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Declan Rice is in a race against the clock. England will make a late call on whether their midfield engine is fit to start Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina. Rice's availability could be the difference between controlling the tempo and scrambling to contain one of the most dangerous attacks left in the tournament.
Shifting to the Mets, Juan Soto made it to the All-Star break as New York's sole representative, and he was candid about a brutal first half that fell well short of expectations for a team built to compete right now. Soto spoke openly about the emergence of Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing as genuine bright spots in an otherwise difficult stretch for the franchise.
And out in Los Angeles, the Lakers are making moves before the season even tips off, agreeing to a one-year, three million dollar deal with forward Ziaire Williams. It's a low-risk addition for a team still figuring out its roster construction, and Williams gets a chance to rebuild his value on one of the league's biggest stages.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
