PARIS (AP) — Maggie Steffens and the U.S. women's water polo team are hoping to follow in Taylor Swift's footsteps at the Paris Olympics.
Steffens and her teammates attended one of Swift's Eras Tour concerts at Paris' La Défense Arena in May. The last three rounds of the men's and women's water polo tournaments are going to be held at the same venue.
The U.S. women's program is going for its fourth consecutive gold medal at the Summer Games.
“We talked about it after (the concert),” Steffens said Wednesday. “We had a team meeting of, like, if we get the chance to play in La Défense Arena, we want to be like her. We want to be able to love the pressure and be able to perform and have fun and enjoy that moment and make the most of it.”
The U.S. team was gifted the tickets by Swift after women’s national team manager Ally Beck contacted the musician's representatives. Flavor Flav, the clock-wearing rap icon who signed on this year as the official hype man for USA Water Polo, also reached out on behalf of the U.S. team, but he said the tickets had already been approved.
“As badass and powerful of a woman as she is, for us to be able to see that in person was pretty magical,” Steffens said.
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
From left, United States' Maggie Steffens, Ashleigh Johnson, Madeline Musselman, Rachel Fatal and Kaleigh Gilchrist pose for photographers at the end of a news conference of the women's United States team ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Taylor Swift performs at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, for her Eras Tour concert, Saturday, July 13, 2024. (Claudio Furlan//LaPresse via AP)
United States' Maggie Steffens answers to reporters during a news conference of the women's United States team ahead the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
MIAMI (AP) — Otto López was a triple shy of the cycle, Connor Norby homered and drove in three runs, and the Miami Marlins snapped NL East-leading Philadelphia’s six-game winning streak with a 9-5 victory over the Phillies on Saturday.
Jonah Bride also homered, while Xavier Edwards and Nick Fortes had two hits each for the Marlins, who had 14 hits a day after losing 16-2 to the Phillies.
John McMillon (2-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the win.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola (12-7) was lifted after he allowed five runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out five. It was his shortest start since allowing eight runs and 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings against Boston on June 13.
Bride homered to lead off the fifth and put Miami ahead 5-3 and Jesús Sánchez added an RBI single in the sixth.
The Marlins padded their lead with a three-run seventh against former starter Taijuan Walker. López hit a solo homer over the center field wall in the inning and two runs scored on shortstop Trea Turner's throwing error.
Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber hit a tying sacrifice fly in the third inning for his 93rd RBI of the season.
Norby hit a two-run homer in the first to put Miami ahead 2-1.
Marlins starter Darren McCaughan allowed three runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out four.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: Manager Rob Thomson said catcher J.T. Realmuto has some swelling but will remain with the club as he recovers from a left knee contusion sustained Friday. The Phillies selected the contract of catcher Aramis Garcia from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and designated RHP Nick Nelson for assignment.
Marlins: Placed RHP Max Meyer (right shoulder bursitis) and RHP Calvin Faucher (right shoulder impingement) on the 15-day injured list and OF Derek Hill (right shoulder impingement) on the 10-day injured list. ... LHP Andrew Nardi (left elbow muscle) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
UP NEXT
RHP Seth Johnson will make his major league debut when he starts the series finale for the Phillies on Sunday. The Marlins have not announced a starter but manager Skip Schumaker said RHP Edward Cabrera could get the nod when he cleared all tests after he withdrew from his scheduled start Friday because of migraine-like symptoms.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Darren McCaughan (68) aims a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott (5) hits a single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber (12) slides into second base as Miami Marlins second baseman Otto Lopez (61) is late with the tag during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami Marlins' Connor Norby is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
