National Sports

The North American bid for the 2026 World Cup has gained the support of the 10 South American soccer nations.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Impact are a different team under new coach Remi Garde but they hope it isn't the same old result when they visit the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. The Impact have played eight times at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

HUMBOLDT, Sask. — Brody Hinz went to church every Sunday. The 18-year-old competed in bowling and floor hockey with the Special Olympics. And, with a knack for math and an exceptional memory, he compiled statistics for his beloved Humboldt Broncos.

GOLD COAST, Australia — Canadian Ryan Bester was denied lawn bowls gold for the second time in four years Friday at the Commonwealth Games, this time by a flamboyant Australian.

NYON, Switzerland — A Champions League semifinal draw steeped in the competition's rich history paired Real Madrid and Bayern Munich on Friday, and then matched Liverpool with Roma.

MUNICH — Niko Kovac is returning to Bayern Munich as coach next season after impressing at Eintracht Frankfurt.

GOLD COAST, Australia — Two Indian athletes were banned from the Commonwealth Games on Friday and ordered to leave Australia "on the first flight available" after needles were discovered in their room at the athletes village.

HUMBOLDT, Sask. — Family and friends are to gather today for the funerals of three people who died as a result of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus crash. Forward Jacob Leicht, who was 19, is to be laid to rest in his home city of Humboldt.

HUMBOLDT, Sask. — Hundreds of mourners, many wearing the Humboldt Broncos colours of green and gold, attended the funeral Thursday for the team's play-by-play announcer who also coached in the community.

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors' slogan for the NBA playoffs says everything: "Prove 'em." Coming off their finest regular season in franchise history, the Raptors are now aiming to exorcise some huge post-season demons, and prove the doubters wrong.