AP Sports SummaryBrief at 7:48 p.m. EST

Yordan Alvarez wins AL MVP award after the Astros slugger made a run at the Triple Crown Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez won the AL MVP award in a unanimous vote on Thursday night after making a run at the Triple Crown. Alvarez hit a career-best .316 with 42 homers and 106 RBIs for the AL West champions. He led the majors in batting average and finished in a tie for second in the AL in homers and second by himself in RBIs, trailing Pete Alonso’s 43 homers and 113 RBIs for Baltimore. Alvarez was Houston’s primary designated hitter, but his offensive brilliance was enough to overcome his limited contributions on defense. The four-time All-Star also led the majors in walks, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The coach who energized U.S. soccer at the World Cup is on the verge of leaving for a job in England Mauricio Pochettino had the United States on a roll at the World Cup. The Americans plowed into the knockout stages with fun and furious soccer as rapturous crowds shook the stadiums with “Take Me Home, Country Roads” sing-alongs in front of record television audiences. Pochettino was in the middle of it all, encouraging and embracing the passion building behind the team in a big country with limited soccer success. After the World Cup, Pochettino signed a four-year extension through the next one in 2030. It may be time to start over. Pochettino on Thursday was closing in on a deal to be the manager of Manchester United in England’s Premier League. Warriors star Stephen Curry suffers torn oblique muscle and will be sidelined at least two weeks SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry will miss at least two weeks for the Golden State Warriors with a torn oblique muscle, an injury that comes with the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader on pace for one of the best seasons of his 18-year career. The Warriors announced Thursday that the 38-year-old Curry would be reevaluated in two weeks for the abdominal tear. Coach Steve Kerr called the concern level “high.” Curry left early in Golden State’s loss at Houston on Wednesday night that ended an eight-game winning streak. He was in obvious discomfort, grabbing at his right side above the hip. The inside story of Manchester United's move for Mauricio Pochettino MANCHESTER, England (AP) — In the end it came down to a choice of one. From the moment Manchester United was aware of Mauricio Pochettino’s availability he stood alone the only candidate as the troubled Premier League club went in search of a new coach. United’s hierarchy had assumed Pochettino, like Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, was out of reach. Emery also has big admirers at United after transforming Villa from a relegation-threatened team to a serial Champions League challenger, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to protect relationships. But the Spaniard, under contract and without a release clause, was simply not an option. NC State reaches deal for former QB Philip Rivers to become coach, AP source says N.C. State has reached an agreement with former Wolfpack and NFL quarterback Philip Rivers to become head coach, with that deal heading to university trustees for approval, a person with knowledge of the situation said. Under school protocols, N.C. State’s board of trustees must formally approve any deal for it to become official. That board is scheduled to take up the matter Friday as part of a previously scheduled slate of meetings. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because N.C. State hasn’t publicly discussed specifics of its search. Nonprofit local news isn't free! It takes reporters, editors, and resources to do this work right. Your donation keeps that work alive. MAKE YOUR DONATION TODAY Longtime NBC Sports announcer Dan Hicks dies at 64 Sportscaster Dan Hicks, who was the voice of golf, Olympic swimming and Notre Dame football during a 35-year career at NBC Sports, has died. He was 64. Hicks was best known as the lead announcer for golf, as well as swimming and skiing at the Olympics and Notre Dame football. He joined NBC in 1992 following three years at CNN. Hicks died in Connecticut late Wednesday. He died of an acute illness, according to his wife, Hannah Storm. He had been scheduled to call Notre Dame’s game Saturday. Dan Hicks shared the TV stage in golf and got plenty in return. Expect anything different? Dan Hicks is being remembered as a TV broadcaster who made sure every voice was heard. And he got plenty in return. Roger Maltbie worked with Hicks nearly his entire career and says he was inclusive and respectful. Hicks died Wednesday of an acute illness. Paul Azinger says it leaves a void in golf because Hicks never got cheated out of being happy every day. Hicks is most famous for his “Expect anything different?” call when Tiger Woods made a clutch putt to force a playoff in the 2008 U.S. Open. Hicks also called Olympic swimming and Notre Dame football. Broncos back out of the proposed trade with the Chargers for linebacker Daiyan Henley ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have backed out of their proposed trade with the Los Angeles Chargers for inside linebacker Daiyan Henley. The deal agreed to before the NFL deadline would have sent a 2027 fourth-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder to the Chargers. Henley is a fourth-year player with 51 tackles, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and an interception in eight games this season for the winless Chargers. The Broncos did not disclose the reason for canceling the deal in their announcement late Wednesday. The Broncos are 7-2 and have a bye this week. Manchester United is nearing a deal to hire US men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino, source tells AP MANCHESTER, England (AP) — A source with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that Manchester United is finalizing a deal to hire U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino. The person says the Premier League club is hopeful of announcing Pochettino's appointment before he takes charge of the U.S. team’s upcoming games against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday. The person is speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were still ongoing. Pochettino would be replacing Michael Carrick. Carrick was fired earlier Thursday after overseeing the 20-time English champion’s worst start to a Premier League season. Coco Gauff storms back from 5-1 down to beat Marta Kostyuk at the WTA Finals INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Coco Gauff rallied to win the final six games and beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5 in her round-robin group at the WTA Finals. Gauff's eventual fate depends on the outcome of fellow American Jessica Pegula's match against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. A victory by Pegula would knock Gauff out of the season-ending championships. Gauff overcame serving issues and visits from a trainer during her match. Kostyuk led 5-1 before Gauff's comeback began. Gauff broke twice to tie the set, 5-5, then won the match on Kostyuk's netted forehand. Donate now to support local nonprofit news in Lancaster County Newsletter Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Sports Our daily sports newsletter, delivered at 6 a.m. Please enter a valid email address. Sign up By opting into newsletters you are agreeing to our privacy policy . What to Read Next