Years after learning soccer in their basement, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson both play for US

Years after learning soccer in their basement, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson both play for US

Brenden and Paxten Aaronson play on better soccer fields these days than the New Jersey basement known as "The Dungeon" where they used to practice penalties and free kicks. "We had to put in special lights so they wouldn't kick the light bulbs and break them," mom Janell Aaronson recalled. "We had to do some padding on some of the poles that are in the basement so they didn't get hurt. We made it as safe as we could." On June 10, she was in the stands at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, watching them become just the fourth pair of brothers to start the same match together for the U.S. national team, the first since George and Louis Nanchoff against the Soviet Union in 1979. "I played with this guy since, I don't know, 5 — he was probably actually 2 at that time," Brenden said. "Maybe 7, I was, and he was probably 4." Brenden, 24, already is a World Cup veteran, appearing as a substitute in all four U.S. matches at Qatar three years ago, Paxten, who turns 22 in August, hopes to make the World Cup roster for the first time when the U.S. co-hosts next year's tournament. "Completely different players. Both in different ways can perform," U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said. Both are on the roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where the Americans play Guatemala on Wednesday night and hope to advance to a final against Mexico or Honduras on Sunday. Both are midfielders and wingers who made their way up through the Philadelphia Union academy system and moved to Europe after two seasons in Major League Soccer, Paxten at age 19 and Brenden at 20. At the start of their national team camp together, they reflected on learning the sport in their backyard and the downstairs room given its nickname by their dad, Rusty. "We always played in the basement, right before or after dinner," Paxten said. "We had a basement with kind of like a mini-pitch that we built off of carpet and goals that we taped on the wall and stuff like that. So we would always just play down there and then come up for dinner, then after dinner go down and play, We broke a lot of lights." And learned competition. "Toes have been stepped on," Paxten said. Their dad, Rusty, played college soccer at Monmouth, ran a risk management firm and is sporting director of Real Futbol Academy in Medford, New Jersey. In addition to the brothers, 18-year-old sister Jaden will be a freshman on Villanova's soccer team this fall. "I don't know how these guys do it without having a younger brother or someone to train with," Brenden said. "When you're in a shooting drill, sometimes you can take times off. But you know he's going to want to beat me and I'm going to want to be him, so you go that extra mile to keep even getting better at it." Brenden scored in his MLS debut with Philadelphia in March 2019 and has played for Salzburg (2021-22), Leeds (2022-25) and Union Berlin (2023-24). He made his U.S. debut in 2020 and has nine goals in 51 international appearances. Paxten debuted in MLS with the Union in May 2021 and has played for Eintracht Frankfurt (2023-24), Vitesse (2024) and Utrecht (2024-25). He made his first U.S. appearance in 2023 and scored against New Zealand at last year's Olympics. Before the match against Switzerland, they hadn't played on the same team together since the youth academy. Theyfaced each other briefly on Nov. 4, 2023, when Brenden entered in the 83rd minute for Eintracht Frankfurt and Paxten in the 85th for host Union Berlin. "There's been some fights throughout the years," Brenden said, with Paxten sitting adjacent and laughing. "It's more in the one v. ones when I would get beat by him. Because you're the older, you feel like you have to win. But he's beat me a handful of times where I had a temper tantrum. I was kicking the ball against the wall. I literally — I can't take it sometimes." But afterward, they resumed playing the FIFA video game. Having the common "E" in the names of the siblings was mom's idea. "We spelled Brenden `E-N. I just liked the spelling of that vs. 'A-N. Just visually. It looked better to me,'" Janell said. "When we ended up having our other kids, I just made sure that they all ended in `E-N.' I don't know why. I just did that." After the Gold Cup and brief time off, Brenden will return to England to prepare for the Premier League season with newly promoted Leeds. Paxten will report to Eintracht Frankfurt unless he's loaned again. Trying to watch all their matches is daunting for their parents, who also will be at Villanova for Jaden. "Sometimes when the games are on, I don't like to get the updates because I do like to go back and watch," Rusty said. "Sometimes I've looked at my phone, something good has happened and then the cat's out of the bag and there's no need to watch the game." Streamed replays are not for mom. "I don't even know how to work any of that," she said. ___ AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

byAlpha World

in

June 30, 2025

Years after learning soccer in their basement, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson both play for US

Years after learning soccer in their basement, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson both play for US Brenden and Paxten Aaronson play on bet...

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Steelers don't want to trade T.J. Watt despite other teams' interest, per reports

Steelers don't want to trade T.J. Watt despite other teams' interest, per reports

Teams are free to call thePittsburgh Steelersto ask ifT.J. Wattis available. They just shouldn't expect them to pick up. ESPNreportedMonday that "multiple teams have been discussing whether they can trade for Steelers' standout T.J. Watt" after the star edge rusher sat out of the Steelers' mandatory minicamp. However, both ESPN andNFL Networkwent on to report that the Steelers are committed to keeping Watt in the Steel City. Watt, 30, is entering the final year of the four-year, $112 million contract extension he signed in 2021. His refusal to attend minicamp earlier this month is reportedly related to his desire to secure a renewed extension before the 2025 season begins. Steelers have been adamant they want T.J. Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh.https://t.co/eRVzeuTjZo — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)June 30, 2025 STEELERS NEWS:Dolphins deal Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh in blockbuster move In addition to Watt's current contract expiring after 2025, there's the added context that two other star edge rushers – the Raiders'Maxx Crosbyand Browns'Myles Garrett– signed massive extensions earlier this offseason. As of Monday, Watt has not reached a new deal to stay with the Steelers past the 2025 season. Pittsburgh's blockbuster trade to acquire cornerbackJalen Ramsey– who's under contract through 2028 – and tight endJonnu Smith– whom the Steelers extended through 2026 – on Monday fanned the flames of trade speculation for Watt. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that "outside team interest [to trade for Watt] is likely to increase given (Monday)'s trade." However, he went on to post on the social media website X that the "Steelers have been adamant they want T.J. Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh." NFL Network's Tom Pelissero corroborated the follow-up report, writing, "The Steelers have no intention of trading star pass rusher T.J. Watt and their focus remains on extending Watt's contract." The#Steelershave no intention of trading star pass rusher T.J. Watt and their focus remains on extending Watt's contract, per sources.Watt, who turns 31 in October, is due $21.05 million in the last year of his current deal.pic.twitter.com/ta0jMQVHGj — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero)June 30, 2025 In 2024, Watt played all 17 regular-season games for a second straight season after sustaining a knee injury in Week 18 of the 2023 season. He recorded 61 tackles, 11.5 sacks and four pass deflections, and his six forced fumbles led the league. Watt earned a seventh consecutive Pro Bowl nod as well and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Barring a new contract, Watt is set to make $21.05 million in 2025. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:T.J. Watt trade rumors: Steelers don't want to move star edge rusher

byAlpha World

in

June 30, 2025

Steelers don't want to trade T.J. Watt despite other teams' interest, per reports

Steelers don't want to trade T.J. Watt despite other teams' interest, per reports Teams are free to call thePittsburgh Steelersto as...

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Justice Department sues Los Angeles to end 'sanctuary' immigration policies

Justice Department sues Los Angeles to end 'sanctuary' immigration policies

WASHINGTON – TheJustice Department filed a lawsuit on June 30against the city of Los Angeles to end policies that restrict cooperation withPresident Donald Trump's enforcement of immigration laws. The lawsuit comes aftersometimes violent protests in Los Angelesearlier in the month against federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, which led Trump to mobilize the National Guard. It is the latest to challenge so-called "sanctuary" policies, in which state or local law enforcement do not collaborate with ICE, which the Trump administration contends are unlawful. The department hasalso sued New Yorkstate and filedcriminal charges against a Wisconsin judgeover immigration enforcement. It alsosued federal judges in Marylandon June 25, for blocking deportation orders. "Sanctuary policies were the driving cause of the violence, chaos, and attacks on law enforcement that Americans recently witnessed in Los Angeles," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. "Jurisdictions like Los Angeles that flout federal law by prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens are undermining law enforcement at every level – it ends under President Trump," Bondi added. ICE raids earlier this month in Los Angelessparked several days of proteststhat included people hurling rocks at federal officials and setting fire to cars. Attacks on federal officials are up 500%,according to the Department of Homeland Security. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass didn't immediately reply to a request for comment. But she and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have opposed Trump's tougher immigration enforcement and said the federal mobilization enflamed tensions. "Unmarked cars. Masked men with guns. People being snatched off the street.,"Bass said on social media June 28."This isn't law and order − it's fear and chaos in Los Angeles. And it's deliberate." Protesters have resorted toclanging pots and pans outside a hotelwere ICE agents were staying, to prevent them from sleeping. TheLos Angeles Dodgers baseball teamsaid they denied federal agents access to the stadium's parking lot June 20, although federal officials said there was no enforcement action. But federal officials said they would continue strict enforcement of immigration laws, one of Trump's top domestic priorities. "We will keep enforcing federal immigration law in Los Angeles, whether or not the city's government or residents agree with it," Chad Mizelle, the department's chief of staff,said on social media. "And we will not tolerate any interference with the federal government's duty to enforce the law." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:DOJ sues Los Angeles over 'sanctuary' immigration policies

byAlpha World

in

June 30, 2025

Justice Department sues Los Angeles to end 'sanctuary' immigration policies

Justice Department sues Los Angeles to end 'sanctuary' immigration policies WASHINGTON – TheJustice Department filed a lawsuit on Ju...

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Who would win and who would lose in Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill'

Who would win and who would lose in Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill'

Legislation making its waythrough the Senatestands to have wide-ranging effects across the economy — bolstering tax benefits for businesses and higher-income households while threatening health insurance for millions of Americans and putting thousands of clean energy and health care jobs at risk. The bill,which is more than 900 pages longand Republicans have dubbed the "big, beautiful bill," passed a keyprocedural voteover the weekend in the Senate largely along party lines, with all but two Republicans voting to advance it. Follow live coverage here The Senate is debating the measurebefore taking a final vote. If the bill passes the Senate, it will then go back to the House for another vote and ultimately must be signed by President Donald Trump before becoming law. While changes could still be made and its passage isn't certain, here are some of the key winners and losers under the latest version of the bill. The legislation would make permanent trillions of dollars in corporate tax cuts enacted in 2017 during Trump's first term and expand other tax breaks for businesses. That includes permanently lowering the corporate tax rate to 21% from the 35% level before the 2017 tax cuts. The bill would also extend or increase other tax breaks for business investments, like those on new machinery, equipment and research and development, whichbusiness groups have saidwould encourage business investments in the U.S. The bill would also extend through 2033 tax incentives enacted in 2017 for businesses that invest in disadvantaged areas, called Opportunity Zones. The tax cuts would add around $3 trillion over the next decade to the national debt, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. That means the U.S. would have to borrow more money to cover its expenses, requiring it to pay an estimated $600 billion to $700 billion in additionalinterest payments, according to an analysis by the Center for a Responsible Federal Budget. The amount of money Americans pay toward interest on the country's debt is expected to increase sharply in the coming years, totaling $78 trillion over the next 30 years and accounting for 34% of federal revenues,according tothe Congressional Budget Office. Paying for that added interest will fall to future generations, likely in the form of higher taxes and less spending on other programs younger generations could benefit from, like early childhood education, more affordable housing or improved infrastructure. It will also give the U.S. less flexibility to borrow if there is a future crisis, such as a pandemic or war. As U.S. debt has ballooned — with the current ratio of debt to gross domestic product at similar levels to those seen during World War II — it has also increased concern among investors about the country's ability to make its debt and interest payments on time. That means investors are starting to seek a higher interest payments, or yield, in exchange for buying U.S. debt, which could also drive up interest rates for other private loans — with higher mortgage rates or interest on a small business loan. The bill would greatly expand the amount of state and local taxes households are able to deduct from their federal taxes from the current cap of $10,000 to up to $40,000. The biggest beneficiaries from the change would be households making $200,000 to $500,000 a year and those that own property, because they are likelier to pay higher property and income taxes,according to an analysisby the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. It would also disproportionately benefit households in higher-tax states, like New York, New Jersey and California. Wealthy households and business owners would also benefit from a permanent reduction in the estate tax. Under the legislation, heirs of estates valued at less than $15 million would not have to pay a tax on their inheritance. That cap is set to drop to $7 million in 2026. Provisions in the latest version of the bill would cause nearly 12 million low-income people to lose their health insurance over the next decade by cutting around $1 trillion from Medicaid, the health insurance program for poor and disabled people,according to the CBO.The Senate bill includes steeper cuts to Medicaid than an earlier version passed by the House. The cuts would take a particular toll on people in rural areas who are more likely to receive their health insurance through Medicaid than those in urban or suburban areas. Researchers atGeorgetown University foundthat 40% of children in small and rural towns receive their health insurance from Medicaid. The bill could also reduce the number of people who receive their insurance through the Affordable Care Act. The version of the Senate bill released over the weekend also includes cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, by requiring adults ages 18 to 64 without disabilities to work at least 80 hours a month unless they are caring for children under 10. The added requirements could lead to $300 billion in cuts to food stamp spending, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The legislation would carry through on a campaign promise by Trump to exempt income from tips and overtime from federal income taxes. Tipped workers make up about 2.5% of the workforce, and about 12% of hourly workers clock some overtime each year, according to ananalysis by the Yale Budget Lab. Both tax exemptions are structured as deductions that workers would claim when they filed their taxes the following year. The tax exemption would apply only to federal income tax, so workers would still have to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on their income, along with any state or local taxes. As many as 40% of tipped workers already don't make enough money to have to pay federal income tax on any of their earnings, so the benefit would be relatively limited, the Yale Budget Lab found. Less funding for Medicaid and fewer people with health insurance would mean a drop-off in doctor's office visits, prescription refills and medical procedures — and, as a result, fewer workers needed to support those types of services. That could lead to the loss of nearly500,000 health care jobsover the next decade, according to an analysis by George Washington University and the Commonwealth Fund. The Senate bill would also prohibit Medicaid funding for entities that provide abortions, including Planned Parenthood, which could cause cuts backs or the closure of those health care centers. The Senate legislation seeks to mitigate some of that pain for rural health care providers, who care for a disproportionately high number of Medicaid patients, with a $25 billion fund for rural hospitals. Both the House and the Senate bill include wins for the fossil fuel industry, stripping away numerous provisions put in place during President Joe Biden's administration to shift energy consumption away from fossil fuels. Both bills would delay a fee on excess methane pollution by oil and gas companies, roll back Biden-era rules to curb vehicle emissions and include provisions intended to speed the development of new fossil fuel projects. The Senate bill also includes a new tax workaround for oil drillers that would enable many of them to avoid having to pay a corporate alternative minimum tax of 15%. Clean energy companies say the bill could cripple their businesses by stripping away tax subsidies and funding made available during the Biden administration. The Senate bill would go further than the earlier version passed in the House by imposing new tax penalties on wind and solar farm projects started after 2027, unless they met certain requirements. That could jeopardize billions of dollars in investments in clean energy projects — along with the thousands of jobs that would come along with those projects, including in Republican-led states like Georgia and South Carolina. Other provisions would reduce benefits for consumers buying electric vehicles, solar panels and appliances to make their homes more energy efficient.

byAlpha World

in

June 30, 2025

Who would win and who would lose in Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill'

Who would win and who would lose in Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill' Legislation making its waythrough the Senatestands to hav...

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Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Who won deal between Steelers, Dolphins?

Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Who won deal between Steelers, Dolphins?

So much for a slow summer in the NFL. With all teams on break until training camps open in mid-to-late July, this stretch would seem like a natural window for a break in action for a league that seemingly never rests. Yet on Monday, two teams brokered an ultra-rare swap of star players. The headline of the deal: The Miami Dolphins traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey to thePittsburgh Steelersin exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Also headed to Pittsburgh aretight end Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick,while Miami also receives a 2027 seventh-round draft pick. Jalen Ramsey trade details: Dolphins deal star CB to Steelers in blockbuster move The shake-up brings an end to the uncertainty that had prevailed for months since the Dolphins first acknowledged they were looking to part with Ramsey, the seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback. And for Pittsburgh, it served as the latest marquee addition – and departure with the exit of Fitzpatrick, a five-time Pro Bowl selection – for a franchise reshaped by the arrivals ofAaron RodgersandDK Metcalf. How did each team fare in the deal? Here are our trade grades: When news of the Ramsey trade first broke, it seemed to be a fitting move for an organization clearly embracing a truncated timeline for competing with Rodgers at the helm. The surprising return, however, muddled the outlook a bit. Cornerback play tends to be volatile year to year, but there's little question that Ramsey raises both the floor and ceiling for Pittsburgh at this vital position group. The Steelers in March signed reliable veteran Darius Slay to fill the void opposite Joey Porter Jr., seemingly settling one of the more pressing deficiencies of the defense. But trusting a 34-year-old to run with the likes of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins within the division was always going to be a stretch. With Ramsey on board, the Steelers now size up as one of the most imposing matchups for opposing wide receivers. Ramsey can handle the lion's share of reps in base looks alongside Porter, and his experience working inside should pay off massively in allowing him to kick inside to get all three standout corners on the field in nickel packages. That sort of rotation can keep the team fresh down the stretch, with both of its matchups against the rival Baltimore Ravens and a trip to face the Detroit Lions all coming in the final six weeks. Still, given the loss of Fitzpatrick, does this trade truly move the needle much in reshaping the secondary for a defense that ranked 25th in passing yards allowed (228 per game)? The Steelers will try to scrape by on the back end with Juan Thornhill seemingly stepping in alongside Deshon Elliott, but there's little question that the unit will miss Fitzpatrick's playmaking range, though he has recorded just one interception in the last two years combined. Of course, the outlook shifts considerably if Pittsburgh utilizes Ramsey in this role, but it'd be yet another adjustment for all involved. Adding Smith might seem like a natural move, as the tight end will be reunited with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who first helped the pass catcher flourish with the Tennessee Titans and later helped him bounce back with the Atlanta Falcons. But even with an abundance of multiple tight end sets, it's still unclear exactly how he'll be incorporated alongside established starter Pat Freiermuth. "It would be complicated having (Smith) and Pat. They're kind of the same type of tight end," Steelers tight end Connor Heyward said earlier in June,according to PennLive, when discussing the rumors of a potential Smith trade. "They both got to have 100 balls a year thrown their way." Maybe the doubling down in Pittsburgh isn't so much a bet on Rodgers as it is on Mike Tomlin finding a way to bring all these disparate pieces together. Regardless, it's a lot of upheaval – even if it largely appears for the better – for the coach to navigate. With the Dolphins in April broadcasting their intention to move on from Ramsey, it seemed as though the organization could only expect a modest return. Instead, it addressed its biggest hole by bringing on one of the top players at his position. Fitzpatrick returns to the franchise nearly six years after it dealt him amid his clash with then-coach Brian Flores regarding his utilization. This time around, there shouldn't be any issues regarding his role. Miami was preparing to enter the season with perhaps the most unstable safety tandem in Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis. Fitzpatrick isn't at his peak as he prepares to enter a season in which he'll turn 29 in November, but with Ramsey's departure essentially looking inevitable, he's probably the most meaningful addition who could have been acquired at this point in the calendar. Yet it's difficult to feel good about the state of Miami's secondary overall given the outlook after the trade. With Ramsey gone, the Dolphins will depend on the likes of 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith, 2024 undrafted free agent Storm Duck and fifth-round rookie Jason Marshall Jr. on the outside, with nickel Kader Kohou providing the lone bit of stability. Fitzpatrick can only do so much to compensate for a group that doesn't seem up to the task of running with the AFC's best. Sending off Smith also further ups the challenge for an aerial attack that lacks much depth in its pass-catching options beyond Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Julian Hill could see a sizable leap in action as a potential replacement at starter, but the move likely necessitates an addition sometime before the season (NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the team is scouring the trade market). A fine return for Miami on the whole, but the prevailing issue of the top-heavy roster remains as pervasive as ever. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Did Steelers or Dolphins win deal?

byAlpha World

in

June 30, 2025

Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Who won deal between Steelers, Dolphins?

Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Who won deal between Steelers, Dolphins? So much for a slow summer in the NFL. With all teams on break until trai...

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