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Revitalize Hip Strength Instantly: Top 4 Wall Exercises for Seniors Over 60

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Revitalize Hip Strength Instantly: Top 4 Wall Exercises for Seniors Over 60

Feeling like your hips are losing strength as you age past 60? Consider trying these four wall exercises that come highly recommended by fitness trainers.

Incorporating yoga into your routine after 60 can significantly enhance mobility, balance, breathing, and body awareness. However, when it comes to strengthening your hips, more targeted exercises are often necessary. The hip muscles, along with the glutes and surrounding areas, play crucial roles in supporting, stabilizing, and guiding your body through daily activities.

This is where wall exercises shine. By using the wall for support, you gain stability and confidence while your hips and legs engage in the workout. Such exercises allow you to build strength and control through various movements like holds, single-leg exercises, marching, and enhancing hip mobility, all without the need for gym equipment, heavy weights, or lengthy sessions.

Wall exercises are a favorite of mine because they simultaneously develop strength and control. A wall sit exercise, for example, strengthens your glutes and lower body. The single-leg wall sit focuses on stabilizing each hip independently. Wall-supported marching helps train your hip flexors and improve balance, while wall hip circles enhance the smooth control around the hip joint, aiding in better movement during walking, climbing stairs, and other daily activities.

I like wall work because it builds strength and control at the same time. The wall sit builds a strong base through your glutes and lower body. The single-leg wall sit challenges each hip to stabilize on its own. Wall-supported marching trains your hip flexors and balance, and wall hip circles build smooth control around the hip joint, which helps your legs move better during walking, on stairs, and in everyday movement.

Use this routine as a quick hip-strength reset. Move slowly, stay tall, and focus on creating tension through your hips and lower body. A few controlled rounds can help your hips feel stronger, steadier, and more ready for the day.

Wall Sit

Wall sits train your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core while providing support for your back against the wall. Holding the position keeps your legs under tension, which helps build strength and endurance without needing repeated squats. Stronger wall sits carry over to standing longer, climbing stairs, getting up from chairs, and feeling more confident in your lower body. Start with a higher position, then slide lower as your strength improves.

Muscles Trained: Quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand with your back against a wall.
  2. Walk your feet forward slightly.
  3. Slide down the wall until your knees bend comfortably.
  4. Brace your core and keep your back against the wall.
  5. Hold the position while breathing steadily.
  6. Stand back up with control.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 20 to 30-second holds. Rest for 45 seconds between each set.

Best Variations: Higher wall sits, lower wall sits, wall sits with heel raises.

Form Tip: Keep your feet flat and your knees tracking over your toes.

Single-Leg Wall Sit

Single-leg wall sits train your quads, glutes, hips, and core while giving each leg its own strength challenge. The wall supports your back, but your working leg still has to hold tension and control the position. This exercise helps build the one-leg strength you use when stepping onto curbs, climbing stairs, or shifting weight during daily movement. Keep the range comfortable and use short holds at first.

Muscles Trained: Quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, hip stabilizers, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand with your back against a wall.
  2. Walk your feet forward and slide into a comfortable wall sit.
  3. Brace your core and keep your chest lifted.
  4. Lift one foot slightly off the floor.
  5. Hold the position while your working leg stays steady.
  6. Place your foot down and switch sides.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 10 to 20-second holds per leg. Rest for 45 seconds between each set.

Best Variations: Toe-tap single-leg wall sits, higher single-leg wall sits, shorter holds.

Form Tip: Keep your hips level and press through the whole foot of your working leg.

Wall-Supported Marching

Wall-supported marching trains your hip flexors, quads, glutes, calves, and core while helping your body practice single-leg control. Each knee lift asks the standing leg to stabilize while the lifted leg moves with purpose. This is a simple way to build strength for walking, stairs, stepping over objects, and moving with better rhythm. The wall gives you just enough support to focus on clean movement instead of balance taking over the whole exercise.

Muscles Trained: Hip flexors, quadriceps, glutes, calves, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand facing a wall with your hands lightly placed against it.
  2. Step your feet hip-width apart.
  3. Brace your core and stand tall.
  4. Lift one knee toward your waist.
  5. Lower your foot back to the floor with control.
  6. Alternate legs in a steady rhythm.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps per leg. Rest for 30 seconds between each set.

Best Variations: Paused wall marches, slower wall marches, higher knee marches.

Form Tip: Stay tall and keep your hands light on the wall.

Wall Hip Circles

Wall hip circles train your hip flexors, glutes, outer hips, inner thighs, and core while improving control around the hip joint. Your standing leg has to stay steady while your moving leg circles through a smooth range. This exercise builds strength and coordination through the hips, which supports walking, balance, and smoother leg movement. Keep the circle small at first, and focus on control over speed.

Muscles Trained: Hip flexors, glutes, outer hips, inner thighs, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand facing a wall with your hands lightly placed against it.
  2. Shift your weight onto one foot.
  3. Brace your core and lift your opposite knee slightly.
  4. Circle your lifted knee outward with control.
  5. Return your foot to the floor after your reps.
  6. Switch sides and repeat.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 6 to 8 circles per direction on each leg. Rest for 30 seconds between each set.

Best Variations: Smaller hip circles, paused hip circles, reverse-direction hip circles.

Form Tip: Keep your torso tall and let the movement come from your hip.

How to Build Leg Strength With Wall Exercises

Static Balance Test. Standing on one leg
Shutterstock

Wall exercises help you train strength with more control and confidence. The wall gives you support, but your legs, hips, and core still do the work. Keep your movements smooth, hold strong positions, and use each rep as a chance to build better lower-body control.

  • Use holds to build strength: Wall sits, and single-leg wall sits keep your legs under tension. Longer holds can help build endurance through your quads, glutes, and hips.
  • Train one leg at a time: Single-leg wall sits and wall-supported marching help each leg build strength on its own. Better one-leg control supports walking, stairs, and balance.
  • Keep your hips active: Wall hip circles strengthen the muscles that help your legs move smoothly. Stronger hips provide better support to your lower body during daily movement.
  • Stay tall through every rep: Good posture helps your core and hips work together. Keep your ribs stacked over your hips and your feet grounded.
  • Progress gradually: Add a few seconds to your holds, increase reps, or make the movement slower once the routine feels smoother.

Yoga can support mobility and body awareness, and wall exercises can add the direct strength work your legs need. Put the two together, and you have a simple way to build a lower body that feels stronger, steadier, and ready for the movements you use every day.

References

  1. Steves CJ, Mehta MM, Jackson SH, Spector TD. Kicking Back Cognitive Ageing: Leg Power Predicts Cognitive Ageing after Ten Years in Older Female Twins. Gerontology. 2016;62(2):138-49. doi: 10.1159/000441029. Epub 2015 Nov 10. PMID: 26551663; PMCID: PMC4789972.
  2. Zabarmawi J, Miller CT, Owen PJ, Mundell NL, Meny A, Aldhafri S, Banjar R, Alzahrani H. Efficacy of an acute bout of isometric wall squat exercise on pain sensitivity and clinical pain intensity in adults with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial in outpatient physiotherapy clinics in Saudi Arabia. BMJ Open. 2025 Dec 11;15(12):e103756. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-103756. PMID: 41381113; PMCID: PMC12699666.

Tragic Loss: Uncovering the Heartbreaking Truth Behind ‘The Ring’ Star’s Untimely Passing at 35

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Tragic Loss: Uncovering the Heartbreaking Truth Behind ‘The Ring’ Star’s Untimely Passing at 35

On Tuesday evening, Cathy Chase was once again scouring the internet, searching for any sign of her daughter, an actress she had lost contact with years ago.

This nightly ritual involved Cathy combing through Google and Reddit, clinging to the hope of discovering any clue about her daughter’s whereabouts or how she might reconnect with her beloved “sunshine.”

Daveigh Chase, who gained fame as the eerie young girl in the horror movie “The Ring,” had faced struggles with addiction and homelessness following a slowdown in her acting career. The last time she saw her mother was in 2019.

Then, on Wednesday, Cathy was hit with devastating news alerts: Daveigh had passed away at the age of 35.

“I was shattered,” Cathy shared with the Daily Mail. “It felt like an immense pressure was squeezing the breath out of me, while at the same time, I felt as though I was bursting apart.”

Family members said Daveigh’s cause of death was linked to bacterial meningitis and a blood infection, complications common among the homeless. 

When Cathy read the news, she let out a scream and ran out into her backyard where she paced back and forth, overwhelmed with grief and disbelief.

‘I let out this guttural scream and I just was running. And these weird sounds were coming out of me, these kind of, like, primeval sounds,’ Cathy said.

‘And I went out into the backyard, and I was screaming, “No, no, no, no!” I am in so much pain but I hope her soul heard me.’

Daveigh Chase, best known for playing the little girl in the horror film The Ring, drifted into addiction and homelessness

Daveigh Chase, best known for playing the little girl in the horror film The Ring, drifted into addiction and homelessness

Daveigh, who died at 35 on Wednesday, with her mother Cathy as a child during happier times

Daveigh, who died at 35 on Wednesday, with her mother Cathy as a child during happier times

The award-winning actress showed promise for an early age and was set for Hollywood stardom

The award-winning actress showed promise for an early age and was set for Hollywood stardom 

Daveigh in 2011 at the peak of her career following a string of high profile movie and TV roles

Daveigh in 2011 at the peak of her career following a string of high profile movie and TV roles

Subconsciously, she had been mentally preparing for this moment for years.   

Alongside her nightly news searches, Cathy would also check the LA County Medical Examiner’s system, fearing the worst. 

‘I would just put her name in the coroner’s [search system] and see if her name came up and if somebody had her somewhere,’ she said.

‘I would look at their list of unidentified bodies. It was very difficult, but you do everything you can as a mother.’

Even so, nothing prepared her for seeing confirmation that her daughter was truly gone.

Cathy spoke to the Daily Mail from a $1.5 million, four-bedroom home in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, which was passed down from Daveigh’s grandmother and where the actress spent Christmases as a child.

‘I actually thought it was fake news, that first time I saw it, and then, but then all of a sudden, it’s all of these different legitimate sites had her name and I realized that it wasn’t fake,’ Cathy said.

Cathy went to the hospital Thursday morning where she was able to identify her daughter’s remains and where she and a chaplain prayed over Daveigh’s body.

‘We were able to lay hands and pray. Technically, we were touching the glass, but it’s as close as we could get, so we were able to lay hands and pray for her,’ she said, speaking to the Daily Mail just hours later.

‘It was a beautiful experience, and, and I feel very blessed, too, have been able to share that with my daughter.’

Cathy said she left her work as a nurse and moved to Los Angeles to support her daughter’s acting career after raising Daveigh in Albany, Oregon.

Cathy spoke to the Daily Mail from a $1.5 million, four-bedroom home in Chatsworth, Los Angeles

Cathy spoke to the Daily Mail from a $1.5 million, four-bedroom home in Chatsworth, Los Angeles

The home was passed down from Daveigh's grandmother and where the actress spent Christmases as a child (pictured together)

The home was passed down from Daveigh’s grandmother and where the actress spent Christmases as a child (pictured together)

She started in commercials at the tender age of three and moved to Hollywood in the early 2000s, where she instantly got small roles in major films, playing a singing girl in Steven Spielberg’s AI Artificial Intelligence and Jake Gyllenhaal’s sister in Donnie Darko.

Cathy said the downward spiral began after a motorcycle accident around 2016, when Daveigh injured her back.

She was prescribed strong painkillers, including oxycodone, which she believes marked the start of her addiction.

After that, she began taking stronger drugs and fell into a party lifestyle.

‘She was seeking drugs and was partying with the wrong people. I never kicked my daughter out. She wanted freedom and these people got her hooked on some drugs. That was the beginning,’ Cathy said.

From 2018, Daveigh was in and out of jail on drug and other charges. 

The last time Cathy saw her in person was in October 2019, during a jail visit after she had been charged with two counts of burglary.

She said the change in her daughter was shocking.

‘She was completely gone, like, out of her mind. I honestly thought there was something wrong with her. My daughter was never diagnosed with mental health other than PTSD. But the drugs took hold of her.’

Daveigh (in 2013) died on Tuesday after reportedly battling meningitis that developed into septic complications

Daveigh (in 2013) died on Tuesday after reportedly battling meningitis that developed into septic complications

Cathy believes Daveigh help onto her Christian faith right until the end

Cathy believes Daveigh help onto her Christian faith right until the end 

During jail visits, Cathy said they spoke about Daveigh coming home. They made an agreement that when she was released, Cathy would pick her up.

‘But when I got there, she never waited. She went back to the streets and I couldn’t find her,’ Cathy said.

After that, contact was lost.

Cathy and her younger son, Daveigh’s 19-year-old brother, continued searching across LA.

They drove through areas including Hollywood and Koreatown near Vermont, speaking to homeless people and trying to follow any lead they could.

At times, she said people told her they recognized Daveigh and claimed she had been trafficked, something she was never able to confirm.

As time went on, the search became more desperate. Cathy and her son began canvassing encampments across the city, looking for any sign of her daughter.

She said the only moments of certainty came when Daveigh was arrested and briefly held in jail. Otherwise, she was completely out of reach.

‘It upsets me because people are saying I must’ve been a bad mother, but I never gave up on her,’ Cathy said.

‘As a mother, you don’t give up on your child. I was hoping she would still come home.’

Daveigh became a promising child actress in the early 2000s. Her big break came in 2002, when she was just 11, voicing Lilo in Disney’s animated movie Lilo & Stitch.

Her performance as an orphaned Hawaiian girl who makes friends with a mischievous blue alien earned her a Young Artist Academy Award for best voice-over performance in the pre-teen category. 

Aged 12 in 2003, she won the 'Best Villain' MTV Movie Award for her turn in The Ring. Ashton Kutcher and Sean 'Diddy' Combs presented her with the award

Aged 12 in 2003, she won the ‘Best Villain’ MTV Movie Award for her turn in The Ring. Ashton Kutcher and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs presented her with the award

She then landed her most recognizable role as Samara in the horror classic The Ring.  Starring alongside Naomi Watts. She played Samara, the haunting long-haired girl at the centre of the cursed VHS tape. 

Chase’s performance earned her the MTV Movie Award for best villain in 2003. Ashton Kutcher and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs presented her with the award.

She returned to the role of Lilo soon after, reprising the character in Stitch! The Movie and the Lilo & Stitch TV series, which ran from 2003 to 2006.

Her final significant television role came in HBO’s Big Love, where she played Rhonda Volmer, a manipulative teenage bride-in-waiting. She appeared across 32 episodes between 2006 and 2011.

By 2012, her career drifted and she stopped appearing in mainstream film and television projects. 

In December 2025, after not hearing from her daughter in six years, Cathy said she saw a video on Reddit claiming to show her daughter.

The woman in the footage appeared severely emaciated, slumped over with a crack pipe nearby.

Cathy said she did not initially believe it was Daveigh, but later came to that conclusion.

‘In the video, she was in a really bad shape. She was very frail. She was fragile. She was saying no, and trying to push the camera away, and they were shoving it in her face. It was gross.

‘She was obviously drugged out of her mind. She was nothing but skin and bones and I didn’t want to think that was my daughter.’

With Naomi Watts in the box-office smash hit movie The Ring

Daveigh became a promising child actress in the early 2000s. Her big break came in 2002, when she was just 11, voicing Lilo in Disney’s animated movie Lilo & Stitch

After seeing the video, Cathy returned to the streets herself, trying to locate her daughter.

From December 2025 onwards, she said she regularly went into Skid Row alone, asking anyone who would speak to her for information.

Cathy said: ‘I will live forever feeling I failed her because they told me the wrong time when she was released [from jail] all those years ago. 

‘I went to pick her up the day after she was released because I didn’t know she was let go early. I can’t stop blaming myself for that. She went back to the streets after she was released.

‘The chaplain at the hospital told me I’m not to blame myself, but I am a mother who loved her daughter so much.

‘And I tried desperately to try to get her help, but you can’t legally force someone who doesn’t want that help.’

Cathy said Daveigh maintained a deep faith, even as addiction took hold in later years.

‘My daughter always had strong faith, and I know during the last few years, it might’ve wavered because of the addiction. However, she had a deep foundation in Christ.’

She also shared handwritten notes from when Daveigh was a child, messages expressing love for her mother and a belief they would always be together. Cathy still calls her daughter her ‘Sunshine.’

Tragic Discovery: Missing South Carolina Fitness Trainer Found Dead After Expressing Fear for Her Life

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Tragic Discovery: Missing South Carolina Fitness Trainer Found Dead After Expressing Fear for Her Life

The remains found in Lexington County, South Carolina, earlier this week have been confirmed as those of Elena Katherine Moore, a fitness trainer who had been missing, officials reported on Friday.

The Lexington County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Moore, 39, after her body was discovered near Old Cherokee Road and Northlake Drive on June 17. She had been missing since June 11, following her departure from a Planet Fitness gym in Lexington.

In an unusual move, the autopsy will not be handled locally by the Lexington County Coroner’s Office. Instead, Moore’s remains are being sent to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston for a forensic examination scheduled for Saturday.

The coroner’s office anticipates releasing further details about Moore’s cause and manner of death on Monday, June 22.

Elena Katherine Moore, aged 39, was last seen after leaving a Planet Fitness gym in Lexington, South Carolina, on June 11, 2026, as confirmed by the Lexington Police Department.

Officials cautioned that determining a final cause and manner of death is a thorough process that could take several days or weeks to complete. Until then, authorities said no further information regarding the investigation will be released.

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The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is leading the investigation, and all inquiries regarding the case have been directed to the agency.

The identification comes two days after authorities discovered a body in a wooded area near Old Cherokee Road and Northlake Drive following a tip that led investigators to a new search location.

Elena Moore standing outdoors in Lexington, South Carolina

The Lexington Police Department was searching for Elena Moore in Lexington, South Carolina. (Lexington Police Department)

At the time, Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green said the body matched the clothing description of Moore, who was last seen after leaving a Planet Fitness on Whiteford Way on the evening of June 11.

“The body found was wearing a similar green outfit” to the clothing Moore was seen wearing in surveillance footage before her disappearance, Green said.

Moore’s disappearance drew widespread attention after friends described her behavior in the weeks leading up to her disappearance as unusual.

SCENE PHOTOS: Where Elena’s body was found

In an interview with News Media, close friend Sondra Campbell said Moore told her she was “scared for her life” during their last in-person meeting on May 31.

“She was scared for her life. She actually said those words to me,” Campbell told News Media.

Missing person flyer for Elena Moore

Moore is described as a white female standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. (Lexington Police Department)

Campbell said Moore indicated she wanted to discuss the matter privately but never had the chance.

Moore was last seen walking through the Publix parking lot at 100 Old Cherokee Road after leaving Planet Fitness. Friends also said she had been unusually inactive on social media for about a month before she vanished.

VIDEO: Scene of where Elena’s body was found

The Lexington County Coroner’s Office extended condolences to Moore’s family and encouraged anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact SLED directly.

Pauline Hanson Criticizes Australia’s Major Initiative as a ‘Failure’ Amidst Complex Realities

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IN BRIEF

  • Pauline Hanson says Australia should be a “monocultural” society.
  • Seventy-five per cent of surveyed Australians said they accept that multiculturalism is good for society.

Addressing the National Press Club on Wednesday, Pauline Hanson, the leader of One Nation, advocated for a vision of Australia that is largely unfamiliar and largely opposed: a monocultural nation.

“We cannot be a multicultural society,” Hanson declared.

“While we are indeed a multiracial society, our goal should be to unite under a single cultural identity,” she added.

This perspective starkly contrasts with the long-standing policies of Australia’s major political parties. Both Labor and the Coalition have supported multiculturalism for decades, despite diverging views on migration in recent times.

Following her statements, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor challenged One Nation to clarify why Hanson “wants to assess individuals based on their skin color or race.”

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Labor frontbencher Murray Watt also criticised Hanson and told ABC News Breakfast that “she only wants a fair go for some of us. That’s not the Australian way”.

Most Australians are taking an opposing view to Hanson, according to recent polls.

Australians supporting multiculturalism

A recent poll by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) suggests that in 2025, a vast majority of Australians, 75 per cent, accepted that multiculturalism was good for society. Residents aged 15 and over, across 13,302 households, were involved in the survey.

Experts say that Australia’s support for multiculturalism stems from its history of immigration.

“That figure reflects an understanding that most Australians have,” Gwenda Tavan, adjunct associate professor of politics at La Trobe University, told SBS News.

“This is the society we live in. This is the culture that we have. Many, many people from different countries have come to Australia over the decades to create the multicultural tapestry we have now.

“There’s never been a monoculture in Australia … the British settlers that came after 1788, they were never a monoculture. They were divided by class, ethnicity, and religion.”

Australia’s First Nations people have lived on the land for more than 65,000 years. They come from hundreds of different language, social and nation groups.

‘Separating truth from fiction’

There are signs this confidence in multiculturalism is under pressure, with support for multiculturalism dropping 10 per cent since 2020, according to the ABS.

“That decline may be partly mixed up with more general feelings, and concerns about immigration numbers at the moment,” Tavan said.

“I think people are concerned about the nature and pace of social change, and economic change in Australia, that’s partly a reason for that drop.”

According to ABS figures published on Thursday, net overseas migration (the number of people arriving to live in the country minus the number leaving) was 301,000 people in the 12 months leading to December 2025. The figure fell about 9 per cent on the previous 12 months, and represents a big decline from its peak of 556,000 people in 2023.

Tavan said the drop in support for multiculturalism is also “part of a much wider movement. It taps into a lot of anxieties across liberal democracies about the nature of politics and the nature of our society”.

“There are some interesting questions to be asked about what political movements might be facilitating this resurgence of populist, racist and nativist politics across the globe,” she said.

A February report by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute, which interviewed over 8,000 migrants from rapidly expanding communities, also found that older migrants tend to have a stronger sense of belonging than younger migrants.

“It’s for governments to keep explaining, communicating, what it is that their policies do, and it’s for people to ask some serious questions about the nature of our society,” Tavan said.

“It’s a battle that people just have to keep revisiting. We call it a battle because I see it as potentially very dangerous.”

“And separating out truth from fiction is a good start.”

People who ‘build our homes’

In her speech, Hanson claimed “undeniably, immigration or immigration policy” has put Australia in a “state of crisis”.

Later, she added that “under the failed policy of multiculturalism, all cultures are allowed equivalence to ours … we oppose entirely people coming into this country and bringing with them the troubles they have left behind”.

“Labor has allowed this immigration catastrophe to happen in the middle of a national housing crisis,” she said.

While many experts agree that the level of migration has some effect on housing, they are divided on how significant that effect is.

Matt Grudnoff, senior economist at the progressive political think-tank the Australia Institute, said that “data shows that migrants are not having an impact on the housing affordability issues” and in general they have “a positive impact” on the economy.

“It’s very easy to blame migrants, because they’re an easy scapegoat,” he told SBS News.

“Migrants tend to be more likely to be employed, more likely to be paying taxes, and they contribute to the workforce.”

Grudnoff said broadly speaking, migrants supply labour and create more demand for labour because many people who come to Australia are on skills-related visas and ” can help build our homes.”

“The problem with scapegoating is that it doesn’t fix the problem. We’re not fixing the problem, and we’re actually spending time not making people’s lives better.”

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Nick Robinson and Zoey Deutch Ignite the Screen in ‘Voicemails For Isabelle’ with Stellar Chemistry

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Nick Robinson and Zoey Deutch Ignite the Screen in ‘Voicemails For Isabelle’ with Stellar Chemistry

Netflix’s latest romantic comedy is a rollercoaster of emotions, promising both tearful moments and a newfound admiration for Nick Robinson.

**Spoilers ahead for Voicemails For Isabelle, now streaming on Netflix**

Contrary to popular belief, a rom-com doesn’t need explicit scenes to be compelling. Classics like 13 Going on 30 and 10 Things I Hate About You have demonstrated this effectively, and now Voicemails For Isabelle joins their ranks. Despite the absence of explicit scenes, the film delivers heart-stopping and sincere moments, particularly during a pivotal dinner scene between Jill (played by Zoey Deutch) and Wes.

The tension between Jill and Wes builds throughout his two-week visit to San Francisco. Their chemistry reaches a peak after a city tour filled with laughter, which Wes orchestrates to cheer Jill up after their guide unexpectedly quits. The day concludes with a spontaneous and passionate kiss in front of a bus full of spectators, breaking their self-imposed no-kiss rule. Later, at Jill’s apartment, they prepare for a memorable final evening together, dining on a special chicken pot pie with cornbread crust. This dish holds deep significance as it reminds Wes of his late mother’s recipe, a poignant detail that tugs at the heartstrings.

Initially, Wes’s silence leaves Jill uncertain of his feelings, but he soon makes his affection clear. As she turns away, he embraces her from behind, kissing her neck and gently turning her around. The scene intensifies as Wes’s hands trace down her body, lifting her effortlessly onto the counter, all while maintaining a passionate connection. This moment captures the essence of their blossoming relationship, blending tenderness with an undeniable allure.

Nick Robinson and Zoey Deutch in 'Voicemails for Isabelle'
Photo: Netflix

The steamy make-out session continues, almost certainly heading towards pound town (sorry, it’s not the best way to put it but you see the vision at least), but quickly halts as Wes feels a rush of guilt over hooking up with someone he hasn’t been fully honest with. Honestly, it kind of makes it hotter in my opinion but maybe that’s just because as the viewers we know he’s a good guy who doesn’t want to take advantage of her without radical honesty. My goodness, that’s sexy. 

Beyond that, the movie thrives by cashing in on Deutch and Robinson’s incredible chemistry, which is why they don’t need to go any further than that in order to deeply connect us to the story and this couple. How do you make a rom-com sexy as hell, even without a proper sex scene? This is how it’s done.

Voicemails for Isabelle is now streaming on Netflix.

Netflix offers three subscription plans to fit your streaming needs. The plans start at $7.99/month for standard with ads and go up to $24.99/month for unlimited ad-free streaming in up to 4K UHD quality.

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Watch: Karmelo Anthony’s Unbelievable Confession in Metcalf Stabbing Case

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Watch: Karmelo Anthony’s Unbelievable Confession in Metcalf Stabbing Case

Recently unveiled surveillance footage and photographs capture the startling moment when Karmelo Anthony admits to the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf.

At just 19 years old, Anthony received a 35-year prison sentence last week for the murder of the 17-year-old Metcalf during a high school track event in Texas the previous year.

On Friday evening, a judge made enhanced video footage of the tragic event accessible to the public. The recording begins mere seconds before the fatal incident unfolds.

The video briefly shows some movement beneath a tent where athletes from Memorial High School had gathered, followed by Anthony fleeing the scene.

In a separate segment of the footage, Anthony is seen being detained by a local police officer, who communicates via radio that he has apprehended the ‘alleged suspect.’

‘I’m not alleged, I did it,’ replies Anthony as he’s wrangled under control by law enforcement.

The public has also been shown the knife involved in the stabbing.  

The murder case shocked America, and the discussion surrounding the killing of a white teenager by a black peer quickly became racially fraught. 

Newly released security camera footage shows Karmelo Anthony shockingly confessing to fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf

Newly released security camera footage shows Karmelo Anthony shockingly confessing to fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf

Anthony, 19, was sentenced last week to serve 35 years behind bars for killing Metcalf, 17, at a high school track meet in Texas last year

Anthony, 19, was sentenced last week to serve 35 years behind bars for killing Metcalf, 17, at a high school track meet in Texas last year

A judge released new, enhanced footage of the incident at that event to the public Friday evening, beginning just seconds before the stabbing

A judge released new, enhanced footage of the incident at that event to the public Friday evening, beginning just seconds before the stabbing

You can very briefly see back and forth movement under the tent held by Memorial High School athletes at the meet, then Anthony runs away

You can very briefly see back and forth movement under the tent held by Memorial High School athletes at the meet, then Anthony runs away

During the trial, Anthony and his legal team claimed he stabbed Metcalf in an act of self-defense after they got into a confrontation during a rain delay at the sporting event on April 2, 2025.

Metcalf called out Anthony for standing under a tent that did not belong to his school, the Frisco Police Department said.

But prosecutors eviscerated Anthony’s self-defense claim that Metcalf attacked him first with video evidence and witness testimony.

Witnesses who were in the tent described Anthony as the aggressor, testifying that Anthony told Metcalf, ‘Touch me and see what happens,’ provoking Metcalf to push Anthony, who then pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

Prosecutors said Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, rushed to his aid as Anthony ran from the scene and later tried to blend into groups of kids who were exiting the stadium.

Anthony sat motionless in court as police body camera footage from the track meet showed Hunter pleading for help after the stabbing.

Jurors then gasped in horror after being shown never-before-seen photos of Metcalf’s punctured heart during the trial.

Metcalf was stabbed once, with the knife piercing through his bone in the center of his chest and puncturing the right side of his heart, a medical examiner testified.

In another clip, Anthony is seen being apprehended by a local police officer who speaks into his radio that he's 'got the alleged suspect'

In another clip, Anthony is seen being apprehended by a local police officer who speaks into his radio that he’s ‘got the alleged suspect’

For the first time, the public is also seeing the knife used in the deadly stabbing

For the first time, the public is also seeing the knife used in the deadly stabbing 

Still, while cross-examining the medical examiner, Anthony’s lawyers implied that Metcalf impaled himself on the knife. 

He had originally faced between five to 99 years in prison for the murder, but prosecutors agreed to allow the jury to consider ‘sudden passion’ as a factor when determining his sentence.

‘Sudden passion’ is a legal term in Texas that allows a criminal to argue they were in an intense emotional state when they committed wrongdoing. It would have reduced Anthony’s sentence to that of a second-degree felony for which he could have served as little as two years behind bars.

However, the jury rejected the argument and spent less than three hours passing its guilty verdict, and another roughly two and a half hours before they handed down their sentence.

Anthony will now have to serve at least half of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.

But the teenage killer filed a notice of appeal less than 24 hours after he learned his fate for fatally stabbing Metcalf in the heart.

‘We believe there are several important issues for the appellate courts to consider. An appeal is the next part of the legal process and a right afforded every American,’ his lawyer, Mike Howard, previously told TMZ.

Unpacking ‘Dutton Ranch’ Episode 7: The Heartfelt Journey of Mama B

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Picture a rainy night in 1981, with the radio playing Eddie Rabbitt’s “Drivin’ My Life Away” as Young Beulah Jackson (played by Rebeca Robles) hits the Fort Worth strip for a night to remember. Echoes of the past weigh heavily in the Sheridan-O-Verse, reminiscent of Young Beth and Young Rip’s introduction in Yellowstone Season 5. In Episode 7 of Dutton Ranch titled “Den of Sin,” Beulah, alongside her friends, is under the watchful eye of young Mariano Reyes (Bobby Soto), a trusted 10-Petal ranch hand reporting directly to her father. Amidst the lively scene of country music, clinking bottles, mechanical bulls, and line dancing, a shadow looms as Beulah is sexually assaulted by a cowboy while Mariano is momentarily distracted by the bartender. Later, when Mariano finds Beulah, she insists he only tells her father she fell off a mechanical bull.

Dutton Ranch, Beulah dancing
Paramount+

Flashbacks in this narrative often reveal pivotal decisions or incidents that shape a character’s future. Mariano, once Beulah’s confidant against her father’s domineering ways, was the first to learn of her assault’s aftermath—a positive pregnancy test. It was Mariano who drove Beulah to confront the cowboy responsible. Unbeknownst to him, she would shoot and kill the cowboy. This secret, too, was kept from Beulah’s father.

Fast forward to today at the 10-Petal ranch, where Beulah, dressed to impress in a pristine Nudie-style western suit, meticulously plans the ranch’s grand 190th anniversary celebration. The event promises appearances from notable figures like Rio Paloma and Zane Nash. Beulah’s daughter Oreana is on her best behavior, acknowledging the importance of the occasion to her mother. Beulah’s speech, rehearsed repeatedly in her mind, promises to break from tradition. It will address the future leadership of the ranch, with plans to pass the torch to Joaquin, Mariano’s son whom she raised. However, her plans are disrupted by the return of Rob-Will, her estranged son from that fateful 1981 night, who stakes his claim with a defiant proclamation. “My name is Robert William Jackson III, and this ranch is my legacy. I’ll never let Kino have it. Ever,” he declares.

Dutton Ranch, Duttons riding
Paramount+

Meanwhile, the Dutton Ranch clan, led by Beth Dutton in her finest attire, makes their entrance on horseback at Beulah’s grand event. The evening begins on a cordial note, with Everett McKinney accompanying Beulah. However, tension simmers as Carter sulks over Oreana’s flirtation with a college type. Oreana, unimpressed, confronts Carter, “You walk around with this wound, Carter, and you expect me to do something about it.” Her sharp rebuke, laced with a Texas metaphor about bulls and steers, leaves no doubt about where he stands.

Despite Rob-Will’s bold intrusion, Beulah remains unyielding. She acknowledges that her son has squandered every chance she gave him, yet his words resonate with her as he dismantles her original speech. He reminds her of her father’s lessons: to be clear-eyed, ruthless, and a killer in business. These are traits Beulah recognizes are necessary for the ranch’s survival, even with Beth and Rip’s expertise. Since Dutton Ranch began, hints of a deeper control have surfaced, from poisoned bulls to mysterious calls urging Beulah to “do what’s right” for the ranch. Her drunken confession to Joaquin, “I can’t!” hints at an underlying struggle. Perhaps, if there’s a criminal element to the 10-Petal’s survival, someone like Rob-Will might still be the right fit for leadership.

“This is my 38th time for some proper speechifying,” Beulah begins, and in the party audience, Joaquin looks ecstatic. This is his moment! Instead he is crushed when Buelah discards her prepared remarks and announces Rob-Will as her successor. In five years’ time, she says, her only son by blood will take over the 10-Petal’s ranch operations. A startled murmur breaks out, roughly translated as, “Isn’t he a murdering cokehead fuck-up?” But before anyone can react, Carter returns to the party. After Oreana dressed him down, he stole a bottle from the bar, and now this dude is drunk as a skunk. She wants him to grow a pair and be a bull? Barring that, will she accept Carter stealing some Longhorn taxidermy from the wall in Beulah’s office and tossing the cow head onto the lawn? You mess with the bull, you break the horns.

Beth makes a beeline for Beulah while Rip extricates their son from the party. But nobody has time to be mad at Carter’s drunken antics, or wonder about Beulah’s strange and sudden succession announcement, because she reaches for her chest in pain before keeling over. Has the ballad of Mama B reached its final verse?  

Dutton Ranch, Beulah down
Paramount+

The Beth Parts for Episode 7 of Dutton Ranch (“Den of Sin”): 

  • That Dutton Ranch flashback to 1981 Fort Worth had some real nice touches. Rabbit’s “Drivin’ My Life Away” went gold that year on the country charts, and before everything went bad, Young Beulah line-danced to “Good Hearted Woman” by Waylon Jennings. We also liked the more primitive 10-Petal logo painted on Mariano’s boxy 80s F-150.
  • “Your son is a drug addict.” At the party, before she collapsed, Zane Nash was not happy to hear about Beulah’s succession plans. Frontier Hospitality Group bought into her family’s ranching story, not the sordid adventures of her wayward son.
  • And as Beulah’s 10-P party went south, the bunkhouse boys were getting into barfights down at the Split Heart, where Cowboy Austin, true friend of Dead Foreman Wes, finally spoke his truth. “The 10-Petal’s dirty. Corrupt. We’re all fucked, and we never say shit about it.” 

Johnny Loftus (@johnnyloftus.bsky.social) is a Chicago-based writer. A veteran of the alternative weekly trenches, his work has also appeared in Entertainment Weekly, Pitchfork, The All Music Guide, and The Village Voice.

Preschooler Brings Gun to Levite Jewish Community Center in Backpack

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Preschooler Brings Gun to Levite Jewish Community Center in Backpack


In Birmingham, Alabama, a concerning discovery was made on Friday morning at the Levite Jewish Community Center’s Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center when a firearm was found inside a 4-year-old’s backpack.

The center’s CEO, Brooke Bowles, explained that the child’s father contacted the center after realizing he had accidentally left the gun in his child’s bag.

Upon being informed, the Levite JCC’s security personnel swiftly intervened, securing the weapon from the child’s backpack, which was located in the hallway, away from the classroom. The situation was handled discreetly, ensuring that the class continued uninterrupted and the children remained unaware of the incident.

Expressing relief, Bowles stated, “We are grateful that everyone on our Levite JCC campus is safe and that the incident this morning was resolved efficiently and without harm.”

Following the incident, the child was removed from all programs at the Levite JCC, and a report was subsequently filed with the police.

“Considering our deep concern for the welfare of everyone — especially children — who come through our doors, combined with our understandably restrictive firearms policy, sadly we had no choice but to disenroll the student,” Bowles explained in a statement.

Streaming Spotlight: Unveiling ‘Pressure,’ ‘Deep Water,’ and Other New Releases

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Streaming Spotlight: Unveiling ‘Pressure,’ ‘Deep Water,’ and Other New Releases

This weekend’s lineup of new VOD movie releases seems perfectly curated for Father’s Day celebrations. Among the highlights is the gripping World War II drama, Pressure, as well as the intense survival thriller, Deep Water, which follows passengers battling sharks after a plane crash. There’s also Finnegan’s Foursome—a film that resonates with Gen X dads. Featuring Ed Burns, this film combines themes of golf, adult children, and coming to terms with the loss of parents. If Tom Petty’s Wildflowers was a staple in your high school CD collection, this movie is right up your alley.

Directed by Ed Burns, Finnegan’s Foursome is his latest venture, following in the footsteps of his iconic ’90s films like The Brothers McMullen and She’s The One. The movie stars Burns alongside Brian d’Arcy James as two brothers on a journey to Ireland to scatter their late father’s ashes—a former golf pro—while paying homage by playing a round of golf in his memory. The ensemble cast also features Erica Hernandez and Brian Muller.

These films are just a sample of what’s available this week on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, YouTube, and cable services. Dive in to discover what you can buy or rent on demand right now.

Adapted from David Haig’s 2014 play, Pressure explores a lesser-known aspect of World War II—meteorology. The film delves into the real-life story of meteorologists James Stagg and Irving Krick, played by Andrew Scott and Chris Messina, who advised military leaders, including future U.S. President General Dwight D. Eisenhower, portrayed by Brendan Fraser, on strategies for the Normandy Invasion. It’s a true narrative for weather enthusiasts, and if that piques your interest, this film is a must-watch.

Not long ago, Netflix’s original film Thrash posed the question of what happens when a town is flooded and sharks take over the waters. This month, newly released on digital, Deep Water presents a new scenario: a plane crash lands in the ocean, and the survivors find themselves in shark-infested waters. Directed by Renny Harlin, this survival thriller features Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley as the plane’s captain and co-captain, who must navigate the aftermath of their emergency landing while fending off a school of bloodthirsty sharks. It’s the ultimate “one disaster after another” story.

Based on David Haig’s 2014 stage play, Pressure is a World War II drama focused on… the weather? Sort of! The film is the story of the real-life meteorologists James Stagg and Irving Krick (played by Andrew Scott and Chris Messina) who advised military strategists, including future U.S. President, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, here portrayed by Brendan Fraser, on attack methods for the Normandy Invasion. It’s a real Cantore Story, and if you get that reference, this movie is for you.

A couples months ago, the Netflix original film Thrash asked the question: what would happen if your town was flooded after a major storm, and then sharks infested those flood waters? This month, the film Deep Water, which just arrived on digital, asks the question, what would happen if your plane crash landed in the ocean, and sharks were infesting those waters, too? (Let’s call it the “It’s just one thing after another, huh?” genre.) The new survival thriller, directed by Renny Harlin, stars Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley as the plane’s captain and co-captain who have to keep their passengers alive after dealing with the trauma of an emergency crash landing that attracts a pod of flesh-eaters who smell blood in the water.

To Buy:

Deep Water

To Rent:

Pressure

Finnegan’s Foursome

Operation Hadal

Last One For The Road

Busboys

Two Pianos

The Wizard of the Kremlin

Mad Bills To Pay

Friday and Friday

The Exhibitor

Burt

The Motherload

Night of Blood

Southern Scares

Land of Wolves

Citizen Vigilante

Deadbeat

What Else Is Streaming New This June 2026?

What you see above is just a portion of the new movies and shows you can watch this month if you’ve got more than one streaming service subscription. We update our guides to the new releases on the most popular streaming platforms every month, so you can stay on top of the freshest titles to watch. Here are full lists, schedules, and reviews for everything streaming:

Liz Kocan is a pop culture writer living in Massachusetts. Her biggest claim to fame is the time she won on the game show Chain Reaction.

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USA Secures World Cup Knockout Position with Commanding Victory Over Australia

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USA Secures World Cup Knockout Position with Commanding Victory Over Australia

The United States has taken a significant leap toward the knockout stages of the tournament, all while addressing the pressing concern of how they would manage without their injured star, Christian Pulisic. The answer? They’re doing exceptionally well, as new heroes emerge to fill the void.

One such rising star is Alex Freeman. Initially unknown to some of his teammates before being selected by coach Mauricio Pochettino, the 21-year-old defender made a lasting impression during the match against Australia. Freeman, whose father Antonio Freeman was a Super Bowl XXXI champion with the Green Bay Packers, carved out his own piece of sports history just before halftime.

Freeman’s goal contributed to a 2-0 victory, securing the USA’s spot in the round of 32 with a game still in hand. This triumph positions them favorably to lead Group D, marking a significant endorsement of Pochettino’s vision for the team.

Pochettino has been instrumental in transforming the team’s culture, inspiring the nation to dream bigger. “Why not us?” he has challenged. Despite the fact that the USA hasn’t advanced beyond the quarterfinals since 1930, the challenge now may be managing the surge of expectations.

Following a commanding 4-1 win over Paraguay to kick off the tournament, the team delivered another stellar performance against Australia. The match was ignited by an own goal from Cameron Burgess, followed by Freeman’s decisive header. As they prepare to face Turkey next week, the USMNT is proving to be a formidable contender, even in the absence of Pulisic and his troublesome calf injury.

Pochettino confirmed the bad news nearly two hours before kick-off – the winger, who had been training alone but keeping us guessing all week, was out. Pulisic, who came off at half-time against Paraguay, was not even fit enough for the bench. 

Alex Freeman scored as the USA continued their fine start to the World Cup with a 2-0 win

Alex Freeman scored as the USA continued their fine start to the World Cup with a 2-0 win

The defender headed home shortly before halftime to double America's lead over Australia

The defender headed home shortly before halftime to double America’s lead over Australia

An own goal from Cameron Burgess put the USA on course for this victory in Seattle

An own goal from Cameron Burgess put the USA on course for this victory in Seattle 

So in came Ricardo Pepi. The striker, who came close to joining Fulham earlier this year, had huge boots to fill, given how devastating Pulisic was in the first 45 minutes of this home World Cup.

That night, Folarin Balogun benefitted with a brace. Here, he turned creator. It was the striker who unlocked Australia early on with a devastating run down the left flank that had Burgess haring back into his box. All he could do with Balogun’s low cross? Divert it into the roof of his own net.

For the second straight game, the US had profited from an early own goal. That had never happened in the World Cup. But it would be unfair to accuse this US team of being lucky. They have forced the opposition into errors with the pace and fluidity of their attacking play.

Pochettino’s team could have been further in front even before Freeman’s goal. The likes of Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman and Sergino Dest were wreaking havoc in the Australia half. 

And shortly before the break, it was Dest’s shot that led to the US’s second. His strike from the edge of the box was deflected into the Seattle sky before Freeman nodded it home. He was originally flagged offside, only for VAR to intervene and empty the USA bench in celebration.

‘I looked back and saw all my teammates running at me, I was like: “Oh lord!” Freeman said after the game. ‘It just made me very emotional.’

So did netting here, 30 years after his father scored two touchdowns in Seattle. ‘For me, that is a full circle family moment,’ Freeman said. ‘That just shows how he can be great, but I can be great in my own way as well. And that just shows how amazing it is to have a dad who’s successful, that can mentor me to be able to be ready for moments like these.’ 

One American analyst had sparked a war of words leading into this game after labelling it a ‘layup’ for the United States. One Australia player said he had never wanted to win a game more. 

The USMNT coped brilliantly without Christian Pulisic, who missed the game with a calf injury

The USMNT coped brilliantly without Christian Pulisic, who missed the game with a calf injury

The victory takes Mauricio Pochettino's team into the knockout stages with a game to spare

The victory takes Mauricio Pochettino’s team into the knockout stages with a game to spare

Well that’s all well and good. What’s more tricky? Finding a way to stop Pochettino’s side, who have looked one of the most accomplished and devastating teams at this World Cup. 

Australia posed much more of a threat in the second half, following the introduction of Nestory Irankunda who bizarrely started on the bench. But the US rearguard – considered the Achilles heel of this side – stood firm. Chris Richards, in particular, was immense as America added its first clean sheet of the tournament.

Seattle’s beating heart 

They gathered at the foot of the Harbor Steps, just feet from the waterfront and fish markets of downtown Seattle. They were led by four men on horseback dressed in revolutionary garbs and among the advance party? JT Batson, CEO of US Soccer, and Donald Trump’s World Cup chief, Andrew Giuliani. 

A couple of hours before kick-off, thousands of USMNT fans marched as one towards Lumen Field. There are many places in the US where it can feel like the World Cup is happening elsewhere. This is not one of them. This is a beating heart of the sport in America and the atmosphere was electric even before Balogun and Co cut loose. 

After the final whistle, this 67,000-strong crowd – well, except the pockets of gold – serenaded Pochettino’s team as they embarked on a lap of honor.

USA show their mettle 

Few men know more about putting the human body through hell than Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The US Secretary of Health and Human Services, still a fitness maniac at 72, was among the crowd in Seattle. How he would have enjoyed watching this USMNT come through such a physical test. 

All week, US players have faced questions about Australia’s roughhouse style; the last time these two teams met Pochettino tore into his side, questioning their fight. ‘We’re American, we don’t take s***,’ he told them. No such concerns about their mettle here. 

Ahead of Friday's game in Seattle, thousands of USMNT fans marched to Lumen Field together

Ahead of Friday’s game in Seattle, thousands of USMNT fans marched to Lumen Field together

Antonio Freeman

He won the Super Bowl with Green Bay

At Super Bowl XXXI, Freeman’s dad Antonio scored an 81-yard touchdown for the Packers

They were on the wrong end of some brutal challenges. It could have been even worse – had Australia been able to get near the US for periods of this game.

‘It was an extremely tough game – very physical,’ Balogun said. ‘I think the ref did his best to try and contain it. But this is a World Cup. So it’s expected for the passion to sometimes spill over. But I think we kept our cool. It was a really professional performance from us.’

Heading into 2025, Alex Freeman had played just 16 minutes of senior soccer. His international debut came barely a year before this World Cup kicked off. Now he is a key cog in Pochettino’s side. ‘It’s hard for me to take it all in,’ Freeman said. ‘But I think it’s good also to go through these challenges at such a fast pace at a young age.’

A right back on paper, Freeman slots into a back three when the US have the ball. He made a brilliant defensive clearance early on here. He is also tasked with providing attacking thrust of his own – this was his third international goal.

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that he is such a fine athlete, given his stock. But he is quickly becoming one of the breakout stars of this US team. To think, when he met Pochettino, Freeman was scared to speak to his manager. 

Now he is playing with a confidence and composure that belies his age. Tears filled his father’s eyes when Freeman first pulled on the Stars and Stripes. Penny for his thoughts on Friday.
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