(Phil Walter / Getty Images)
World Cup live blog
Chile leads Australia, 2-0. Earlier today, the Netherlands dismantled Spain, 5-1, and Mexico defeated Cameroon, 1-0.
Netherlands thrashes Spain
The Netherlands avenges a loss in the 2010 World Cup final with a second-half onslaught.
In praise of LeBron James
COLUMN | Those who revile the Miami Heat star are misguided, for they fail to see all the good he has done for the NBA.
The player chase
THE GRIND | Travel is nonstop as baseball scouts scour high school and college ballparks for talent.
Greatness reigns
2014 SPRING ALL-MET | Meet the area’s best spring sports athletes in baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, track & field, tennis, rowing, golf and gymnastics.
Gio Gonzalez to return next week, Xavier Cedeno recalled in the meantime
The left-handed reliever will be with the Nationals for, at least, the weekend as an extra arm in the bullpen.
Mustangs near another title
GIRLS’ SOCCER | Claire Trevisan scores in the opening minute as George Mason routs Graham, 10-0, in a state semifinal.
D.C. tops TV markets for World Cup opener
Washington edged Boston, South Florida, Los Angeles and New York in ESPN ratings of Brazil vs. Croatia.
Netherlands thrashes Spain
The Netherlands avenges a loss in the 2010 World Cup final with a second-half onslaught.
Spain vs. Netherlands, plus the rest of Friday’s games at the 2014 World Cup
A stunning rout in a rematch of the 2010 final highlights the World Cup’s second day.
Three numbers for Chris Singleton’s 2013-14 season
After starting 62 games during his first two years, Wizards forward was limited to just 25 game appearances this past season.
In last start, Reed lifts Vikings to final
BASEBALL | Will Reed pitches into the seventh inning as Loudoun Valley beats William Byrd, 3-1, to advance to its first Virginia state final since 1972.
D.C. clears USOC’s first hurdle
Dallas and San Diego are pared from cities hopeful of getting USOC bid to host 2024 Summer Games.
In praise of LeBron James
COLUMN | Those who revile the Miami Heat star are misguided, for they fail to see all the good he has done for the NBA.
Today’s Nationals-Cardinals lineups
Danny Espinosa is back in the starting lineup and Jordan Zimmermann faces a team that has beaten him worse than any other.
Chris Singleton season in review: Time likely up with Wizards
While the Wizards tried moving him to power forward, Singleton saw himself as a small forward on a team backloaded at that position.
Drew Gooden, Al Harrington, Garrett Temple at Sportscaster U.
Three Wizards teammates went to Syracuse together to study sports broadcasting.
The player chase
THE GRIND | Travel is nonstop as baseball scouts scour high school and college ballparks for talent.
MLB offers peek at new tracking technology for defense
Major League Baseball seeks to provide complete and reliable measurements of every play on the field
Moreno, Raiders reach the final
BOYS’ SOCCER | James Moreno scores his 29th and 30th goals of the season as Loudoun County wins in the Virginia 4A state semifinals.
With the World Cup finally underway,
U.S. players ‘can all feel it now’
The U.S. national soccer team packed their bags for Natal ahead of Monday’s opener against Ghana.
Who has the best chance to win the AL Central?
All five teams have 30 wins or more and are separated by just four games top to bottom.
No timetable for Redskins’ Hankerson to practice.
Wide receiver working his way back from knee surgery in November.
What should the New Jersey Devils’ new director of analytics fix first?
For one, the Devils desperately need to generate more scoring chances.
Wizards’ Trevor Booker teases John Wall after throwing ceremonial first pitch
Back in South Carolina to host a youth basketball camp, Booker throws a strike at Greenville Drive minor league game.
World Cup Group D is full of traditional powers
The great Italians, the perpetually quite good but still disappointing England and consistently competitive two-time champions Uruguay will likely contend for the two knockout-round spots
St. John’s Simon has impressive showing at Perfect Game Northeast Showcase
St. John’s sophomore outfielder/catcher Josh Simon turned heads at the Perfect Game Northeast Showcase
New World Cup ball should be loved by goalkeepers, less loved by strikers
Brazuca’s bumps will reduce knuckling tendencies on kicks with little to no spin
Russ Grimm: ‘Redskins’ is not derogatory
Redskins Hall of Famer strongly backs the team’s name, while Mike Tyson says even kids know it’s derogatory.
Don’t blame LeBron James
FANCY STATS | James has been the most valuable player in the postseason, on any team.
Treinen leaves an impression
Blake Treinen will head back to the minors, but he left the Nationals convinced he’ll be back.
Where does LeBron James go from here, with Heat’s Big Three era waning?
Spurs are on the brink of closing out Miami’s championship run, ushering in a big decision for James.
Coaches still have high hopes for Rambo
Despite a rookie campaign that saw him struggle mightily and the addition of veterans that play his position, the Redskins remain hopeful that safety Bacarri Rambo will develop into an impact player.
‘Heavyweights’ irked that they were paired together at the U.S. Open.
Brendon de Jonge, Shane Lowry and Kevin Stadler dubbed the ‘heavyweights.’
Jack Kent Cooke wanted his Redskins stadium to host the World Cup final
Once upon a time, Jack Kent Cooke repeatedly argued his new football stadium could be home to the 1994 final.
A Wisconsin pub decided on ‘favela’ for its World Cup theme
After the Internet gets upset, the owner of Milwaukee’s Nomad World Pub defends the design as art.
Donald Sterling hires investigators to dig up dirt on NBA owners, commissioners
The Los Angeles Clippers owner isn’t going away quietly. That much is certain.
Three-peat dreams teetering
After two straight blowout losses at home, the Miami Heat is one loss from an end to its title run.
World Cup 2014: A viewer’s guide to Friday’s games.
Spain vs. Netherlands is the match to watch as the tournament gets going in earnest.
San Antonio makes itself at home
COLUMN | With memories of last year’s Game 6 fresh in their minds, the Spurs win big in the building that had given them fits.
Spurs put Heat on the brink
Utilizing a balanced attack, San Antonio eviscerates Miami in Game 4 to close within one game of its fifth NBA title.
Gausman pitches O’s past Jays
Baltimore gets another solid start out of its No. 2 prospect in taking the first game of a critical four-game series.
Texas LB Mbi Tanyi commits to Maryland
With addition of the Tanyi, Maryland receives its fifth 2015 commitment in a week.
GREATNESS REIGNS
The area’s best spring sports athletes in baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, track & field, tennis, rowing, golf and gymnastics.
Teams practice before the World Cup
Players participate in final training sessions before the World Cup begins in Brazil.
Gonzaga DB Sammy Morrison commits to Arizona football
Rising senior Sammy Morrison will follow in the footsteps of his father, former Arizona standout and Redskins player Darryl Morrison.
Gio Gonzalez says he’s ready to rejoin Nationals after second rehab start
The left-handed pitcher’s command was improved in his second rehab start, allowing only one run on two hits but walking four.
Oakton tennis players sweep Virginia 6A singles titles
Senior Lizzie Stewart and junior Adrien Bouchet both win state singles titles for the Cougars.
Kaymer creates separation
U.S. OPEN | Martin Kaymer makes three birdies over his final five holes and shoots a 5-under 65 for a three-shot lead after the first round at Pinehurst No. 2.
Louisville Slugger names three area standouts to All-American Team
Area standouts JB Bukauskas, AJ Lee and Cody Morris are named to Louisville Slugger All-American team
Schedules, scores and team pages
