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Neymar heading to FC Barcelona

2013-05-26T01:15:58Z

Brazilian star Neymar looks set to complete his long awaited move to Europe, signing for FC Barcelona, after he let the news fly on his Instagram account. Both Real Madrid and Chelsea had been considered front-runners for the attacker's signature in the past, but Barcelona emerged as the clear favorite to sign him in the last year and had a deal accepted by Santos FC on Friday. An announcement was scheduled for Monday, but Neymar decided he couldn't wait that long.

FC Barcelona later confirmed the news on Twitter. A fee has yet to be announced, and the amount Barcelona paid for Neymar will likely determine whether or not his acquisition is well received by Cules.

More: FC Barcelona blog Barca Blaugranes

Neymar emerged as one of the world's biggest up-and-coming stars in 2009, and Dunga was widely criticized by the Brazilian press for not calling him up for the 2010 World Cup. He went on to become an automatic first choice player and the face of Santos in the following season, and helped lead them to a Copa Libertadores title in 2011. The 21-year-old made his Brazilian senior team debut in 2010, and has amassed 20 goals in 32 caps.

Santos has struggled since winning that Copa Libertadores title, and has sold off a number of their other stars. Their board maintained following the 2010 World Cup that Neymar would stay with the team until the 2014 World Cup, at which point he would be allowed to go wherever he wished, but their inability to compete for titles has caused them (and likely Neymar) to have a change of heart. Instead of letting him walk on a free transfer, which would have been a very questionable decision for a team of Santos' somewhat limited financial means, they've decided to cash in.

Between David Villa's aging and Alexis Sanchez's poor form, Neymar should have no problem breaking into the first team at the Camp Nou, and he's been seen as an essential signing by the majority of fans since Barcelona's destruction at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He should make a perfect compliment for Lionel Messi at the left forward spot, and shouldn't need too much time to adjust to Barcelona's style of play.

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Blackhawks vs. Red Wings Game 5 update: Bickell gives Chicago the early lead

2013-05-26T01:05:38Z

Detroit trails Chicago 1-0 after one period in a Game 5 elimination game, but this competitive matchup is far from over.

Chicago started off like they were on the brink of elimination. The Blackhawks began the period at a torrid pace and kept it up throughout the first 20 minutes. The goal seemed to be eliminate the Wings' stars while pushing Detroit back on its heels in their own zone. The result was some big hits and roughhousing.

Chicago controlled the game up until the Red Wings received a power play chance. Detroit didn't score, but they threw four shots on net and the momentum seemed to change sides. The Wings then began pressing Corey Crawford to make saves, but a broken play in their own end led to a Bryan Bickell goal for Chicago.

Detroit kept up their aggressive play, putting four shots on net immediately after the goal. It also paid off in the final minutes, when the Blackhawks' first power play couldn't get a shot on goal past the swarming Detroit penalty killers. This game is still very much up for grabs as the second period begins.

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Gregg Popovich, music critic

2013-05-26T00:49:31Z

Loud rap music from Grizz weight room pumping thru walls during Pop pregame presser. Pop: "This is one of the things that helps you retire."
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) May 26, 2013

Pop, the music critic: "If you can't dance to it, it's not music." I think I agree.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) May 26, 2013

So, Pop, what music do you dance to?

NCAA Lacrosse Tournament 2013 results: Syracuse, Duke set for the finals

2013-05-26T00:32:28Z

The finals of the 2013 Men's Division I Lacrosse Championship are now set, as No. 7 Duke will take on No. 1 Syracuse following each team's victories in Saturday's semifinals.

Duke managed to take down Cornell in the semifinals, with David Lawson scoring the winning goal with under seven minutes to go. Ultimately, Duke won the game, 16-14, and is after its second national championship. The Blue Devils' first came in 2010, the last time they played in the finals.

Cornell had the lead in the third quarter, but Duke recovered from its 5-2 deficit with a 7-1 run in the third, and the Blue Devils didn't give up the lead from there. Cornell briefly rallied late but Duke was able to hold on for the win.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 1 Syracuse once again had to rally, but the Orange won their game and that's all that matters. Denver held a 7-4 lead entering the fourth quarter, and the Orange didn't lead until Derek Maltz's game-winner with 19.2 seconds left in the game. In the end, Syracuse walked away with a 9-8 victory and a spot in the finals.

Syracuse and Duke will play on Monday for the championship -- you can view an updated bracket here.

Real Salt Lake provides funny, and good, explanation of U.S. Open Cup

2013-05-26T00:30:42Z

There's no shame in explaining why the U.S. Open Cup deserves to be important to MLS fans.

Rangers vs. Bruins Game 5 recap: Boston eliminates New York, sets up conference final with Penguins

2013-05-26T00:23:09Z

The Boston Bruins clinched their way to the Eastern Conference Finals, beating the New York Rangers 3-1 in Game 5 to win their semifinal series four games to one.

The Rangers opened scoring, with their struggling power play converting in consecutive games. Dan Girardi converted a pass from Mats Zuccarello after Daniel Paille had fallen down at the blueline. You can see Paille getting back up and into the play at the top of the GIF below:

One of the heroes of the series was rookie Torey Krug, playing in just his fifth playoff game and eighth NHL game of his career in Game 5. With the Bruins down 1-0, Krug scored his fourth goal of the series to tie the game, once again blasting a slap shot from the point.

The Bruins' fourth line, another story of the series, struck with the go-ahead goal when Gregory Campbell picked up a loose rebound after Daniel Paille and Shawn Thornton worked the puck to the net.

Rangers captain Ryan Callahan had a golden opportunity to tie the game midway through the third period, but Tuukka Rask made a blocker save to knock the puck out of play.

For the game, the Bruins outshot the Rangers 32-29, and that was after the Rangers threw everything they could in a comeback attempt in the third period. But Rask was strong in the Boston net, while Lundqvist kept it close by stopping Milan Lucic on several prime scoring opportunities.

That meant there was just one thing left to do: Post-series handshakes.

Bruins rookie defenseman Dougie Hamilton was a healthy scratch in Game 5, as the Bruins re-inserted Dennis Seidenberg into the lineup. Before Krug's heroics, few would have believed he would be selected over Hamilton, but the young defenseman had a great series and has made it hard for Claude Julien to remove him from the lineup.

Seidenberg held up well despite taking a heavy hit from big Rangers winger Chris Kreider:

With the win, the Bruins advanced to their second conference final in three seasons, having won the Stanley Cup in 2011. The Rangers failed to get past the second round after losing in the conference final in 2012.

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NBA Playoffs schedule 2013: Grizzlies host Spurs in Game 3

2013-05-26T00:05:01Z

Memphis will try to get on the board in the Western Conference Finals as the series heads to the Grindhouse.

The San Antonio Spurs take their 2-0 series lead against the Memphis Grizzlies on the road as they try to push the Grizzlies to the brink of elimination Saturday. After a tight Game 2 that went to overtime, set up in part by Tony Allen's flopping with 26 seconds left on the clock, Game 3 tips off at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

In the Grizzlies' favor is the fact that they have yet to lose at home through the playoffs. The Spurs, however, used their three days off since Game 2 to rest up. Tony Parker underwent an MRI on his bruised calf, which he suffered during the Western Conference semifinals, and all signs point to a timely recovery. In fact, Parker believes he'll turn a corner soon and will be fine on Saturday, reports Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News:

"Everything is fine," Parker told McDonald. "They (doctors) still see a lot of blood. The size is going down. I feel like I'm turning the corner. I feel like I'll be fine for Saturday."

For more on the Grizzlies visit Grizzly Bear Blues

Either the Spurs will seize even more control of the series, or the Grizzlies will begin their battle to get back into the series.

Time: 9 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Odds: Grizzlies opened as 4.5 point favorites, via Oddsshark.com

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Rangers vs. Bruins Game 5 update: Torey Krug stars again as Boston takes lead

2013-05-25T23:17:28Z

The Boston Bruins stormed back in the second period of Game 5, taking a 2-1 lead over the New York Rangers thanks to a power-play goal and another contribution from their fourth line.

Super sub Torey Krug continued his stunning series with a power-play shot over Henrik Lundqvist's shoulder to tie the game at 1-1.

The goal was Krug's fourth of the series, in just his fifth playoff game and the eighth game of his NHL career.

Krug joined the lineup after injuries to several Bruins defensemen in the last round. One of them, Dennis Seidenberg, returned to the lineup for the first time in this series and was quickly reminded how brutal the playoffs can be:

That was Rangers forward Chris Kreider steamrolling him. Seidenberg did not leave the game, but spent the rest of his shift trying to catch his breath.

Another storyline from this series, the play of the Bruins' fourth line, reared its head again as Gregory Campbell, Shawn Thornton and Daniel Paille combined to give the Bruins the lead with 6:19 left in the period. Campbell finished the play by picking up the loose puck and beating Lundqvist to the stick side.

If the Bruins hang on in the third period, they'll take the series and advance to the Eastern Conference final to meet the Pittsburgh Penguins.