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Good morning! If you’re reading this from an airport, we see you. Coming up:
Logistics: Air travel stoppage jolts CFB, more leagues
No. 19 Ole Miss football’s matchup with Oklahoma will take place tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET instead of today, the most significant bit of sports scheduling fallout from the FAA’s nationwide ground stop so far.
For about four hours yesterday, it seemed like this weekend’s sports slate was at risk for serious chaos, as the air travel stoppage created uncertainty for dozens of teams across college football and basketball, the NWSL, NBA, NHL and NFL.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said “instability” in communications impacting air traffic control centers forced the ground stop, which stranded thousands of passengers and was ultimately called off around 8 p.m. ET.
Many top teams had already arrived at their respective destinations before the debacle, but some had to make alternate plans, like traveling by bus. In college football, No. 2 Utah, No. 6 Texas and No. 8 Tennessee were also among the teams whose travel was disrupted, and multiple kick times today have been shifted.
We have a roundup of all the known sports impacts and a comprehensive live blog with up-to-the-minute intel.
On to a different genre of logistical mess:
Rom-Coms: When Poch met Man U
Who’s the most iconic will-they-won’t-they duo in history? Ross and Rachel? Harry and Sally? Shane and Ilya? Jim and Pam? Sam and Diane?
We’ve got a new contender: USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester United, who finally made it official yesterday.
The Americans seemingly just found magic at the World Cup with Poch. This is our suave, terse, Kyle Chandler-looking leader who belted “Country Roads” during an *overall* great soccer summer. He cried while announcing the move.
The most awkward part? The Americans play games today and Tuesday that actually count for something, with Poch still on duty. Call it conscious uncoupling.
Essentially, Pochettino is tying the knot with his One That Got Away, and the USMNT is going back on the apps. So how did this happen, and what does it actually mean for the American men?
Key backstory: Poch was always the bridesmaid.
- The meet-cute: In 2016, Pochettino and Manchester United’s legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson sat down for lunch. They poured a £114 bottle of wine, and Ferguson recommended Poch for the Man U job. (Poch was coaching Tottenham.) But then Daddy (Avram Glazer, the deeply unpopular owner of Man U and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) stepped in and called off the wedding.
- The dance: Since then, it’s been on-again/off-again, with Poch entering the mix for the job in 2018, 2019, 2022 and twice in 2024, but never getting the ring.
- According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein: “This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for (Pochettino) and one he has coveted throughout his whole career.” Here’s the full will-they-won’t-they timeline.
Is Poch heading into a toxic relationship?
- Yes. Manchester United is 18th in the Premier League table, with whispers of “relegation” haunting every match. Acrimony between fans and ownership may be at an all-time high. Vibes = 🚽
- Counterpoint: Poch seems to have an “I can fix him” thing. “He’s a great manager, but he keeps taking basket-case clubs,” says Dan Kilpatrick. In some cases, he’s seen success (Tottenham); in others, not so much (PSG).
How devastating a breakup is this?
- Our reporter Paul Tenorio told me that more casual American fans are disappointed to lose the coach who became our crush this summer. But for die-hard soccer fans, it was expected.
Who is the U.S. courting now? A silver lining: The federation is getting over $10 million just for releasing Poch’s contract. Some options:
- The “It Girl,” Pep Guardiola? Many consider Guardiola the GOAT soccer coach, leading the world’s greatest teams to the world’s greatest trophies. Not a perfect analogy, but getting Pep right now would be a bit like when the Lakers hired Phil Jackson after his championships with Michael Jordan. Our reporter Henry Bushnell told me it’s unlikely, but that the appeal of the USMNT gig is that it’s much less demanding than a club position, for a comparable amount of money.
- Everyone else: Other contenders include the current U.S. men’s Olympic coach, MLS coaches, managers at international clubs, the former USMNT interim and more. Get to know them.
Only time will tell if we all live happily ever after. The future remains bright with World Cup vets and the most talented youth player pool in program history.
Further reading:
More News
- Commanders backup and former Wake Forest and Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman27, will be the next leading man on “The Bachelor,” ABC announced yesterday. Yes, really. His season premieres in March.
- Formula 1 banned a veteran Daily Mail reporter from the three remaining 2026 grands prix over a critical column he wrote about Charles Leclerc. Read our full report.
- Lamar Jackson is expected to miss six to 10 weeks as he recovers from surgery for a broken and dislocated right thumb, the Ravens said. Unclear whether he could return this season.
- Private equity executive Heath Freeman bought MLS’ Earthquakes from John Fisher and partners at a $625 million valuation. More context here.
- Former USWNT goalie Alyssa Naeher, 38, announced her retirement after a 17-year career, 11 of them with the NWSL’s Chicago Stars. She’s a real one.
- Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono was given a 12-match suspension after the collision that led to the death of Tenerife striker Jesus of Miguel. Just a terrible situation all around.
- NLCS MVP Jake Bauers agreed to a four-year, $58 million deal with the Red Sox. Incredible come-up for a player who said he stayed in baseball for the health insurance.
- Undefeated UCLA football tied a school record with its 10th win, defeating Illinois last night. First-year coach Bob Chesney is also close to signing a contract extension.
- Independent medical experts will review the care Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts received for blood clots. More here.
Watch Guide
📺 NWSL: Royals at Spirit
Noon ET on CBS and Paramount+
The first semifinal of the weekend sees Trinity Rodman’s Washington take on the “underdawgs,” as our Tamerra Griffin has come to call Utah. Make time for this match at the Spirit’s infamous “Rowdy Audi” stadium.
📺 USMNT vs. Haiti
4:30 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Telemundo, Universo and Peacock
The winner of this two-part series will advance to the Concacaf Nations League semifinals in March. Today’s roster features much of the World Cup squad, and maybe some playing time for our prodigious new talent in Cavan Sullivan, Justin Ellis and Julian Hall.
📺 CFB: Take your pick
It’s another huge Saturday with playoff implications, but with the travel issues, you’d best check the full schedule here.
Pulse Picks
Former NFL player K.J. Wright, now the 49ers’ linebackers coach, quit sugarcoating his feedback. It had a surprising benefit.
Watch: I’m sure it’s been suggested several times already, but I just started “MobLand” on Paramount+, and I’m locked in completely. Pierce Brosnan is at his best, and you can’t go wrong with Tom Hardy or Helen Mirren. — Zach Harper
Listen: I need audio caffeine to carry me through these short days — and Cherry Bomb brings the dance pop energy on her debut album “The Pursuit of Pleasure.” The Misterwives’ frontwoman going solo for a project has been good for my will to keep moving after sunset. — Katie Richcreek
Eat: The diversity of a potato is astonishing. After eating a potato knish this week, I’d like to remind the general populace of this underappreciated form. And NYT Cooking has a recipe (gift link) for you if you’re daring enough. — Lauren Merola
Shop: Am I the only one who didn’t know about ThriftBooks.com until relatively recently? I was in search of a specific out-of-print local children’s book, and it came through. Ships fast, and the free shipping order minimum is low. — Torrey Hart
Try: My fellow kitchen experts at Wirecutter and I taste-tested 21 store-bought chocolate chip cookie doughs to find ones with the crispiest edges, the chewiest centers and the best, most buttery flavors. Three rose to the top — and they come pretty close to homemade. — Antara Sinha
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Jameis Winston’s musical tactics.
Most-read on the website yesterday: The rise and fall of LIV Golf.
Source: www.nytimes.com
