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SPORTS Thursday 20 June 2019
Press isn't dwelling on past miss against Sweden

LE HAVRE, France (AP) — A As the United States pre-
devastating missed penalty pared to face Sweden on
kick by Christen Press in a Thursday at the Women's
loss at the Olympics could World Cup, Press said she's
have been the lowest point only watched pieces of
of her career. Instead, it that match. The Swedes
was a motivator and defin- — led then by former U.S.
ing moment for the Ameri- coach Pia Sundhage —
can forward. bunkered in on defense
"I think when I look back on against the Americans.
my career, all the moments Tied after three rounds in
that I'm most proud of have the shootout, Sweden cap-
come after failure," she tain Caroline Seger got
said. "That's the easiest one past U.S. goalkeeper Hope
to point at and look at, and Solo before Press sailed
look at that clear failure, the Americans' fifth pen-
and then evaluate how I alty kick over the crossbar.
did in responding to it. Lisa Dahlkvist wrong-footed
"I think the strength that it Solo to give Sweden the 4-3
takes to step back up and shootout victory.
be courageous and let it Solo infamously called the
go, and to continue to fight Swedes "a bunch of cow-
for your dreams and not ards" after in alleging they
let the outside noise affect played a defensive match
what you're doing, I am to choke the Americans' United States' Christen Press catches the ball during the Women's World Cup Group F soccer
match between United States and Chile at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, Sunday, June 16,
very proud of that." chances. 2019.
The missed final penalty The rematch between the Associated Press
kick during a shootout two teams is a highlight
against Sweden in the of four Thursday games was, we're focused on 2012-14 and again in 2018 the 3-0 victory over Chile
quarterfinals at the 2016 Rio in France, but the United what will be," coach Jill El- between stints in the Na- on Sunday.
Olympics helped eliminate States is not interested in lis said. "That's really where tional Women's Soccer The United States has
the United States and a dwelling on that defeat as you have to be. You've got League. She came off the played Sweden six times
tearful Press was consoled it attempts to win a second to look forward. That's the bench in the 13-0 rout of in the group stage at the
by her teammates. It was consecutive Cup. past." Thailand in the opener, but World Cup, including a
the earliest Olympic exit for "I think players and coach- Press played for clubs in Press got the start as part of 0-0 draw four years ago in
the Americans. es are not focused on what Sweden for two years from seven lineup changes for Canada.q

NASCAR denies Chastain appeal

of disqualification at Iowa

By LUKE MEREDITH been DQ'd on race day. in addition to his victory
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — "Although our team dis- and bonus points being
NASCAR denied Ross Chas- agrees with the decision, stripped away. Chastain,
tain's appeal Wednesday we have exhausted our who led the final 141 laps,
after his race-winning truck options for recourse and also lost the $50,000 he
was disqualified following must move on," Niece said had won for taking first in
a postrace inspection at in a statement. "Our sight the "Triple Truck Challenge"
Iowa Speedway over the will remain set on the ob- marketing promotion that
weekend. stacle in front of us — which included the Iowa race. Ross Chastain walks to his truck before the start of the NASCAR
National Motorsports Ap- is making the playoffs." "I'm not backing down Truck Series auto race, Sunday, June 16, 2019, at Iowa Speed-
peals Panelist Bryan Moss NASCAR said the last time from the fact that we beat way in Newton, Iowa.
heard Chastain's appeal it disqualified an apparent everybody," Chastain said Associated Press
and chose to uphold the race winner was April 17, in a Sirius radio interview
original penalties assessed 1960, when Emanuel Zerva- Monday. the postseason, but Chas- point deductions and/
by NASCAR for the No. 44 kis' victory at Wilson Speed- The loss could be devas- tain now has a long way to or suspensions. But drivers
being too low. Niece Mo- way in North Carolina was tating to Chastain's playoff climb. didn't have victories tak-
torsports owner Al Niece thrown out because of an hopes. NASCAR announced in en away from them until
had said the truck passed oversized fuel tank. The se- Chastain recently decided February that thorough Chastain was stripped of
opening and pre-race in- ries also stripped Mike Skin- to switch his championship post-race inspections the victory.
spections and may have ner of a victory the day af- pursuit this season from would take place at the Chastain said in the radio
suffered minor damage ter a 1999 race at Atlanta the Xfinity Series to trucks, track instead of midweek interview he let NASCAR's
during the race that left it Motor Speedway for an un- but he was not allowed to at the sanctioning body's decision Sunday bother
too low. approved cylinder head, count a trucks win at Kan- research and develop- him for "about an hour" be-
Chastain's disqualification but that decision was over- sas because he was not ment center outside of fore he shifted his focus to
was the first under strict turned on appeal. racing for the series title at Charlotte, North Carolina. this weekend's races at So-
new rules put in place this Chastain's misfortune gave the time. Drivers who have Winning teams found in noma Raceway.
season to deter cheating the victory to Brett Mof- won races only need to violation of the rules in pre- "It's actually very simple,"
and it was the first time this fitt and Chastain will be finish 20th or better in the vious seasons were penal- Chastain said Wednesday.
year a winning car had scored as if he finished last regular season to make ized with post-race fines, "Sunday is in the past."q