Trump brings together Medals of Honor of Theodore Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt Jr. for first time
(L-R) Doug Burgum, Donald Trump and Britt Slabinski speak during the Inaugural Events Of The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library on July 01, 2026 in Medora, North Dakota. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library)
President Donald Trump participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, as part of the ongoing celebrations honoring 250 years of American independence.
In honor of the occasion, Trump presented President Roosevelt’s Medal of Honor, which had been on display in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. The “Rough Riders” commander remains the only United States president to have received the award.
His son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., an Army brigadier general, also received the Medal of Honor, making them one of only two father-son pairs to have both received the country’s highest honor. Wednesday’s ceremony brought the medals together for the first time, according to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who joined Trump in cutting the ribbon.
Additionally, among the guests in attendance was retired Navy SEAL Master Chief Britt Slabinski, a fellow Medal of Honor recipient who was personally awarded the nation’s highest military decoration by Trump in 2018 for his valor during the Battle of Takur Ghar in Afghanistan. As a member of the exclusive fraternity of living recipients, Slabinski’s participation exemplified the deep connective tissue between generations of service members who have earned the honor, standing alongside officials to witness the father-son decorations brought together for the first time.
President Trump and Secretary Burgum participate in the ribbon ceremony of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
“When I heard about this, I said, ‘Maybe we’ll think about it it,'” Trump said about deciding to gift the medal. “Then I saw what you did and what a magnificent library you built. It’s really a library; it’s a museum; it’s a center; and it’s a great tribute.”
Along with Burgum, Trump toured the 96,000-square-foot facility after riding on the “Freedom 250 Train” to Medora, where he was met with a crowd of supporters and chants of “USA! USA! USA!”
“A historic event celebrating the enduring legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt, whose time in the North Dakota Badlands helped shape both his character and his vision for the nation,” the Freedom 250 event site stated.
“Set against the rugged landscape that inspired one of America’s greatest conservationists, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Celebration will honor Roosevelt’s commitment to stewardship of the land, public service, American leadership, and the pioneering spirit that defines our nation,” it continued.
After participating in the opening ceremony, Trump made his way to the Burning Hills Amphitheater to give remarks.
In his address, Trump praised Roosevelt as a leader with an “unyielding sense of America’s destiny” who “refused to accept failure, mediocrity, corruption, decay, or decline.”
On the policy front, Trump also briefly touched on Roosevelt’s legacy by mentioning he had used a digital artificial intelligence (AI) version of Roosevelt at the library to ask about the Panama Canal, using the anecdote to suggest that the U.S. should look into taking back control of the waterway to curb Chinese influence.
President Trump Participates in an Event at Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library https://t.co/1h3CF4ZSqg
Three Big Ten Receivers That Will Challenge the USC Trojans Secondary
Three Big Ten Receivers That Will Challenge the USC Trojans Secondary
Looking to reach the College Football Playoff, the USC Trojans' secondary will face a challenge against these three star wide receivers in the Big Ten.Caden Handwork|Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith speaks after the Buckeyes' 52-6 win over Akron. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Throughout Lincoln Riley’s tenure as coach of the USC Trojans, defense has been a major question mark. Inconsistency on defense has held the Trojans back from reaching the College Football Playoff, and USC fans are increasingly desperate to reach the postseason.
With the arrival of new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, Trojan fans are hopeful that several defensive position groups on USC’s roster can take a major step forward. One of those position groups is the Trojans' secondary, which, after a 2025 season featuring highs and lows, returns several talented pieces.
Jul 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Gary Patterson speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Omni Dallas. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Preparing to face a challenging Big Ten slate during the 2026 season, several opposing wide receivers will present a challenge for the Trojans' secondary. Here’s a look at a few of them ahead of the 2026 college football season.
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State Buckeyes
Oct 5, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter on Saturday. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Arguably the best wide receiver in college football entering the 2026 season, Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith will look to put on a show when they face the Trojans in what is bound to be a Halloween classic at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
It’ll be the first time that the Buckeyes and Trojans will face off since USC joined the Big Ten. A win on Halloween over the Buckeyes would give Riley, depending on the result against Oregon earlier in the season, his most signature win at USC.
One of the keys to making that win a reality is by stopping Smith. In his sophomore season with the Buckeyes, Smith recorded 87 receptions for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. Smith's best two games of the season last year came in the Buckeyes' two losses to the Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten championship and the CFP Quarterfinal defeat at the Cotton Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes.
The recipe for success for the Trojans' secondary against Ohio State next season could also be just allowing Smith to record 100-plus yards and stopping their other talented group of wide receivers.
KJ Duff, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver KJ Duff (8) against the Kansas State Wildcats during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
While the Trojans' Big Ten opener on Sept. 19 on the road against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights should be a comfortable win for USC, there is a wide receiver on the opposing side who will provide an early-season test for Patterson’s secondary.
Rutgers’ KJ Duff is one of the top returning wide receivers in the Big Ten this season. In his second season with the Scarlet Knights last year, Duff ranked third in the Big Ten in receiving behind Jeremiah Smith and former USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, recording 60 receptions for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns.
How the Trojans perform against Duff could be a sign of things to come throughout the 2026 season for USC’s secondary.
Nick Marsh, Indiana Hoosiers
Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Nick Marsh (6) warms up before the NCAA football game against Ohio State University at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Last season, when he was a member of the Michigan State Spartans, the Trojans' defense held wide receiver Nick Marsh to two receptions for 28 yards. Now with the defending national champions, the Indiana Hoosiers and quarterback Josh Hoover, the Trojans look to lock up Marsh once again in one of their most important road games of the season.
Marsh arrives in Bloomington after two seasons with a struggling Michigan State football program. In those two seasons, Marsh recorded 100 receptions for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns. With better coaching and quarterback play, Marsh’s impact will be felt with the Hoosiers, and he’ll aim for a better performance against the Trojans' secondary.
Caden Handwork is a beat reporter for USC Trojans On SI. Caden graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Journalism. He has previous experience writing NBA, NFL, MLB, and College Football content for FanSided as a Contributor. He is also written as a contributor for the Detroit Lions FanSided site, the SideLion Report. At Michigan State, Caden covered several MSU athletic events for Impact 89 FM, Spartan Sports Report, and Spartans Illustrated. He has covered Michigan State Basketball in the Champions Classic in Chicago and has covered Spartan Hockey in the last two NCAA Tournaments.
The USMNT left the group stage behind, tied for the fifth-most goals in the tournament. That offensive attack, featuring a healthy Christian Pulisic, will go up against a Bosnia and Herzegovina side that allowed six goals during the group stage. With Mauricio Pochettino fielding a lineup that will be similar to the Paraguay and Australia matches, the Americans should get their scoring chances, especially against a team that has never kept a clean sheet in six all-time World Cup matches.
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The winner will next meet Belgium on Monday at Lumen Field in Seattle in the Round of 16.
Start time: 8 p.m. ET Location: Levi's Stadium | Santa Clara, California TV channel: Fox, Telemundo Streaming: Fox One, Peacock
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest as the USMNT takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the knockout round.
Wed, July 1, 2026 at 5:18 PM PDTNick Bromberg
The USMNT is probing. Westom McKennie breaks free down the right and forces GK Nikola Vasilj to dive and parry away the cross … which bounces immediately off Antonee Robinson and out for a goal kick.
Robinson collided with Vasilj, who is down and receiving treatment.
Wed, July 1, 2026 at 5:11 PM PDTNick Bromberg
Freese is called into action again off a corner kick that looked destined for goal. Bosnia & Herzegovina have had a couple of nice chances early.
Wed, July 1, 2026 at 5:10 PM PDTNick Bromberg
The U.S. cut through the B&H defense in the 10th minute off a 1-2 from Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun but the ball goes out for a goal kick.
B&H immediately takes that goal kick and launches it deep for Eden Dźeko who forces a save from Matt Freese.
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Wed, July 1, 2026 at 5:04 PM PDTNick Bromberg
The opening minutes have, as expected, Bosnia and Herzegovina defending deep and the USMNT searching to break the block down.
Wed, July 1, 2026 at 5:01 PM PDTBen Fawkes
Public bettors again backing the U.S.
No surprise, but the betting public is all over the USMNT to beat Bosnia today, with multiple sportsbooks reporting over 85% of wagers and 90% of total dollars wagered on the U.S. to win on the three-way line.
The U.S. is a sizable -800 favorite to simply advance — a rarity for the USMNT
Wed, July 1, 2026 at 4:59 PM PDTNick Bromberg
Let's go
Can the U.S. strike early like it has during its group stage games?
As a reminder, the USMNT is going for its first knockout round win since 2002, but the 2026 World Cup expanded the knockout rounds from 16 teams to 32 teams.
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Wed, July 1, 2026 at 4:51 PM PDTNick Bromberg
Pre-match ceremonies underway
Kickoff is 10 minutes away
Wed, July 1, 2026 at 4:45 PM PDTPaul Carr
Best bet for USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States to win first half (-115) vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
I've successfully been riding the U.S. to score a first-half goal all tournament, and I don't hate that play, though the price is in the -175 range now.
Instead, I'm pivoting to the first-half three-way moneyline, going with the U.S. at -115. The U.S. has played 13 straight games against 2026 World Cup teams, and in 10 of them, the U.S. scored a first-half goal. Bosnia and Herzegovina is in roughly the same tier as Paraguay and Australia, unlikely to open up the game in the first half like Türkiye did against the U.S. second string.
If we spot the U.S. a first-half goal, can Bosnia and Herzegovina get at least one in the first half? The squad has been far from an offensive juggernaut at this tournament, generating a total of 13 shots and 0.5 expected goals from open play. The U.S. has the size to combat Bosnia and Herzegovina's set pieces, and that should be enough to keep a clean sheet in the first half.
Mauricio Pochettino won't apply the brakes just because it's the knockout round, so look for the U.S. to add to its six first-half goals, tied with Brazil for most in the group stage. Christian Pulisic seemed healthy as a second-half sub against Türkiye, and his return to the lineup will make the U.S. even better. The U.S. should be up at halftime en route to a Round of 16 appearance.
Keys and predictions for USA-Bosnia & Herzegovina
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The USMNT now knows what awaits if it advances
The winner of Wednesday night's Round of 32 match between the USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina will face Belgium in the Round of 16 on Monday on Seattle. The Red Devils booked their spot with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Senegal, sealed by a controversial penalty in the final minutes of added time.
That result sets up a quick return to Seattle for the winner of USA-Bosnia, with Belgium waiting on the other side.
Wed, July 1, 2026 at 3:45 PM PDTJay Busbee
How 'Country Roads' became the unofficial anthem of the World Cup
World Cup stadiums are using the hydration break as an opportunity to play "Country Roads," and it's glorious, every single time.
Why has "Country Roads" become such a phenomenon? Because it's quintessentially American. It's a song of the open road, a song of nostalgia for better days, a song about leaving home and then returning back to it. Most of all, it's a song that embodies the very best of America — the desire to get behind a wheel to chase a dream, and the pull back to one's own little stretch of land.
Those are universal human yearnings, and that's what makes the song so durable.
While the U.S. has already piled up more goals at this World Cup than it has ever scored at a previous edition and has finished atop its group for just the second time since 1930, there are some demons that the Americans have yet to slay. Chief among them is a bleak history against European opponents.
Since returning to the World Cup stage in 1990 after a 40-year absence, the U.S. has faced teams from Europe 21 times at soccer's most celebrated tournament. The Americans have produced seven draws but just one victory, a 3-2 stunner against Portugal in their group play opener at the 2002 World Cup.
The U.S.'s current losing streak against European foes started with a humbling 3-1 round-of-16 defeat to the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup. Since then, the U.S. has endured a string of setbacks, dropping friendlies on home soil against the likes of Serbia and Slovenia and getting blown out by three or more goals against Switzerland and Belgium.
Wed, July 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM PDTSteven Goff
Mauricio Pochettino downplays USMNT's role as favorite ahead of Round of 32 clash
Yes, the Americans won their group by playing impressive soccer in the first two matches and clinching first place with one game to spare, while their opponents needed to win on the final day to squeeze through as a third-place finisher.
Yes, they will again enjoy raucous support from an audience packed into an NFL stadium and take inspiration from the knowledge that some 25 million will be watching at home and at large gatherings.
Yes, their player portfolios are beefier than their counterparts. They are well-rested, relatively healthy and hungry to continue elevating the sport in this country after an intoxicating two weeks.
By all indications, the U.S. is the clear favorite to win at Levi's Stadium and advance to the Round of 16 Monday against Belgium or Senegal in Seattle.
Not so fast, Pochettino warned Tuesday.
"The last few days, [look] how difficult it was for everyone, you know?" he said. "I think it's probably better to talk [about favorites] after, no?" He then listed Paraguay upsetting Germany, Morocco beating the Netherlands and Japan giving Brazil fits.
"We need to be careful when we say, 'OK, one is favorite and the other one, no,'" he added.