Soccer

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The roar of the crowd or the thrill of the game are hallmarks of international soccer. But when Albania and Serbia meet Saturday in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, the energy will be different.

FIFA's newly expanded Club World Cup kicks off in Miami on June 14, featuring some of soccer's biggest stars like Lionel Messi and greatest teams like Real Madrid.

Austin FC (5-7-5, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Colorado Rapids (6-6-4, eighth in the Western Conference) Commerce City, Colorado; Saturday, 9:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Colorado +111, Austin FC +227, Draw +243; over/under is 2.

Chicago Fire (6-5-4, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. DC United (4-7-6, 11th in the Eastern Conference) Washington; Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Chicago +145, DC United +165, Draw +247; over/under is 2.

CALGARY — Calgary's Wild FC held off the Halifax Tides 3-2 on Thursday in the Northern Super League. Wild (3-2-2) scored three first-half goals before the winless Tides (0-5-1) countered with two late in the second.

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw Thursday in a South American World Cup qualifying game that marked Carlo Ancelotti's debut as national team coach .

The Vancouver Whitecaps said a “significant number” of players who traveled to Mexico for last weekend's CONCACAF Champions Cup final have become ill.

VANCOUVER — Several Vancouver Whitecaps players and staff are dealing with a gastrointestinal illness after visiting Mexico for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.

Veterans Alistair Johnston and Jonathan Osorio will rejoin Canada later this month for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

BISMARCK, N.D.