College Football Preview 2025: CFN Previews, Rankings, Top Players, Win Totals & Schedules for All 136 Teams

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Alozie juggles the Houston Dash, the Nigerian national team and even cancer research

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22 minutes ago

Yahoo

Alozie juggles the Houston Dash, the Nigerian national team and even cancer research

It's not only that Michelle Alozie plays for the Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League, or that she recently won an African championship with the Nigerian national team. The Yale grad also helps conduct pediatric cancer research at Texas Children's Hospital. Alozie's dual careers sprang from necessity because — in the days before the NWSL adopted its first collective-bargaining agreement in 2022 — she was uncertain whether she could earn a livable wage in soccer. 'I remember telling my boss that football was my main priority, and I just needed kind of like something on the side to make sure that, if needed, my resume was still there, I'm still in the medical field and I'm ready if my football life doesn't pan out," she said. The child of Nigerian immigrants, Alozie originally played at Yale, where she graduated with a degree in molecular biology, but finished her career with Tennessee. After going undrafted, she played in Kazakhstan for a year before trying out for the Dash in 2021. Around that time she also got a call from Randy Waldrum, Nigeria's American coach, who was scrambling to find eligible players after the Super Falcons arrived in the United States for a game without a full squad because of visa issues. 'I think it was since I was in college that I wanted to play for the Super Falcons, but I didn't really know how to get on their radar," Alozie said. "So for it to happen this way, and for me to play my first professional football game on a national team as opposed to the club side, it was just kind of crazy.' She went on to play under Waldrum in the 2023 Women's World Cup. Nigeria advanced to the Round of 16 before falling on penalties to England after a hard-fought scoreless draw. Alozie grabbed attention during the match when England's Lauren James stepped on her, drawing a red card. Alozie also played for Nigeria at last summer's Olympics in France, adding Olympian to a growing collection of honors. Then this summer she helped Nigeria win the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Falcons had dubbed their bid for a 10th African championship 'Mission X' A versatile defender, Alozie had one of the most memorable goals of the tournament. She sent a long ball forward from distance and it bounced into the goal in stoppage time to give Nigeria a 2-1 victory over South Africa, putting the Super Falcons in the championship match. Nigeria went on to defeat host Morocco 3-2 for the title. The victory came despite the persistent allegations of mismanagement of the women's program that have dated back years, and the lack of opportunities for the players to train together as a group. Alozie understands how important global visibility is for the growth of the game in Africa. She pointed to fellow Nigerian players Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade, as well as Zambian Barbra Banda and Temwa Chawinga of Malawi, all of whom play on high-profile club teams. "All these people coming out of Africa that people were probably sleeping on before, and then they come to the big stage and they're scoring hat tricks at the Olympics, they're breaking records in the NWSL or the WSL," she said. "I think the world is definitely waking up to women's football in Africa.' Back home in the United States, Alozie works several days a week at Texas Children's Hospital in addition to playing for the Dash. Her supervisor, Dr. Alexandra Stevens, said she didn't know when Alozie applied that she was also a pro athlete. Alozie asked if she could contribute as a researcher while continuing her soccer career, and the hospital agreed. Alozie's immediate focus is on the second half of the season with the Dash, who are in a rebuilding phase after finishing at the bottom of the NWSL last year. Under new coach Fabrice Gautrat, the team has made modest gains. 'The playoff push is still there, we're still very much focused on that. We see the changes being implemented in our culture and how we want to play in the overall identity of the Houston Dash being built,' Alozie said. 'So that is something super positive, not only for right now, but for the future.'

White Sox reinstate infielder Miguel Vargas from the 10-day injured list

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22 minutes ago

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White Sox reinstate infielder Miguel Vargas from the 10-day injured list

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox reinstated infielder Miguel Vargas from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. The White Sox also brought up right-hander Yoendrys Gómez from Triple-A Charlotte. Right-hander Elvis Peguero was sent down, and outfielder Corey Julks was designated for assignment. Vargas and Gómez were in the starting lineup for the team's game against Detroit. Vargas was at first base, batting sixth. The 25-year-old Vargas had been sidelined by a left oblique strain. Vargas, who was acquired from the Dodgers as part of a three-team trade in July 2024, hit .229 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs in 106 games before the injury. Gómez, 25, went 4-3 with a 2.12 ERA in 14 games with Charlotte, including 11 starts. He was claimed off waivers from the Dodgers on May 10. Gómez is making his first start in his 19th major league appearance. He has pitched for the Yankees, Dodgers and White Sox this year, going 1-1 with a 6.62 ERA in 12 games. ___ AP MLB:

Carlos Prates hasn't quit smoking, but says it won't stop him from being the first to KO Geoff Neal in the UFC

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22 minutes ago

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Carlos Prates hasn't quit smoking, but says it won't stop him from being the first to KO Geoff Neal in the UFC

Carlos Prates is one of the more unique characters on the Fighting Nerds' team, which says a lot. The Brazilian welterweight contender has been a thrilling finisher throughout his UFC run, but was met with some resistance in his latest Octagon appearance. He'll get a chance to right the ship when he meets Geoff Neal in Chicago at UFC 319 on Saturday. The unanimous decision loss to Ian Machado Garry in UFC Kansas City's main event forced Prates to reevaluate his approach to fights, and maybe more so, how he executes his game plans. It was his first time going beyond the third round in his 28-fight career, and despite his questionable, but admitted love of smoking cigarettes, Prates didn't feel overly slowed or tired by the 25-minute mark. Regardless, don't expect the Fighting Nerds slugger to break his habit, as he still smokes roughly eight cigarettes daily. "Sometimes I start to smoke a little bit less, but it's hard," Prates said Monday on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I get really excited, and I want to eat. I cannot eat pizza all day, so I prefer to smoke rather than have some problem with making weight. "I like to smoke before I go to the stadium. We cannot smoke in the locker room. Smoke before, then I go there." Prates can be commended for attempting to live a healthier lifestyle, but the cigarettes have yet to affect his performances. From an in-fight perspective, Prates believes that his recent lessons taught him to adapt and shift his speed. If he wants to be a champion, that might mean toning down his violent intentions. "The way I think to win the fight [might change]," Prates said. "On the level we are right now, the really high level, some small mistakes make a difference at the end of the fight. So it's time to sometimes think less about entertaining and more about winning. Not go for knockouts, you know what I mean? It's not only about bonuses. I want to finish the fight the way it's going to bring me a bonus. First, a win bonus is really nice. Getting the win is most important. I think it's changed a little bit in my mind." Prates' improvements will be tested by his next opponent Neal. Initially, the matchup was supposed to come at UFC 314 in April. Unfortunately for Neal, he was forced out of the bout for undisclosed reasons, which bumped Prates into his headliner opposite Garry at UFC Kansas City. Prates will have his hands full with his fellow striker in Neal. "Hands of Stone" has given some of the division's best all they can handle while staying relevant in his own right. Although Neal lives up to his moniker, he's also a durable foe with no knockout losses in the UFC. For Prates, Neal's history of avoiding knockouts adds a little extra motivation. "I'm really good at knocking people out who have never been knocked out before," Prates said. "I won the belt off the biggest show in Brazil, and I knocked out the guy. He was southpaw, so I'm really good fighting against southpaws, and he was never knocked out, and I was the first to knock him out. When I fought Li Jingliang, he was never knocked out in his career, not only UFC. I was the first one. Saturday night, I'm going to be the first one to knock Geoff Neal out for the first time in the UFC. "Nothing personal against him, it's just because it's the way I like to fight. I'm a striker and I like to knock people out. ... I know how to do that, that's my best."

College Football Preview 2025: CFN Previews, Rankings, Top Players, Win Totals & Schedules for All 136 Teams

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Alozie juggles the Houston Dash, the Nigerian national team and even cancer research

White Sox reinstate infielder Miguel Vargas from the 10-day injured list

Carlos Prates hasn't quit smoking, but says it won't stop him from being the first to KO Geoff Neal in the UFC

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