Devante Smith-Pelly, who scored seven goals during the Washington Capitals' Stanley Cup-winning run in 2018, has signed a contract to play in the KHL.

The Kunlun Red Star, which play in China, announced they had signed the 27-year-old winger to a one-year contract.

Smith-Pelly was waived by the Capitals in February, ahead of the trade deadline, after scoring just four goals with four assists in 54 games. He later joined the Capitals in the 2019 playoffs after being recalled from the AHL.

He was with the Calgary Flames before this season on a professional tryout contract but was released by the team in September.

He was in the headlines in 2018 when four Chicago Blackhawks fans were ejected from a game for making racist comments toward him while he was in the penalty box. Smith-Pelly, who called the fans' chants of "basketball, basketball, basketball" disgusting, spoke up about the taunts because he experienced racial taunting as a teenager trying to make the NHL, but didn't tell anyone. Fellow black NHL players reached out to Smith-Pelly to thank him for speaking up.

He has 44 goals and 57 assists in eight NHL seasons.

St. Louis Blues star forward Vladimir Tarasenko will undergo shoulder surgery on Tuesday, the team announced.

Tarasenko will be placed on long-term injury reserve and will be reevaluated in five months, meaning he will miss the majority of the 2019-20 season.

Tarasenko suffered the injury in a game against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday in the first period. At the time, he had points in five straight games. He has three goals in seven assists in 10 games this season.

Tarasenko, 27, who did not travel with the Blues for their two games this past weekend, had reconstructive surgery in April 2018 to repair a dislocated left shoulder. Following the Stanley Cup in June, the team announced that he also had a successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

He scored 68 points (33 goals, 35 assists) in 76 regular-season games last season, and he had another 11 goals and 17 points in 26 playoff games en route to the Blues winning the Stanley Cup.

St. Louis is 6-3-3 this season and is in third place in the Central Division entering Monday's games.

After tying the PGA Tour's all-time wins record halfway around the world, Tiger Woods made a move in the latest installment of the Official World Golf Ranking.

Woods' three-shot win at the inaugural Zozo Championship tied him with Sam Snead for the most trophies in Tour history, and it also helped him jump from 10th to sixth in the world. Woods started the year ranked 13th and reached as high as fifth following his Masters win in April.

The top five ahead of Woods remained the same, with Brooks Koepka No. 1 followed by Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm. Woods' victory bumped four players down one spot apiece: Patrick Cantlay dropped from sixth to seventh, with Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau rounding out the latest top 10.

Hideki Matsuyama went from 27th to 22nd after finishing second behind Woods in his native Japan, while Gary Woodland went from 18th to 15th after finishing fifth. Reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im rose from 43rd to 34th after a T-3 finish.

Despite skipping the Zozo Championship, Phil Mickelson remained No. 50 in the latest rankings to extend his streak of remaining inside the top 50 which dates back to 1993. Mickelson is in the field for this week's WGC-HSBC Champions in China.

With his $1,775,000 first-place check at the Zozo Championship, Tiger Woods broke another barrier on the PGA Tour. He has now amassed over $120 million in career earnings.

Below is a look at the current top 20 on the list, with Rickie Fowler a tad behind at No. 21. 

Here are a few notes:

• 191 players have earned more than $10 million
• 77 players have earned more than $20 million
• 38 players have earned more than $30 million
• And you can see right below how many have $40 million or more

President Donald Trump was busy attending Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday night, so he may not have gotten to watch Tiger Woods put the finishing touches on his historic 82nd PGA Tour victory live, but he did congratulate the Zozo champion on Twitter Monday.

Trump added a comment on Gary Player's congratulatory tweet, calling Woods "An AMAZING CHAMPION."

Since being elected president, Trump has teed it up with Woods on several occasions and kept an eye on his return from injury.

About a month after Tiger completed his historic comeback at the Masters in April, Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling him a "global symbol of American excellence, devotion and drive."

LAFC's Carlos Vela and LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic headline this year's MLS Best XI.

Vela is in the midst of a stellar season, having scored a single-season record 34 goals and adding 15 assists during the league campaign. He's joined by LAFC teammates Walker Zimmerman and Eduard Atuesta, who helped the Supporters' Shield winners to an MLS-record 72 points in the standings, as well as a league-low 37 goals allowed. With a total of the three players in the Best XI, LAFC had the most of any team.

Vela, the presumptive league MVP, is joined on the front line by Ibrahimovic, who scored 30 regular-season goals, as well as last year's MVP, Atlanta United's Josef Martinez, who tallied 27 times during the league season. Martinez scored in 15 consecutive matches in 2019, tied for second-most in global soccer since the start of MLS in 1996, behind Lionel Messi.

This marks the third time Martinez has been named to the Best XI, and both Vela and Ibrahimovic were named to the team for the second time.

The other player to achieve multiple Best XI honors is Minnesota United defender Ike Opara, who helped his team reduce its goals against from 71 in 2018 to 43 in 2019. Opara was recently named the league's defender of the year for 2019.

Opara is joined by teammate and recently named goalkeeper of the year Vito Mannone, who aided the Loons' defensive improvement -- the third-best in MLS history -- with 129 saves, which ranked second in the league.

- Carlisle: LAFC finally slay Galaxy dragon
- Stream MLS games LIVE on ESPN+
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The third member of the backline is Atlanta United's Miles Robinson, who enjoyed a breakout season in which he had his first call-up to the U.S. men's national team.

The rest of the midfield is comprised of MLS assist leader Maxi Moralez of New York City FC, Toronto FC's Alejandro Pozuelo -- who tallied 12 goals and 12 assists on the season -- and the New England Revolution's Carles Gil, who recently claimed the league's Newcomer of the Year award.

MLS Best XI

Goalkeeper: Vito Mannone (Minnesota)

Defense: Ike Opara (Minnesota), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC), Miles Robinson (Atlanta)

Midfield: Maxi Moralez (NYCFC), Eduard Atuesta (LAFC), Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto), Carles Gil (New England)

Forward: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy), Josef Martinez (Atlanta), Carlos Vela (LAFC)

Ajax full-back Sergino Dest has pledged his international future to the U.S. men's national team, the player announced on Monday.

Dest, 18, was born in Almere, Netherlands, the son of a Dutch mother and Surinamese-American father. As such, he could have represented either the U.S. or the Netherlands at international level, and both sides have been pushing for Dest to make a decision in recent weeks. Dest has made that decision, opting to represent the U.S., with his first opportunity to represent the senior team in a competitive fixture set to take place on Nov. 15 against Canada.

The American Dream continues...??

Sergiño Dest -> @USMNT ? pic.twitter.com/fg77aiZPLA

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 28, 2019

"Of course, it was a tough decision for me when the Dutch Men's National Team showed their interest, but I have built up a very good feeling with Team USA over the last couple of years and I strongly believe in the plans and potential of U.S. Soccer," Dest said. "I am therefore dedicated to making the next 10-15 years a big success and will do my utmost to help the team play for titles."

Dest has already represented the U.S. at Under-17 and U20 level, helping the U20s reach the quarterfinals of the U20 World Cup earlier this year. He also made two appearances for the U.S. senior team back in September, though because those were friendlies, his was not cap-tied for the Stars and Stripes.

But when Dest cracked the lineup of club side Ajax at the start of the season, he drew the attention of Netherlands national team manager Ronald Koeman, who attempted to sell the player on the benefits of representing the country of his birth.

Given that Dest has spent his entire life in the Netherlands, and came up through Ajax's youth system, the thought was that the Dutch had the inside track. But in a bid to keep Dest in the U.S. fold, U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter and sporting director Earnie Stewart went to Amsterdam last week, meeting with the player and his father the day after Ajax's UEFA Champions League encounter against Chelsea. Those efforts proved successful.

"We are thrilled to have Sergino commit to our program," said Berhalter. "He is an exceptional young player with a bright future. Our youth national teams gave him the platform to showcase his talents on the world stage and now he will continue his progress with us at the senior level."

Dest's announcement counts as a welcome bit of good news for the U.S. While 69 dual nationals have represented the U.S. at senior level since 2008, some high-profile defections have resulted in the U.S. Soccer Federation being criticized for not doing more to gain commitments from such players.

In 2018, Monterrey and former U.S. U20 midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez filed a one-time switch to represent rivals Mexico. In 2016, highly touted prospect and former U.S. youth international Efrain Alvarez switched his allegiance to Mexico, though because he hasn't played for El Tri in a competitive fixture at senior level, a return to the U.S. remains possible. For Stewart, who himself was a dual national with Dutch and American citizenship, Dest's decision was especially gratifying.

"We are excited that Sergino will continue with our program," Stewart said. "In all of our discussions, Sergino expressed the comfort he feels within the group and his appreciation for the commitment the Federation has made along the way. As a dual national myself, I understand the choices that these young players face. Our job is to provide a clear pathway and maintain honest and open communication, and then ultimately it comes down to a personal decision."

Is this the greatest final four in MLS playoff history? The conference finals feature the best team in the 2019 regular season, as well as the last three MLS Cup winners.

So who is set to reach this year's final on Nov. 10 (3 p.m. ET, ABC)? As LAFC prepares to host Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC travels to take on defending champion Atlanta United, we break down the matchups.

Jump to: LAFC vs. Seattle | Atlanta vs. Toronto

West: 1 LAFC vs. 2 Seattle Sounders (Tuesday, 10 p.m. ET; ESPN)

Backstory: LAFC is looking to emulate Atlanta a year ago by claiming the league's top prize in just its second season and could also lay claim to being ranked among MLS's best-ever teams, considering its record 72-point haul during the regular season.

For the third time in four years, meanwhile, the Sounders are in the conference finals. Players and tactics have changed, but the results continue to rack up under the steady hand of coach Brian Schmetzer.

Playoff path: For the first time in six games, LAFC got one over on cross-city rivals LA Galaxy by winning 5-3 encounter in a conference semifinal classic. Thanks in large part to two goals from Carlos Vela, it was the first playoff win in franchise history for LAFC.

After surviving a wild 4-3 extra-time win over FC Dallas in the first round, Seattle had a more straightforward outing in the semis, downing Real Salt Lake 2-0 behind second-half goals from Gustav Svensson and Nicolas Lodeiro.

Connecting thread: This is the first playoff meeting between the teams, but there is some interesting history. In March 2018, LAFC won 1-0 at the Sounders in its first-ever MLS game. Later that season, the same result marked the opening game at Banc of California Stadium. In four matches between the two teams, Seattle has yet to win, with three defeats and one draw.

Tactical contrast: Taking into account the previous two meetings this season, in which LAFC dominated possession, the odds are that Bob Bradley's men will dictate the tempo. The Sounders were able to absorb RSL's attack in the previous round, but will not have such a luxury against a more dangerous Black and Gold attack.

Headaches: Adama Diomande's two-goal performance off the bench against the Galaxy might be enough to earn him a start over Brian Rodriguez, who played well himself on derby day and set the table for Vela's second goal.

On the flip side, Roman Torres' injury creates a quandary for Schmetzer. If the defender is anything shy of 100 percent, then Xavier Arreaga would be the logical call as he was against Salt Lake. Elsewhere, Victor Rodriguez also impressed off the bench, but Joevin Jones is likely to keep his spot.

Star men: Vela continues to amaze. Not only did he tack on another two goals against the Galaxy, but he also delivered a superb assist on Diego Rossi's crucial tiebreaker that gave LAFC a 3-2 lead.

For Seattle, Jordan Morris was the hero against FC Dallas, but Lodeiro took control against Salt Lake and he must make his presence felt again, this time against a superior opponent. Lodeiro is his club's most creative player and can put the top seed to the sword.

- Carlisle: LAFC finally slays Galaxy dragon
- Bell: New playoff format delivers drama

Where the game will be won or lost: It will be down to LAFC's efficiency in Seattle's defensive half and which Sounders defense shows up. Will it be the one that leaked goals and looked shaky on set pieces against Dallas, or the wall that shut out RSL?

X factor: Any time things get wobbly for LAFC, Eduard Atuesta just knows to get on on the ball and restore order. If he has time and space, it makes his team almost impossible to stop.

For Seattle, Cristian Roldan could rise up and make a difference. Relatively quiet against Salt Lake, a clash with the league's top team could provide a spark for the U.S. international midfielder.

LAFC will win because: Even if Vela has an off day, which is unlikely, it has too many other weapons for Seattle to survive.

Seattle will win because: Schmetzer doubles down on defense and gets enough out of the transition game to pull off a shock upset.

Prediction: LAFC 3-1 Seattle Sounders -- Arch Bell (@ArchBell)

East: 2 Atlanta United vs. 4 Toronto FC (Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET; Fox Sports 1)

Backstory: For all the hemming and hawing about Atlanta's season, the team ended up where it expected to be: Playing at home with a chance to reach back-to-back MLS Cup finals. Frank de Boer's perceived struggle to adapt to life in the league is little more than a memory.

As for Toronto, the Reds were never going to be satisfied with a half-step back from the league's elite following a disappointing 2018. Two playoff victories and a conference final berth represent a return to relevancy.

Playoff path: There has been nothing irresistible about Atlanta's run, but that should not take away from the achievement. Down two defenders, United managed to navigate potentially tricky matches against two clubs that had nothing to lose, New England and Philadelphia. Talent is Atlanta's advantage and it uses it well.

The losses of injured pair Jozy Altidore and Omar Gonzalez should have been debilitating for Toronto, but Greg Vanney and Co. have made sure absent players would be no excuse. It took more than 90 minutes to take care of D.C. United, but Toronto was ruthless at NYCFC.

Connecting thread: Nothing connects these teams more than ambition. Two of the highest-spending clubs in MLS face off in a clash that feels like a battle of league giants. Toronto's rise to prominence set a bar that Atlanta aimed to meet immediately upon entering the league.

Tactical contrast: De Boer's focus on possession for the purpose of preventing the opponent creating chances will be tested. Atlanta's aim remains to get Ezequiel Barco and Pity Martinez (should he start) on the ball in space. Josef Martinez provides the release valve.

Toronto deployed a pressing approach that slowed down NYCFC in the midfield and a similar setup might be on tap, although Darlington Nagbe's ability to dribble out of pressure could be pose danger if the press is ineffective.

Headaches: So far in the playoffs, Atlanta's lesser athleticism at the back has not been punished, but that could change if Toronto gets Altidore back to play some part in proceedings.

If the U.S. striker cannot go from the off, Vanney faces a conundrum: Start Alejandro Pozuelo as a false nine with the thought of bringing Altidore on later, or use Patrick Mullins and go direct. Gonzalez, at least, is likely to be available.

Star men: Josef Martinez is Atlanta's best player and ace in the hole. If and when United is bogged down in attack, it can often look to him for a game-changing moment from almost nothing.

With two goals, Pozuelo showed his worth against NYCFC. He will be in the spotlight again and must be at his best if Toronto is going to shock the Mercedes-Benz Stadium crowd.

Where the game will be won or lost: With Michael Bradley at the center of the fray, Toronto's ability to slow Atlanta's midfield from connecting with Barco and Pity Martinez will decide the winner of a fascinating Eastern Conference final.

X factor: Pity Martinez did not start against the Revolution but was back in the Atlanta lineup against Philadelphia. In the first XI or off the bench, he figures to have a key role in the outcome.

Jonathan Osorio's work on both ends of the field is a major part of Toronto's success. Moreover, the Canadian midfielder has had a habit of scoring important, dramatic goals.

Atlanta will win because: The champs have the talent advantage and a boisterous crowd behind them. De Boer can pick a team to slow Toronto and find enough goals to win.

Toronto will win because: Confidence is high, Pozuelo is in excellent form and the moment will not be too big A year away from the spotlight did not rob TFC of its championship credentials.

Prediction: Atlanta United 2-1 Toronto FC -- Jason Davis (@davisjsn)

The New York Giants made a rare trade with the rival Jets for defensive lineman Leonard Williams, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.

The Jets will receive a third-round pick in 2020 and a fifth-rounder in 2021, a source told Schefter. The fifth-round pick in 2021 will become a fourth-rounder if Williams signs an extension with the Giants before the start of the 2021 league year. The Jets are paying $4 million of the $6 million remaining on Williams' contract this year.

Williams joins a Giants defense that desperately needs an influx of talent. What complicates matters is that Williams, a first-round pick in 2015, becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

The Giants (2-6) seem likely to try to re-sign Williams this offseason. If not, they would be eligible to recoup a compensatory pick for the following year.

The addition of Williams continues general manager Dave Gettleman's investment in the Giants' defensive line. Since becoming the GM, he has added Williams, Dexter Lawrence with the 17th overall pick this year and B.J. Hill in the third round the previous year.

Still, the Giants' interior defensive linemen had accounted for just six sacks in the first half of this season. While not a prolific pass-rusher, Williams instantly becomes one of the Giants' best threats on the interior.

Out of playoff contention, the Jets started to address their future, loading up as they head into another rebuilding cycle, this time under first-year general manager Joe Douglas.

The Jets decided to part with Williams, drafted sixth in 2015, after concluding he's not part of their long-term plan. He's only 25, but he's making $14.2 million.

Instead of reinvesting in Williams, whom sources believe will command at least $10 million a year on the open market, Douglas opted for draft capital.

The Jets, reeling under first-year coach Adam Gase, are 1-6, mainly because of an anemic offense. They travel to Miami to face the Dolphins on Sunday.

Williams hasn't missed a game in four-plus seasons, but he's considered a disappointment because he hasn't produced as a pass-rusher. He has 17 career sacks, including only two in the past 18 games.

The current and previous coaching staffs defended Williams, saying he was strong against the run and helped others by drawing frequent double-teams. In the end, though, he never became the dynamic player that many expected.

In 2015, the Jets were stunned and happy that Williams slipped to them with the sixth pick. Some evaluators in the league felt he was the best prospect in the draft.

He was the first choice of former GM Mike Maccagnan, who was fired in May. The 2015 draft is wiped out; not one player remains on the Jets roster.

In recent days, Williams took a pragmatic approach to the trade rumors. He said he wanted to remain with the Jets and that he was comfortable in New York, but he also said, "What's cool about it is, it's not this or the streets. Either I'm playing for the Jets or I'm playing somewhere. At the end of the day, I'm still going to be playing. I feel like I have a lot of years left in me in my career."

HOUSTON -- The two women who flashed their breasts from behind the backstop during Game 5 of the World Series at Nationals Park on Sunday night have been banned from major league stadiums.

Major League Baseball sent the women a letter shortly after their escapade.

Julia Rose and Lauren Summer identified themselves on social media. Popular on Instagram, they lifted their tops and exposed themselves as Houston Astros ace Gerrit Cole was set to pitch to Washington Nationals batter Ryan Zimmerman in the seventh inning.

The women were standing in the second row, slightly to the first base side behind the plate. Their stunt was seen live on Fox by a camera shooting from center field.

Cole stepped off the mound, but it's unclear whether he saw the women.

MLB says the ban from big league stadiums is indefinite.