Valakari, Achouri score goals, San Diego beats Rapids 3-0

By The Associated Press
August 23, 2026 | 1:04 PM

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Onni Valakari and Elias Achouri scored first-half goals to help San Diego FC beat the Colorado Rapids 3-0 on Saturday night.

After a Rapids giveaway in their defensive third, Valakari opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a first-touch shot from point-blank range.

Gabriel Pirani capped the scoring in the 71st, his second goal in as many games for San Diego (7-8-6).

The Rapids (9-11-1) had won three straight, and four of five, all by shutout, since the World Cup break.

CJ dos Santos had two saves for San Diego.

Achouri, acquired from Danish Superliga powerhouse FC Copenhagen on July 24, scored his first MLS goal to make it 2-0 in the 36th. After a pair of Rapids defenders allowed the ball to drop in the center of the area, Achouri slammed home the loose ball.

Nico Hansen had one save for the Rapids.

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See AP’s full MLS coverage here

China abruptly postpones ambitious Chang’e-7 lunar mission launch

By The Associated Press
August 23, 2026 | 1:30 PM

HAIKOU, China (AP) — China said on Sunday it was postponing its planned ambitious Chang’e-7 lunar mission, which was set to carry out explorations including searching for water ice on the moon. The Chang’e-7 spacecraft was originally set to lift off in the coming days from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on China’s southern Hainan island. The mission does not meet the launch conditions, said the China Manned Space Agency in a brief statement, and “cannot take place during the planned window this year.” The decision was made following a “comprehensive assessment,” the agency added, and was based on the principles of “prudence, reliability and absolute mission success.” It did not further elaborate on the reasons behind the decision.

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