Thirty years after the U.S. women's national team won the gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, going 2-1 over China, and a month after the 2026 World Cup ended its run across the American continents, soccer has returned to the heart of the Classic City at Sanford Stadium.

A record-breaking 25,433 fans packed the metal bleacher seats under the blistering 93-degree setting sun, curving around the west end zone and north side of the stadium to watch the Georgia Bulldogs face the James Madison Dukes to open their home schedule.

Georgia has been a hotbed for soccer since Tiffeny Milbrett broke the deadlock created by China’s Sun Wen in the 68th minute of the biggest match on grass and made history for America in front of approximately 76,000 people.

Three decades of all-aged girls have come through the Peach State, which has produced the fourth-most NWSL players. Three of 23 women on the 2019 World Cup roster hailed from the metro-Atlanta area, including Emily Sonnett, who currently plays with the NJ/NY Gotham FC; Morgan Gautrat née Brian; and Kelley O’Hara.

Which made Thursday night something special to witness, especially for this next generation of girls soccer players. Girls like Emerson Finch, Harper Eubanks, Mattie Raborn and Charlotte Peyton, who all play for Augusta Arsenal.

“I didn’t really get to see the World Cup as much,” Eubanks, who is going into seventh grade, said. “So, seeing the women play, it’s like an inspiration of like who I want to be when I grow up.”

Raborn, also in seventh grade, echoed her friend’s take. They have dreams, and to see something this cool happen to the women on the Georgia roster only gives their young hearts a swell of hope for their own futures – though that’s still a long time away.

“I just feel really proud of them,” Peyton, another seventh grader whose favorite player is Lamine Yamal, said about the Georgia players. “I know they’ve come a long way and that’s also who I want to be when I grow up. It’s really inspirational, like Harper said.”

Graduate goalkeeper Jordan Brown smiled from ear to ear when she was told what Eubanks and Peyton said.

"You always want to be the inspiration for them," Brown said. "I know when I was younger and I was growing up, I was like, oh my gosh I hope I can just even touch the college field one day. Being able to break the (attendance) record and have a good performance at the same time, being able to show the girls they can get to this moment, they can get to this level if they just keep going. It's really awesome to be (someone's) inspiration."

Sophomore forward Mya Townes agreed.

"Some of our team, we talk about recognizing that we are living in answered prayers," Townes said. "I think that's such a big thing, not only for me, but for a lot of our team to realize the magnitude of what we are doing ... because a lot of people wouldn't think they can get here too."

For Bill Carter, a coach at the Madison Area Youth Soccer Association who had called the night of practice off and brought his 13U boys and several others in attendance with him, Thursday night was a full circle moment. Because Carter attended the 1996 World Cup in Athens. He’d also been to a game in Birmingham, Ala.

“The atmosphere was a little more electric as the U.S. was playing,” Carter, an Army veteran and former soccer player himself, said. “A little different looking stadium, too, but it was exciting. Such a good game then.

“But tonight the fans are excited. You see them watching the game. I mean,” Carter gestured to the stands below him as we stood on the concourse. “You see the kids that are just really engaged in the game. 30 years ago, it was the same thing. A bunch of kids were there. Now, they’re parents, and they’re dragging their kids here.”

"I think the best part of games like this, is hearing the little kids screels and screams and what not," head coach Keidane McAlpine said. "That's the best part of the game because you know, some way, somehow, there is an imprint that's being made, that's happening in that moment, and we got all that tonight."

Carter considers it to be a blessing to be in a state like Georgia that cares so much about women’s soccer. In 2028, the NWSL will be returning to Atlanta – Carter still remembers the Atlanta Beat and the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league from the late-2000s.

There’s been a massive change in the support of women’s sports since the rise of WNBA superstars Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers. If you looked out at the NCAA record-setting crowd tonight, just as many men were in attendance as women, and Madison County high school senior athletes Sadie Smith and Eva Czaplinski colored themselves impressed.

Georgia defeated James Madison, 6-0. Goals were scored by sophomore forward Mya Townes, senior midfielder Honoka Hamano (2), sophomore midfielder Ava Stack, sophomore midfielder Mona Childs and freshman midfielder Leila Avila.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Soccer returns to Sanford Stadium in a wildly historic night

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was on the field for Thursday night’s preseason game against the 49ers.

But if you blinked, you would’ve missed it.

Herbert’s exhibition debut with Mike McDaniel as his play-caller lasted just three snaps, with the Chargers going three-and-out on their first offensive possession.

Omarion Hampton lost a yard on the first play from scrimmage. Then Herbert completed a 9-yard pass to tight end Charlie Kolar while rolling to his left. But on third-and-2, Herbert’s downfield pass to Ladd McConkey was well off and incomplete.

With the ball at the Los Angeles 43, the club elected to punt.

Trey Lance came in to relieve Herbert at quarterback on the Chargers’ second drive later in the first quarter.

The Miami Dolphins will take on the New York Giants on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium for their second matchup of the preseason, but before that game kicks off, the two teams met at the Baptist Health Training Complex for a joint practice.

According to those on scene, Jeff Hafley's team struggled throughout the session, as New York, who also has a new head coach in 2026, dominated on the defensive side of things.

For those who weren't in attendance for this practice, here are some clips from fans, media members and the team.

Ready for joint practice 🐬 pic.twitter.com/5aegq3T11V

The #Dolphins will likely be playing without Quinn Ewers on Saturday because of his groin injury. There is a possibility he might be kept on 53 day one, then placed on IR the next day to create a waiver wire claim spot. pic.twitter.com/IUHj2BuzZj

There is usually a theme.

This Dolphins vs Giants practice is expected to be physical. pic.twitter.com/SlYtj2xMy5

Abdul Carter just threw a punch at Patrick Paul 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/onQrQtCErC

HOLY DOT pic.twitter.com/5yas0aBFhd

HUGE hole behind the right side for a house call for Achane!!!! Followed by another sack on Willis. pic.twitter.com/LfQm03R74Y

@DouglieDoWrong Malik to Douglas pic.twitter.com/sKSwNHGQFg

Willis rolling to his right a dart to Coleman while he was popped. pic.twitter.com/XIFdItpC33

Rookie OL Francis Mauigoa imposing his will during 1v1s against the Dolphins pass rush pic.twitter.com/Mc2WI66E0v

Tolbert got 🆙 pic.twitter.com/qZO77Rum5S

Holy sh** MW2 is DEALIN pic.twitter.com/92aYmK9loG

✋ @MichaelTaaffe4pic.twitter.com/nJFP6JyIGe

Austin Jackson gets put on his back. Things are getting very chippy at the Dolphins Giants joint practice pic.twitter.com/SUTNXFLDrQ

JRod got it 😤🤲 pic.twitter.com/erVwipXf85

getting a little scrappy out here 🥊 https://t.co/FGw3IScAATpic.twitter.com/UD7bAotA6h

Ronnie got the 🏈 out pic.twitter.com/jnh5waFMhw

Miami Dolphins kickoff return for a touchdown!!! pic.twitter.com/uTqhvqmUBa

When people ask if the Miami Dolphins are more physical during the joint practices, YES THEY ARE!!!! pic.twitter.com/Xe3hvNYx0C

First play of 11 on 11’s. Achane nice cut to the right. Followed by a first down pass. pic.twitter.com/w1MjDjeebd

Left side of OL gave up a sack pic.twitter.com/ZCouk5vngW

Right side Achane stuffed. pic.twitter.com/4nTIGPOMSg

Second down, Achane for a yard. Third down, Miami offensive holding call. pic.twitter.com/QLvFGFeVpf

2nd Down and 6 at the 6, pass batted down. pic.twitter.com/ke8Y3HTbpg

Dolphins starting from their 35. Achane would have made the defender miss on this catch and run. pic.twitter.com/MUD7qgVTy0

Officials called a sack on this play although I thought Willis had more time. pic.twitter.com/PSHQOPx6V2

Willis with his first interception throw. Could have been pick 6. pic.twitter.com/1TicIgw0Jl

A sack for the Miami Dolphins defense. pic.twitter.com/MRGAdRycZp

Dart 🎯Fields pic.twitter.com/zdoF8AloTU

Likely had himself a day 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/xPr9E4fOCT

ADEBO STEALING THE HEAT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sPYYNRmUMK

Here to work 🚧 pic.twitter.com/eOvg9xuqWA

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Highlights from Miami Dolphins joint practice with New York Giants

No. 2 for No. 1.

Fernando Mendoza pro debut came and went without any issues in Week 1 of the NFL preseason. On Aug. 20, the Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback was afforded the opportunity for an encore performance in preseason Week 2.

The No. 1 overall pick's second game for the silver-and-black is now in the history books, meaning the reviews are starting to trickle in. How did he play? Do the Raiders have a quarterback competition brewing that they aren't aware of?

In a sentence: Welcome to the NFL, rook.

MORE: Fernando Mendoza's Raiders debut proved Kirk Cousins' value – and that's OK

Those questions are natural in a world where instant gratification is the norm, especially after Vegas invested the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in Mendoza. Excitement for the future runs high this time of year and it's hard to blame anyone for that. The rookie class that was once considered underwhelming in April is now shining bright in August.

Kirk Cousins might have the Raiders QB1 spot for now, but did Mendoza do anything to close that gap against the Texans in Houston?

How did Mendoza fare in his second NFL preseason game? Here's a breakdown of the rookie's performance.

Mendoza lived a charmed life at Indiana last season in college football. That won't be the case in the NFL, even against backups.

The headline is the pick-six, which he tossed to Wade Woodaz on Vegas' opening drive. Mendoza was drifting to his left and worked back over the middle of the field, allowing Woodaz to step in for the easy interception.

80-YARD PICK-SIX 😯

The Texans take it to the house off the Fernando Mendoza INT! pic.twitter.com/NpAzS3dYCT

And 80 yards later, the Texans were celebrating the gifted touchdown. Being late is never good. Being late over the middle is even worse.

Luckily for Mendoza, that is a throw he'll learn from as he finds that the closing speed is at another level in the pros.

Mendoza worked under center multiple times, something he never did in college. From a footwork perspective, he passed that test. With his arm, the rookie showed some zip on the ball, evidenced by an early completion to Jalen Nailor for 22 yards on a second-and-long.

Fernando Mendoza just threw an absolute rocket in the breadbasket of Jalen Nailor pic.twitter.com/4Z3xin4b7a

Yet that was one of the rare occasions when he had help from the team around him. The protection up front didn't hold throughout the first half, resulting in the rookie taking a few hits – like this big one from the rookie, Kayden McDonald.

KMAC WITH THE SACK 😮‍💨

📺: @nflonespnpic.twitter.com/kOks1uMcrW

Mendoza's stat line would've looked a lot better if Malik Benson didn't register two key drops that turned a pair of first downs into a pair of punts. If Benson hangs onto the ball, the narrative is about Mendoza's ability to overcome adversity.

Malik Benson drops ball that was right to his hands

Could have been a big play, #Raiders forced to punt instead pic.twitter.com/0H7FjQw0DE

Fair or not, the prevailing line of thinking because of those drops is that Mendoza stunk it up on Thursday night. Mix in the interception and you have the "bust" label being thrown around. However, it's important to remember that this is just his second preseason contest and if there was ever a time for mistakes – it's now.

All in all, Mendoza was fine. He didn't secure a gold jacket on Thursday night, but he also didn't ensure he'll be out of the league by this time next year. He has led the Raiders to just two scoring drives during his preseason action, a sign that he isn't ready to lead this Raiders team yet.

• Completions/Attempts (%): 8/15 (53.3%)
• Passing yards: 86
• Passing touchdowns: 0
• Interceptions: 1
• Passer rating: 42.6
• Rushing yards: 0
• Sacks: 1

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fernando Mendoza uneven in Raiders preseasons start: Instant analysis, grades