Park it! | Sports Daily Newsletter

Picture it: You’ve just sweated through a Phillies/Eagles/Sixers/Flyers win. There’s nothing quite like it, is there?

Now for the fun part … not. Time to sit in traffic for seemingly forever. Hope you made it to the restroom beforehand.

But never fear, the powers that be announced a $30 million initiative to help alleviate traffic after events at the South Philadelphia sports complex. Traffic salvation is coming, for everyday fans and the 1% alike, Marcus Hayes writes.

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

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When the Phillies arrive at Dodger Stadium today, plenty of memories from last October surely will resurface.

For Orion Kerkering, it’s unavoidable. It will be his first time back since the National League Division Series, when Kerkering flung a softly hit bases-loaded grounder over catcher J.T. Realmuto’s head at home instead of making the routine play at first.

While it was not the only reason the Phillies lost to the Dodgers last year, as the final play of the 11-inning Game 4, it remains one of the lasting moments of another postseason failure.

This might be his first visit to Dodger Stadium since it happened, but he certainly doesn’t plan on it being the last.

Next: The Phillies will open a series in Los Angeles at 10:10 tonight (Apple TV). Zack Wheeler (4-0, 1.67 ERA) will start against Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski (6-2, 3.07).

One day after firing manager Bradley Carnell and removing the interim tag from sporting director Jon Scheer’s title, Union owner Jay Sugarman had another revelation: there’s some cash on hand to turn around the one-win squad during this summer’s transfer window.

Sugarman used the sum of $10 million when meeting with the media but didn’t disclose whether that was the actual amount. But Scheer should have funds to try to right the ship, and he can consider starting up top.

The U.S. men’s soccer team’s World Cup training camp is in full swing, but manager Mauricio Pochettino reportedly is meeting with other clubs. It’s not surprising, as his contract ends after the World Cup, Jonathan Tannenwald writes.

Next: The Union are off for the FIFA World Cup and return to action on July 22 at home vs. the New York Red Bulls (7:30 p.m., Apple TV).

Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt worried that he was annoying general manager Howie Roseman during April’s NFL draft. Hey, we’ve all been there when inspiration strikes at work. In Hurtt’s case, he really wanted to draft Uar Bernard. It was Day 3, and Bernard remained on the board.

Luckily for Hurtt, Roseman was all-in, too. The Eagles picked Bernard, who’s never played a snap of organized football, in the seventh round.

Now the real work begins. Hurtt and his pupil are at the facility early each morning, and the coach offered insight on how he’s teaching the game to someone he called “an unbelievable human being.”

On the other side of the ball, star running back Saquon Barkley enlisted some outside help in learning new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s scheme.

In 2022, West Chester turned to a freshman reliever, Kyle Lazer, in a do-or-die game. With his team down a run, he threw a slider and felt a pop. The Golden Rams rallied, but Lazer could only watch as they advanced to the Division II championship.

Now he’s back, and West Chester is back in the championship round in Cary, N.C.

In Division III softball, Rowan got off to a strong start with an upset of top seeded Virginia Wesleyan in the double-elimination championship tournament.

Going green: Philadelphia Cricket Club pro Meaghan Francella will be back in action this weekend at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

Sister-sister: Pro women’s tennis is returning to Philly, and it’s “a dream come true.”

Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors will pick our best shots from the last seven days and share them with you, our readers. This week, photos include a the Phillies, Eagles OTAs … and a banana-eating contest?

We asked: Do you have a nation you’re rooting for in the World Cup?

The USA! Obviously. Not only have I supported our players, men and women, in every World Cup, but this time I have five local players to cheer. And Brenden Aaronson is at two degrees of separation for me, so it’s an easy choice. — Joel G.

USA all the way, but if not I would like to see Italy do well. I lived there for

three years while serving in the military and know they are passionate for their “calcio” and have won the World Cup 4 times. — Everett S.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jake Blumgart, Marcus Hayes, Jonathan Tannenwald, Kerith Gabriel, Lochlahn March, Olivia Reiner, Ryan Novozinsky, Mia Messina, Conor Smith, Becca O’Reilly, Gabriela Carroll, 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.

Enjoy your weekend, Philly! We’ll be back for Monday’s newsletter. — Maria