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If Jude Bellingham is to force his way back into Englandâ€s best team then he would be wise to cut out the nonsense. His reaction when he saw that his number was about to come up after an evening of inconsistency in Tirana was not good enough.

It was a challenge to Thomas Tuchelâ€s authority and was hardly a clever look given that it added to the sense that this is a player who is yet to realise that his immediate international future hinges on embracing the collective.

Bellingham has to learn. There was no need for a strop. Harry Kane had just put England 2-0 up in a dead rubber of a qualifier, there were six minutes left and Bellingham, who had not played particularly well, had just been booked for fouling Armando Broja. This was hardly a controversial substitution. In fact it would have been foolish for Tuchel to leave Bellingham on given that there was a risk that midfielder would rule himself out of the opening game of the World Cup by picking up a second yellow card.

Yet Bellingham turned the spotlight on himself. There was no disguising the 22-year-oldâ€s frustration when he clocked that he was going to make way for Morgan Rogers. He flung his arms in the air and although he shook Tuchelâ€s hand after making his way to the touchline it was clear that the head coach was not impressed.

“I donâ€t want to make more out of it but I stick to my words ‘behaviour is key†and respect towards the teammates who come in,†Tuchel said. “Decisions are made and you have to accept it as a player.â€

This is the challenge for Bellingham. He congratulated Marcus Rashford for delivering the cross for Kane to head in his second of the night but the rest was self-defeating. It is not as if protesting was going to change Tuchelâ€s mind. The German has talked so much about respecting team hierarchies and the importance of behaving correctly.

Bellingham, left out of last monthâ€s squad, has been under scrutiny after returning to the fold this month. In effect he has been on trial and he has not done himself any favours with his response to being taken off as England rounded off a perfect qualifying campaign by seeing off a feisty challenge from Albania.

Jude Bellingham offered moments of quality in Tirana but also showed flashes of impertinence. Photograph: Francesco Scaccianoce/Uefa/Getty Images

It means the jury is out on whether England function at their best with Bellingham in the team. The evidence here was inconclusive. There was experimentation from Tuchel at the start. He has given England structure and clarity in recent months, building with a No 6, a No 8, a No 10 and specialist wingers, but there was a different feel against Albania. Jarell Quansah was handed his international debut, Adam Wharton made his first start at this level and the positioning of John Stones as an auxiliary midfielder meant there was a passing resemblance to Manchester Cityâ€s 2023 treble winners.

It was nothing if not interesting. England morphed into a 3-2-2-3 system in possession during the first half. There was no No 10. Bellingham was an inside-right with licence to roam. Declan Rice pushed higher than usual. Eberechi Eze was wide on the left but struggled to get involved.

The problem was that Albania were deep and compact. England did not create much and there was little sign of a connection between Kane and Bellingham. It took until the 35th minute for them to link up. A quick exchange of passes had Bellingham running at Albania and feeding Jarrod Bowen, who was denied by a good save from Thomas Strakosha.

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Bellingham was a mixed bag. He made a chance for Eze during the second half but often looked too desperate to impress. There were a lot of rushed, misplaced passes. There was a needless bit of aggro with an Albania midfielder early on. England were ragged for much of the second half. One Albania chance came after Bellingham squandered possession. His booking came after he lost the ball to Broja and fouled the former Chelsea striker.

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In the end Englandâ€s depth made the difference. Tuchel threw on Phil Foden, who seemed better suited to the position in which Bellingham operated during the first half, and Bukayo Saka. Eventually Saka delivered a corner for Kane to open the scoring. It was a reminder that set pieces will be crucial next summer.

Still, though, Bellingham was the story. The brilliance of Rashfordâ€s assist for Kaneâ€s header was a little lost in the ridiculousness of the Rogers substitution. At the end, all eyes were on Bellingham. Tuchel walked up behind him and pushed the Real Madrid midfielder towards the travelling England fans. Their relationship is not broken. Tuchel is not willing to give up on Bellingham yet. Yet whether he is willing to give him centre stage remains in doubt.

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Over the past quarter-century, the United States and Mexico haven’t just vied for supremacy as the top soccer powerhouse in North America; they’ve also fought tooth-and-nail for a number of impressive dual-national players.

Out of the nearly 40 million Mexican-Americans who live in the USA, many have gone on to enjoy a successful professional playing career in MLS and at the international level. Whilst some like Diego Luna, Ricardo Pepi and Alejandro Zendejas have gone on to play for the Stars and Stripes, others like Obed Vargas have opted to represent El Tri.

He would have to wait another seven months before his next first-team appearance, emerging as an integral player in midfield in both MLS and the Concacaf Champions League as Seattle became the first MLS team in 22 years to win the tournament, as well as the first MLS team to win it in its modern format. However, his progress came to a screeching halt in June 2022 after he suffered a stress fracture in his lower back.

Obed Vargas appreciation post. pic.twitter.com/uYne4UGBBDNovember 4, 2025

After nine months on the sidelines, Vargas returned with a vengeance and proved instrumental as Seattle finished second in the West before losing in the Conference Semifinals, in addition to leading the USA to the U-20 World Cup quarterfinals. It was more of the same in 2024, with Vargas scoring 2 goals and 7 assists in 40 appearances as Seattle finished fourth and reached the final four of the MLS Cup Playoffs and the U.S. Open Cup.

However, the 2025 season would see him make the jump from a promising wonderkid to one of the best players in North America, being named in the MLS All-Star Team for the first time. Two years after missing out on the FIFA Club World Cup due to a back injury, Vargas played in all three matches in the Club World Cup, going up against midfield titans like Koke and Vitinha.

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Operating as a holding midfielder alongside USMNT mainstay Cristian Roldán, Vargas has excelled thanks to his willingness to meander around the pitch, offer himself as a passing option and evade the pressure, as well as his ability to pick the right pass and carve out dangerous scoring opportunities. But he isn’t just a silky, lightweight playmaker — he’s also capable of reading the game and getting stuck in and eliminating potential threats.

He ranked third in Seattle’s squad for accurate passes per game (45.3) with an 87% pass accuracy rate, whilst he also finished third for successful dribbles per game (0.8), albeit with a slightly higher completion rate of 59%, in addition to finishing third for interceptions per game (1.2). Vargas proved essential as Seattle won their maiden Leagues Cup, the last major trophy in North America that they had yet to conquer.

Vargas can’t legally drink alcohol or rent a car for another nine months, but he’s already won two of the biggest trophies in the continent and established himself as one of the best players in MLS. However, it isn’t the United States who are reaping the rewards, but Mexico.

“Honestly yes, I was not expecting it. I feel like I completed my career; just getting the call-up and knowing I’ll be there, feels like I made it.It’s probably the biggest moment in my career so far.” – Obed Vargas (19) on his first Mexico senior National Team call-up. pic.twitter.com/7IUdYojFXlOctober 1, 2024

Having already represented the USA at the U20 and U23 level, Vargas filed a one-time switch to represent Mexico in October 2024, making his debut in a 2-0 friendly win vs. the USA. After playing in all five of Mexico’s matches at the U-20 World Cup, Vargas would start in all three of Seattle’s playoff matches, scoring a brace in a must-win home match to force a Game Three, where Minnesota prevailed 7-6 on penalties.

He is back in the senior Mexican national team after 13 months, and he’ll be looking to close out the year with an impressive display in their upcoming friendlies versus Uruguay and Paraguay in order to push for a roster spot ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Having scored six of his eight professional goals this year for Seattle, a maiden goal for Mexico would be the perfect ending to a stellar year for Vargas, who appears destined for brighter stages than MLS.

Vargas has already followed in the footsteps of Alphonso Davies, DeAndre Yedlin, Diego Gómez, Brenden Aaronson, and Miguel Almirón by being named the Best U-22 Player in MLS. And at just 20 years of age, it’s seemingly only a matter of time before he follows their path of leaving MLS for a top 5 European league.

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  Tim BontempsNov 11, 2025, 11:28 PM ET

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  Tim Bontemps is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com who covers the league and what’s impacting it on and off the court, including trade deadline intel, expansion and his MVP Straw Polls. You can find Tim alongside Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective podcast.

PHILADELPHIA — After the 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 102-100 at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Tuesday night, Philadelphia announced that Joel Embiid is day-to-day with right knee soreness and that Paul George’s recovery from offseason knee surgery will be updated later this week.

The updates came after both players met with doctors earlier Tuesday, with Embiid getting imaging done on his right knee after saying he had soreness in it and George having a scheduled checkup in his recovery from surgery that occurred in July.

After the game, the team announced that George is continuing to strengthen his left quadricep in the wake of the surgery and that he’s in the “final stage” of his return to play. Then, 76ers coach Nick Nurse said during his postgame news conference that there are no structural issues with Embiid’s knee after he was examined and that he will be day-to-day.

Before Tuesday’s game, Nurse said there was “no expectations” — good or bad — that Embiid would miss extended time after he was a late addition to the injury report with the right knee soreness.

“No expectation at all,” Nurse said, when asked if there was a belief Embiid will sit out at least a couple of games. “He just reported a little soreness in his right knee. He’s had some imaging on that this afternoon, and the doctors are here tonight to go over that with him.”

Embiid, who played just 19 games last season because of ongoing issues with his left knee dating to the 2023-24 season, is averaging 19.7 points in 23.3 minutes across the six games he’s played in this season. The first four games he sat out before Tuesday, however, were all scheduled absences — including three games as part of back-to-back sets, something that is expected to continue.

Nurse said before the game that there wasn’t anything specific that came up with Embiid’s knee regarding what was causing the soreness, and that the team was waiting to see the imaging and what the doctors say about it.

Philadelphia is in a slow stretch of its schedule, with only one game — Friday in Detroit — in a five-day span. The next time the 76ers play after that will be Monday in South Philly against George’s former team, the LA Clippers.

After Tuesday’s win, the 76ers are 7-4 after it took them until Dec. 8 last season to reach that many wins. The victory also marked Philadelphia’s ninth clutch-time game — meaning a five-point contest within the final five minutes — out of 11 this season, with the 76ers being 6-3 in those matchups.

The nine clutch games are the most of any team in the NBA, while the six wins are tied for the most alongside the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons, both of whom are 6-1 in the clutch this season.

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It all started with a picture and caption on social media: “If Carlsberg did benches.†Then came a tweet, naming nine former Premier League players on the books of Wythenshawe FCâ€s over-35s side: Stephen Ireland, Emile Heskey, Maynor Figueroa, Joleon Lescott, Papiss Cissé, Oumar Niasse, Nedum Onuoha, George Boyd and Danny Drinkwater.

Adding new recruit Jefferson Montero to the list means Wythenshaweâ€s veterans squad includes 1,867 Premier League appearances, plus 389 international caps and 15 major honours.

It is almost surreal to see six of the group – Ireland, Figueroa, Cissé, Boyd, Drinkwater and Montero – line up at Hollyhedge Park for a Sunday League veterans†match against South Liverpool, with Drinkwater and Montero making their debuts. This is muck‑and-nettles stuff, yet the sticky November turf is being graced by players who have tasted the very top.

Unsurprisingly, Wythenshawe came into the game in glittering form – and showed no mercy in continuing it. They had already picked up some comfortable victories, winning 6-2, 10-1, 7-1 and 5-2 in the league. Cissé, the former Newcastle striker, scored all six against the Merseyside team Collegiate Old Boys last month, a game that nearly 200 people turned up to watch. There are almost five times that in attendance for their latest match, marvelling as the Ammies†veterans rack up a 13-0 scoreline. Cissé scored eight goals – all in the second half, after he missed a first-half penalty, with Boyd and Ireland scoring two apiece. The names of the stars are on every fanâ€s lips.

Papiss Cissé is all smiles as he exits the pitch at after scoring eight goals against South Liverpool. Photograph: Joel Goodman/The Guardian

It all started with the former Manchester City man Ireland, who is close friends with the Wythenshawe player Blake Norton and was eager for a Sunday afternoon kickabout after playing a “low-key†seven-a-side with some fellow former pros on Tuesday nights. Ireland, who exhibited some fine touches in the game and started the scoring with an inventive volley before providing several assists for Cissé, enlisted some high-calibre ringers.

“I came down in pre-season just because I love playing football,†Ireland says. “I love the fitness side of things. I invited some of the others and slowly but surely everyone wants to play.

“Itâ€s competitive and itâ€s going from strength to strength. I didnâ€t want it to be something where 15 of us ex-pros came in and took over, I want a good mix with the old vets lads. Itâ€s a nice humbling experience to interact with fans as well. Itâ€s great to give back and the club have been so nice to me. Weâ€re all local as well.â€

The club has been blown away by the growth of the story on social media and the response of the community. The chair, Carl Barratt, says: “Positive press is always good but weâ€ve not had anything like this before. Iâ€ve even had one of my family members in Australia send me a message – thatâ€s how far weâ€ve reached.â€

Barratt is eager to indicate Wythenshaweâ€s vets were a force to be reckoned with even before the influx of Premier League talent. Last season they won 30 of 32 games under their manager, Kieran Megran, the only defeats coming in two County Cup finals. It was Megranâ€s drive, and the involvement of Ireland, that really took things to the next level.

Kieran Megran, pictured before his sideâ€s 9-1 win over St Johnâ€s in October, won 30 of 32 games last season. Photograph: Joel Goodman/The Guardian

“It literally started from a conversation about how we can win these County Cups and suddenly weâ€ve got all these star players,†Barratt says.

“We love it, honestly,†Ireland says. “Itâ€s meant to be fun and casual, but even now my phone is lighting up with ex-players saying: ‘How do I sign up?†And the turnout today was amazing.â€

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The former Leicester and England midfielder Drinkwater says: “Without sounding daft, thereâ€s just as much enjoyment as playing in the Premier League. You do a token 10-minute warm-up, youâ€re having a laugh and you have a pint afterwards – itâ€s as good as itâ€s going to get. The values are obviously different in professional football, but you can enjoy it just as much. Itâ€s like estate football, which is what you enjoyed as a kid. Thereâ€s loads of banter. I was chuckling away on the pitch today.â€

For Barratt, it has gone beyond just winning matches and that elusive search for cup glory. He has been connected to Wythenshawe for 24 years and oversees their 80 teams across all age levels – involving nearly 1,000 children. He was Cole Palmerâ€s first coach when the current Chelsea forward was a youngster at the club. Barratt and many others have put countless hours into the club, so to see hundreds gather on a Sunday morning for a veterans game is special.

“Ultimately, weâ€re a community‑owned club and this is highlighting what we do in the area. For what Stevie Ireland has done, because heâ€s been the catalyst to get people involved along with Kieran, itâ€s been superb.

Stephen Ireland was the ‘catalyst†to getting other former professional players involved. Photograph: Joel Goodman/The Guardian

“Wythenshawe is not the most affluent area but hopefully this can contribute to us getting more players, generating more money and the feelgood factor around the place … you can just sense it.

“The other week I was with our president, John Walker, whoâ€s done a lot for the club, and Iâ€m looking across seeing Emile Heskey wearing a Wythenshawe FC striped shirt, standing under the John Walker Stand. So thatâ€s one of the best memories Iâ€m going to have at the club. Itâ€s a funny old game when you see things like that.â€

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Canadaâ€s rising table tennis stars are making waves internationally! We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of David Xu and Thulir, who both captured bronze medals in prestigious competitions.

David Xu Claims Bronze at WTT Youth Contender San Francisco

On November 1, David Xu of British Columbia delivered his best-ever international performance, earning third place in the U15 Boys†event at the WTT Youth Contender San Francisco.

Under the expert guidance of Coach Wilson Zhang, David faced top-seeded opponents from the U.S. and Asia. In an impressive display of skill and determination, he defeated the tournamentâ€s No. 2 seed on his way to the semifinals, securing a well-deserved bronze medal.

Thulir Triumphs at the 2025 Juegos Parapanamericanos Juveniles

Meanwhile, Thulir achieved an incredible milestone at the 2025 Juegos Parapanamericanos Juveniles in Santiago, Chile. Winning bronze, Thulir showcased dedication, resilience, and exceptional talent on the international stage.

“Happy with the achievement in Santiago!†said Thulir, reflecting on the hard work and perseverance that led to this accomplishment.

Celebrating Canadian Talent

These performances highlight the strength and potential of Canadaâ€s young athletes in table tennis. We are incredibly proud of David and Thulir for their achievements and for representing Canada with excellence on the international stage.

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The NHL is going to Jerry World for a hockey game.

The league announced Monday that the Dallas Stars will host the 2027 Stadium Series at the home of the NFL’s Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. The opponent for the game next season at AT&T Stadium on Feb. 20, 2027, will be announced at a later date.

“At the end of the day, we have to fill a stadium,†NHL president of content and events Steve Mayer told The Associated Press by phone. “Weâ€ve never not filled one. And we just became more and more confident that, if we went back, especially to a very unique environment — one of the coolest and biggest and greatest stadiums in the world — we think weâ€re going to get peopleâ€s attention.â€

This is set to be the second NHL game at a football stadium in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex after the Stars played the Nashville Predators in the Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, 2020. That drew a crowd of more than 85,000.

“Pretty immediately we just said weâ€ve got to go back soon,” Mayer said. “We had success beyond anything we could have ever dreamed of. To fill the Cotton Bowl just absolutely showed us that Dallas fans are into this, will come in droves and it was awesome.â€

Conversations with the Cowboys continued over the past several years, and the Stars made three consecutive trips to the Western Conference final. AT&T Stadium has a capacity of 85,000 but can get past 100,000 with standing room only, putting the league’s record attendance of 105,491 from Michigan Stadium in 2014 within reach, if everything comes together correctly.

“Weâ€re going into this with our eyes wide open, and that is absolutely a possibility,” Mayer said. “Weâ€re very aware of the capacity, and standing room is a thing. Itâ€s actually unique to that stadium. I would say that we would have a chance.â€

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been advocating for a game there since the stadium opened in 2009. Jones called it “another great example of the vision weâ€ve always had for what AT&T Stadium could be beyond football.â€

This will be the third NHL outdoor-ish game since 2024. The Seattle Kraken hosted the Winter Classic that New Year’s Day at the Mariners’ ballpark with a retractable roof, and the back-to-back defending champion Florida Panthers are set to face the New York Rangers on Jan. 2 at the Marlins’ stadium that offers the same protection from the elements.

Mayer said it has not been a conscious decision but also added that it helps the two-week-plus rink-building process get done without weather interruptions.

“It just takes that entire risk out of the equation,” Mayer said. “We are going to open the roof on game day. For us, thatâ€s a nonstarter.â€

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England will take winning momentum into the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup as they concluded the group stage with a crushing eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in Visakhapatnam.

In a bizarre first innings, England were uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball but a New Zealand side lacking in confidence failed to punish them and were bowled out for 168 in 38.2 overs.

Linsey Smith, who particularly struggled with a loss of control in the powerplay, ended up with figures of 3-30 but England are waiting on the fitness of Sophie Ecclestone, who only bowled four balls in the innings after injuring her shoulder following a misfield in the first over.

England were then ruthless in the chase, cruising to their target in 29.2 overs with opener Amy Jones finishing unbeaten on 86.

Jones added 75 for the first wicket with Tammy Beaumont, who made 40, and 83 with Heather Knight who fell for 33 with England on the brink of victory but it was a welcome return to winning form after their defeat by Australia.

New Zealand were already eliminated, but it marked a significant occasion as veteran all-rounder Sophie Devine played her 159th and final one-day international.

After the soft dismissal of Suzie Bates to one of a few full tosses from Smith, Melie Kerr and Georgia Plimmer rebuilt with a steady stand of 68 before the game shifted in the space of two balls, with the former falling to Alice Capsey for 35 and Plimmer pinned lbw by Charlie Dean for 43.

Devine made 23 in her final knock but England dominated the middle overs to take the final five wickets for just 13 runs, with two apiece for Capsey and Nat Sciver-Brunt.

England travel to Guwahati for their semi-final against South Africa, which takes place on Wednesday, followed by India v Australia the following day.

This victory ensures England finish second in the group and if the semi-final is washed out on both Wednesday and the reserve day they would progress by virtue of their higher finish in the groups.

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• Joey Lynch

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  Joey Lynch is a Melbourne-based sports journalist and AYA cancer advocate. Primarily working on football, he has covered the Socceroos, Matildas and A-Leagues for ESPN for over a decade.

Oct 25, 2025, 07:52 PM ET

The most obvious theme of the Matildas’ clash with Wales on Saturday, one that saw Australia take out a 2-1 win thanks to Caitlin Foord’s 85th-minute strike, was that of reconnection.

725 days after she last pulled on the green-and-gold, Sam Kerr was back in action for Australia’s women, starting up top alongside familiar collaborators Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso. And while the striker’s inability to get even the most glancing of touches on Courtney Nevin’s 28th-minute opener denied the headline writers their chance to celebrate her international return with a goal on debut — the fullback instead getting her first international goal with the free kick — the 65 minutes of football Kerr logged represented an important milestone in the journey to, what Australia hopes, will be a fit and firing talisman leading the line at next year’s home Women’s Asian Cup.

But just as one pivotal figure in the growth of women’s football Down Under was reintroducing herself on the international stage, another was making her farewell. Jess Fishlock played for the 166th and final time in a Welsh shirt, following last week’s announcement that the clash with the Matildas would be the final one in a 19-year Cymru career. It added an extra level of reverence to Saturday’s contest, something that even the most oblivious of observers would have been able to pick up when Fishlock led the stadium in one of the most stirring renditions of “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” you’re ever likely to hear.

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A couple of hours later, as the fourth official’s board went up and signalled Fishlock’s 92nd-minute withdrawal for youngster Tianna Teisar, it was time for the crowd to rise again, not to be led in song by their living legend but to serenade her with cheers on the pitch for one final time. As the 38-year-old made her way off the pitch, waving to stands that had risen to their feet to bid her farewell, she was first embraced by Matildas coach Joe Montemurro, who had coached her at both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in the A-League Women, and then by Welsh boss Rhian Wilkinson, with both dugouts behind them also rising to their feet. A deserved mark of respect for a player who left a lasting mark on Australian football and an irreplaceable one on the Welsh game.

“I love being Welsh,” Fishlock would tell the crowd post-game and go on to add, “I don’t want to be sad about it because I’ve had the best time ever.”

It should probably be noted that Fishlock’s departure from the international stage doesn’t represent a total farewell, of course; the veteran will return to the Seattle Reign for the NWSL playoffs following the international window and told the BBC earlier this week that she hopes to play for another season in 2026. But a year on from the international retirements of Clare Polkinghorne and Lydia Williams, and with Australia preparing to mark another landmark in the growth of the women’s game through its hosting of next year’s Asian Cup, Fishlock’s departure from the international game, and the inextricable march towards the point where she will hang up the boots completely, feels like yet another marker of the looming end of a golden era.

Across stints with both Victory and City, Fishlock became a four-time champion of the W-League (now the A-League Women) during her time in Australia, as well as a two-time premier. Taking the reins of City as a player-coach following Montemurro’s shift across to City’s men’s teams — a role he would only briefly hold before departing to take over at Arsenal — Fishlock joined a select group of women to coach a side to a championship when City lifted the 2016-17 title, the second of three straight she would win in Bundoora.

Jess Fishlock played for the 166th and final time in a Cymru shirt on Saturday, having left indelible mark on Welsh football, Australian football, and pretty much everywhere in between. Harry Murphy/Getty Images

Few players who have ever graced the Dub have demonstrated the ability to take over games quite like Fishlock did at City, with there existing some fixtures in which it simply looked like she’d simply decided that she wasn’t going to lose this game and then manifested a more favourable result through sheer skill and willpower. Her best-on-ground performance in the 2018 W-League Grand Final exemplified this, helping to drive her side to a three-peat in hot and steamy conditions in Sydney, lobbing Aubrey Bledsoe from range to open the scoring before sending in the free kick that bounced off the crossbar and into the path of Jodie Taylor to seal it with 15 minutes to go.

Indeed, given the role that those early City teams played in forcing the rest of the competition to raise their standards, and the role that Fishlock played in helping to drive success in the City dressing room, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that the Welsh legend’s time in Australia is still, no matter how faintly, being felt today. And that’s to say nothing of the benefits gleaned by the bevy of Matildas that shared a dressing room with Fishlock, be it at Victory or City.

“Jess is an idol, an amazing footballer, an intelligent person, and I could go on,” Montemurro said ahead of Saturday’s game.

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“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jess as a person, and she really helped me through a journey with Melbourne City when we were building a team from scratch. Her intelligence and ability to understand people and the game are amazing.

“I don’t need to sit here and give you all these explanations about her, because every accolade she gets tomorrow, she deserves, and many more. I hope she still contributes to the game, because I think there are very few big role models in world football who have done so much. I hope Jess stays in the game for a long time.”

Of course, that Fishlock can be so closely tied to so many of the current Matildas’ setup — be it as a teammate or adversary — and is now stepping away from the international game also carries with it a perhaps not all too pleasant connotation for green-and-gold devotees. It’s another reminder that, unless your name is Melissa Barbieri, age comes for us all, and that, while few would argue that Fishlock has done anything but go out on her own terms, like Williams and Polkinghorne before her, goodbyes are always hard.

And whereas Fishlock was finally able to experience a major tournament at this year’s Euros before she stepped away from the international game, the lowered expectations associated with Wales’ first entrance helping to soothe the sting of their three losses; there’s something of a contrast with the Matildas, here.

Because for many of the veterans in the group, some of whom will push to be a part of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and some of whom will not, next year’s Asian Cup as not only the last chance to play a major tournament on home soil but — for those not part of the 2010 triumph — to finally break through that barrier and seal their Golden Generation tag with silverware.

The hope will be the reconnection with Kerr, who was there back in China in 2010 at just 16 years old, can play a part in that. And while Fishlock’s international journey is now at an end, another one is just beginning for the Matildas.

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But so far this season, the $8.25-million, Vezina-calibre goaltender has not been good enough, allowing 23 goals in his first six starts. We can discuss the niceties of the penalty kill, five-on-five defence and defensive structure, but none matter as much as Ullmarkâ€s performance.

“I am not pleased with how many goals have gone in,†Ullmark said.

Ullmark has an .854 save percentage and sits second-worst in the league in terms of cumulative goals saved above expected at minus-7.5, according to moneypuck.com. As a team, Ottawa is last in goals against. You don’t need to be Einstein to know thatâ€s not a winning formula.

Through six games, the play of the Senators’ No. 1 has been reminiscent of recent Ottawa goaltenders who promised much yet failed to deliver. Think Matt Murray, or Cam Talbot, or Joonas Korpisalo, whom Ottawa ultimately unloaded to get Ullmark from Boston. None worked until Ullmark, who posted a .910 save percentage last season to vault the Senators back into the playoffs.

We havenâ€t seen the same Ullmark this season. He acknowledges he hasnâ€t been good enough.

“I’m a very harsh critic (of) myself when it comes to these sorts of things,” Ullmark said.

He acknowledged that a late goal allowed last Saturday against the Islanders, which lost the game for the Senators, was on him.

“At the end of the day, what mattered for me, though, was that I let in the fifth (goal) with one minute left on that play where I kind of screwed up,” he said.

We know itâ€s only six starts for Ullmark, but how does a Vezina-calibre goaltender have a goals against of more than five? Where did the elite netminder go?Â

Ullmark said there are “not a lot” of areas of his game he needs to work on.

So why the 23 goals allowed in six starts?

“It’s hard to say, really. I don’t really feel like I can complain about one thing,†he said.

After Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Edmonton, Ullmark belted a roar of anger and frustration with Senators goalie coach Justin Peters beside him in the locker room.

Peters constantly works with Ullmark in practice. After every game, they debrief in the locker room.

“It’s all by creating good habits for myself, going out there with an intent to battle my utmost and don’t give up on the puck,” Ullmark said. “And once I do things well, all these reps will come bearing fruit at the end of the day.”

Ullmark explained that he thought his movement, rebound control and traffic had been good this season, relatively speaking.

“I still feel very confident. I’m doing a lot of good things out there,” he said.

Heâ€s confident, but should the Senators be?

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Last season, Ullmark recovered from a similarly slow start and was phenomenal in December, with a stretch of 9-2-1 and an .954 save percentage. He buoyed the Senators to eighth in team save percentage.

Ullmark has a Vezina trophy, heâ€s been an elite goaltender before and he isnâ€t likely to be one of the worst in the league in the long term. Despite poor numbers early, Ullmark has flashed some excellent glove saves and great stretches of play, including a great snare on Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard in the third period on Tuesday to help force overtime. No need to make final judgments about anyone after six starts. But goaltending is voodoo, and until thereâ€s a turnaround, there is going to be consternation.

For netminders, it always starts between the ears.

“When you’re losing and you’re in a little bit of a grind, it’s a little bit tougher getting up in the morning,†Ullmark said. “So, the sun is not as bright and warm, and things are not as easy. And that’s something that you learn by experience as well.”

Another concern is that Ullmark has never played more than 49 games in a season, yet he’s currently on pace for 70. Entering his 30s, he has a worrisome injury history and no moments of playoff magic — not exactly the best recipe for success. Ottawaâ€s bet on Ullmark has to work with a $33-million contract in hand for the next four years. The backup, Leevi Merilainen, has struggled in the early going, too.

Letâ€s also be mindful that the goals allowed this season arenâ€t all on Ullmark. The Senators’ penalty kill has given up the 16th-most high-danger chances per 60 minutes and sits 13th in expected goals against per 60 minutes. Like Ullmark, the team in front of him enjoys spells of excellent play, only to be burned by poor moments.

Still, Ottawa has been good at five-on-five with the seventh-best expected goals allowed rate, yet it has the worst five-on-five save percentage.

One interesting wrinkle that Ullmark himself has alluded to is the split-second reads that he must make as he prepares to stop a puck. Ullmark went into great detail about how he misread the Anders Lee goal on Saturday that won the game. He thought Lee would try to make a move after his spin-around, so he took an edge, only for Lee to immediately fire.

“Thereâ€s so many small things that happen at such a quick (rate) and your reach has to be on point, that sometimes youâ€re overworking the situation, thinking that you’re going to have to go somewhere else to be able to save it,” Ullmark said. “And then the most simple plays happen, and those are the ones that really frustrate you.

“The solution to this goal would have been doing the simplest thing in the whole wide world. Some people say, ‘Just sit still.’ Yeah, I know that. I should have just stayed put there. But in the moment, you feel like you have to move with the puck as well.â€

Let the mind control the body, not the body control the mind. Ullmarkâ€s ethos has been to have the memory of a goldfish and immediately flush mistakes.

“If you’re looking for trouble, you’ll find it,†Ullmark said.

Senators fans have terrible memories of netminders letting them down. Ullmarkâ€s pedigree, ability and mindset seemed to set him up for a return to puck-stopping glory. Yet itâ€s a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, and, lately, Ullmark hasn’t done much.

In the end, he can become Craig Anderson or Matt Murray. We know which one Ullmark would prefer.

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Wilson-Rowe said the pain she began to feel left her struggling to cough, sneeze and lift her son as well as sometimes struggling to breathe.

Initially, it was attributed to a muscle strain, but further tests and X-rays revealed a tumour in her left lung which had spread.

She is currently undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy which the statement said has been “successful so far”.

Kent have started a fund to raise money towards the costs of Wilson-Rowe’s ongoing care and treatment, while some will go to the Exon 20 Group, a charity researching treatments specific to this type of lung cancer.

“Susie has given so much to cricket, as a player, coach, mentor, and friend; inspiring countless others with her strength, kindness, and relentless drive,” Kent’s statement said.

Wilson-Rowe made 79 appearances for Kent across two spells during her career, having come through the club’s pathway.

She won the women’s County Championship title five times between 2006 and 2012 as well as the National Women’s T20 competition in 2011.

London-born Wilson-Rowe spent two seasons with Surrey before originally leaving the sport in 2015, during which time she played hockey, but returned to Kent in 2020 and was part of the side that won the T20 South East Group and Women’s London Championship.

The right-handed batter represented London Spirit during the inaugural edition of The Hundred before retiring from playing at the end of the 2021 season.

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