Author: Staff Reports

Cavan Sullivan can play it cool if he wants, but we know he was as happy as a little kid to hear that at just 16, he could become the second-youngest player ever to play in a match for U.S. Soccer’s senior men’s national team.

We know, because at the end of the day — he is just a kid.

On Thursday, he and two other Union players, Neil Pierre, 18, and Frankie Westfield, 20, were named to the U.S. men’s roster ahead of four matches in the first FIFA international window since the World Cup ended on July 19. It’s also the first time for Westfield and Pierre, the latter who made a point to voice his excitement about getting called into a senior team camp alongside his “brothers.”

• Here’s a look at what all three had to say,
• What Cavan said on camera, and
• What U.S. Soccer manager Mauricio Pochettino is saying about the trio, headlined by Sullivan’s rising star power.

Expect a little drizzle, but nothing too crazy as highs will creep into the mid-80s today.

— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓Who’s a young phenom you can recall? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Welcome back, hockey!

While football is in full swing after last weekend’s Eagles opener, hockey is just around the corner.

Thursday brought the latest sign of that, as the Flyers were on the ice for the first day of training camp in Voorhees. How’d they look? As Gabriela Carroll writes, there was a different feel and buzz around the team, especially after last year’s playoff run and the expectations that come with that.

Speaking of new beginnings, star winger Matvei Michkov is hoping for one this season after a disappointing sophomore campaign. Thursday hinted he might just be poised for a breakout season on and off the ice.

‘Ready to play’

There was certainly cause for concern when Jalen Carter missed practice on Wednesday and nursing a wrist injury. Would he play this Sunday against the Titans or sit this one out?

Ask him, and Carter, 25, contends that the injury is minor and that he intends to play, though he wouldn’t get into the specifics of what’s ailing him.

“Just a minor adjustment, and I’m still out there practicing and ready to play,” Carter said.

Inquirer writer Olivia Reiner has more on Carter preparing for the Titans this weekend.

Speaking of what they’re saying, we rounded up of what local and national pundits are saying about the Eagles’ chances in Sunday’s matchup.

Phillies add a veteran pitcher

Two days after getting designated for assignment by the White Sox, Jose Urquidy was claimed off waivers by the Phillies. The veteran right-hander is set to meet the team in New York and is scheduled to pitch tonight, according to interim manager Don Mattingly, likely providing bulk innings within a bullpen game.

The Phillies have a hole in the rotation after star lefty Jesús Luzardo went on the injured list with an inflamed left shoulder. Aside from being a critical blow to their chances for a deep postseason run, it left them with a short-term need for a starter against the Mets.

Aaron Nola turned back the clock with a dominant outing in the Phillies’ shutout of the Mets.

Next: The Phillies continue their series in New York at 7:15 p.m. tonight (NBCSP).

Clownin on ‘em

Anthony Edwards has never been one to watch what he says. It’s why, despite playing for the Timberwolves, one can’t help from laughing hysterically at his antics. On Thursday, he went in on a number of NBA players, including LeBron James, who Edwards admits he tried to woo to Minnesota before King James took his talents to Philly.

So what did Edwards say? You’ll have to read all about it.

In more serious Sixers news, Adem Bona suffered a foot sprain while participating in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers for Turkey. Here’s how soon he can get back on the floor.

On this date

Sept. 18, 1963: In the final game at the famed Polo Grounds in New York City, the Phillies smacked the Mets, 5-1 (Queue the smiling Shrek meme).

Our best sports 📸 of the week

The Eagles won (again) in Week 1 as the NFL season kicked off. They haven’t lost an opener since 2020, the year before Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts took over. While the Birds weren’t the only game in town this week, they were the biggest sports story — and a pair of players even made some headlines off the field. Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors picked the best sports images from the last seven days. Here’s this week’s Big Picture.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

SERY DUQUJOI

The Phillies just claimed this pitcher off waivers; he can take the mound as soon as tonight. Think you know? Take a guess and then click here to see if you’re correct.

What you’re saying about high school sports

We asked: What sports did you play in high school? Did you have a favorite?

Played football just in junior high at then-little Springfield Delco. Moved to a much larger district for high school and was too small to continue. Only lost one game, and my proudest moment was beating Radnor, 14-0, who featured Eagles 1960 tailback Ted Dean on their field. We did not know his name at the time, but knew that he was big and fast. — Everett S.

I had a “Moonlight Graham” career in baseball at Germantown Friends. I actually was a statistician. I didn’t get into distance running until after college, 48 years ago. However, that leads into an historical point on high school recruiting. This is hardly a new phenomenon locally. Germantown Friends pulled out of the Inter-Ac League in the mid-60s because of the other schools’ athletic recruiting … mainly Penn Charter and Germantown Academy, although Malvern Prep should not be overlooked in this regard. Let us not forget, these were, and still are, private schools. Arguably the best athlete to graduate from Penn Charter, Matt Ryan, was from Radnor, which is hardly in the neighborhood of East Falls.

At about the same time that GFS pulled out of the Inter-Ac, Germantown Academy did not pull out, but pulled out of Germantown entirely, migrating to Ft. Washington where it still exists … as Germantown Academy … an anachronism if there ever was one. — John S.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jonathan Tannenwald, Becca O’Reilly, Conor Smith, Olivia Reiner, DeAntae Prince, Scott Lauber, Jackie Spiegel, Gabriela Carroll, Mariam Akraz, and The Inquirer’s photography staff.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for riding with us today, and here’s hoping all week. We’ll be back on Monday. Oh, and if you’re headed to Nashville for the Eagles game, enjoy. — Kerith

With his Father Judge teammates celebrating their Catholic League semifinal win in the background and the other game underway, Derrick Morton-Rivera said the quiet part out loud.

What drew the star guard, now a freshman at Temple, to Judge?

The coaches “recruited me,” he said.

Recruiting. It’s a topic of debate for coaches, parents, players, and even lawmakers across the state — so much so that House Bill No. 41, which would allow the PIAA to create separate postseasons, passed the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives in April.

In the latest installation of his occasional series, Mike Sielski unpacks the complex web of recruiting in high school sports — the dynamics between districts and the perks that are promised — in Philly and beyond.

— Maria McIlwain, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓What sports did you play in high school? Did you have a favorite? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Marsh stuck

Just a couple months ago, Brandon Marsh was an All-Star.

It’s pretty much ben all downhill from there. As Marsh’s star rose, teams began attacking him differently, and interim manager Don Mattingly noted that he’s gotten fewer pitches in the strike zone in the second half of the season. But the left fielder hasn’t been able to adjust.

Zack Wheeler dazzled for seven scoreless innings in the Phillies’ shut out win over the Nationals.

Next: The road trip continues as the Phillies head to New York to face the Mets (7:15 p.m., Fox29). New York’s Nolan McLean (11-9, 3.24 ERA) will face Aaron Nola (6-10, 4.69).

Marcus Hayes’s take

It’s time to sound the alarm. The Phillies entered Wednesday a half-game behind the Cubs for first place in the wild-card race and just 3½ games ahead of the Diamondbacks, who are the first team out of the three-team wild-card pool.

The bullpen is a mess, the defense and baserunning are as bad as ever, and the starting pitching is starting to wear down — Jesús Luzardo is the latest to go on the injured list.

Stars like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Alec Bohm, and Luis Arraez will make a combined $111.2 million this season.

Now would be a good time for them to start earning it.

What we’re …

• 🎧 Hearing: That Matt Cord is unretiring and returning as the Sixers’ PA announcer.
• 😂 Laughing (at): Travis Kelce’s totally unbiased advice for quarterbacks in the latest episode of New Heights.
• 🎶 Wondering: What to do in Nashville? We’ve got you covered as the Birds prepare to visit the Tennessee Titans.

Eagle grounded

Cooper DeJean appeared to get hurt in the second quarter of the Eagles’ season-opening win. He grabbed the left side of his abdomen after making a tackle but didn’t miss any snaps because of the injury. He struggled in coverage at times, however.

Now, he’s sitting out in practice.

DeJean, who appeared to be wearing a sleeve on his left leg, sat out for the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday with calf and abdomen injuries, though he expects to get on the field as the team prepares to face the Titans.

Meanwhile, Jalyx Hunt got to spend some time with his “little sisters” at Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls this week.

Next: The Birds hit the road for the first time this season and will take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday (1 p.m., Fox29).

Gotta Fly(er) now

It’s officially time to “do that hockey.” Flyers training camp opens today, and they’re looking to improve upon last season, when they stormed into the second round of the playoffs. They bring back a young, healthy core, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any questions surrounding the team and its top players, like Matvei Michkov.

And as a new season begins, here are some key story lines we’re following entering camp.

Next: Flyers training camp opens today in Voorhees.

On this date

On Sept. 17, 1920, 14 teams paid $100 to join the American Professional Football Association, which became the NFL. The league adopted its current name in 1922, and the Eagles joined the fold in 1933. Now, after almost a century in existence, the Birds have two Super Bowl trophies to their name and three other NFL championships from the pre-Super Bowl era.

What you’re saying about sports media

We asked: Who is your favorite sports media personality of all time and why? Among your responses:

Al Meltzer … “It’s a barn burner.” — William R.

My favorite sports personality was, without a doubt, Richie Ashburn. The combination of humor and baseball knowledge was unparalleled. His interaction with Harry Kalas was priceless. I ran into Richie twice and found that he was just as genuine in person as he seemed to be on air. John Kruk comes close, but nobody can totally replace Ashburn. — Tom E.

The late great Jim Healy, the legendary Los Angeles sports commentator who entertained all sports fans in the greater L.A. area for 43 years with his irreverent and original style. He poked fun at everybody in the sports world and some outside such as Richard Nixon. He had names for everyone such as “Bone Spur Bill” for Bill Walton, and “Brain Surgeons” for the USC Trojans. He played tapes of Tommy Lasorda and others where he bleeped out all the cuss words. He had great fun mocking our late Jerome Brown and his famous comments prior to the Miami-Penn State national championship in the Fiesta Bowl. A wild half hour every week day night. — Everett S.

I used to love to listen to Bill Campbell doing Eagles games prior to MR. — Bill B.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Mike Sielski, Scott Lauber, Marcus Hayes, Rob Tornoe, Conor Smith, Mia Messina, Olivia Reiner, and Gustav Elvin.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading along! Kerith will be back in your inboxes tomorrow morning. — Maria

Long before he was Big Daddy Graham, Eddie Gudonis grew up loving local sports, music, and the written word in Southwest Philadelphia.

A traditional path through college wasn’t for him, but he found his way onto the stage and then the airwaves in Philly and beyond. From there, his paradoxical nature was on display — for those awake to hear it.

Every weeknight from 2-6 a.m., Graham’s voice was a beacon as the overnight host at 94.1 WIP — “I’m like, ‘Do you know how many people you helped?’” his daughter, Ava, said. But working that shift took a toll on his body.

And five years after his death, those who knew and loved Big Daddy Graham best share their memories.

— Maria McIlwain, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓Who is your favorite sports media personality of all time and why? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Plenty to ponder

Landon Dickerson’s stint on injured reserve means more than just a key member of the line is out for at least four weeks.

It could signal a shift along the entire line. Drew Kendall, the presumed next man up, was a center in college, and the Eagles could slot him in at center while shifting Cam Jurgens to guard. They also could insert Willie Lampkin, who had a dominant preseason.

And those aren’t the only moves the Eagles are making.

While the staff ponders its next steps, get to know Kendall.

Next: The Birds hit the road for the first time this season and will take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday (1 p.m., Fox29).

Mike Sielski’s take

Landon Dickerson didn’t break any news on Monday night from that South Philly sports bar. But, hours after The Inquirer broke that the left guard was heading to injured reserve, he took questions. And his answers were revelatory.

They pointed toward unselfishness, which is admirable. But they also revealed an acknowledgment: No matter how talented he is, once he leaves the lineup, there’s no guarantee he’s coming back. And Dickerson, like nearly everyone else on the Eagles roster, has been all football for years. What if that suddenly goes away?

Luzardo’s playoff status unclear

The Phillies’ playoff outlook got a little murkier on Tuesday when they placed left-hander Jesus Luzardo on the injured list with stiffness in his inflamed left shoulder. The key to any postseason success rides on the backs of their big three starters: Luzardo, Cristopher Sánchez, and Zack Wheeler.

“Definitely concerned just because I want to get back for the team and be ready for the postseason,” Luzardo said from the dugout at Nationals Park. “Level of concern for the future is not that high. I know it’s something that’ll go away with time.

“But right now we don’t have much time.”

Is he confident he can be ready for the playoffs?

Late inning bullpen struggles show up again for the Phillies in a 6-3 series-opening loss to the Nationals.

Next: The Phillies wrap up their season finale with the Nationals at 6:45 tonight (NBCSP). Zack Wheeler (12-5, 3.14 ERA) will face Nats righty Cade Cavalli (12-5, 3.12).

Steppingstones

Just one more sleep until Flyers training camp, and there will be plenty of changes in hockey. No more fitness testing, and no more eight-year contracts.

But a lot of the names and faces inside the Flyers Training Center will be the same, as the team looks to make a playoff run for a second straight season.

Before the fun begins, Flyers general manager Danny Brière shared some insight on big names like Matvei Michkov and explained what he meant about the team potentially taking “a step back.”

Not everyone competing for a spot on the roster is a veteran, of course. Ty Murchison is turning heads and wants to prove he can be trusted in “big situations.”

Next: Training camp opens on Thursday in Voorhees.

Sports snapshot

• George speaks: The former Sixer didn’t take Celtics fans’ reactions about the Jaylen Brown trade personally.
• Meet in the middle: The Ivy Madness men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are coming to Allentown.

🧠 Trivia time answer

We asked you: When was the last time the Eagles lost in a season opener? Bonus points if you can guess which team it was against.

Answer: B: 2020. The Birds dropped the 2020 opener to the franchise then known as the Washington Football Team, 27-17. It didn’t get much better as they went 4-11-1, fired coach Doug Pederson, and benched Carson Wentz in favor of Jalen Hurts.

What you’re saying about Eagles concerns

We asked: What is your biggest concern for the Eagles after their Week 1 matchup?

Offensive line has to get better. Jalen Hurts needs more time in the pocket, so as not running as much and better blocking so Saquon and the other running backs can gain bigger yards. — Tom G.

Our CENTER still cannot block. CAM JURGENS couldn’t block last year and guess what? He still can’t block this year. He alone is jamming up the OL. Why can we see this and the coaches are blind to it. — Ronald R.

Offensive line has regressed from being the best to a very average group. Granted Dickerson was injured but the lack of depth is very concerning to me. I would expect a much smoother run game this week, they just aren’t opening lanes or creases for Saquan. Offensively, it seems as though we have some work to do as well. — Bill B.

It’s a little soon to have any long-term concerns with the Eagles after NFL Week 1. I’m not really concerned about points that the Eagles left on the board, a defense left on the field for way too long, or too many points surrendered to the Commanders. What is a concern is that Landon Dickerson didn’t just look not like his normal self on Sunday — even more is that in a season where Jalen Hurts needs protection — that he is now on IR. — Michael L.

My opinion is the head coach everybody always talks about that they have plenty of talent but they about his play calling. — Charles G.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Alex Coffey, Ryan Novozinsky, Jeff Neiburg, Scott Lauber, Jackie Spiegel, Gabriela Carroll, Lauren Jones, Conor Smith, and Mike Sielski.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

That’s it from me today! I’ll be back in your inboxes tomorrow morning with the best from Philly sports! — Maria

Ryan Richter, known to many as the Union’s interim manager, was once a three-sport athlete at William Tennant High School.

The 37-year-old Bucks County native grew up captivated by NBA culture, particularly Allen Iverson. He’d wear a headband during basketball games. He pierced both ears and gave himself nicknames, like “Shaq Daddy.”

While the moniker is long gone, that side of Richter isn’t.

The La Salle graduate was drafted by his hometown MLS team in 2011, began coaching for them in 2018, and has gradually worked his way up.

Now, he’s leading the Union from the worst record in the league to playoff contention. The soccer world might be surprised by Richter’s accomplishments. But those from his hometown are not.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓What is your biggest concern for the Eagles after their Week 1 matchup? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Hurts to the rescue

Jalen Hurts made several big-time throws against Washington, and at times looked like the explosive runner that made him one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL.

He also addressed some doubts about how he would adjust to another change in coordinator and scheme. But the game plan didn’t quite represent the dramatic shift that was anticipated. Instead, it was a blending of the old and new.

There was still much more of the old bad than the good in Week 1, writes Jeff McLane. That meant too many three-and-outs and too much of Hurts under pressure.

Speaking of offensive line struggles, Hurts was sacked three times on Sunday. Now, the Eagles are placing Landon Dickerson on injured reserve.

Cooper DeJean also didn’t look great. He allowed six catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. But this was his first game in his new role. So the second-year defensive back has no plans to overreact. However, he knows his performance “wasn’t good enough.”

Read more of our Eagles coverage and what Nick Sirianni said in his Monday press conference here.

What we’re …

🤔 Wondering: What the national media is saying about the Eagles after they escaped with a Week 1 win.

🏈 Learning: The Ivy League is adding a bye week and starting the college football season earlier in 2027.

🔎Analyzing: Villanova men’s basketball complete 2026-27 schedule after the Big East games were released.

📖 Reading: St. Joe’s track and field terminated its jumps program. The phase-out process started in 2023-24.

Painter’s postseason role

Andrew Painter has done some struggling, failing, learning, and improving in his rookie season. But when the regular season ends after the next 12 games, Painter could see his role change.

In a best-of-three wild-card series, the Phillies would only need a maximum of three starters. In the best-of-five National League Division Series, clubs usually have a four-man rotation.

Either way, the Phillies will have some decisions to make about how they will set up their starting pitching. Is it possible that the rookie could be an option for the postseason bullpen?

Tippett pays it back

Owen Tippett is entering his seventh season in the NHL. The 27-year-old will sometimes recall his days skating as a kid in Toronto, which is why he’s entering his third straight season as an ambassador for the Flyers Learn to Play Rookie Program.

And curious how the Flyers’ Rookie Series went? Check out Jackie Spiegel’s takeaways from Game 1 and 2 this past weekend.

Making his case

On Wednesday, U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to announce his 26-man roster for a series of four upcoming friendlies.

There’s a good chance that Cavan Sullivan will earn his first call-up to the senior squad. On Sunday night, the 16-year-old recorded his first two-goal game in a 5-0 rout of San Diego. He now has five goals and six assists in his last seven MLS games.

The Union are also unbeaten in their last 10 matchups. The group can tie the franchise’s longest unbeaten streak with a win or draw against Sporting Kansas City this Saturday.

Marcus Hayes’ take

Jalen Hurts, after a poor 2025 season, made a strong opening statement Sunday afternoon. If he strings together a dozen or so games like this in Sean Mannion’s system this year, expect the 28-year-old to sign an extension to be the Eagles’ quarterback for the next seven or eight seasons, writes columnist Marcus Hayes.

🧠 Trivia time

When was the last time the Eagles lost in a season opener? Bonus points if you can guess which team it was against.

A) 2022

B) 2020

C) 2019

D) 2017

What you’re saying about the Eagles’ opener

We asked: What did you think of the Eagles’ win over the Commanders? Among your responses:

At this point, it is difficult to tell who these Eagles are, especially on the offensive side of the ball. However, the play of the “O” line was concerning and the “D” line was underwhelming in getting to the QB. Nonetheless, a Week 1 divisional win is much better than a Week 1 Divisional loss. Now on to Tennessee. — Jim V.

The days of the Commanders being almost a guaranteed win are long gone. Daniels and his team took the Eagles almost to the very last second. Zach Baun was outstanding and along with Hurts definitely the players of the game. O-line needs work, but thank goodness Dallas Goedert is still there and came through in a big way, Cooper looked somewhat lost out there, but Baun covered up the mistakes. Kept us fans very nervous throughout, but an excellent win. — Everett S.

Actually Washington lost the game rather than the Eagles winning the game on that stupid 15 yard penalty after a touchdown celebration. Our center still can’t block. Time for Kelsey to come out of retirement. A win is still a win and we should have 13-14 this year. The Giants really looked good! — Ronald R.

When you get right down to it, the main reason the Eagles won at home over a poor Washington team was a blocked extra point. The line play on both sides of the ball was mediocre at best. I don’t think Eagles fans should be happy with this game in spite of the win. — Tom E.

When you beat the lowly Commanders by two points at home, you have nothing to be proud of. Sean Mannion was supposed to have a new offensive scheme. He didn’t. Saquon was going to run thru the line like 2024. He didn’t. Hurts was going to spend much of the time under center. He didn’t. None of the starters played a single down in pre-season. It showed. They were all exhausted in the second half. Thank goodness for Goedert, Baun, and Mann. But it takes a village…. — Michael H.

It’s wasn’t pretty and I was holding my breath in the 4^th quarter! There are obviously areas that still need work, but hey, a win is a win. Congrats to team to begin with a win. The Eagles looked better in the first half; perhaps the excessive time on the field and humidity really took its toll in the second half. Kudos to Godert, Baun, Hurts, and several others for giving us moments to cheer about. It was a good weekend for Philly sports fans. — Karen Laughlin

Solid performance except for the O-line. Dickerson needs help on every play. Jalen was very good and showed he could still run if he has to. A little disappointed with DeJean, but I think he’ll come around. Overall, a good win and a Dallas lost makes for a great first week of the NFL. — Tom G.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Alex Coffey, Jeff Neiburg, Jeff McLane, Marcus Hayes, David Murphy, Kerith Gabriel, Ryan Novozinsky, Jackie Spiegel, Lochlahn March, Mia Messina, Conor Smith, Finn Courtney, and Ariel Simpson.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

As always, thanks for reading and have a wonderful Tuesday. That’s it for me this week. Maria will be back in your inbox tomorrow. — Bella

It was Sept. 17, 2001, and the Phillies were back at Veterans Stadium as one of the first MLB games since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

Dillon Minacci, then in fourth grade, was set to go with his dad, Jim, who grabbed a big American flag on a wooden pole and brought it with him.

“It was embarrassing, right?” said Dillon, who was just old enough to roll his eyes at his parents. “I was like, ‘What are you doing? Why are you bringing a flag to the park? What are we doing?’”

No one questioned it. The elder Minacci began his march around the stadium as fans chanted. He became known as Flag Man. Twenty-five years later, Dillon reflects on his dad’s “unifying visual.”

Hugh Douglas and Doug Glanville played for the Eagles and Phillies in 2001, and Larry Bowa was the Phils manager. They reflect on their memories from 9/11.

— Maria McIlwain, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Preparing for years

On Sunday, Sean Mannion will make have his close up in a new role. Mannion is just 34 years old and only three years removed from his playing career. He has never called plays in the NFL before and now is tasked with turning around an Eagles offense that was too stagnant in 2025.

In many ways, Mannion, the son and grandson of football coaches, has been preparing for this job for most of his life.

“His thing was, he wanted to play as long as he could,” his father said. “The unsaid part was that when those days were done that he would turn his attention to coaching.”

Inquirer writer Jeff Neiburg catches up the many influences that Mannion may pull from as a first-time play-caller this season.

Speaking of Mannion, he met with reporters on Thursday and feels “confident and excited″ for the Eagles’ Week 1 game vs. the Commanders.

Jonathan Greenard, who practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday, is unsure but hopeful that he’ll be ready for Week 1 after missing all of training camp with a pectoral strain.

“I feel good, though. I will say, I feel I’m in a good spot,” Greenard said. “Just know that. I know that I’m working every day to continue to try to get this thing stronger. We’re close, I know that.”

Next: It’s almost here — the Eagles kick off the 2026 season vs. Washington on Sunday (4:25 p.m., Fox29).

Wasted effort

When Zack Wheeler started to run into trouble Wednesday, it would’ve made sense for interim manager Don Mattingly to go to his bullpen, maybe a leverage arm like Alex McFarlane.

It seemingly would’ve been an easy call in the postseason — assuming the Phillies make it — but Mattingly opted to stick with the veteran starter this time. And Wheeler got out of it, only to watch Jhoan Duran give up a tiebreaking homer in a 2-1 Phillies loss.

The Phillies still hold a one-game lead for the top wild-card spot, but they slid to four games behind the Braves in the NL East. And if they do make the playoffs, Mattingly has a simple strategy for catcher J.T. Realmuto, since he’s so good at challenges.

Next: The Phillies are gearing up for another huge series vs. the Atlanta Braves, this time at Truist Park. Aaron Nola (6-10, 4.76 ERA) is scheduled to face Chris Sale (14-9, 2.10) on Friday (7:15 p.m., NBCSP).

Turning tables

Union teen phenom Cavan Sullivan continues to dominate the spotlight. On Wednesday, he and his older brother, Quinn, shared it as they started a regular-season game together for the first time.

The Sullivans became the Union’s playmaking engine when interim manager decided to start Ezekiel Alladoh at striker with Bruno Damiani amid a three-game week.

And, with his mother and brother in the stands, Damiani delivered a hat trick as part of a 5-0 rout of Eastern Conference foe FC Cincinnati. Jonathan Tannenwald offers his insight into the big midweek win.

Next: It’s a quick turnaround for the Union, who head across the country to face San Diego on Sunday (9 p.m., Apple TV).

Sports snapshot

• Lifetime learners: Kids at a South Philly elementary school got a surprise from the Sixers’ Jabari Walker.
• Looking back: It’s been pretty lopsided, but the Penn State-Temple football series has had its moments.
• Into the future: Here’s our ranking of the Flyers’ top 20 prospects.
• Welcome back: After making history last year at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Unrivaled is running it back and bringing its tour to South Philly in February.

Our best sports 📸 of the week

We’re days from the start of Eagles season, but Philly’s summer sports teams — the Phillies and Union — are still going strong as they head down the stretch. As they do each Friday, Inquirer photo editors picked the best sports images from the last seven days to bring you this week’s Big Picture.

What you’re saying about titles

We asked: If you could win any major sports title, what would you pick and why?

Even though I’m a huge fan of the major sports I would be most proud to win either Wimbledon or the Tour de France. Both of these sports require tremendous personal sacrifice and training and winning at the ultimate challenge against the best in the world would be an accomplishment I would be extremely proud of. — Bob A.

Even though I am in no way a boxer or fighter I would wish to be the the welterweight and middleweight champion of the world like my boyhood boxing idol Sugar Ray Robinson. In truth though today I don’t like boxing at all, but as a kid I was a big fan. —Everett S.

No doubt it is World Series. The organized baseball season begins in February and those fortunate enough concludes with a championship in late October (or even early November). It is a grind for the players and coaching staff. Playing in cold conditions in April, the scorching heat in summer and cold (and sometimes) snowy fall. It is a marathon and only the focused and durable few will survive. — Nick S.

Winning any sports title in Philly is an exhilarating prospect — whether it’s the Phillies World Series, a Flyers Stanley Cup, or a Sixers NBA Championship. But Philly is football. Whether talking about the 1926 Frankford Yellow Jackets or the University of Penn Football dynasty of the late 1800s — we live for the autumn season.

When the Eagles won a Super Bowl in 2018 — it didn’t just feel like their first. It felt like the culmination of excitement that we had waited nearly a century to savior. When it comes to a which title that I’d like most to experience on a sideline as a player — whether in 2018, 2025 (and possibly 2027) — it’s all Eagles. — Michael L.

World Series Champion! The culmination of a long 162 game season and 4 rounds of playoffs. Starting in late March, ending in early November, baseball is the ultimate grind. — Bob C.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Breen, Marcus Hayes, Jeff Neiburg, Ryan Novozinsky, Olivia Reiner, Scott Lauber, Gabriela Carroll, Jonathan Tannenwald, Mia Messina, Mike Livingston, and Jackie Spiegel.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading along! We’ll have a special edition of Sports Daily in your inboxes tomorrow to get you ready for the Eagles’ season opener. Jeff Neiburg will take you through everything you need to know, from odds to the injury report and how to watch. — Maria

For the last 48 hours, the sports news cycle in Philly has revolved around Brandon Graham’s decision to retire (again) from the game of football.

Rightfully so, when you look back at his remarkable 16-year NFL career that included a pair of Super Bowl titles. On Wednesday, he sat down with Inquirer journalist Rob Tornoe to talk his ride and why he jumped the gun on his own news a day earlier.

Later in the day, he went even a bit deeper on his weekly podcast, Brandon Graham Unblocked, to discuss what’s next when it comes to a transition into media and spending more time with family.

Switching gears but sticking with the Eagles …

• We got a taste of some new cuisine being served inside Lincoln Financial Field this season.
• Jonathan Greenard got his first taste of practice since his preseason injury but is still questionable for Sunday.
• It’s possible that for the first time in a regular season Eagles game, quarterback Jalen Hurts will be taking his play-call instructions from the booth.

Yes, summer is winding down, but not today. Expect a carbon copy of yesterday, as sunny skies are expected with temps in the mid-80s.

— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓If you could win any major sports title, what would you pick and why? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

‘Not to be denied’

On West Chester University’s campus, there’s a statue of a quarterback looking to throw a ball into the heavens. Which is ironic when you realize who the player is and the lengths a pair of his former Golden Rams teammates went to make sure he’d be immortalized.

The man was Michael Horrocks, Class of 1985. He and teammate Tom Schafer overlapped on the football team for just two seasons, but it was long enough to recall Horrocks’ infectious personality.

So when Schafer discovered that Horrocks was the copilot for Flight 175, the plane that hit the South Tower on that fateful morning of Sept. 11, 2001, he and a few others knew something needed to be done to honor their teammate, and it’s how the statue was born. And as Inquirer writer Alex Coffey explains, it’s become a symbol within the program.

What we’re …

🙌🏾 Praising: The Union’s ascent up MLS’ Eastern Conference standings, highlighted by a massive win last night against FC Cincinnati.

🎧 Listening: The 200th episode of the Kelce brothers’ popular pod New Heights, which dropped Wednesday.

🏈 Remembering: A 1999 matchup between K.C. Keeler’s Rowan and Matt Campbell’s Mount Union as a precursor to Temple hosting Penn State this weekend.

🤔 Wondering: What’s behind Ron Jaworski’s abrupt end at NBC Sports Philadelphia?

Miller ‘feels 100%’

A back injury derailed Aidan Miller’s 2026 season before it even got started. But he returned to the playing field at single-A Clearwater exactly 352 days after his last game on Sept. 18, 2025.

“It’s all I’ve really known. Growing up playing baseball every day, I never had that long of a break,” Miller said Wednesday. “Early on, I think it was a big mental battle, and then learning how to deal with the day-to-day, trying to take a positive wave from every single day and take it day by day and go from there.”

Miller, 22, said he now “feels 100%” with two games under his belt.

Edmundo Sosa took ownership of the base-running mistake he made in the ninth inning of a loss to the Astros on Tuesday. He called it “a lack of focus.”

And if you missed the Phillies’ beat down of the Astros, here’s two words and three syllables: Kyle Schwarber.

Next: The Phillies wrap up their series against Houston at 1:05 p.m. today (NBCSP).

Back to school

While the Eagles kick off their season on Sunday, in just over a week, the Flyers will return to the ice for training camp in Voorhees.

Fresh off a surprising run to the second round of the playoffs last spring, the Flyers enter 2026-27 with their highest expectations in years. Here’s a look at the team’s full training camp schedule and which players will be participating in the lead-up to the season opener on Sept. 30.

Something’s missing

Rejoice, the Eagles return this weekend to fill that football-sized void in your life. But that’s not the only place where the sport — or in this case, a literal football — is missing. We went back through Eagles training camp and the preseason, and removed the actual football from several photos. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find where the footballs belong … and be more accurate than other Inquirer readers. Sounds easy, right? It’s harder than you think.

On this date

Sept. 10, 2024: Kyle Schwarber smashed the MLB record for leadoff home runs in a season with 14 that fueled a 9-4 Phillies win against Tampa Bay inside Citizens Bank Park.

David Murphy’s take …

The natural trajectory of a dual-threat quarterback is to see a year-to-year decline in rushing production. It has happened to virtually every quarterback who has done the things Hurts did early in his career. The league adjusts quickly. — In his latest column, David Murphy looks at the numbers that stand out as the Eagles are just days away from the start of the 2026-27 season.

He said it …

“To build our future where Ed Snider and the Spectrum made history makes this project truly special.”— Comcast chairman Brian Roberts said in a statement after unveiling the plans for the new arena home for the Sixers, Flyers, and the city’s new WNBA team, set to open in 2030.

What you’re saying about sports broadcasters

We asked: Who is your favorite sports voice, and why?

While he is an announcer, John Kruk is the most enjoyable to listen to. However, Scott Franzke is the faceless radio announcer who adds much value to listeners. His calling of the game and his enthusiasm are electrifying to those who cannot be there. — Nick S.

Former Phillies announcer Harry the K [Kalas] was the greatest sports announcer ever. He put his heart and soul into every call. When he passed on, it was like losing a family member. Harry is buried at a local Philadelphia suburban cemetery. — Ronald R.

Over my 78 years as a Phillies & Eagles fan, I have enjoyed all the announcers, starting with Gene Kelly and then so many more, including Bill Campbell, Andy Musser, Merrill Reese, and the Phillies team of the great Harry Kalas, By Saam, and Richie Ashburn. But Vin Scully, who lived across the street from my boss in Pacific Palisades, was the best. He was also the first to take the time to correctly pronounce the names of all the Hispanic players. — Everett S.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Rob Tornoe, Conor Smith, Ariel Simpson, Alex Coffey, Olivia Reiner, Devin Jackson, Jonathan Tannenwald, Charmaine Runes, Garland Fordice, Becca O’Reilly, Jackie Spiegel, David Murphy, Lochlahn March, and Mia Messina.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

That’s your Thursday. Have a great day; we’ll catch you all tomorrow, Philly. — Kerith

Merrill Reese will begin his 50th season on Sunday as the voice of the Eagles.

The longtime broadcaster has voiced two Super Bowl wins, told you the Eagles stopped ‘em again, and made the word “good” sound great.

After turning 84 earlier this month, Reese has no plans of retiring. So don’t call 2026 a farewell tour because he says he isn’t going anywhere.

Through it all, his wife of 47 years, Cindy, has been by his side, making sure her husband stays sharp for game days, and she may be the secret to Reese’s longevity.

One legend, however, is hanging up the cleats — for a second time. Brandon Graham announced on Tuesday he was “officially done”playing football.

From his strip sack against Tom Brady in the Eagles’ first-ever Super Bowl victory to becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, Graham’s had quite the NFL career. He — and his trash talk — will be missed.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓Who is your favorite sports broadcaster and why? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Moving up

Aidan Miller took another step forward. His rehab assignment was transferred from single-A Clearwater to double-A Reading, where he was scheduled to play seven innings on Tuesday night. Reading has a week remaining before its postseason begins on Sept. 15, allowing for more regular game action after Miller’s return from injury.

Andrew Painter’s struggles through five innings and baserunning miscues contributed to the Phillies’ series opening loss to the Astros. The setback prevented the Phillies from gaining ground in both the division and wild-card races.

And stay up to date with the National League East and wild-card standings through our MLB playoff tracker.

What we’re …

🏈 Reminiscing: Brandon Graham says he’s done with football. Let’s relive some of his most memorable moments.

🤔 Wondering: With Week 1 of the NFL season kicking off today, we found an Eagles or Philly connection on the 31 other teams.

🏀 Learning: Brynn McCurry will miss Villanova’s 2026-27 season after having surgery to repair a torn ACL and meniscus.

🙌 Praising: This Penn State defensive tackle is using his name, image, and likeness earnings to help his family.

Ready for his close-up

For the first time since his rookie season, DeVonta Smith is a No. 1 wide receiver. He excelled in that role in college and had a record-breaking first season, but he’s lived in the shadow of A.J. Brown for the last four years.

Now, it’s time for Smith’s close-up, and he has the backing of his current teammates and coaches, too.

And the man seeking to help Saquon Barkley elevate his game is a quarterback by trade. But Sean Mannion’s expertise isn’t limited to the passing game. Olivia Reiner gives us an inside look on how Mannion intends to revive the run game.

Want to play a game? We took six preseason photos and made one change: the ball is missing. Guess where you think it is.

Distributing the load

The 76ers have a lot of talent on their roster, but it raises a question about roles since there’s only one ball to go around. However, most teams would be lucky to have this as one of its main issues heading into training camp.

And “to win, you got to be able to sacrifice,” says Jaylen Brown. So let’s look at this from the lens of statistics. Chris Hine evaluates how often a player consumes his team’s possessions, usage rate, and more.

Blue-line buds

When the Flyers get together this week for the commencement of rookie camp, there will be a lot of introductions and first-day-of-school vibes.

But that won’t be the case for defensemen Brek Liske and Luke Vlooswyk. Why? Liske and Vlooswyk are teammates with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, and will be partnered up this season once they return to juniors.

After a stretch together last season, the tandem will take on a larger role in 2026-27 and let’s just say they have high expectations.

🧠 Trivia time

Which Phillies player hit the longest recorded home run in franchise history at Citizens Bank Park?

A) Kyle Schwarber

B) Ryan Howard

C) Bryce Harper

D) Jim Thome

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Breen, Jeff Neiburg, Olivia Reiner, Chris Hine, Ryan Novozinsky, Jackie Spiegel, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, Charmaine Runes, Garland Fordice, Mia Messina, Conor Smith, Finn Courtney, and Lexie Linderman.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Hope you had a restful holiday weekend. Thanks for reading, and Maria will be back in your inbox tomorrow. — Bella

Philly, being a city of neighborhoods, doesn’t just extend to the city limits. Whether you cross over City Avenue heading West, Pine Road heading Northeast, or Ridge Pike heading anywhere else, one thing that separates all of it is the allure of high school football.

Over the last decade, there was one team the Philadelphia area was measured by in high school football: St. Joseph’s Prep. That changed last year. The 2025 season marked a historic shift in power for several programs both in the city and the collar counties surrounding it.

Just in time for the season to get going is our annual look at the area programs that look to be a force to contend with in their respective divisions. From a Roman Catholic team defending its first-ever PIAA state football championship to La Salle, which can lay claim to beating two state powerhouses twice in one season last year. Here’s our list of the Top 10 high school football teams in our area.

Also, the time to check in on how close the Phillies are to locking up a spot in the postseason begins now. Stay on top of it all, courtesy of our playoff tracker.

It’s going to be steamy today, with showers expected and temperatures in the high 80s on this first Friday of September.

— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓Which Philly team are you most excited about right now and why? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

A showdown for the East?

Their last meeting on April 26 also happened to be Rob Thomson’s final game as the club’s manager. The 6-2 loss dropped the Phillies’ record to 9-19 to start the season and Thomson was fired two days later.

Don Mattingly took the reins as interim manager, and the team that had been on track to miss the playoffs entirely authored a stunning turnaround, and is back in contention for the National League East. As the Braves return to Philadelphia on Friday, their lead on the division — at one point a gargantuan 10½ games — sits at four.

This series could determine the NL East.

Aidan Miller may be close to playing again. The Phillies’ top position player prospect has missed the season because of a back condition. But in an appearance this week on Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball podcast, minor league director Luke Murton said the 22-year-old shortstop is “progressing very well.”

Next: The Phillies open a four-game series with the Braves at 6:40 tonight at Citizens Bank Park (NBCSP).

Sixers keep the Clippers pick swap

One of the biggest NBA stories of the last decade played out this week in Los Angeles, where the Clippers received punishment from the NBA for circumventing the salary cap to sign star forward Kawhi Leonard. NBA owner Steve Ballmer was fined $30 million and suspended for a year while Leonard was also fined $700,000.

But the Clippers being forced to forfeit five first-round draft picks was the piece of information that caught the attention of basketball fans in Philly. For the record, the 76ers’ 2029 pick swap is safe. The Inquirer’s Chris Hine explains how the Sixers kept the pick and assesses the value of the selection.

‘We’ve come a long way’

Optimism seems to abound with the Eagles’ offense, particularly on the offensive line, where O-line coach Chris Kuper says that the major overhaul happening under offensive coordinator Sean Mannion has “come a long way.”

“Still not there yet with what we’re going to be at the end of the season,” Kuper said Thursday. “They’re very much into their job and mastering their craft, which is kind of what we harp on in the room every day.”

Kuper inherited a group that has seen three of his five starters selected to the Pro Bowl, two have been named to an All-Pro team, and together they’ve combined for nearly 400 NFL starts. Inquirer writer Jeff Neiburg examines where the group is as of now, and how much farther they need to go before the season starts.

Rookie ramp-up

NFL football is just around the corner, but that isn’t the only sport that will kick off locally next week.

Starting next Friday, the Flyers will begin their drive toward a second consecutive playoff appearance with a five-day rookie camp for some of their prospects. The camp, which includes two games against the New York Rangers’ rookies, will be split between Voorhees and Allentown.

Serving as a precursor to training camp the following week, the rookie camp will feature some big names this year, too, with Porter Martone, Denver Barkey, and Alex Bump all slated to participate.

Richter remains locked in

Coming into work every day not knowing your future can be unnerving. Fortunately, Union interim head coach Ryan Richter is focusing on the present, and right now that is the club’s upcoming match against Montreal on Saturday (7:30 p.m., Apple TV).

Ask him, as Inquirer writer Jonathan Tannenwald did on Thursday, and Richter contends that he’s not harping on a run that finds the Union on a seven-game unbeaten streak.

But when you consider that the Union are a mere point away as of Thursday from the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference following a dismal start to the season, it is nothing short of remarkable by a coach choosing to play it cool.

On this date

Sept. 4, 1993: Penn State’s first-ever game in the Big Ten Conference resulted in a 38-20 win against Minnesota after wideout Bobby Engram scored four touchdowns.

Our best sports 📸 of the week

As we head into Labor Day Weekend, we say goodbye to one of the busiest sports summers in Philadelphia history, one that included a World Cup, an MLB All-Star Game, and much, much more.

One of the summer’s final events was the return of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic, but there was also a one-of-a-kind event on the Delaware River and a Sixers rookie locked in a glass gaming truck in South Philly.

As they do each Friday, Inquirer photo editors picked the best sports images from the last seven days. Even with the Phillies on the West Coast, there was plenty to choose from for this week’s Big Picture.

What you’re saying about the Phillies

We asked: Which Phillies player needs to step up the most in this final stretch ahead of the playoffs?

Right now Bryce [Harper] is carrying the team offensively. Schwarber needs to get hot again, and Marsh has dropped to .268 from being a league leader at one time. None of the guys Bohm, Stott, and especially Turner are contributing as they should. Going to take an every-man effort to take down the Braves whether in the regular season or playoffs. — Everett S.

Haven’t heard much from Kyle Schwarber recently. Should step up against the Braves. Perfect timing. — Bill M.

Tre Turner needs to help fuel the top of the order. Sandwiched between Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, Turner’s speed and ability to hit to all fields is a critical table setter for the top of the batting order. He can move runners, steal bases, and score from first on long singles. He needs to continue to cut down on strikeouts and be selective to barrel up pitches. — Bob C.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Joseph Santoliquito, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, Jonathan Tannenwald, Gustav Elvin, Chris Hine, Jeff Neiburg, and the Inquirer’s photography staff.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Alright, Philly. I’m going to go and enjoy the long weekend. You do the same, and we’ll be back in your inbox on Tuesday. — Kerith