was unable to fight due to illness. His IBF title fight with Oscar Duarte was cancelled.

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios: Full fight card

• Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia: WBC welterweight title
• Richardson Hitchins vs. Oscar Duarte: IBF super lightweight title
• Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka: WBA super lightweight title
• Frank Martin vs. Nahir Albright: Super lightweight
• Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Sena Agbeko: Super middleweight

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios odds

All odds are for moneyline bets as of Saturday, via BetMGM

• Ryan Garcia (-225) vs. Mario Barrios (+170): WBC welterweight title

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios full fight card odds

All odds are for moneyline bets as of Saturday, via BetMGM

• Ryan Garcia (-225) vs. Mario Barrios (+170): WBC welterweight title
• Richardson Hitchins (-500) vs. Oscar Duarte (+333): IBF super lightweight title
• Gary Antuanne Russell (-325) vs. Andy Hiraoka (+240): WBA super lightweight title
• Frank Martin (-350) vs. Nahir Albright (+250): Super lightweight
• Bektemir Melikuziev (-1400) vs. Sena Agbeko (+600): Super middleweight

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios predictions

USA TODAY: Garcia by KO

Josh Peter writes: ‘This is a critical fight for Ryan Garcia, coming off a disappointing loss to Rolly Romero in May and a victory over Devin Haney in 2024 that was tainted by a positive drug to test. Generally speaking, it’s wise to disregard training camp footage as a sign of a fighter’s preparedness. (Case in point: Mike Tyson’s convincing video clips released before the Jake Paul fight.) But Garcia has looked strong and fast, and Mario Barrios, well, he barely held off a 46-year-old Manny Pacquaio in July. Granted, Pacquiao’s fighting style remains confounding. But the 27-year-old Garcia is stronger and more dangerous than Pacquiao. Wouldn’t be shocked to see Garcia get knocked down. But will be shocked if he’s not the last man standing. Prediction: Garcia by KO, Round 9.’

ESPN: Garcia wins

Teddy Atlas for ESPN writes, ‘I think Garcia wins. If he shows up as a mess mentally, then Barrios could be more consistent, more deliberate, more dependable. And that could be enough. His experience and his dependability, his heart, maybe that’s enough to get him across the finish line. But I think that if Garcia is halfway together or a little more than halfway together mentally, I think he wins. I think Garcia has got a chance to hurt Barrios.’

Sporting News: Garcia via unanimous decision

Daniel Yanofsky writes, ‘There is one thing to wonder: Which Garcia will show up? Barrios can give Garcia some issues early on if the latter isn’t 100% physically and mentally. Providing pressure will be key for Barrios. One has to think Garcia, who hasn’t officially won a fight since 2023, understands the stakes here. Garcia should go for the knockout, but the bout going the distance might make sense.’

Ryan Garcia’s career record

Ryan Garcia comes into Saturday’s fight with a 24-2-0 record, having lost to Rolando Romero last May by unanimous decision and to Gervonta Davis in 2023 by knockout.

Mario Barrios’ career record

Mario Barrios comes into his fight with Garcia holding a 29-2-2 record. His most recent loss took place back in Feb. 2022 in a unanimous decision to Keith Thurman.

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios main card, ring walk start times

• Main card start time: 8 p.m. ET
• Main event ring walks: 11:50 p.m. ET (approximate)

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios live stream, price

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios will stream exclusively on DAZN for $69.99.

The women’s short-track speed skating quarterfinals were briefly paused at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday after Kamila Sellier of Poland suffered a scary injury after an opponent’s blade sliced her face during a fall.

Sellier led the pack with nine laps to go in the sixth quarterfinal heat of the 1,500-meter race on Friday before she was passed by Italy’s Arianna Fontana. As racers jockeyed for positioning with six laps remaining, Sellier lost her footing on a turn and crashed. The blade of American Kristen Santos-Griswold sliced Sellier above her left eye during the crash. Fontana and Santos-Griswold also went down; the race was stopped due to injury.

Sellier, who is ranked No. 20 in the world, remained down on the ice for several minutes and officials brought out a white sheet to shield her as she was tended to. Sellier was eventually placed on a stretcher and wheeled out of Milano Skating Arena to an applause by the crowd and she was taken to a hospital for further medical attention.

Sellier received stitches above her eye in the arena, according to The Associated Press. USA TODAY Sports reached out to the Polish Olympic Committee for comment.

Racers typically wear helmets that don’t have a face shield, instead opting for protective eye wear. Sellier’s glasses, however, were knocked off by the impact of the collision with Santos-Griswold’s blade.

Santos-Griswold was penalized for an illegal lane pass that led to the incident and didn’t advance to the semifinals, effectively ending her Olympic campaign without a podium finish. She appeared to be confused when informed by a referee and fought back tears before putting on her blade guards and exiting the ice.

American Corinne Stoddard went on to win bronze in the 1,500-meter race on Friday. Korea’s Kim Gilli took gold, while Korea’s Choi Minjeong took silver.

At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Santos-Griswold was in medal contention in the 1,000-meter race when she was bumped by an opponent and fell. She finished just off the podium in fourth place and contemplated retirement. Santos-Griswold, 31, came back strong and won five medals at the 2024 World Championships, including a 1,000-meter gold, to become the first U.S. skater to win medals at three individual distances (500m, 1,000m, 1,500m) at one world competition. She won her first Crystal Globe for the 2024-25 season, which is awarded to the best overall skater.

Meet Team USA 2026: Get to know the athletes behind the games

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin are in a wild online spat.

‘Have y’all ever heard of a football coach, tagging a WBB coach, after a game?’ McPhee-McCuin posted to X on Friday. ‘This guy doesn’t even like women’s sports! Cope harder! #GoldingEra’

Without naming anyone, McPhee-McCuin’s tweet seemed to take issue with the Rebels former football coach while also supporting the current one, Pete Golding.

In the quotes of McPhee-McCuin’s tweet, was Kiffin, the previous head coach of Ole Miss football. Kiffin left Mississippi earlier for LSU. In response to the Rebels women’s basketball coach, Kiffin posted a photo of himself holding hands with LSU’s women’s basketball coach, Kim Mulkey and throwing a pitch at a softball game.

‘Not true,’ Kiffin said. ‘Love women’s sports.’

However, the exchange between the pair wasn’t the only one over the past week.

Here’s how Kiffin and McPhee-McCuin arrived at this strange online beef.

Why is Lane Kiffin tweeting Ole Miss women’s basketball coach?

After beating Tennessee at home on Tuesday, Feb. 17, McPhee-McCuin told the media she was disappointed with the fan turnout for the game.

‘We had a good amount of fans tonight. I was expecting a little bit more. I’m gonna be completely honest. We need more support,’ McPhee-McCuin said.

‘We’re gonna need you on Thursday (Feb. 19), when we go up against No. 7 LSU, who had a chance to go to Mardi Gras tonight, while we fought for 40 minutes. So, the only thing that’s gone help us get through that game is the crown support because it matters.’

On the day of the LSU-Ole Miss matchup, Kiffin responded to McPhee-McCuin.

‘Don’t worry it will be #justdifferent tonight @YolettMcCuin,’ the LSU football coach said. ‘They will show up for @LSUwbkb game.’

Then, the trolling began.

Ole Miss lost 87-70 to LSU at home after a putrid fourth quarter. The Rebels didn’t score a single field goal in the period (0-for-17) and the seven points they did have came from free throw attempts. After the game, LSU’s Bella Hines, Amiya Joyner and Kate Koval seemingly trolled Ole Miss with cutouts of Kiffin.

‘BTA ⁦@LSUwbkb,’ Kiffin tweeted along with a photo of the trio. (‘BTA’ is an acronym that stands for ‘belt to ass.’)

However, Kiffin wasn’t done. He tagged Ole Miss’s coach in seperate tweet with a photo (see below) of LSU fans holding the cutouts.

‘Thanks for helping out the attendance,’ Kiffin said. ‘@YollettMcCuin was begging for @LSUwbkb. Glad they showed up. Great competitive game early ladies!!! #justdifferent’

Kiffin has since deleted the tweet.

What did Ole Miss coach say to Lane Kiffin?

After being tagged by Kiffin, McPhee-McCuin responded with her own tweet calling out the LSU football coach. ‘Have y’all ever heard of a football coach, tagging a WBB coach, after a game?’ she said. ‘This guy doesn’t even like women’s sports!’

The Ole Miss coach then followed with a post supporting the Rebels football coach, Golding, while seemingly taking a shot at the ongoing saga with Kiffin.

‘Looking [forward] to supporting our coach that has won a CFP game in the fall!’ McPhee-McCuin posted. ‘Let’s say goodbye to the past Rebs, just like I did after this!’

Is there still beef between Kiffin and Ole Miss coach?

Following the video of Golding, McPhee-McCuin seemingly sent a warning to Kiffin.

‘He woke up tweeting me and he knows I have the files so he should stop while ahead,’ She said to a fan.

Kiffin later responded with a milder tone to McPhee-McCuin.

This story will be updated with any further developments.

MILAN — Lindsey Vonn says her latest surgery went well and she hopes to be out of the hospital soon.

The surgery Wednesday, Feb. 18, took a little over six hours and photos of her left leg show more than a dozen screws. Vonn suffered a complex tibial fracture in a crash in the Olympic downhill Feb. 8.

‘As you can see, it required a lot of plates and screws to put back together but Dr Hackett did an incredible job,’ Vonn wrote on Instagram, referring to her longtime orthopedic surgeon, Tom Hackett.

‘With the extent of the trauma, I’ve been struggling a bit post op and have not yet been able to be discharged from the hospital just yet,’ she added. ‘Almost there. Baby steps.’

Vonn also posted a photo of her being wheeled into surgery, her fifth since the crash. She gave a victory sign and a fist pump, and she’s holding the stuffed shark she received when she was in the hospital in Italy.

Vonn was hospitalized in Italy for eight days before returning to the United States earlier this week.

What happened to Lindsey Vonn?

Vonn hooked the fourth gate with her right arm, which sent her spinning and hurtling into the hard, packed snow. She tumbled end over end several times before coming to a stop.

‘Things just happen so quick in this sport,’ U.S. teammate Bella Wright said after the race. ‘It looked like Lindsey had incredible speed out of that turn, and she hooked her arm and it’s just over just like that.’

The three-time Olympic medalist remained prone in the snow, and she could be heard wailing in pain. The gasps and groans from fans faded into shocked silence as medics worked on her. Vonn remained on the course for approximately 13 minutes before being loaded into a helicopter.

What is Lindsey Vonn’s injury?

In an Instagram post on Feb. 9, Vonn shared the news she suffered a complex tibia fracture that will require multiple surgeries. The 41-year-old updated fans on Feb. 11 after a third surgery in Italy and included some gruesome photos of her progress. Upon returning to the United States on Feb. 17, Vonn shared that her injury was ‘a lot more sever than just a broken leg.’

‘I’m still wrapping my head around it, what it means and the road ahead,’ Vonn wrote. ‘But I’m going to give you more detail in the coming days.”

A tibia fracture is a break in the shin bone that requires immediate emergent treatment. ‘Your tibias are some of the strongest bones in your body. It usually takes a lot of force to break one,’ according to the Cleveland Clinic. ‘You probably won’t be able to stand, walk or put weight on your leg if you have a broken shin bone.’

A complex fracture involves multiple breaks in a bone and damaged soft tissue, according Yale Medicine. Symptoms include extreme pain, numbness and, sometimes, a bone that protrudes through the skin. Treatment involves stabilization and surgery.

Lindsey Vonn crash video

NBC broadcasts the Olympics and posted video of Vonn’s crash.

USA TODAY Sports’ Samantha Cardona-Norberg breaks down Linsdey Vonn’s crash just after it happened.

Fans went silent as soon as Vonn crash, reacting with shock, grief and later support as the helicopter lifted her into the sky. USA TODAY Sports talked to some fans after the crash.

Is Lindsey Vonn OK?

Vonn was in obvious pain after the crash, but she was moving her arms, head and neck.

About 18 minutes after the crash, the helicopter slowly began flying toward Cortina. ‘Let’s let Lindsey Vonn hear us!’ the American announcer said as the chopper flew away with her, and the crowd cheered and applauded.

Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow was at the course for the downhill and spoke to NBC reporters during their live broadcast: ‘I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay. And it was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign,’ Kildow said. ‘But she really … She just dared greatly and she put it all out there. So it’s really hard to see, but we just really hope she’s OK.

‘She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I’m sure they’ll give us a report and we’ll meet her at whatever hospital she’s at.’

Lindsey Vonn torn ACL

It was second time in as many weeks Vonn left a mountaintop on a chopper. She fully ruptured her left ACL, sustaining meniscus damage and bone bruising, in a downhill crash on Jan. 30, in the final World Cup event prior to the start of the Olympics.

Vonn is also skiing with a partial replacement of her right knee. She had dominated the sport before the crash, making the podium in all five downhill races this season and winning two of them.

Despite the latest injury, Vonn was determined to race at her fifth and final Olympics. She said her knee felt stable and strong, and she had spent the last week doing intense rehab, pool workouts, weight lifting and plyometrics. She skied both training runs, posting the third-fastest time in the second run before it was canceled because of fog and snow.

Vonn is 41 and was skiing in her fifth Winter Olympics (2002, 2006, 2010, 2018, 2026). She has won three Olympic medals (1 gold, 2 bronze).

MILAN — Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” blasted on the speakers at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan ahead of the gold-medal game between the U.S. women’s national hockey team and Canada.

“I got a feelin’ that tonight’s gonna be a good night,” musician Will.i.am sang on the track. The song served as a premonition for what was to come: USA captain Hilary Knight had a good night, indeed.

The five-time Olympian scored a late equalizer to send the game to overtime, where Megan Keller’s sudden-death goal lifted the Americans to the top of the podium for the first time since 2018. Knight’s goal not only kept the Americans’ hopes alive, it also established a new all-time U.S. Olympic record in points (33) and goals (15).

Knight, the first American hockey player, male or female, to win five Olympic medals, announced the 2026 Winter Games would be her last, but the 36-year-old proved her final Olympic lap was far from a swan song.

‘Hilary always goes out with a bang,’ Kendall Coyne Schofield said, referring to Knight’s whirlwind week filled with a marriage proposal to Brittany Bowe and a gold medal. ‘I mean you can’t script it any better.’

Knight is not your typical superstar. She doesn’t like to bask in the limelight and would prefer if it weren’t on her at all. When Knight scored her 14th career Olympic goal in Team USA’s 5-0 win over Finland on Feb. 7, she had ‘no idea’ she tied the U.S. Olympic all-time scoring record held by Natalie Darwitz and Katie King.

While Knight noted it’s ‘super special’ to be mentioned among legendary players like Darwitz and King, she said the goal was no less special than every other she’s scored along the way. And Knight has done plenty of that.

‘I just love scoring and the pure elation of finding the back of the net and putting our team in a better position than we were before,’ added Knight. ‘It’s just a little kid moment. … It’s pure excitement and it’s fun to celebrate.”

Although Knight herself couldn’t care less about adding yet another record to her resume, some began to wonder if she would reach the points and scoring record before her Olympic career ended. Team USA crushed Italy and Sweden in the quarterfinal and semifinals, respectively, but Knight didn’t get on the score sheet in either game.

But leave it to Knight to step up when Team USA needed her most. With their backs against the wall and the clock ticking down on their dreams, Knight tipped in a goal with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.

When asked what went through her head after scoring, Knight recalled, ‘We’re going to win the game. It was just that simple. Obviously we peppered their goaltender a lot and picked up momentum throughout the game, but you never want to run out of time, especially with a great team. So to find the back of the net, I was like, here we go, this is ours. … It’s a special feeling. It’s a rare feeling, but you get that feeling with this group.’ 

Lee Stecklein said it was the ‘perfect way for her to break (the record).’ Stecklein added, ‘She’s the best player of all time. To score goals like that as consistently as she did… it’s just a classic Hilary Knight.’

It’s also typical Knight fashion to quickly shift the spotlight off her personal accolades onto what matters most: her teammates. That’s what has kept her playing for two decades.

‘I didn’t want to put more pressure on us leading into… this tournament by saying we’re the best hockey team in the world. I truly felt that at every single step,’ Knight said. ‘This was a testament to our preparation and the togetherness and the love and the family environment that we created in that room that we’re willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done and do it for one another.’

Knight has influenced an entire generation of players throughout her career, many of whom are now her teammates who will carry on the legacy of the U.S. national team when she’s gone. First-time Olympian Haley Winn recalls taking a photo with Knight in upstate New York at a hockey camp when she was younger.

‘Obviously she’s someone a lot of us have looked up to since we were little,’ said Winn, who scored her first Olympic goal in USA’s win over Switzerland on Feb. 9. ‘I know I have a picture with her from when I was probably seven or eight, so to be able to play on a team with her, obviously it leaves you kind of speechless.’

Winn isn’t the only one. Tessa Janecke, Laila Edwards, Hannah Bilka and Caroline Harvey all idolized Knight in their youth. It was Edwards who assisted Knight’s historic goal on Thursday, alongside Keller.

‘It’s unbelievable. It just seemed to be a very small part of what Hilary’s accomplished,’ Edwards said. ‘I’m so honored and to learn from her every day, it’s just been such a blessing.’

Knight doesn’t have to say too much to lead. Her coaches and teammates describe her as a ‘silent force,’ who leads by example, as cliche as that may sound. ‘Her actions mean everything,’ added Taylor Heise, who said she just likes to sit and observe how Knight operates on a daily basis, ‘as weird as that sounds.’

‘She knows how to bring a group together, like ‘Let’s go and fight and we’re going to go to the end,’ and it’s inspiring to be around. She’s an amazing human being,’ said U.S. women’s hockey coach John Wroblewski, who was brought to tears after the gold-medal win. ‘(Knight) needs her teammates and I think that she’s as cognizant of that as anybody can imagine.’

Knight scored two goals in as many games to open Olympic play. Her first came in the second period of USA’s 5-1 win over Czechia on Feb. 5 to become the third player to score in five different Olympics, joining Canadians Jayna Hefford and Hayley Wickenheiser. Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin later joined the list and surpassed Wickenheiser (18) as the all-time leading women’s Olympic scorer with 20 goals.

Knight again found the back of the net in the second period against Finland on Feb. 7, which was all the more impressive considering the veteran left the ice in the first period with an apparent injury.

Finland forward Ida Kuoppala collided with Knight’s left leg right in front of the U.S. bench as Knight possessed the puck with 4:28 remaining in the first period. Knight’s left leg buckled and she immediately fell down to the ice, where she withered in pain. She went right off the ice and didn’t return with the starting line the remainder of the first period as she received medical attention on the bench.

‘When we saw her kind of roll over and got hurt a little bit, (it) almost brought me to tears on the bench,’ Heise recalled. ‘(Knight) is such a resilient player and she worked so hard and you could see her when she got in the locker room, it didn’t phase her. Straight to the trainer and did what she needed to do and figured it out.’

Knight recorded two assists in USA’s 5-0 shutout of Switzerland on Feb. 9, in addition to an assist in the team’s 5-0 win over Canada on Feb. 10. She finished with six points in the tournament.

‘She’s the best player in the world,’ Heise added.

Her performance was so good that many questioned whether Knight should retire or run it back.

Heise said she’s ‘never going to count (Knight) out,’ while Coyne Schofield added, ‘I don’t put anything past Hilary Knight. Whatever goals in her head, she’s going to accomplish it.’

She accomplished her goal of winning a gold medal and even dished out a silver engagement ring to her fiancée, U.S. speed skater Brittany Bowe, all in the span of 48 hours.

‘This is my last Games and I’ve had a heck of a week personally, so it’s been an incredible ride and I have to soak this all in because this room is just so special,’ Knight said. ‘This team is so special. This is the best U.S. hockey team I’ve ever been a part of and that is just so tremendous.’

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The growth of women’s hockey since it was added as an Olympic sport in at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, has been exponential.

That popularity showed up in the ratings for the women’s gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 19. Team USA’s overtime victory against rival Canada was the most-watched women’s hockey game on record, according to NBC. It averaged 5.3 million viewers with an audience peak of 7.7 million viewers in overtime on USA and Peacock.

Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime, marking the Americans’ first Olympic gold medal since the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, which they won in a shootout. Team USA trailed much of the game, before Hilary Knight scored an equalizer with less than three minutes remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime.

“There was no way we were losing this game,’ Knight said. ‘That’s all. Simple as that. We had some awesome heavy hitters on the ice. I knew we were going to get possession, so I just had to find a place in front of the net.’

‘When Meg (Keller) pulled her move, I knew we had it immediately,’ Knight said.

Team USA has appeared in all but one gold medal game since 1998 — each time facing off against the Canadians. The Americans now have three golds.

‘The greatest rivalry in all sport for that reason, every game is tight,’ said Canadian defender Renata Fast, who assisted on Canada’s lone goal. ‘We knew that coming in every single battle, every single play is so important because the game is that close against this matchup. So this is the exact game we expected today, and obviously we just didn’t come out the way we wanted to.’

The next generation of the rivalry is in training. Women’s hockey has grown by leaps and bounds since 2000, as one of the fastest-growing youth sports in North America. USA Hockey reports that girls’ and women’s participation has surged 65% over the past 15 seasons.