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VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM GAME FOUR OF NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES BETWEEN PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES AND LOS ANGELES DODGERS COMPLETE SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (MLB – See restrictions before use) SHOTLIST TO FOLLOW STORY: Hyeseong Kim scored from third base on an 11th-inning error by Philadelphia pitcher Orion Kerkering and the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship Series for the seventh time in the past 10 seasons with a 2-1 victory over the Phillies on Thursday (October 9). Los Angeles closed out the best-of-five series in Game Four. The Dodgers will open the NLCS on Monday either on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers or at home versus the Chicago Cubs. Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow struck out eight over six scoreless innings, and reliever Roki Sasaki threw three perfect innings. Mookie Betts drew a game-tying, bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning. Edman singled for Los Angeles with one out in the 11th inning against Jesus Luzardo, and Kim entered as a pinch runner. Max Muncy singled with two outs to put runners on the corners. Enrique Hernandez walked against Kerkering to load the bases. Andy Pages hit a comebacker that Kerkering bobbled. Instead of throwing to first base to end the inning, Kerkering threw the ball past catcher J.T. Realmuto to set off a Dodgers celebration on the infield. Philadelphia starter Cristopher Sanchez was charged with one run over 6 1/3 innings. Jhoan Duran, Matt Strahm and Luzardo (0-2) got the Phillies into the 11th before their season ended on their second error of the game. When Glasnow exited, the Dodgers turned to Emmet Sheehan in the seventh inning, and the Phillies pounced. Realmuto led off with a single but was forced out at second base on a Max Kepler ground ball. The Dodgers failed to complete the double play when Sheehan misplayed the throw from Betts at the first base bag. Sheehan's error put Kepler at second base. Castellanos followed with a go-ahead double just inside the third base bag and into the left field corner for a 1-0 lead. The Dodgers threatened immediately against Sanchez in the bottom of the inning when Alex Call walked and Hernandez singled with one out. Duran came on to get Pages on a groundout, advancing the runners, before Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked to load the bases. Los Angeles tied it 1-1 on Betts' walk. After Sasaki retired all nine batters he faced, Alex Vesia (1-0) pitched a scoreless 11th for the Dodgers. (Production: Bhagya Ayyavoo) More MLB content is available on Reuters Connect here: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?sources=mlbimagen

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM GAME FOUR OF NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES BETWEEN PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES AND LOS ANGELES DODGERS COMPLETE SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (MLB – See restrictions before use) SHOTLIST TO FOLLOW STORY: Hyeseong Kim scored from third base on an 11th-inning error by Philadelphia pitcher Orion Kerkering and the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship Series for the seventh time in the past 10 seasons with a 2-1 victory over the Phillies on Thursday (October 9). Los Angeles closed out the best-of-five series in Game Four. The Dodgers will open the NLCS on Monday either on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers or at home versus the Chicago Cubs. Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow struck out eight over six scoreless innings, and reliever Roki Sasaki threw three perfect innings. Mookie Betts drew a game-tying, bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning. Edman singled for Los Angeles with one out in the 11th inning against Jesus Luzardo, and Kim entered as a pinch runner. Max Muncy singled with two outs to put runners on the corners. Enrique Hernandez walked against Kerkering to load the bases. Andy Pages hit a comebacker that Kerkering bobbled. Instead of throwing to first base to end the inning, Kerkering threw the ball past catcher J.T. Realmuto to set off a Dodgers celebration on the infield. Philadelphia starter Cristopher Sanchez was charged with one run over 6 1/3 innings. Jhoan Duran, Matt Strahm and Luzardo (0-2) got the Phillies into the 11th before their season ended on their second error of the game. When Glasnow exited, the Dodgers turned to Emmet Sheehan in the seventh inning, and the Phillies pounced. Realmuto led off with a single but was forced out at second base on a Max Kepler ground ball. The Dodgers failed to complete the double play when Sheehan misplayed the throw from Betts at the first base bag. Sheehan's error put Kepler at second base. Castellanos followed with a go-ahead double just inside the third base bag and into the left field corner for a 1-0 lead. The Dodgers threatened immediately against Sanchez in the bottom of the inning when Alex Call walked and Hernandez singled with one out. Duran came on to get Pages on a groundout, advancing the runners, before Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked to load the bases. Los Angeles tied it 1-1 on Betts' walk. After Sasaki retired all nine batters he faced, Alex Vesia (1-0) pitched a scoreless 11th for the Dodgers. (Production: Bhagya Ayyavoo) More MLB content is available on Reuters Connect here: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?sources=mlbimagen

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM GAME FOUR OF NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES BETWEEN PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES AND LOS ANGELES DODGERS COMPLETE SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (MLB – See restrictions before use) SHOTLIST TO FOLLOW STORY: Hyeseong Kim scored from third base on an 11th-inning error by Philadelphia pitcher Orion Kerkering and the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship Series for the seventh time in the past 10 seasons with a 2-1 victory over the Phillies on Thursday (October 9). Los Angeles closed out the best-of-five series in Game Four. The Dodgers will open the NLCS on Monday either on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers or at home versus the Chicago Cubs. Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow struck out eight over six scoreless innings, and reliever Roki Sasaki threw three perfect innings. Mookie Betts drew a game-tying, bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning. Edman singled for Los Angeles with one out in the 11th inning against Jesus Luzardo, and Kim entered as a pinch runner. Max Muncy singled with two outs to put runners on the corners. Enrique Hernandez walked against Kerkering to load the bases. Andy Pages hit a comebacker that Kerkering bobbled. Instead of throwing to first base to end the inning, Kerkering threw the ball past catcher J.T. Realmuto to set off a Dodgers celebration on the infield. Philadelphia starter Cristopher Sanchez was charged with one run over 6 1/3 innings. Jhoan Duran, Matt Strahm and Luzardo (0-2) got the Phillies into the 11th before their season ended on their second error of the game. When Glasnow exited, the Dodgers turned to Emmet Sheehan in the seventh inning, and the Phillies pounced. Realmuto led off with a single but was forced out at second base on a Max Kepler ground ball. The Dodgers failed to complete the double play when Sheehan misplayed the throw from Betts at the first base bag. Sheehan's error put Kepler at second base. Castellanos followed with a go-ahead double just inside the third base bag and into the left field corner for a 1-0 lead. The Dodgers threatened immediately against Sanchez in the bottom of the inning when Alex Call walked and Hernandez singled with one out. Duran came on to get Pages on a groundout, advancing the runners, before Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked to load the bases. Los Angeles tied it 1-1 on Betts' walk. After Sasaki retired all nine batters he faced, Alex Vesia (1-0) pitched a scoreless 11th for the Dodgers. (Production: Bhagya Ayyavoo) More MLB content is available on Reuters Connect here: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?sources=mlbimagen

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: ALGERIANS CELEBRATING IN STREET,  PEOPLE IN CARS CELEBRATING, SOUNDBITES FROM SOCCER FANS RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: ALGIERS, ALGERIA (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)  1. SUPPORTERS AT LA GRANDE POSTE SQUARE SHOUTING: “ONE TWO THREE, LONG LIFE ALGERIA”  2. SUPPORTERS SINGING: “PALESTINE, LAND OF MARTYRS”  3. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) 27-YEAR-OLD ALGERIAN FOOTBALL FAN, ISSAM BOUGHABA SAYING:  “We hope that they will continue like this, one two three long life to Algeria, we hope to win and bring the world cup, that’s what we hope as Algerians, as you can see Algerian people are very happy today, we are not afraid of any team participating in the world cup, we are Algerians and we are known and we hope to win both African and world cups.”  4. SUPPORTERS HOLDING FIREWORKS AND SHOUTING: "PALESTINE, PALESTINE”  5. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) 20-YEAR-OLD ALGERIAN FOOTBALL FAN, TAHA OUSSAMA, SAYING:  “It has been 11 years that we haven’t been qualified to the world cup, in 2018 and in 2022 We didn’t participate and this year we are qualified and ze hope that we will do something good, and why not, the Algerian team wins the world cup and bring it here to make us extremely happy, one two three long life Algeria.”  6. TAHA AND HIS FRIENDS CELEBRATING AND WAVING A BIG ALGERIAN FLAG AND SHOUTING: “ONE TWO THREE, LONG LIFE ALGERIA”  7. SUPPORTERS SHOUTING: “A VISA TO THE UNITED STATES”  8. VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS CELEBRATING BY FIREWORKS AND SINGING 9. CARS CELEBRATING / A GIRL IN THE CAR HOLDING A FLAG 10. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CELEBRATING IN THEIR CARS  11. A FAMILY CELEBRATING IN THEIR CAR/ THE FATHER SINGING STORY: Algeria added their name to the list of World Cup qualifiers on Thursday (October 9), the fourth African team to book a berth at next year’s finals in North America, after a comfortable 3-0 win over Somalia. Mohamed Amoura netted twice – taking his goals tally in the qualifying campaign to eight – while captain Riyad Mahrez also scored. Victory for Algeria advanced them to an unassailable 22 points with one match still to play in Group G. It will be their fifth World Cup finals appearance but first since Brazil in 2014. The top team in each of the nine African groups qualifies automatically for the finals in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., and Algeria join the already qualified Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Amoura handed Algeria a seventh-minute lead when Mahrez’s cross was missed by striker Baghdad Bounedjah but found the Bundesliga-based forward unmarked at the back post to convert. Mahrez then doubled the lead 12 minutes later with Amoura scoring his second, again from a Mahrez cross, in the 57th minute. The fixture was a home game for Somalia, but because they do not have a suitable venue for international matches, it was hosted in Oran, handing Algeria the chance to celebrate qualification in front of a packed house at Stade Miloud Hadefi. (Production: Abdelaziz Boumzar, Thawab Herzallah)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: ALGERIANS CELEBRATING IN STREET,  PEOPLE IN CARS CELEBRATING, SOUNDBITES FROM SOCCER FANS COMPLETE SCRIPT TO FOLLOW STORY: (Production: Abdelaziz Boumzar, Thawab Herzallah)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM TRAINING, SOUNDBITES FROM PLAYERS AND COACH/ SENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY. SHOWS: AUSTIN, TEXAS, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 2. (SOUNDBITE)(English) WESTON MCKENNIE, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Texas heat is definitely different heat than anywhere else. Even me, I'm trying to sweat a little bit more, so I got a sweater on, but it's not the best idea for training. So, I would say hydrate, take a lot of sodium, and it's a good thing that the game's a little bit later in the day.” 3. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 4. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRISTIAN PULISIC, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “I've been here for quite a long time and I've had a lot of experience, you know, in Europe as well. Coming into this team, obviously being one of the more experienced guys, I think it's my job to help some of the younger players and help try to lead by example as much as I can and, yeah, do my best for this team.” 5. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 6. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRISTIAN PULISIC, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “I think we want to have this, you know, take this game seriously. I think we want to go in and find ways to win. I think that's important. I think, you know, this is a really good side as well, and… Yeah, we want to prove that we can compete and come out with a good result.” 7. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 8. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRIS RICHARDS, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Yeah, of course, I mean, any time you step on the field, you kind of have to measure yourself to the next team. And I think there's this kind of stigma that friendlies don't mean much, but for us, it means everything going into a World Cup year. So, we're gonna use these games to be as competitive as possible and try to win.” 9. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 10. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MALIK TILLMAN, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Try to give it my best, be dangerous for the opponent and fight for the team.” 11. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 12. VARIOUS OF USMNT PLAYER DIEGO LUNA HOLDING A TEAM JACKET 13. USMNT HEAD COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO HOLDING A JERSEY WITH HIS NAME ON IT 14. USMNT HEAD COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO ENTERING ROOM FOR NEWS CONFERENCE 15. USMNT LOGO  16. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “Now, I promise you, no one is sure that he’s going to be on the roster of the World Cup 2026 here. I don't believe before that was in the same way or not. But today, I promise, all the guys feel that they need to fight for to be there. And that is priceless.” 17. MEDIA/ POCHETTINO 18. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “That is the important thing. From now, it's about to talk about to improve, improve, improve, do better things. And for sure, arrive in the best condition for the World Cup, that is the reality how people are going to judge us.” 19. USMNT LOGO ON SHIRT 20. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “Ecuador is going to be difficult. Ecuador was second on the qualification in South America. That is very tough when you play again Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and company, Paraguay, Chile, and to do this, Colombia. Second in the qualification is because you are doing something good and then you have very good players.” 21. POCHETTINO DURING NEWS CONFERENCE STORY: The U.S. Men’s National Team was warming up in Austin, Texas on Thursday (Oct. 9), the day before a friendly against Ecuador at Q2 Stadium. For USMNT Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, the pressure was on players to prove themselves for a roster spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the event draws closer. “Now, I promise you, no one is sure that he’s going to be on the roster of the World Cup 2026 here,” Pochettino said. “All the guys feel that they need to fight for to be there. And that is priceless.” For USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie, the sweltering Texas temperatures provided an added training challenge. “Texas heat is definitely different heat than anywhere else,” McKennie said. “I would say, hydrate, take a lot of sodium, and it's a good thing that the game's a little bit later in the day.” The United States will be the main host for the 2026 World Cup starting in the summer of 2026, with Canada and Mexico serving as auxiliary hosts. In June, Ecuador became the 13th nation to qualify for the World Cup. (Production: Evan Garcia)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM TRAINING, SOUNDBITES FROM PLAYERS AND COACH/ SENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY. SHOWS: AUSTIN, TEXAS, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 2. (SOUNDBITE)(English) WESTON MCKENNIE, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Texas heat is definitely different heat than anywhere else. Even me, I'm trying to sweat a little bit more, so I got a sweater on, but it's not the best idea for training. So, I would say hydrate, take a lot of sodium, and it's a good thing that the game's a little bit later in the day.” 3. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 4. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRISTIAN PULISIC, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “I've been here for quite a long time and I've had a lot of experience, you know, in Europe as well. Coming into this team, obviously being one of the more experienced guys, I think it's my job to help some of the younger players and help try to lead by example as much as I can and, yeah, do my best for this team.” 5. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 6. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRISTIAN PULISIC, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “I think we want to have this, you know, take this game seriously. I think we want to go in and find ways to win. I think that's important. I think, you know, this is a really good side as well, and… Yeah, we want to prove that we can compete and come out with a good result.” 7. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 8. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRIS RICHARDS, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Yeah, of course, I mean, any time you step on the field, you kind of have to measure yourself to the next team. And I think there's this kind of stigma that friendlies don't mean much, but for us, it means everything going into a World Cup year. So, we're gonna use these games to be as competitive as possible and try to win.” 9. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 10. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MALIK TILLMAN, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Try to give it my best, be dangerous for the opponent and fight for the team.” 11. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 12. VARIOUS OF USMNT PLAYER DIEGO LUNA HOLDING A TEAM JACKET 13. USMNT HEAD COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO HOLDING A JERSEY WITH HIS NAME ON IT 14. USMNT HEAD COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO ENTERING ROOM FOR NEWS CONFERENCE 15. USMNT LOGO  16. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “Now, I promise you, no one is sure that he’s going to be on the roster of the World Cup 2026 here. I don't believe before that was in the same way or not. But today, I promise, all the guys feel that they need to fight for to be there. And that is priceless.” 17. MEDIA/ POCHETTINO 18. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “That is the important thing. From now, it's about to talk about to improve, improve, improve, do better things. And for sure, arrive in the best condition for the World Cup, that is the reality how people are going to judge us.” 19. USMNT LOGO ON SHIRT 20. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “Ecuador is going to be difficult. Ecuador was second on the qualification in South America. That is very tough when you play again Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and company, Paraguay, Chile, and to do this, Colombia. Second in the qualification is because you are doing something good and then you have very good players.” 21. POCHETTINO DURING NEWS CONFERENCE STORY: The U.S. Men’s National Team was warming up in Austin, Texas on Thursday (Oct. 9), the day before a friendly against Ecuador at Q2 Stadium. For USMNT Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, the pressure was on players to prove themselves for a roster spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the event draws closer. “Now, I promise you, no one is sure that he’s going to be on the roster of the World Cup 2026 here,” Pochettino said. “All the guys feel that they need to fight for to be there. And that is priceless.” For USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie, the sweltering Texas temperatures provided an added training challenge. “Texas heat is definitely different heat than anywhere else,” McKennie said. “I would say, hydrate, take a lot of sodium, and it's a good thing that the game's a little bit later in the day.” The United States will be the main host for the 2026 World Cup starting in the summer of 2026, with Canada and Mexico serving as auxiliary hosts. In June, Ecuador became the 13th nation to qualify for the World Cup. (Production: Evan Garcia)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM TRAINING, SOUNDBITES FROM PLAYERS AND COACH/ SENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY. SHOWS: AUSTIN, TEXAS, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 2. (SOUNDBITE)(English) WESTON MCKENNIE, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Texas heat is definitely different heat than anywhere else. Even me, I'm trying to sweat a little bit more, so I got a sweater on, but it's not the best idea for training. So, I would say hydrate, take a lot of sodium, and it's a good thing that the game's a little bit later in the day.” 3. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 4. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRISTIAN PULISIC, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “I've been here for quite a long time and I've had a lot of experience, you know, in Europe as well. Coming into this team, obviously being one of the more experienced guys, I think it's my job to help some of the younger players and help try to lead by example as much as I can and, yeah, do my best for this team.” 5. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 6. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRISTIAN PULISIC, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “I think we want to have this, you know, take this game seriously. I think we want to go in and find ways to win. I think that's important. I think, you know, this is a really good side as well, and… Yeah, we want to prove that we can compete and come out with a good result.” 7. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 8. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRIS RICHARDS, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Yeah, of course, I mean, any time you step on the field, you kind of have to measure yourself to the next team. And I think there's this kind of stigma that friendlies don't mean much, but for us, it means everything going into a World Cup year. So, we're gonna use these games to be as competitive as possible and try to win.” 9. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 10. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MALIK TILLMAN, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Try to give it my best, be dangerous for the opponent and fight for the team.” 11. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 12. VARIOUS OF USMNT PLAYER DIEGO LUNA HOLDING A TEAM JACKET 13. USMNT HEAD COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO HOLDING A JERSEY WITH HIS NAME ON IT 14. USMNT HEAD COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO ENTERING ROOM FOR NEWS CONFERENCE 15. USMNT LOGO  16. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “Now, I promise you, no one is sure that he’s going to be on the roster of the World Cup 2026 here. I don't believe before that was in the same way or not. But today, I promise, all the guys feel that they need to fight for to be there. And that is priceless.” 17. MEDIA/ POCHETTINO 18. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “That is the important thing. From now, it's about to talk about to improve, improve, improve, do better things. And for sure, arrive in the best condition for the World Cup, that is the reality how people are going to judge us.” 19. USMNT LOGO ON SHIRT 20. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “Ecuador is going to be difficult. Ecuador was second on the qualification in South America. That is very tough when you play again Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and company, Paraguay, Chile, and to do this, Colombia. Second in the qualification is because you are doing something good and then you have very good players.” 21. POCHETTINO DURING NEWS CONFERENCE STORY: The U.S. Men’s National Team was warming up in Austin, Texas on Thursday (Oct. 9), the day before a friendly against Ecuador at Q2 Stadium. For USMNT Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, the pressure was on players to prove themselves for a roster spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the event draws closer. “Now, I promise you, no one is sure that he’s going to be on the roster of the World Cup 2026 here,” Pochettino said. “All the guys feel that they need to fight for to be there. And that is priceless.” For USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie, the sweltering Texas temperatures provided an added training challenge. “Texas heat is definitely different heat than anywhere else,” McKennie said. “I would say, hydrate, take a lot of sodium, and it's a good thing that the game's a little bit later in the day.” The United States will be the main host for the 2026 World Cup starting in the summer of 2026, with Canada and Mexico serving as auxiliary hosts. In June, Ecuador became the 13th nation to qualify for the World Cup. (Production: Evan Garcia)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM TRAINING, SOUNDBITES FROM PLAYERS AND COACH/ SENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY. SHOWS: AUSTIN, TEXAS, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 2. (SOUNDBITE)(English) WESTON MCKENNIE, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Texas heat is definitely different heat than anywhere else. Even me, I'm trying to sweat a little bit more, so I got a sweater on, but it's not the best idea for training. So, I would say hydrate, take a lot of sodium, and it's a good thing that the game's a little bit later in the day.” 3. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 4. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRISTIAN PULISIC, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “I've been here for quite a long time and I've had a lot of experience, you know, in Europe as well. Coming into this team, obviously being one of the more experienced guys, I think it's my job to help some of the younger players and help try to lead by example as much as I can and, yeah, do my best for this team.” 5. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 6. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRISTIAN PULISIC, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “I think we want to have this, you know, take this game seriously. I think we want to go in and find ways to win. I think that's important. I think, you know, this is a really good side as well, and… Yeah, we want to prove that we can compete and come out with a good result.” 7. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 8. (SOUNDBITE)(English) CHRIS RICHARDS, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Yeah, of course, I mean, any time you step on the field, you kind of have to measure yourself to the next team. And I think there's this kind of stigma that friendlies don't mean much, but for us, it means everything going into a World Cup year. So, we're gonna use these games to be as competitive as possible and try to win.” 9. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 10. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MALIK TILLMAN, USMNT PLAYER, SAYING: “Try to give it my best, be dangerous for the opponent and fight for the team.” 11. VARIOUS OF U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WARMING UP 12. VARIOUS OF USMNT PLAYER DIEGO LUNA HOLDING A TEAM JACKET 13. USMNT HEAD COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO HOLDING A JERSEY WITH HIS NAME ON IT 14. USMNT HEAD COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO ENTERING ROOM FOR NEWS CONFERENCE 15. USMNT LOGO  16. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “Now, I promise you, no one is sure that he’s going to be on the roster of the World Cup 2026 here. I don't believe before that was in the same way or not. But today, I promise, all the guys feel that they need to fight for to be there. And that is priceless.” 17. MEDIA/ POCHETTINO 18. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “That is the important thing. From now, it's about to talk about to improve, improve, improve, do better things. And for sure, arrive in the best condition for the World Cup, that is the reality how people are going to judge us.” 19. USMNT LOGO ON SHIRT 20. (SOUNDBITE)(English) MAURICIO POCHETTINO, USMNT HEAD COACH, SAYING: “Ecuador is going to be difficult. Ecuador was second on the qualification in South America. That is very tough when you play again Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and company, Paraguay, Chile, and to do this, Colombia. Second in the qualification is because you are doing something good and then you have very good players.” 21. POCHETTINO DURING NEWS CONFERENCE STORY: The U.S. Men’s National Team was warming up in Austin, Texas on Thursday (Oct. 9), the day before a friendly against Ecuador at Q2 Stadium. For USMNT Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, the pressure was on players to prove themselves for a roster spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the event draws closer. “Now, I promise you, no one is sure that he’s going to be on the roster of the World Cup 2026 here,” Pochettino said. “All the guys feel that they need to fight for to be there. And that is priceless.” For USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie, the sweltering Texas temperatures provided an added training challenge. “Texas heat is definitely different heat than anywhere else,” McKennie said. “I would say, hydrate, take a lot of sodium, and it's a good thing that the game's a little bit later in the day.” The United States will be the main host for the 2026 World Cup starting in the summer of 2026, with Canada and Mexico serving as auxiliary hosts. In June, Ecuador became the 13th nation to qualify for the World Cup. (Production: Evan Garcia)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: BELGIUM AND MACEDONIA TRAINING AHEAD OF WORLD CUP QUALIFIER IN GHENT/ PRESS CONFERENCE COMMENTS FROM BELGIUM, HEAD COACH, RUDI GARCIA, AND MACEDONIA HEAD COACH, BLAGOJA MILEVSKI COMPLETE SHOTLIST TO FOLLOW SHOWS: GHENT, BELGIUM (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) TO FOLLOW STORY: Belgium host Macedonia in Ghent on Friday (October 9) with the opportunity to leapfrog their visitors and take top spot in their qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup.  Rudi Garcia, who took over as head coach of the Red Devils at the start of 2025, oversaw a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in Skopje to kick off the qualifying campaign back in June.  Having taken the lead through Maxim De Cuyper early on, Belgium let slip their advantage with just four minutes left of regulation time.  Since then, the 61-year-old Frenchman has guided Belgium to three successive victories beginning with a 4-3 win over Wales in Brussels courtesy of a late winner from captain Kevin de Bruyne. That victory was followed up by lopsided wins against Lichtenstein and Kazakhstan in September by a combined scoreline of 12-0. Speaking to a press conference on Thursday, Garcia urged his side to learn from their mistakes in Skopje.  "It would be the right idea to take the lead again but we have to know how to protect that lead," he explained. "We have to make sure we don't give them any chance to equalise because it was mainly our mistakes that allowed them back in the game," added Garcia, who is best known for his spells at Lille, Roma, Marseille and Lyon before embarking on his first foray into international management with Belgium. As it stands, Belgium sit second in the standings on 10 points from four games, one behind North Macedonia, who have played five matches. Wales also have 10 points but from five outings. (Production: Zoran Mikletic, Conal Quinn)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)