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Nouble marks Irons debut with goal

2009-07-25T09:15:00.003-07:00

Frank Nouble scored on his first outing in claret and blue as a West Ham XI including Gianfranco Zola's son beat Thurrock 3-2 on Friday night.

Nouble only signed from Chelsea in midweek, but he managed the full 90 minutes against the non-leaguers and capped off a good performance with a last-minute winner.

West Ham fell behind early on when Phil Anderson converted from close range in the 18th minute, but German trialist Sebastian Huke produced a cool 15-yard finish nine minutes later to level things up.

16-year-old Eoin Wearen headed the Irons in front on 79 but Thurrock looked to have earned a share of the spoils when David Knight fired home with just four minutes later.

It was not to be, however, and Nouble marked his first game of pre-season with a tidy finish into the bottom corner after Cristian Montano danced past two defenders.

Zola Jr played the first 45 minutes in midfield, with the second string boosted by the presence of Calum Davenport and Nigel Quashie, who both played the full 90 minutes for Alex Dyer's side.

Tigers stand firm on Zamora offer

2009-07-25T09:15:00.001-07:00

Hull boss Phil Brown has offered Bobby Zamora a take-it-or-leave-it deal, believed to be worth £40,000 a week, to move to the KC Stadium.

The Tigers have agreed a £5million fee with Fulham for the striker and Brown has held talks with the former West Ham player.
Zamora is considering his options before committing to a move to East Yorkshire, but Hull insist they will not be improving the personal terms on offer.

"We have put a contract on the table, a very lucrative one," said Brown in the Daily Mirror.

"We are standing firm on it. This is our evaluation of Bobby Zamora - end of story."

Reports suggest Zamora has been offered a £40,000-a-week deal to move to the KC Stadium.

Foster is best by far, boasts Fergie

2009-07-25T09:14:00.004-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson is 100% certain Ben Foster will be England's first choice goalkeeper for the World Cup in South Africa next summer.

Foster has only played once for his country under Fabio Capello, coming on as a half-time substitute in the March friendly against Slovakia.

The Manchester United stopper would almost certainly have added another couple of caps to his tally last month, only for a thumb operation to prevent him facing Kazakhstan and Andorra as replacement for David James, who had undergone shoulder surgery.

It is a depressingly familiar story for Foster, who spent his first two years as a United player on loan at Watford and had his third wrecked by a cruciate injury.

Yet despite the catalogue of injury, Ferguson has never lost faith in the former Stoke man.

He has said often enough in the past that Foster will be England's number one at some point in the future. Now he has gone one step further by claiming the 26-year-old will oust James as Capello's first choice before the coming campaign is done.

"Ben Foster will be England's goalkeeper in South Africa, I have absolutely no doubts about that," he said.

"He is streets ahead of any other English goalkeeper.

"He has magnificent abilities. He is lightning quick, has excellent use of the ball and is exceedingly brave. He is a top drawer goalkeeper."

Ferguson does concede Foster needs his abysmal luck with injuries to end.

However, he has confirmed the Leamington Spa-born player, who is set to figure against Hangzhou Greentown in the final match of United's Far East tour on Sunday night after sitting out Friday's victory over FC Seoul, will get enough chances to impress Capello.

"I have to keep an eye on him," admitted Ferguson.

"Ben has an opportunity with England, so I have to give him chances with us.

"I would not want to deny him the chance to play in South Africa so he will play a lot of games this season

"If he stays fit, he will be number one in South Africa. That is my prediction."

Ferguson is effectively confirming he intends to wind down Edwin van der Sar's career, even though the veteran Dutchman will start his final Old Trafford season as first-choice.

It is however bad news for Tomasz Kuszczak, who signed a contract extension last season but now seems set to play third fiddle under Ferguson.

"Tomasz deserves some recognition," he said.

"He has never complained and trains like a beast all the time.

"It is a very difficult situation because I need to get him minutes on the clock as well.

"Unfortunately Tomasz seems to have been bombed out by Poland for some reason.

"I don't understand why because I have to think about these things in terms of their careers."

Arbeloa closes in on Real return

2009-07-25T09:14:00.003-07:00

Alvaro Arbeloa's agent says the Liverpool defender is still wanted by Real Madrid and could complete a £4.5million return to Spain next week.

The Spaniard was first linked with a return to the Bernabeu at the start of the summer but rumours had recently died down.

However, Arbeloa's representative, Manuel Garcia Quilon, remains in discussions with the Primera Liga giants and expects a conclusion by the start of next week.

Quilon told The Sun: "Discussions with Real are not over and I expect a solution early next week."

Real sporting director Jorge Valdano has also confirmed that the 26-year-old, who played for the club in 2004-5, remains a transfer target.

Valdano said: "Arbeloa is a basic part of our plans."

Arbeloa has one year remaining on his contract at Anfield and faces a fight for a first-team place on Merseyside following the arrival of Glen Johnson.

O'Neill: No wad of cash can grab Ash

2009-07-25T09:14:00.001-07:00

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has warned Ashley Young's suitors he would not even consider selling the England winger for £50million.

Young has been the subject of some frenzied transfer speculation in recent weeks with Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea linked as well as Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
But O'Neill insists not even a bid of £50million would persuade him to sell the 24-year-old, who joined from Watford back in 2007 for a then club-record £9.65m.

The Villa boss told The Sun: "There has been no thought about selling him.

"If somebody came in with £50m, I would not do it. It would be up to the chairman but the last time I spoke to Randy Lerner he was not entertaining anything, at any price.

"There are loads of teams who want him but he's at the right club.

"I could not be more strong on this. He's not going anywhere."

De Zeeuw poised for Ajax switch

2009-07-25T09:13:00.003-07:00

Ajax have signed AZ Alkmaar midfielder Demy de Zeeuw, subject to a medical, after agreeing an undisclosed fee with ther Eredivisie champions.

The 26-year-old began his senior career with the Go Ahead Eagles before joining AZ in 2005 for a fee of €100,000.
De Zeeuw made his debut for Holland in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovenia in March 2007 and has gone on to win 20 caps for his country.

AZ confirmed the transfer with a brief statement on their website on Friday night, saying: "Ajax have met our asking price."

Ajax presented their new signing at half-time of their meeting with Atletico Madrid in the Amsterdam Tournament.

Dossena agent expects Napoli switch

2009-07-25T09:13:00.001-07:00

Andrea Dossena's agent expects the Liverpool defender to join Napoli this summer with both the player and Serie A side willing to do business.

Dossena endured a tough time during his debut season with Liverpool despite scoring goals in the thumping wins over Real Madrid and Manchester United.

The left-back otherwise struggled to make an impact as the speed and physical nature of the Premier League at times overwhelmed the Italian international.

The £7 million signing from Udinese is thought to be seeking a move back to his homeland in order to re-establish himself as Marcelo Lippi's first choice left back for the Italian national side.

Dossena's agent Roberto La Florio is eager to finalise a deal and says a move to Napoli would suit all parties involved.

"There is the will to join Napoli. Napoli want Dossena, and should they follow him, it means they are ready to satisfy the player's exigencies," La Florio told Italian radio station Kiss Kiss.

"Now they must decide, because they may need Andrea due to Fabio Aurelio's injury. The two parts must meet to find an agreement."

Man United aims to maintain preseason form

2009-07-25T09:12:00.001-07:00

BEIJING (AP) - Manchester United will aim for four wins out of four matches when it ends its Asian tour in China against Hangzhou Greentown on Sunday.

But the English champions will be without captain Gary Neville, who flew home for treatment on a groin strain before United beat FC Seoul 3-2 on Friday. United twice had to come from behind before Dimitar Berbatov's 65th minute header which proved the winner.

The Premier League giant earlier played two matches in Malaysia, winning 3-2 and 2-0. The second game was hastily scheduled because the hotel bombings in Jakarta forced the club to cancel its match in Indonesia.

Although the Red Devils have lost star winger Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid and Carlos Tevez to Manchester City, they remain massively popular in Asia. China's population of 1.3 billion people is a huge potential market for United and it is the club's fifth game in greater China in the past 10 years.

Hangzhou is in eastern China, south of Shanghai.

United manager Alex Ferguson said he was pleased with the fan reception so far on the trip.

"It's typical of the whole Far East, we have a terrific fan base and there's a great fanaticism here," he told United's Web site.

Last month Manchester signed a 5-year deal with Aigo, which will make and sell co-branded digital cameras, multimedia players and data storage devices for United around the world, and cell phone handsets in China.

Hughes tips Adebayor for big things

2009-07-25T09:10:00.001-07:00

Emmanuel Adebayor could make his Manchester City debut on Saturday - and Mark Hughes has tipped him to an outstanding player for the club.

City have bought in Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez and Adebayor so far this summer but Barry is the only player to pull on a blue shirt to date.

The situation will remain the same for Tevez - the Argentinian has been left out of the squad to play Kaizer Chiefs in the Vodacom Challenge final due to a heel injury - but Hughes expects his other £25 million man, Adebayor, and the newly-wed Robinho to feature.

He said: "I am convinced he (Adebayor) will be an outstanding player for us for many years to come.

"He's has got a chance to be selected. We had to make sure that he is in a good shape. He has been training with his former team and I think he will play a significant part.

"Robinho is here after flying in on Thursday. Quite possibly he will play some part. He has been playing a lot of football lately and he hasn't had much of a holiday. But he is in good spirits.

"He is newly married and very happy. I am sure he is looking forward to playing the part."

Stuart Taylor was a somewhat lesser signing bought in by City this summer - he signed on a free transfer from Aston Villa - and the goalkeeper could not be happier with the move.

"We're getting a fantastic squad together now, if we gel together and do it as a team on the field, it's looking good," he told the club's official website.

"The strikeforce we have coming together is frightening. We can chop and change it for anything we need and it looks like there will be a lot of goals.

"It's nice for me to get a chance to come to a club like this.

"I believe I am still good enough to do a job with a team like this, and the club feel that as well.

"Shay is an outstanding goalkeeper and he has proved it year in, year out in the Premier League for a long time.

"He's a consistent performer, always puts in a solid display and you need players like that to build a team around.

"It will be great for me to work for him."

Meanwhile Hughes has refused to talk any more about John Terry as Chelsea look set to keep hold of their skipper.

The England captain has been on the radar of the Eastlands manager all summer, but Chelsea have insisted he is going nowhere and have rejected several offers from free-spending City.

Hughes said: "We keep on dismissing certain individuals and we keep on giving the same response.

"There is no value from our point of view to keep on saying the same things. I would imagine from your view that you are pretty fed up with me saying the same thing over and over again.

"I much rather talk about the players we have signed. That's where my focus will lie for the next few days.

"The situation with other players, whether or not they are coming to the club, may well be resolved in the completion of the transfer window."

It remains unlikely that Terry will be swapping Stamford Bridge for the City of Manchester Stadium, with reports from the United States, where Chelsea are currently touring, suggesting that he is staying put.

Clichy: City have cash but not image

2009-07-25T09:09:00.002-07:00

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy reckons money is the only thing Manchester City can offer top players as they do not have the image of a big club.

Clichy's former Gunners team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor has joined former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez in joining Mark Hughes' City revolution, but Clichy is sceptical.

Adebayor has advised his new employers to consider Arsenal's Kolo Toure should they fail to tempt John Terry from Chelsea, but Clichy believes such a move may only make financial, rather than footballing, sense.

The French full-back told The Sun: "I really believe if you are a player who thinks only about money then you could end up at Manchester City.

"You have to think if you want to play for a big club and have your image or if you want to play for a good club and earn big money.

"I've been here six years and this is not the first summer where a club have spent big money to get big players. But it does not always mean a team will play well."

Adebayor, meanwhile, lavished praise on Toure - a player he feels Hughes would be well advised to move for.

"Kolo is a great friend of mine, he's a big player and a top defender," said the Togo striker.

"He's been playing in the Premier League for seven or eight years now so he knows this league really well.

"If the manager could get him he can be exactly what this club wants and needs from him, I'm sure about that.

"I know how good Kolo is and I think what Manchester City need now is a top-quality defender like him or John Terry."

Ancelotti wants actions not words

2009-07-25T09:09:00.001-07:00

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti will not be playing mind games with other managers this season as he is only interested in winning trophies.

The Italian is aware of last season's war of words between Rafael Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson, conducted while Liverpool and Manchester United were battling it out for the title.

Ancelotti was forced to play mental games of his own while in charge of AC Milan, who played in the shadow of local rivals Inter and their boss Jose Mourinho last campaign.

However, he is determined there will not be a repeat of that during his first season in England.

"I have respect for all of the Premier League managers, but I don't care about these mind games," he said. "It happens all over the world, exactly the same thing.

"Little things worry little minds. What I worry about is getting the team ready, preparing the team to beat my opponents, to win against Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal."

Ancelotti has, however, warned his rivals his team mean business this season on the domestic front and in Europe.

"(We want to win) the Premier League or the Champions League, or maybe even both," he added.

"It won't be easy but we will try to do it."

Vieira wants to play for Spurs - Harry

2009-07-25T09:06:00.001-07:00

Harry Redknapp says Patrick Vieira is keen to join Tottenham - but he is set to give up on Peter Crouch as he feels the deal is too expensive.

Redknapp's priority at the moment is for cover at centre-back but he is also in the market for a defensive midfielder and the club have made an inquiry to Real Madrid about Lassana Diarra.

He feels Vieira would add quality to his midfield and has no reservations over the 33-year-old spending almost a decade at the club's rivals.

"I'm still interested in Patrick, I would like him," Redknapp said after Friday night's friendly 1-1 draw against Barcelona at Wembley. "What's he done wrong, he hasn't killed anyone, he's just a great player who played for Arsenal.

"If he wants to come to Tottenham it shows you about his character. He wants to come and play, he's a fantastic player and wants to play here."

Redknapp is also still interested in Crouch, but he is not sure the Portsmouth striker is worth the money. He said: "We are interested in him but the whole deal is expensive. We feel it is more than we want to spend."

Jake Livermore, after signing a new contract with the club earlier in the day, grabbed the equaliser against Barca after Bojan Krkic had opened the scoring.

The European champions fielded a team of reserves and youngsters but gave Spurs a massive test with their passing.

"It's very difficult to play under that pressure - anyone can play when given time," he added. "I should have had my youth team here to watch.

"The whole club is a credit to football. People will only talk about their passing but I saw the other side of their game."

Redknapp auditioned Vedran Corluka, Tom Huddlestone, Pascal Chimbonda and Dorian Dervite at centre-back as Ledley King, Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate are sidelined.

"I haven't got a lot of options," Redknapp added. "It was difficult with the movement they had to deal with.

"It was a different system, unlike a team from England when they would have a big centre-forward to play against."

Lee poised to complete Bolton move

2009-07-25T09:05:00.002-07:00

FC Seoul have announced Lee Chung-Yong will finally sign for Bolton once the South Korean international has been issued a work permit.

The 21-year-old has spent the past week in the north of England, where according to the K-League side Lee reached a verbal agreement on a three-year deal for a transfer fee of about £2.1 million.

"The contract will be signed officially after a work permit is issued," Seoul said in a statement.

Lee returned to Seoul on Friday confident the deal would go ahead.

"On my second day in England I had the medical tests and looked at the training facilities. I thought they were very good. I was jealous," he said.

"It was my dream to play there so I am so happy.

"To adjust quickly, I need to get to know my team-mates. I met manager Gary Megson a few times. He spoke to me but as I can't speak English, I couldn't understand him.

"We haven't quite agreed the details of the contract but we will do so when the work permit is sorted.

"In about 15 days I should get the work permit. Until it comes, I will spend my time training as hard as possible."

Should the deal go through Lee, who has already made 15 appearances for the national team, would become the seventh Korean player to ply his trade in England.

City won't win trophies - Ferdinand

2009-07-25T09:05:00.001-07:00

Rio Ferdinand says he would not complemplate swapping Manchester United for City as they are not capable of winning trophies any time soon.

Ferdinand's England team-mate John Terry has been at the centre of intense speculation for much of the summer as City have maintained their pursuit of the Three Lions skipper.

It is now felt Terry will commit his future to Stamford Bridge, even if City have not quite given up on getting their man.

However, after watching the situation develop from afar, Ferdinand concedes it is not a move he could contemplate.

Local rivalries would play a part in his situation.

However, of more relevance is the feeling that, in return for collecting pots of cash, you would also be waving away any short-term dream of landing major honours.

"JT is his own man, he will make his own decision," Ferdinand is reported as saying on therepublikofmancunia.com

"For what reason he might go there will be down to him. I am sure he will tell everyone when he decides to come out and speak.

"Everyone makes their own decisions in life but, if I was leaving United, I wouldn't go to a team that I didn't feel was capable of winning trophies.

"That's just my feeling. I wouldn't leave here to go to a team that I didn't think would finish in the top two or three in the league and be vying for European medals.

"Whether that's Manchester City or not, I don't know.

"I am not sure if they're going to be championship-winning material."

Benitez urges Alonso to stay at Liverpool

2009-07-25T09:04:00.003-07:00

SINGAPORE (AP) - Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has urged Xabi Alonso to stay at the club, indicating he is not resigned to losing the midfielder to Real Madrid.

At a training session Friday ahead of Sunday's friendly against Singapore, fans waved banners and chanted for Alonso to remain with Liverpool. A group of 21 fans lined up in the stands wearing shirts that spelled out, 'Xabi, please don't leave' in Spanish.

"I told him that he could hear the fans yesterday," Benitez said Saturday. "I said to him, 'Maybe you have to stay."'

"Clearly, my idea is he's a very good player and we'll be really pleased if he stays."

Real Madrid are thought to be eager to sign Alonso, but on Friday also completed the signing of midfielder Esteban Granero from Getafe. Granero is a player in a similar mould to Alonso, both noted for passing accuracy and shooting.

During the preseason Asian tour, Benitez had also been forced to fend off fresh talk of the departure of defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Pachuca wins Mexican Apertura opener

2009-07-25T09:04:00.001-07:00

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Pachuca beat Estudiantes Tecos 3-2 in the opener to Mexico's Apertura season on Friday.

Pachuca, runner-up in the previous Clausura championship, took the lead in the 32nd minute through returning striker Juan Carlos Cacho, after a cross by Argentine Damian Alvarez.
Alvarez's compatriot Bruno Marioni equalized for Estudiantes in the 40th minute. Marioni is a former Pachuca player now at his 14th professional club.

Pachuca was back in front in the 43rd through Alvarez.

Estudiantes drew even again as Marioni's perfectly placed cross was knocked in by veteran Chilean striker Rodrigo Ruiz early in the second half.

Pachuca went in front for a third time in the 65th as another Argentine Christian Gimenez converted a penalty in the 65th minute after a dubious referee's decision.

The results gave new manager and former Pachuca player Guillermo Rivarola his first win.

Zhirkov goal gives Chelsea 2-1 win over AC Milan

2009-07-25T09:03:00.004-07:00

BALTIMORE (AP) - It was a rare post-game news conference: Both coaches sitting at the same table after a game that both men treated with the utmost importance.

Fortunately, Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti and Leonardo of AC Milan are anything but antagonistic.
Yuri Zhirkov scored the tiebreaking goal in the 69th minute, and Chelsea defeated AC Milan 2-1 Friday night to provide their new coach a satisfying victory over his former team in the World Football Challenge.

"It was a difficult game because Milan played so well," said Ancelotti, who quit as coach of the Italian team in May and promptly signed a three-year contract with Chelsea. "I'm happy for the victory, but we have to improve."

Ancelotti won two Champions League titles and one Serie A championship with AC Milan. During that time he coached Leonardo, who is now the team's coach.

"I lost my voice. I'm not used to being a coach," Leonardo said. "To play against Carlo is very, very special. We're still good friends. That's why it was very special today, this match between two of the best teams in the world."

With the score 1-all, Chelsea fired two close-range kicks at goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac before Zhirkov's low-flying attempt from 19 yards landed in the left corner of the net.

AC Milan had two excellent chances to tie it during stoppage time, but Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech tipped away one attempt before another shot went wide.

The World Football Challenge is a four-team round robin tournament. Chelsea has also beaten Inter Milan, and AC Milan has also lost to Club America.

Didier Drogba also scored for Chelsea, and Clarence Seedorf had the lone goal for AC Milan.

Oguchi Onyewu, who earlier this month became the first American-born player to sign a contract with AC Milan, entered in the 67th minute. The defender (who's from Olney, Md.) received cheers from many in the sellout crowd of 71,203 at the home stadium of the Baltimore Ravens.

"Gooch today showed a different style," Leonardo said. "He's a very smart guy."

Drogba gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute, shooting from the right side with his right foot and sending a rising shot into the left corner of the net. The goal was set up by a pass from John Terry.

AC Milan missed a chance to draw even in the 19th minute, when Andrea Pirlo fired a shot that was deflected by Cech to Ronaldinho, who was denied on a bicycle kick.

But the Italian team drew even in the 38th minute on a goal by Seedorf, who broke free at the penalty arc and sent a shot past the outstretched arms of Cech. Ronaldinho received credit for the assist.

Midway through the second half, however, Seedorf left with a leg injury.

D.C. United's Simms, Khumalo have operations

2009-07-25T09:03:00.003-07:00

WASHINGTON (AP) - D.C. United midfielder Clyde Simms and forward Thabiso Khumalo had surgery and both are expected to be sidelined for weeks.

Simms had sports hernia surgery on his right side in Germany and could miss up to three weeks.
Khumalo had an operation in Virginia to repair his broken right wrist and is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks.

He was hurt in injury time of D.C. United's 2-1 victory over Rochester in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals Tuesday night. Khumalo scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute.

Preview: Colorado vs. New York

2009-07-25T09:03:00.001-07:00

The last time the New York Red Bulls went 12 games without a win, they set MLS records for futility. They'll attempt to avoid matching that dismal streak Saturday night when they visit the Colorado Rapids.

The Red Bulls (2-14-4) have an MLS-low 10 points, 16 behind fourth-place Toronto for the final playoff spot while playing two more games. They haven't posted a victory since beating San Jose 4-1 on May 8, going 0-9-2 while being outscored 22-7.

New York's 11-game stretch without a victory is its longest since setting a league record with a 12-game streak during 1999, when MLS decided tie games via the 35-yard shootout. That slide contributed to the worst finish in MLS history, as the then-MetroStars finished with 15 points and a 7-25 record.

The Red Bulls' current winless streak, which includes a 3-2 loss to Colorado (6-5-6) on May 30, has come a season after they reached the MLS Cup final for the first time in team history.

They lost for the fourth time in a row last Saturday, surrendering three first-half goals and falling 3-1 to Los Angeles.

"We managed to make history last year, for the first time in franchise history we managed to win a conference championship and we were in the (MLS Cup final)," forward Juan Pablo Angel told the team's official Web site. "Now, we're about to make history as the worst team in the league. Me personally, I don't want to be remembered for that. ... I didn't come here to be remembered for playing for the worst team in the league. No way."

The Red Bulls are also enduring an MLS-record 23-game road winless streak (0-17-6), during which they've been outscored 43-11 since beating the Galaxy 2-1 on May 10, 2008.

"I am very optimistic as a matter of fact," said Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio, 1-18-7 on the road in two seasons at the helm. "From what I watched this week, if I am honest, the way we have been training, it's no way we are where we are at the moment."

Angel leads New York with seven goals and has 40 in his career, one shy of the team mark held by Giovanni Savarese.

Angel has two goals in five games against Colorado - one coming on a penalty kick May 30.

The Rapids look to take advantage of the woeful Red Bulls as they open a three-game homestand following a 3-1 defeat at D.C. last Saturday. They are 4-1-3 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Colorado, however, will have to deal with the absence of Conor Casey, who is serving a one-game suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. The forward is third in the league with eight goals and has five in three games against New York.

With Casey suspended, the Rapids could use a strong performance from Omar Cummings. The Jamaican forward hasn't scored in two games after finding the back of the net four times in the previous three.

Cummings has two goals and two assists in three games versus the Red Bulls.

Redknapp waiting for Vieira news

2009-07-25T09:02:00.001-07:00

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is waiting for developments in his efforts to sign former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira from Inter Milan.

Redknapp's priority at the moment is for cover at centre-back but he is also in the market for a defensive midfielder and the club have made an enquiry to Real Madrid about Lassana Diarra.

"Patrick was someone I was interested in but I'm not sure where that's gone. It's not developed," Redknapp said.

Vieira's wages are thought to be the main obstacle if a move is to be agreed and it would also be a controversial signing after the 33-year-old spent nine years at rivals Arsenal.

Regarding his interest in Diarra, whom Redknapp signed for Portsmouth from Arsenal, the Spurs boss added: "We spoke to Real Madrid and made an enquiry but there was nothing doing."

Redknapp has signed Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker from Sheffield United already this summer, while Didier Zokora has left for Sevilla.

Redknapp has played down suggestions David Beckham could arrive on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy.

He told the Daily Mail: "David's a great player and a great professional but we have players in that position so nothing will happen there."

MLS fines Beckham $1,000 for gestures to fans

2009-07-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (AP) - David Beckham was fined $1,000 by Major League Soccer, which said his gestures toward taunting fans suggested that they leave their seats and come on the field.

The fine by MLS commissioner Don Garber on Friday came five days after the English star confronted Los Angeles Galaxy fans in a group called the L.A. Riot Squad. The Galaxy and AC Milan played to a 2-2 tie in an exhibition game. Beckham played with AC Milan this year and was booed through much of the game.

"We support our players interacting with fans, whether it is at clinics, charity events or by high-fiving their supporters in the stands while celebrating a goal," Garber said. "However, our players should never engage in conduct that can be interpreted as encouraging fans to come out of the stands and onto the field, regardless of the reason."

At halftime, Beckham walked toward the group while shouting and pointing. He challenged fans to meet him on the field and tried to lift himself over advertising boards before security intervened. Police arrested a fan who left the stands.

Then after a second-half corner kick in front of the Riot Squad's section, Beckham immediately turned to those fans, put his index finger to his lips, shrugged his shoulders and blew them a kiss. The kick resulted in a goal.

Beckham has been unapologetic about his actions.

"At the end of the day, I play my game," Beckham said Thursday. "If it's not good enough for some people, as long as it's good enough for myself and the team, nothing else matters."

The Riot Squad blamed Beckham for agitating the situation in a statement on the group's Web site Thursday.

"Had David responded differently on Sunday, the booing and the chanting probably would have ended at halftime," the statement said. "We don't believe questioning Beckham's commitment to our team is over the line, but it's clear that David feels otherwise."

No surprise: US vs. Mexico for Gold Cup

2009-07-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

This was the perfect Gold Cup for an outsider to steal. Honduras, perhaps. Or Canada.

Instead, Sunday's final at the Meadowlands will have that familiar if not comfortable look when the United States and Mexico, by far the most dominant nations in CONCACAF, meet for the title.

Neither country sent its best team to the biennial event, with the United States fielding something of a JV squad with players unproven on the international scene. Those players, particularly Stuart Holden, Kyle Beckerman and Heath Pearce, have performed well on the regional stage after the big boys lost in the Confederations Cup final to Brazil earlier this summer.

Mexico is missing some key players, too, and it has been struggling in World Cup qualifying, sitting fourth behind leader Costa Rica, the Americans and Hondurans. Yet Mexico survived a difficult round-robin in the Gold Cup, beat Costa Rica on penalty kicks in the semifinal, and has every reason to believe it can walk off with the trophy for the fifth time in its sixth trip to the finals.

"The United States is always a very difficult opponent and it will be a challenge for us," said Guillermo Ochoa, whose penalty-kick save was the difference against Costa Rica. "But we played well (in the semifinals) and it gives us a lot of confidence for the final."

Ochoa was a backup when the Americans beat the Mexicans for the 2007 Gold Cup. With Mexico in dire straits in World Cup qualifying, and facing an Aug. 12 home match against the U.S. team - with all of its top players - Ochoa could do some positive for his career and his nation's chances to make the South Africa 2010 field by beating the hosts.

But winning in the United States has been impossible for El Tri this decade: the Americans are 9-0-2, with some of the games getting downright nasty. Of course, U.S.-Mexico is as heated a soccer rivalry as you'll find in CONCACAF.

"We need to be looking at this final, not the other match," Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.

Still, a win Sunday, even with a vastly different lineup than each side will field at Azteca next month, would be huge for El Tri.

"I don't think it sets a tone," U.S. forward Brian Ching said.

Ching is a rare veteran of international play on this U.S. squad, and wore the captain's band in the semifinal. "But on a personal level, we've done well against them in the U.S. and you don't want to be the team that lets them win at home."

Real Salt Lake 4-2 FC Dallas

2009-07-25T02:13:00.002-07:00

SANDY, Utah - Yura Movsisyan knew it wouldn't take much for Real Salt Lake to rally from a two-goal deficit against FC Dallas on Friday night.

It turns out the Real Salt Lake striker was correct.

Movsisyan scored twice and Real Salt Lake (6-7-5) took advantage of an own goal by FC Dallas' Daniel Torres to earn a 4-2 victory, with all four goals coming in the second half.

"We knew all we needed was one (goal) to wake us up," said Movsisyan, who entered the game at the start of the second half. "It was good we got it so early in the second half."

With the score tied at 2, Real Salt Lake took the lead when Fabian Espindola's cross hit off Torres and into the goal in the 88th minute. Movsisyan added his second goal of the match in stoppage time to seal the win over FC Dallas (4-9-5).

"I've been involved in a lot of games that you believe were a game of two halves," said Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis. "Obviously that's the case for us tonight. We were utterly abysmal for 45 minutes then extremely good for 45 minutes."

Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Real Salt Lake cut FC Dallas' lead in half in the 55th minute when Movsisyan beat Dallas goalkeeper Ray Burse on a one-on-one.

Robbie Findley pulled RSL even in the 62nd minute with a penalty kick after being fouled in the box by Jair Benitez.

Jeff Cunningham scored a goal and assisted on another against his former team for FC Dallas, but missed a second-half penalty kick.

In the 71st minute, with the score tied at 2, RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando saved Cunningham's shot from the penalty spot. On the sideline, Kreis jumped with his fist in the air to celebrate the save, but then continued to yell at the fourth official concerning the call that set up the penalty kick.

"That was a game-changing play from someone who is a leader on this team," Kreis said. "But then I got ridiculous there after that and got myself thrown off."

Kreis was red-carded and ejected for verbally abusing the fourth official and missed RSL's final two goals.

"Somebody told me we won," joked Kreis during his postgame press conference. "Is that true?"

Kreis had another reason to celebrate Rimando's save. Cunningham's 13th-minute goal was the 108th of his career, moving him into a tie for third all-time with the Salt Lake coach. Cunningham still trails D.C. United's Jaime Moreno (128) and Chivas USA's Ante Razov (114).

Kreis was Cunningham's teammate during the 2006 season and then for four games in 2007 before retiring to become coach. Following RSL's next three games, Cunningham was traded to Toronto FC.

Dave van der Bergh gave FC Dallas a 2-0 lead in the 21st minute when Cunningham passed the ball to David Ferreira, who sent the ball across the goal box to van der Bergh.

"I thought we played some of our best soccer in the first half," said FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman. "We were able to come up and press, win some balls and get a couple of goals. The second half was obviously a different story."

FC Dallas' Drew Moor was ejected in stoppage time after a hard foul on Tony Beltran.

MLS fines Beckham $1,000 for gestures to fans

2009-07-25T02:13:00.001-07:00

MLS fines Beckham $1,000 for gestures to fans

2009-07-25T02:12:00.000-07:00

Gold Cup gives Holden chance to shine

2009-07-24T14:16:00.001-07:00

CHICAGO (AP) - Stuart Holden is a notorious practical joker, always hiding around corners in hopes of taking somebody by surprise.

Oh, he's surprising people all right.
On a team of young and inexperienced players eager to make their mark, no American has stood out more in the CONCACAF Gold Cup than the 23-year-old midfielder. Holden has scored twice in five games, and he had assists on both goals Thursday night as the United States beat Honduras 2-0 to advance to its third straight Gold Cup final.

The Americans play archrival Mexico in Sunday's final at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. It's a rematch of the 2007 final, where the United States beat El Tri to win its second straight Gold Cup title.

"I enjoy this. It's not only my job, it's something I enjoy doing and the big games are what you live for," Holden said. "These are the kind of games I want to play in and want to be a part of.

"If you shy away from these, why would you want to play on this team and be at this level?"

Especially considering what it's taken for Holden to get here.

Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Holden moved to Houston when he was 10 (his father, Brian, worked for Chevron). After two years at Clemson, Holden signed in March 2005 with Sunderland, then in England's League Championship.

But after playing in just two games with the Black Cats' reserves, Holden was attacked while waiting for a taxi with his brother, Euan.

"I guess they were trying to cut in front of us in the taxi line, and one of the guys in our group said something to them," Holden said. "Next thing you know, I was the one, the small guy who got hit."

Holden's left eye socket was broken in three or four places, and he had double vision for three months. By the time he'd recovered, his contract was up and Sunderland was looking for more established players, having been promoted to the Premier League.

He had a tryout with Leicester City, only to break his ankle the first game.

"I'd always maintained the mentality I was going to give it the full go until I just couldn't anymore. But I'd be lying to you if I said it never crossed my mind at one point or another," Holden said. "How am I going to play soccer if I see two balls every time I look in the air?

"It was tough at the time. I was 19, living by myself. But it's worked out for the best."

When his ankle healed, Holden signed with the hometown Houston Dynamo. After playing in 13 games his first season, he had a breakout year in 2007 with five goals and a team-high five assists in 22 games.

Last year, as part of the U.S. Olympic team, he scored the winning goal in the Americans' opener against Japan. That helped earn him an invitation to the senior national team training camp before a Jan. 24 friendly against Sweden.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley turned to his JV roster for the Gold Cup, giving most of his regular starters a break following their stunning run to the Confederations Cup final. Not only do the younger players get experience, the Gold Cup gives Bradley an idea of who might help in the lead-up to next year's World Cup in South Africa.

But this is hardly a field trip.

The United States is the two-time defending champion, and Bradley made sure the youngsters understood the responsibility that came with their shirts.

"Anytime I'm on the field, I want to impress and I want to win," Holden said. "I'm a competitor and anything I can do to help the team win goes a long way."

His goal in the opener against Grenada was the first by an American in his international debut since Eddie Robinson against Sweden in January 2008. Holden salvaged a 2-2 tie against Haiti with a 25-foot shot in the first minute of second-half injury time.

And while he didn't score Thursday, his contributions were no less important.

While the Americans were practicing corner kicks Wednesday, Bradley went to a spot in front of the goal and told Holden that was where he should deliver the ball. Sure enough, his corner kick went to that exact spot just before halftime Thursday, and Clarence Goodson headed it into the net for the 1-0 lead.

Late in the second half, Holden collected a back-heel flick from Ching and sent a cross to Kenny Cooper, who one-timed it for a 2-0 lead.

Off the field, he's been key to that all-important team chemistry. With his practical jokes and killer impressions - Brian Ching, one of the few regular starters on the Gold Cup roster and Holden's teammate in Houston, said Holden does good imitations of both Bradley and former U.S. assistant coach Peter Nowak - he has a knack for putting anyone at ease.

"Stuart is a player that has been on the verge of getting into our team for a while," Bradley said. "The timing of this tournament was good for him and, like others, he's taken advantage of it."

Beckham fined $1,000 by MLS for fan gestures

2009-07-24T14:15:00.004-07:00

NEW YORK (AP) - David Beckham was fined $1,000 by Major League Soccer, which said his gestures toward taunting fans suggested that they leave their seats and come on the field.

The fine by MLS commissioner Don Garber on Friday came five days after the English star confronted Los Angeles Galaxy fans in a group called the L.A. Riot Squad. The Galaxy and AC Milan played to a 2-2 tie in an exhibition game. Beckham played with AC Milan this year and was booed through much of the game.
"We support our players interacting with fans, whether it is at clinics, charity events or by high-fiving their supporters in the stands while celebrating a goal," Garber said. "However, our players should never engage in conduct that can be interpreted as encouraging fans to come out of the stands and onto the field, regardless of the reason."

At halftime, Beckham walked toward the group while shouting and pointing. He challenged fans to meet him on the field and tried to lift himself over advertising boards before security intervened. Police arrested a fan who left the stands.

Then after a second-half corner kick in front of the Riot Squad's section, Beckham immediately turned to those fans, put his index finger to his lips, shrugged his shoulders and blew them a kiss. The kick resulted in a goal.

Beckham has been unapologetic about his actions.

"At the end of the day, I play my game," Beckham said Thursday. "If it's not good enough for some people, as long as it's good enough for myself and the team, nothing else matters."

The Riot Squad blamed Beckham for agitating the situation in a statement on the group's Web site Thursday.

"Had David responded differently on Sunday, the booing and the chanting probably would have ended at halftime," the statement said. "We don't believe questioning Beckham's commitment to our team is over the line, but it's clear that David feels otherwise."

Preview: Columbus vs. Toronto

2009-07-24T14:15:00.003-07:00

The Columbus Crew are on the cusp of setting an MLS record for the longest unbeaten streak at home, and they'll have to do it without league goal-scoring leader Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Facing a team they've never lost to could make that goal much easier.

Looking to remain unbeaten for a 19th consecutive home game, the Crew will again try to withstand Schelotto's absence for a second straight week as they meet Toronto FC on Saturday night.

Columbus (6-3-9), the reigning MLS Cup champion, is 12-0-6 at Crew Stadium since falling 2-0 to San Jose on June 7, 2008. The unbeaten run equals the Earthquakes' league record set from Sept. 25, 2004-Oct. 15, 2005.

"We try to win every game ... we don't think about records," Crew coach Robert Warzycha said. "But it's something that (when) you finish the season ... it's nice to read about."

The Crew extended their streak last Saturday by beating Salt Lake 3-1 while playing without 10-goal scorer Schelotto due to a left hamstring strain.

The injury has ruled the playmaker out against Toronto (7-6-5). The Crew will also be without forward Alejandro Moreno, who has three goals, for a third straight game because of a groin strain.

With their top two forwards missing, Warzycha will likely use reserves Jason Garey and Steven Lenhart again. Garey found the back of the net twice last Saturday, and Lenhart added his first goal of the season while also getting an assist in just his second start.

"They did a very good job," Warzycha said. "They combined well together and seemed to have a lot of energy. They were very aggressive and caused a lot of problems for the defenders."

Another strong performance from the duo could help Columbus move atop the Eastern Conference. The Crew are tied with D.C. for second, one point behind first-place Chicago, but only one ahead of fourth-place Toronto.

Columbus is 3-0-5 all-time against Toronto, going 2-0-2 at home. The clubs have played to ties in each of the last four meetings, including 1-all at Crew Stadium on March 28.

TFC appeared to be headed to a second consecutive victory last Saturday, but a defensive error led to a goal with 15 minutes left as it settled for a 1-all draw with West-leading Houston.

"I'm not happy at all, 1-1 is just not good enough for me," Toronto forward Dwayne De Rosario said. "(That was) a game that I think we needed to win."

De Rosario has scored two goals in his last four games, giving him a team-high six this season. He's one shy of his total with the Dynamo from last year.

Amado Guevara, who has five goals and a team-high four assists, is struggling offensively. The midfielder has no goals or assists in his last six games after finding the back of the net twice in a 3-1 win over New England on May 23.

The Honduran international has a goal and six assists in 13 games against Columbus.

Bolivian coach quits after debuting pre-teen son

2009-07-24T14:15:00.001-07:00

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) - Bolivian club coach Julio Cesar Baldivieso quit on Friday after being heavily criticized for playing his then-12-year-old son in a premier division match last weekend.

Baldivieso fielded his son Mauricio on Sunday in the final 10 minutes of Aurora's 1-0 loss to La Paz.
The newspaper La Razon quoted Baldivieso as saying Mauricio, who turned 13 on Wednesday, played well, but much of the media and even his own club questioned the performance and the decision by Baldivieso.

Baldivieso said he reached a mutual decision to resign with officials of the Cochabamba-based club, which he took over last year as a player-coach, and only coached this year. He led the team into this year's Copa Libertadores.

Baldivieso played more than 80 times for Bolivia until 2005.

Beckham fined $1,000 by MLS for conduct toward fan

2009-07-24T14:14:00.004-07:00

NEW YORK (AP) - David Beckham has been fined $1,000 by Major League Soccer for his conduct toward a fan during an exhibition game.

MLS commissioner Don Garber fined the English star Friday, five days after Beckham confronted Galaxy fans in a group called the L.A. Riot Squad. The Galaxy and AC Milan played to a 2-2 tie. Beckham played with AC Milan this year and was booed through much of the game.
At halftime, Beckham walked toward the group while shouting and pointing. He challenged fans to meet him on the field and tried to lift himself over advertising boards before security intervened. Police arrested a fan who left the stands.

Preview: Kansas City vs. Los Angeles

2009-07-24T14:14:00.003-07:00

David Beckham has been a magnet for controversy this season for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Quite a feat, considering he's played in just one MLS game.

Beckham tries to put all the distractions aside and help the surging Galaxy win their fifth in a row when they visit the Kansas City Wizards on Friday night.

In Sunday's 2-2 exhibition tie with AC Milan, Beckham confronted Galaxy fans after they booed and jeered him while displaying derisive banners. At halftime, Beckham walked toward the group while shouting and pointing. He challenged fans to meet him on the field and tried to lift himself over advertising boards before security intervened. Police arrested a fan who left the stands.

While Beckham seemed to agitate the fans, he didn't feel like he was to blame for the incident.

"It's not a setback for myself. It's other people that have to change," Beckham said Thursday after practice. "It's not about whether I can move on. I wasn't the one booing."

Galaxy fans have been angry about Beckham's publicly stated desire to stay with AC Milan beyond March, the original end of his loan.

The fans haven't been the only ones to criticize the star.

In a recently released book, Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan accused Beckham of not giving his full effort and allegedly quitting on Los Angeles (6-3-9) in the late stages of a disappointing 2008 season.

The two made up before Beckham played in his first league game, a 3-1 Galaxy victory over New York on July 16 that extended the team's winning streak to four. This is the club's longest run since taking five in a row Sept. 23-Oct. 13, 2007.

Donovan, selected to play for the MLS All-Star team in Wednesday's game against Everton FC of the English Premier League, had a goal and an assist against the Red Bulls. He has been involved in 12 of the Galaxy's 22 goals this season (seven goals, five assists).

Donovan has one goal and two assists in three games against the Wizards (5-6-5) since the start of last season, with Los Angeles going 1-1-1 in those contests.

Kansas City hasn't played since a scoreless tie with New England on July 11. The Wizards didn't score in their last two games after tallying a season-high three goals in a win over the Revolution on June 13.

Kansas City had plenty of opportunities their last time out with 16 shots, but New England's Matt Reis made a career-high 11 saves.

"We've having problems putting balls into the back of the net over the last couple of weeks," Wizards coach Curt Onalfo told the league's official Web site. "The positive is that we're creating chances, the negative is that we're not putting them away."

It may not get any easier against a Los Angeles club that has yielded one goal during its winning streak.

The last time these teams met May 30, the Wizards were held scoreless until first-time All-Star Davy Arnaud scored in the 84th minute. Three minutes later, Galaxy forward Edson Buddle answered with a goal off an assist from Donovan and the game ended in a 1-all tie.

Ibrahimovic to arrive at Barcelona on Sunday

2009-07-24T14:14:00.001-07:00

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic will arrive at Barcelona on Sunday to seal his move from Inter Milan to the Spanish champion.

Barcelona said Ibrahimovic would undergo his medical examination on Monday.
Barcelona has also allowed striker Samuel Eto'o and midfielder Aleksandr Hleb to travel to Milan to finalize their moves to the Serie A champion, which was part of the agreed swap. Eto'o is set to join Inter for five seasons while Hleb would go on loan for one campaign.

Barcelona, which said it would reveal further details of Ibrahimovic's trip on Saturday, has also agreed to pay Inter a reported £40 million ($56 million) to help complete the move.

Cats complete Cana capture

2009-07-24T14:13:00.001-07:00

Sunderland have wasted no time replacing Dean Whitehead after signing Marseille captain Lorik Cana in a deal worth more than £5million.

The Albania midfielder, who has signed a four-year contract, becomes Steve Bruce's third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Paraguay skipper Paulo Da Silva and England Under-21 striker Fraizer Campbell.

He signs less than half a day after Black Cats skipper Whitehead left for Stoke for an initial £3million.

Bruce told the club's official website: "I'm delighted to have brought Lorik to the club, especially given the number of clubs who had expressed an interest in signing him."

Cana, who turns 26 on Monday, has 31 caps for Albania and helped Marseille to a second-placed finish behind Bordeaux in Ligue 1 last season.

Bruce added: "He brings with him a tremendous amount of experience both at club level and internationally and is a great addition to our squad.

"To captain a side of Marseille's stature says a lot about the player and his character, and I'm sure he'll go on to be a fantastic signing for Sunderland."

Cana joined Marseille from Paris St Germain in 2005.

Sunderland are currently in Holland taking part in the Amsterdam tournament, in which they went down 2-0 to Benfica on Friday night.

Preview: Kansas City vs. Los Angeles

2009-07-24T14:12:00.002-07:00

Preview: San Jose vs. D.C. United

2009-07-24T14:12:00.001-07:00

If D.C. United has any chance of challenging for first place in the Eastern Conference, they'll have to start playing better on the road.

Seeking their first win away from home in nearly three months, United begins a three-game road trip Saturday night against the struggling San Jose Earthquakes.

D.C. (6-3-9) recorded its first win in more than a month last Saturday, beating Colorado 3-1. United had given up seven goals on an 0-1-2 road trip from June 17-July 4, but held Colorado to two shots and only allowed an own goal in the 14th minute.

They responded with three second-half scores including one by Bryan Namoff, who was responsible for putting the ball past Josh Wicks in the first half to give Colorado the lead.

"It's the first time I scored two goals in my career," Namoff said. "I'm glad I had a chance to redeem myself."

With the win, D.C. stayed within a point of Chicago for first place in the conference while remaining tied with Columbus for second. With this contest, United will play three straight and five of six on the road, where they are 0-2-4 since a 3-2 victory against New York on April 26.

D.C. has scored only eight goals in its last six contests away from home, and having Jaimie Moreno back in the lineup might help.

After missing the previous three games with a hamstring injury, Moreno came in to start the second half last Saturday and scored on a penalty kick to tie the game. The goal was his sixth of the season.

San Jose (3-10-4), which is opening a four-game homestand, is looking to snap a three-game winless streak (0-2-1). The Earthquakes are coming off their fifth shutout loss of the season after allowing two second-half goals in a 2-0 defeat to Chicago last Saturday.

"To be honest, I can't believe we lost 2-0," coach Frank Yallop said. "We created some good chances and should have scored before they got their first goal.

"Our game plan was great, and I thought we defended the ball well other than a 30-second spell. Two breakdowns and two goals. That's the undoing of us."

San Jose is in last place in the Western Conference and is tied with New York for most goals allowed this season with 33. The Earthquakes given up 13 of those goals at home, where they are 3-3-2.

The Earthquakes and United split two meetings last season with each winning at home. San Jose is 7-2-4 all-time against United at home.

Preview: Seattle vs. Chicago

2009-07-24T14:11:00.002-07:00

The Seattle Sounders FC have put together an impressive debut season in MLS by accumulating the most points at home. The Chicago Fire, however, are atop the Eastern Conference thanks to the best road record.

The clubs will meet for the first time at Qwest Field on Saturday.

The expansion Sounders (7-3-7) are second in the West, four points behind first-place Houston. Of their 28 points, they've collected a league-leading 21 at home while going 6-1-3 with a 19-8 scoring advantage in front of sold-out crowds for each game.

That success has most evident during Seattle's seven-game (4-0-3) home unbeaten streak, capped by a 2-1 over the Dynamo on July 11. The Sounders haven't lost a league game at home since falling 1-0 to Kansas City on April 11.

They were defeated at Qwest Field though, in an exhibition match last Saturday, losing 2-0 to England's Chelsea in front of 65,289 fans. Seattle rebounded with another victory over Houston on Tuesday, as Stephen King scored five minutes into overtime to secure a 2-1 win and advance the team to the U.S. Open Cup final, where it'll visit reigning champion D.C. on Sept. 2.

"We try not to call ourselves an expansion team," said King, who was selected by Seattle from Chicago in November's expansion draft. "We can still reach all the goals we set at the beginning of the year."

The Fire (7-3-7) are 5-1-3 on the road and lead the East by one point over D.C. and Columbus and two over Toronto FC.

Chicago won for only the second time at home last Saturday, beating San Jose 2-0 in its first game without Brian McBride. The forward, who leads the team with six goals, was ruled out for up to four months after undergoing right shoulder surgery on July 17.

With McBride out, midfielder-forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco picked up the scoring slack, getting a goal and an assist in the final eight minutes. The Mexican playmaker has four goals and a team-high seven assists.

Chicago, though, will be without All-Star defender Bakary Soumare due to a one-game suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. The club is also missing midfielder Logan Pause, who is with the U.S. national team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

"You have a deep roster and have to trust all the players you put on the field," Fire coach Denis Hamlett said.

Missing two of their top defensive players could be a problem for the Fire, who will have to contend with red-hot Fredy Montero.

The Sounders forward has found the back of the net in each of his last five MLS games, and his nine goals on the season are just one behind league-leader Guillermo Barros Schelotto of Columbus.

Chicago shut down Montero in a 1-all tie at home on May 2.

The Fire will likely have Patrick Nyarko starting at forward for a second consecutive game after he scored the eventual game-winner in the 82nd minute against San Jose. Nyarko, who has been used on the right side of midfield at times this season, has three goals in 17 games.

Preview: Houston vs. New England

2009-07-24T14:11:00.001-07:00

The Houston Dynamo defeated the New England Revolution to win MLS Cup titles in 2006 and '07, but they didn't get their first regular-season win over the Revs until the clubs' first meeting this year.

Returning home should improve their chances of completing the sweep.

The MLS-leading Dynamo look to remain unbeaten at Robertson Stadium on Saturday night when they host the Revolution, who haven't lost in three trips to Houston.

Houston (9-4-5) won the MLS Cup in each of its first two seasons of existence, beating New England (5-5-5) both times. The Dynamo, however, were 0-3-3 against the Revolution during the regular season - 0-2-1 at home - before winning 2-0 on the road May 3.

Stuart Holden and Brian Ching scored for Houston, while New England managed only three shots - one on goal - as it played without stars Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston.

The Dynamo will also be missing key players Saturday, as Holden and Ching are with the U.S. national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. New England's Jay Heaps won't play for the same reason.

Twellman remains sidelined for the Revolution because of a concussion. New England, though, got a key player back when Shalrie Joseph returned Sunday after a two-game absence due to a knee injury.

After sitting out the entire first half, the midfielder - tied for the team lead with five goals and first on the club with five assists - set up Kheli Dube's go-ahead goal in the 61st minute and New England went on to beat Chivas USA 2-0.

"He helped us a lot holding the ball," Dube said of Joseph's controlling of the midfield during the second half. "Playing with a big guy like that, he gives you opportunities."

Dube's goal was New England's first in MLS play since Joseph scored in the 28th minute of a 3-1 loss at Kansas City on June 13. The Revolution finished with 13 shots Sunday, five on goal.

With Joseph directing the offense, they placed four of their eight second-half shots on goal.

"It's a matter of just keeping possession, then moving the ball," Joseph said. "We started off flat and me coming in, it gave them (teammates) a lift."

The Dynamo are playing their first MLS home match since a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake on June 20. They're 5-0-3 at Robertson Stadium but went 1-2-1 during a stretch of four straight on the road.

Houston managed to salvage a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC in its most recent match last Saturday. Defender Bobby Boswell scored the tying goal in the 75th minute off his own rebound, his first goal of the year and second in 46 games spanning two seasons with Houston.

"Goals come from a lot of places," coach Dominic Kinnear told the team's official Web site. "... (Boswell) was just so alert in both boxes today, and (he) understands the value of playing his role at both ends of the field, in defensive positions but also on attack."

Preview: Salt Lake vs. Dallas

2009-07-24T14:10:00.002-07:00

It's been three months since Real Salt Lake recorded the most lopsided win in franchise history. Since then, they've won just twice and once at home.

Salt Lake will try to enter the All-Star break on a positive note Friday night when its hosts FC Dallas.

RSL (5-7-5) got goals from six players to beat New England 6-0 on April 25, capping a three-game winning streak at Rio Tinto Stadium for a 3-2-0 start this season.

Real, however, followed by going 2-5-5 over the next 12 games and 1-1-2 as host. That stretch has dropped it into sixth place in the Western Conference, seven points behind Los Angeles and Chivas USA, which are tied for the final playoff position.

Salt Lake's troubles continued Saturday, falling 3-1 at Columbus despite outshooting the reigning MLS Cup champion 16-10.

"We created the right number of chances, no doubt about it," RSL coach Jason Kreis told the team's official Web site. "We had some pretty clear chances that we felt pretty bad about not scoring early on. If we had taken some of those early chances it might have been a different game."

Kreis is expected to have Will Johnson and Fabian Espindola back while Kyle Beckerman misses a third game in a row due to the U.S. national team's participation in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Johnson has missed the last three games while competing with Canada at the Gold Cup, where it was eliminated with a 1-0 loss to Honduras in the quarterfinals on Saturday. The midfielder has one goal and one assist while playing a more defensive role with RSL.

Espindola is returning from a one-game, red-card suspension for retaliating against defender Brandon McDonald in a 1-all tie with San Jose on July 3. The forward has just one goal and one assist in nine games after finding the back of the net a career-high five times last year.

Salt Lake went 2-0-1 against Dallas (4-8-5) last season, winning both games at home.

FCD, seventh in the West and three points back of Real, is returning from a long layoff after losing 1-0 at Colorado on July 11.

Dallas, which is 1-5-2 as the visitor, may have Dario Sala back in goal after a knee injury ruled him out of the last 15 games. He started Wednesday's 2-0 win over CSD Comunicaciones of Guatemala in a friendly, and claims to feel healthy following surgery on a torn meniscus in April.

"I felt better than I expected before the game," Sala told the team's official Web site. "I wasn't sure I would be kicking at 100 percent but after the first couple of kicks, I felt good. I was kicking the ball 80 yards and pushing it. I don't feel like I took two months off. I'm pain free."

Dallas, though, may continue starting Ray Burse, who is 4-7-5 with a 1.46 goals-against average and a shutout in 16 games - 15 starts - in place of Sala.

Maradona: 'We're playing for our lives'

2009-07-24T14:10:00.001-07:00

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Diego Maradona said Friday what every Argentine football fan already knows - the next World Cup qualifier against archrival Brazil is critical.

"We're playing for our lives against Brazil. It's going to be a very tough game," Argentina's coach said on local television about the Sept. 5 match.

At Maradona's urging, the match will be played in Rosario, located about 300 kilometers (180 miles) northwest of Buenos Aires.

Argentine officials and FIFA officials approved moving the match from River Plate's Monumental Stadium after Maradona complained about the state of the playing surface.

Maradona described the field at Monumental Stadium as "disastrous" and a "pasture" before a 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Colombia on June 6. He also said the place needed a paint job.

But many considered his criticism biased as Monumental is the home of River Plate, the archrival of Boca Juniors, Maradona's old team.

With four rounds left in South American qualifying, Argentina holds the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot.

The group is led by Brazil on 27 points, Chile on 26 and Paraguay on 24, with Argentina on 22 points and facing competition from Ecuador (20), Uruguay (18), Colombia (17) and Venezuela (17).

The team finishing fifth plays the fourth-place team from North and Central America and the Caribbean for a spot at next year's tournament in South Africa.

Argentina's two remaining home qualifiers are on Sept. 5 against Brazil and Oct. 10 versus Peru. Argentina has away matches on Sept. 8 in Paraguay and Oct. 13 in Uruguay.

Flamengo fires Stival Cuca as coach

2009-07-24T14:09:00.001-07:00

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) - Flamengo has fired coach Stival Cuca after a series of poor results.

Flamengo vice president Kleber Leite said Friday that Cuca was let go a day earlier.
On Wednesday, Flamengo drew 1-1 with Barueri to leave Brazil's most popular club 11th out of 20 teams in the first division. Fans at the game chanted "goodbye Cuca."

Cuca took over in December and guided the team to the Rio de Janeiro state championship.

Assistant coach Andrade will take over the club and will be in charge for this weekend's match with Santos.

Martinez will be success - Bramble

2009-07-24T14:08:00.006-07:00

Wigan defender Titus Bramble is confident Latics can succeed under Roberto Martinez as they spend pre-season getting used to his methods.

Martinez joined the Latics from Swansea following Steve Bruce's decision to leave for Sunderland, and while Bramble accepts it may take a while to get used to his methods, he feels it will be of benefit in the long-term.

Last season's Player of the Year is relishing the season opener against Aston Villa on August 15 but insists his Spanish boss has to sign new players sooner rather than later so the squad can get used to each other's style of play.

"We saw in January that when we signed new players, it took a while for the side to gel," Bramble told the club's official website. "So hopefully the sooner the manager can bring in players, the better.

"We're looking forward to the new season as the manager has brought some fresh ideas to the club.

"Brucie's regime was different to the new gaffer's, but that's what pre-season is for - it gives you a chance to get used to things."

City made to wait for taste of Tevez

2009-07-24T14:08:00.005-07:00

Manchester City fans will have to wait to see Carlos Tevez in blue after he was left out of the squad to play Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

The Argentina striker, who joined City early last week and linked up with the squad last Friday, is still struggling with a heel injury and Mark Hughes does not want to risk his £25million signing in the Vodacom Challenge final in South Africa.

"It is a shame for him, for us and for the South African public but unfortunately these things happen," said Hughes.

"Carlos has had a continual problem with his heel and we had it checked yesterday. He is probably going to miss a week of training."

However, fellow new signing Emmanuel Adebayor, who completed a £25million move from Arsenal on Saturday, and Robinho, fresh from his honeymoon, are set to play some part on Saturday after both arrived in South Africa in midweek.

"We have checked Emmanuel out and he has looked good so far, his fitness levels are fine and he could play a significant part tomorrow," Hughes told mcfc.co.uk.

City beat the Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 on Tuesday night but the South African side qualified for the final by defeating Orlando Pirates in a penalty shoot-out on Thursday.

Finnan looks set for Premier return

2009-07-24T14:08:00.003-07:00

Steve Finnan has been linked with a return to the Premier League after Espanyol revealed they are in talks to cancel the full-back's contract.

Finnan only joined the Spanish side from Liverpool last summer, but struggled with injuries during his debut season in La Liga.
He was close to a move to Hull City during the January transfer window and is now being lined up for a move back to England, with Portsmouth, Stoke City, Sunderland and Wolves all linked with the 33-year-old.

The club's sporting director Ramon Planas has confirmed discussions are ongoing regarding a deal to tear up the final 12 months of Finnan's deal.

"We are negotiating to cancel his contract," Planas told the Spanish media.

"Hopefully we can reach an agreement which works for everybody."

Carr relishing Premier League return

2009-07-24T14:08:00.001-07:00

Birmingham defender Stephen Carr is relishing another crack at the Premier League - after deciding to retire at the start of last season.

Carr opted to hang up his boots at the end of his contract with Newcastle but was persuaded by Blues boss Alex McLeish to make a comeback during the second half of last season.

The former Tottenham player made a significant contribution to City's promotion campaign and was rewarded with a new two-year contract this summer.

The 32-year-old said: "I've got another opportunity, one that I have to admit I never thought would come again when I retired last year because there was no-one interested in me.

"It will be great to play in the Premier League again and I'm very grateful to the club for giving me that chance.

"Football can be funny like that. One minute there are no offers at all on the table and then the next I'm preparing for Premier League football again."

Carr is aware of the need for Birmingham to gradually improve during their pre-season preparations ahead of the opening Premier League clash at Manchester United on August 15.

Blues suffered their second successive defeat when they were beaten 2-0 by FC Augsburg during their tour of Austria.

Carr said: "At this stage of pre-season it's all about getting the minutes in. Of course, we want to win too and that's why it was disappointing to lose to Augsburg.

"There's no doubt the fact that they were playing their fifth pre-season match and us only our second was a factor in terms of sharpness.

"But the quality has to be better from us and that's what we'll be looking for come Sunday when we play our next game (versus Al Hilal)."

Potters pounce on Cats midfielder

2009-07-24T14:07:00.004-07:00

Stoke have completed the signing of Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead for an initial fee of £3million, which could rise to £5million.

The 27-year-old, who had been in talks with the Potters for some time and did not fly out to the Algarve with the rest of the Black Cats squad this week, has agreed a four-year contract.

Whitehead, who has ended a five-year spell at the Stadium of Light, will be reunited with former Sunderland team-mates Liam Lawrence, Rory Delap and Danny Higginbotham and another ex-Black Cat in goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

He is unlikely to make his Stoke debut in Saturday's friendly at Preston North End, however, after a hold up with his registration paperwork prevented him from being officially unveiled until Friday afternoon.

"I'm delighted to be here. I've known of the club's interest for about six months or so now so it has gone on for a while," said Whitehead.

"But like I say everything is sorted now and I'm very happy it's all done and dusted.

"The manager (Tony Pulis) has been brilliant, I have spoken to him a few times. He has great plans for this place and as soon as I heard what he said I wanted to be part of it.

"Last year was a fantastic season for everyone here and hopefully I can help push the club on even more."

The midfielder told Stoke City World: "There are a few lads here I already know which I'm sure will help me settle in.

"I know Lenny (Lawrence) very well and we know each other's games inside out so hopefully we can show that on the pitch and work well together here."

Pulis said the signing of Whitehead, who made almost 200 appearances for Sunderland, showed the Potters can be a force to be reckoned with in their second Premier League campaign.

"Dean is a fantastic player and a great acquisition for this football club," he said.

"He is someone I and my backroom staff have admired for a long time and to have managed to have brought him here signals our intent for the upcoming season.

"Dean is a box-to-box midfielder who has a great engine and he is a player I am looking forward to working with."

Chief executive Tony Scholes added: "We are delighted to have completed our first major signing of the summer transfer window.

"Dean is a player who possesses plenty of top-flight experience and has proven leadership qualities having captained Sunderland for the past few years."

Dortmund agrees transfer of striker Lucas Barrios

2009-07-24T14:07:00.003-07:00

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) - Borussia Dortmund agreed the transfer of Argentine striker Lucas Barrios from Chile first division side Colo Colo on Friday.

Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc confirmed the deal but said Barrios still needs to pass a medical.
Neither Dortmund nor Colo Colo disclosed any further details.

According to reports in Chile, Dortmund will pay $6 million for the 24-year-old forward, who played 66 matches for Colo Colo in two years, scoring 58 goals.

"I'm satisfied, but I do not want to talk much about this until I undergo the medical tests," Barrios told Radio Cooperativa in Santiago.

United fightback for friendly win

2009-07-24T14:07:00.001-07:00

Manchester United battled to a hard-earned 3-2 victory over FC Seoul, with Wayne Rooney, Federico Macheda and Dimitar Berbatov among the goals.

That United came from behind twice to beat the hosts was a fact almost irrelevant to a capacity crowd, who wanted only to see Park Ji-sung playing in Korea in a United shirt for the first time.

Time and again when Park's face was flashed on big screens at both ends of the stadium, the home supporters made it perfectly clear what they wanted to see. They even booed when Park's face disappeared to be replaced by the match taking place in front of them.

Park is the embodiment of South Korea's passion for the beautiful game, and after a knee injury robbed him of the chance to play on tour two years ago, this time, despite his delayed start to pre-season, he did not let them down, entering the fray after 73 minutes as a substitute.

Some players on this tour have more to gain that others.

Rooney for instance is an automatic choice in any strong United line-up, so his first-half equaliser was merely confirmation of his well-being.

Macheda on the other hand, has some proving to do.

At 17, nobody is expecting the Italian to be the finished article.

However, Ferguson will be placing an immense amount of trust in the young Italian if, as has been pledged, he hands him the fourth striker's berth this season.

In these warm-up games, Macheda has done his cause no harm at all, particularly in the latest and undoubtedly most competitive of the four matches United will complete in the Far East.

After delivering a decent left-wing cross that Ryan Giggs completely missed and failing to control an astute pass from the Welshman that would have set him up for the type of spectacular curling effort that he announced his arrival with against Aston Villa last season, Macheda found the net just after half-time.

Strike partner Rooney supplied the killer cross field pass, which sent the teenager scampering clear of a static Seoul defence. The cool way he took his chance justified Ferguson's belief that Macheda is the best finisher at United, better even than Michael Owen.

The goal brought the Red Devils level, just as Rooney had done earlier when he headed home John O'Shea's cross after Dejan Damjanovic had opened the scoring.

Macheda's goal allowed him to draw level with Rooney and Owen as tour top scorer on two. Berbatov did not have any to his name before he popped up with the winner.

A patchy debut season from United's £30.75million record signing has left a lot of supporters unconvinced. The fact his arrival coincided with Carlos Tevez's disenchantment and subsequent departure for Manchester City only makes the situation worse.

Yet Berbatov does have talent, although getting the best of him has taken Ferguson longer than he would have liked.

Nevertheless, his neat headed finish from Darron Gibson's cross was very welcome on a personal level, in addition to giving United a deserved victory.

Albanian tycoon buys Bologna football club

2009-07-24T14:06:00.003-07:00

TIRANA, Albania (AP) - Albanian businessman Rezart Taci has bought a majority stake in Serie A club Bologna.

The businessman, who runs Albanian oil company Taci Oil International, says he paid €43 million ($61 million) to buy 80 percent of the club in a deal that will take effect on Aug. 3.
Bologna's official Web site also announced Friday's deal, but did not disclose financial terms.

Taci told a local television station that the acquisition could serve as a "window of opportunity" for talented Albanian players.

Taci Oil International is part of a U.S.-Swiss consortium that last year bought 85 percent of state oil company ARMO with €128.6 million ($183 million).

Benitez boosted by Gerrard verdict

2009-07-24T14:06:00.001-07:00

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is delighted his captain Steven Gerrard can now "focus on football" after being cleared of affray on Friday.

This has not been the smoothest of pre-seasons for Benitez, and the Far East tour this week has been dogged by a succession of problems.

Injuries to Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar which forced the players to return to England for treatment have come on top of the continued transfer saga surrounding Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Alvaro Arbeloa.

But as he prepared his side for Sunday's friendly against Singapore, Benitez was relieved that the cloud hanging over Gerrard has now been swept away after he was acquitted at Liverpool Crown Court following an incident in Southport on December 29 last year.

Gerrard has missed the Far East trip because of the week-long trial, and will be reunited with his team-mates next week when Liverpool return to the UK.

Benitez was told of Gerrard's acquittal during a training session today and said: "We are really pleased. He is very important for us and he can now focus just on football.

"We are all pleased at the club and over here at the training camp.

We have been supporting him all the time and were just waiting for the decision. Now he can concentrate just on football and hopefully play at the same level as last year."

Benitez also confirmed that Real Madrid target Alonso was fit following an ankle injury and ready to play against Singapore.

Benitez, who also has Yossi Benayoun back from an ankle problem, said: "I am very happy to have Yossi and Xabi back. They are working very hard, the tempo of the session was fantastic and the fans really enjoyed it.

"We are trying to step up our training every day, especially for the international players. Today we had three teams playing against each other. It was good competition and pleasing for me to see."

New signing Glen Johnson may miss out on Sunday's game as he recovers from an Achilles injury. Benitez said: "We are being careful with Glen, we do not want to do any further damage."

Liverpool's financial problems also seem to be heading towards an agreement between owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia over extending the �350million loans that were due to be paid on Friday.

The Americans have been negotiating for an extension for several months and an indication of the banks' general agreement has been underlined by the fact that today's deadline will be allowed to lapse.

Sources close to the negotiations say there will be no announcement on Friday or over the weekend, and that a statement may be issued next week.

That approach to the potential crisis from the banks underlines the belief that nobody wants to see loans called in and one of the world's biggest clubs coming, effectively, under the control of the Government who own a majority share in RBS now.

Talks between Hicks, Gillett and RBS have been ongoing for months, and although the deadline will not be complied with, both sides appear relaxed.

A source insisted that the deadline should be treated as fairly fluid, with negotiations continuing.

Last month RBS took the unprecedented step of writing to Liverpool's supporters to justify continuing financial support of the club's American co-owners.

The bank had been flooded with e-mails from fans calling for the plug to be pulled on Hicks and Gillett's debt.

Now discussions on refinancing the loan are understood to be progressing well, with the sending of the e-mail virtual confirmation that the loan will be refinanced.

The message from RBS said that the bank has a "long-term relationship with the club, and we look forward to this continuing for many years to come".

It added: "In our view, and that of the executive management of the club, it is financially healthy and able to service comfortably its debt obligations from cash flow generated by playing matches and commercial activities."

Liverpool are paying �40million a year in interest, but this is being serviced without serious problem, although Benitez's transfer budget is clearly being affected.

The RBS e-mail continued: "It is in our commercial interest to support the club, so that it can continue to perform successfully on and off the pitch.

"RBS is the main banker to the club including all of its operating accounts, cash management, online banking, automated payments, and credit card processing to facilitate ticket sales and retail merchandising.

"We also lent money to the club's parent, Kop Football Ltd, so that it could repay debt which was on the balance sheet of the club at the time of acquisition.

"This is the only portion of Kop Football's bank debt for which the club is legally responsible."

Granero takes pay cut to join Real Madrid

2009-07-24T14:05:00.002-07:00

MADRID (AP) - Esteban Granero did something none of his new "galactico" teammates did to join Real Madrid this offseason - he took a pay cut.

The 22-year-old midfielder trained alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema - who along with Kaka cost Madrid nearly £200 million ($285 million) in transfer fees this offseason - for the first time Friday after accepting a drop in salary to rejoin his boyhood club after two seasons at Getafe.

"I was going to accept the deal they offered me before it even landed on the table," said Granero, who lost out on a reported £800,000 ($1.14 million). "Sometimes it's a rodeo to get to Real Madrid and, in my case, it meant going through Getafe, which worked out."

Granero, who joined Madrid's youth system at age 8, is the 10th midfielder at the club and has led to it declaring that it won't sign anyone else until it sells several players.

One such player is striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who returned to training after turning down a move to Bundesliga side Stuttgart on Thursday.

"It's true that I feel a great sense of responsibility," Granero said. "To be a part of this squad is hard and you have to earn your place. You have to shed your skin with every training because you always have to be conscious and respectful of the white shirt."

Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery have both been linked with Madrid, but Granero would still welcome them to the club.

"It's clear it'll be even harder to play, but you have to aspire in difficult moments and I've decided to take a step forward in my career," Granero said.

Treacy completes Blades loan move

2009-07-24T14:05:00.001-07:00

Blackburn midfielder Keith Treacy has joined Sheffield United on loan until January in a bid to gain more first-team football.

The 20-year-old left-winger made just nine starts in his 20 appearances last season.
Manager Sam Allardyce is keen for the player to gain more experience and has allowed him to join the Championship club for a short spell.

Gilberto leaves White Hart Lane

2009-07-24T14:04:00.006-07:00

Brazilian defender Gilberto has left Tottenham after his contract with the club was cancelled by mutual consent.

The 33-year-old arrived at Hertha Berlin in January 2008 but struggled to make an impact and only made 10 appearances.
Meanwhile, Troy Archibald-Henville has joined Exeter City on loan for six months and Ben Alnwick has moved to Norwich for three months, while Danny Rose has been linked with a short-term move to Sheffield United.

Milijas set to make Wolves debut

2009-07-24T14:04:00.005-07:00

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will hand midfielder Nenad Milijas his debut in the pre-season friendly against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

The Serbia international, a summer signing from Red Star Belgrade, has now completed all the necessary visa arrangements and is back in training at Compton.
Former Celtic defender Bobo Balde has been given another opportunity to stake a claim for a contract but Ronald Zubar has returned to France to be with his wife and young baby girl, who was only born a fortnight ago.

Andrew Surman will not be risked after sustaining an ankle injury against Walsall on Tuesday night.

December comeback for Downing

2009-07-24T14:04:00.003-07:00

Aston Villa newcomer Stewart Downing has admitted it will be early December before he is available to make his debut for the club.

It was initially thought Downing would be available in October following his foot injury after completing a £12 million switch from Middlesbrough.

But the England winger is now claiming it will be a further two months before he will be available for selection.

He said: "The injury is a bit of a strange one. It's not a break but there's a fracture there.

"I've had to have it pinned and that should come out in September. Then it's a case of building it up.

"The target is early December. If I'm ready before then that's a bonus. If it's after it just needs time to heal."

Downing added: "I'm sure I will play before Christmas. The manager wants me 100 per cent right and is prepared to give me extra time to do it."

Downing suffered his setback in a challenge by Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov at the end of last season.

If Downing's fears are realised, he will miss virtually all of the Europa League group stages - assuming Villa negotiate next month's qualifier.

Beattie eyes personal landmark

2009-07-24T14:04:00.001-07:00

James Beattie heads into the new season determined to help the club establish themselves in the top flight and also reach a personal landmark.

The former Southampton and Everton striker is 11 short of 100 Premier League goals and after scoring seven in 16 appearances after his transfer from Sheffield United in January he intends to join an elite group in the coming campaign.
Only 16 players have registered a century of goals and Beattie is one of three others - Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes both have 98 - closing in on the milestone.

"A target of 15-plus goals is what a striker is always going to be looking for in the Premier," said the 31-year-old Beattie, whose goals helped keep Stoke up in their maiden Premier League campaign.

"If Matty Etherington and Liam Lawrence, or whoever is playing on the wing, get balls in, then I've always said I back myself to get goals.

"I'm on 89 Premier League goals at the moment. There's a lot of good names with more than 100 and to get there would be a proud moment.

"To get to 100 goals is a personal thing, but the main ambition is to maintain our Premier League status and then get more points than last season."

While a personal milestone remains in Beattie's thoughts, manager Tony Pulis has set the squad a target of improving on last season.

"The gaffer has set us the challenge to get more points than last year," Beattie told the Stoke Sentinel.

"He says that only two teams in the Premier League have done that in their second season.

"He's laid down the gauntlet and we will be doing our best to fulfil his dreams."

Pulis, meanwhile, is on the verge of completing his first significant signing of the summer as a deal for Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead is believed to be close.

Gerrard cleared by court over bar room attack

2009-07-24T14:03:00.003-07:00

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) - England midfielder Steven Gerrard was cleared Friday of intentionally attacking a man in a bar and said he could now concentrate on Liverpool's push for a first Premier League title.

The jury at Liverpool Crown Court found the Liverpool captain not guilty of affray, accepting the footballer's explanation that he acted in self defense in punching businessman Marcus McGee at the Lounge Inn bar on December 29 in a dispute over music.

"Can I just say how pleased I am with today's verdict," Gerrard said outside the court. "I'm glad to put this case behind me and I am really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on my football now.

"I would just like to say a big thank you to my legal team and to my friends and family and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me."

The 29-year-old Gerrard has played for Liverpool for his entire career and last month signed a contract with the club until 2013.

After leading the Reds to its fifth Champions League title in 2005, he was honored as a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II and remains the key member of Rafa Benitez's team.

"We are really pleased," Benitez said from Singapore where Liverpool is on a pre-season tour. "He is very important for us and he can now focus just on football. We are all pleased at the club and over here at the training camp.

"We have been supporting him all the time and were just waiting for the decision. Now, he can concentrate just on football and hopefully play at the same level as last year."

Gerrard was the only one of seven defendants to be cleared over the incident, which was described an "explosion of violence" by the judge.

He showed no emotion when the jury foreman delivered the not guilty verdict after 70 minutes of deliberation.

"The verdict is a credible verdict on the full facts of this case," judge Henry Globe told Gerrard. "You walk away from this court with your reputation intact."

Gerrard was celebrating in the Southport bar near Liverpool after scoring twice in his team's 5-1 win at Newcastle. He was with a party of friends, including former Liverpool manager and player Kenny Dalglish.

Video footage from the bar showed Gerrard and his friends drinking beer, downing spirits and dancing while chanting football songs. But trouble flared at around 2 a.m. when Gerrard wanted to change the music on the CD player.

The 34-year-old McGee said Gerrard had tried to grab a music card from him after being refused control of the device.

Gerrard admitted throwing three punches but said only one connected. He said he only swung at McGee because he thought he was about to be attacked himself.

"What at first sight to the casual observer may seem to have been a clear-cut case against you of unlawful violence, has been nowhere near as clear-cut upon careful analysis of the evidence," Globe said.

The judge suggested it was unwise of Gerrard to approach McGee to resolve the earlier "trivial disagreement."

"You did not start the violence, it was started by the violent elbowing of Marcus McGee in the face by one of your friends, John Doran," Globe said. "The victim's consequential actions of reeling backwards and then forwards and your actions in response to that movement forward has to be seen against that background.

"At all times you insisted that you only ever acted in what you believed was reasonable self defense to what you understandably, albeit you accept mistakenly, believed was an attempted attack upon you by Marcus McGee."

Five other men have already pleaded guilty in the incident and another admitted a lesser charge of threatening behavior.

The six men will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on August 7.

Cats chief closing in on Cana deal

2009-07-24T14:03:00.001-07:00

Steve Bruce hopes to make Marseille captain Lorik Cana his third signing for Sunderland after admitting the Albanian is "right up his street".

Cana, who turns 26 on Monday, is expected to fly to Holland, where Sunderland are competing in the Amsterdam tournament, for talks with Bruce ahead of Friday night's clash with Benfica.

The former Wigan boss, who missed out on a deal to sign Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch earlier this week, told the Sunderland Echo: "He is captain of Marseille and captain of his country - he's right up our street.

"I hate talking about other club's players until things are all signed and delivered - you just have to look at what happened with the Peter Crouch deal.

"So we'll just sit down with the lad and see how things progress."

Should he sign this weekend - Sunderland have made arrangements for a medical in Amsterdam - Cana would follow Paraguay skipper Paulo Da Silva and Fraizer Campbell in signing for the Wearsiders this summer.

It is thought Cana, who was born in Kosovo, would cost in the region of £6million.

Bruce is also in the market for a new striker with Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh and Tottenham's England international Darren Bent high on the list of six players he targeted when he took over.

He added: "I had six people in mind. I have lost one of them, so I have had to look elsewhere in that sense, but generally I haven't wavered too much on the people I was after.

"There is progress being made on transfers - the work going on behind the scenes is incredible.

"But it is a long, drawn-out process and the situation we find ourselves in is normal.

"Yes, it would be lovely to have all my signings concluded by now, but that hasn't happened so far and it is a case of keeping a cool head because I know this club and what we are trying to do with it will be an attraction."

Andrews sets World Cup target

2009-07-24T14:02:00.004-07:00

Keith Andrews has set his sights on helping Republic of Ireland qualify for the 2010 World Cup after pledging his future to Blackburn.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who joined Rovers a year ago from MK Dons, was the subject of interest from Premier League rivals Fulham earlier this summer but has now signed a new four-year contract.

Republic of Ireland sit in second spot in Group Eight in World Cup qualifying, with three fixtures in the next few months deciding their South African fate.

He told The Citizen: "We will know whether we have qualified automatically, or whether we need the play-offs by October. It is exciting times and fingers crossed we can do it.

"I always look at the short-term future. To play in a World Cup would be a dream come true. To cement my place on the international stage is one thing but to crack on and qualify for a World Cup it would go down in history."

Injury setback for United skipper

2009-07-24T14:02:00.003-07:00

Manchester United have confirmed that captain Gary Neville has been forced to return to England after picking up an injury during pre-season.

The right-back has sustained a minor groin injury on the Red Devils' tour of Asia and will now miss the remaining matches against FC Seoul and Hangzhou Greentown.
Neville has struggled for fitness in recent seasons and he made just 13 Premier League starts during the 2008/09 campaign.

Things appeared to be looking up for the 34-year-old after he got 62 minutes under his belt against a Malaysia XI on Monday night.

But Neville will now receive treatment on his latest setback in Manchester as he looks to be at manager Sir Alex Ferguson's disposal ahead of the new term.

Zigic happy to stay at Valencia

2009-07-24T14:02:00.001-07:00

Nikola Zigic has declared he wants to remain at Valencia despite interest from other clubs, including Aston Villa and Blackburn.

The 28-year-old admits he has had plenty of options during the summer but is determined to fight for his place at the Mestalla after falling down the pecking order last season.

"I have rejected all the offers because my desire is to stay with Valencia the next season," Zigic told Las Provincias.

"I am very happy to return to the team and I am prepared to demonstrate to the coach (Unai Emery) that I should be in the team. This is my challenge now.

"My agent had many proposals from Spain and Europe but my decision was always clear. To stay at Valencia.

"I have not personally spoken with the coach but Valencia know my intentions and I will not change my mind."

Serbia are well placed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and Zigic added: "This year is key and I need many minutes on the pitch."

Reds complete Sama signing

2009-07-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

Liverpool have bolstered their academy ranks with the signing of German teenager Stephen Sama from Borussia Dortmund.

The 16-year-old defender has been snapped up before Dortmund could secure him on a professional contract.

He has penned a deal that ties him to Anfield until June 2012 and follows in the footsteps of Christopher Buchtmann, who also joined from the Bundesliga club.

However, Dortmund youth director Peter Wazinski believes Sama has a long way to go before he is the finished article and has told Liverpool he is not such an exciting prospect as Buchtmann.

"This time they did not look closely enough," Wazinski told Reviersport.

"Stephen was already a substitute last season, unlike Christopher Buchtmann was when he joined them.

"In terms of Stephen Sama, the transfer does not hurt us in any way, except that there is always a better moment to join another club than in the middle of pre-season."

Ajax closing in on de Zeeuw

2009-07-24T03:08:00.001-07:00

Ajax manager Martin Jol is hoping to complete a deal to sign AZ Alkmaar midfielder Demy de Zeeuw in the next few days.

De Zeeuw has made it clear he wants to join the Amsterdam giants but Eredivisie champions AZ rejected Ajax's first offer of four million euros.
Jol is expected to return with an improved bid and hopes to wrap up the transfer quickly.

"We have said that we want to sign De Zeeuw, we are willing to spend quite a lot of money and I hope that we will have the green light next week," the former Hamburg and Tottenham boss told Dutch newspaper AD Sportwereld.

De Zeeuw was left out of AZ's pre-season defeat to Hamburg on Wednesday due to a knee injury.

Napoli in talks over Dossena deal

2009-07-24T03:07:00.001-07:00

Serie A side Napoli have confirmed they are in talks with Liverpool as they look to secure the services of defender Andrea Dossena.

The Italy international made just 12 Premier League starts for Rafa Benitez's men last term following his £7million arrival from Udinese in the summer.

Juventus were previously linked with a move for the Italy international, but Napoli now appear to have moved to the head of the queue.

Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis had held discussions with Reds boss Benitez and the dialogue between the two clubs would continue.

He told Corriere dello Sport: "I've personally spoken with Rafa Benitez. The negotiation is ongoing."

Reports in Italy suggest that the deal is being delayed as the two clubs haggle over a fee, with the Reds keen to recoup around �6million.

Korean close to Trotters switch

2009-07-24T03:06:00.002-07:00

FC Seoul have confirmed Lee Chung-yong has agreed a deal to move to Bolton, subject to the winger being granted a work permit.

Lee has been in England this week holding talks with the Trotters and also undergoing a medical ahead of a proposed move.

The negotiations appear to have been successful, with FC Seoul expecting the deal to be completed once Lee has secured a work permit.

A statement from FC Seoul said: "The contract will be signed officially after a work permit is issued."

Lee is understood to have agreed a three-year contract at the Reebok Stadium, with Bolton paying in the region of £2million for the 21-year-old.

Bolton boss Gary Megson has been looking to add to his squad over the summer and is also close to signing Sam Ricketts from Hull.

Deco 'happy' after Blues talks

2009-07-24T03:06:00.001-07:00

Chelsea midfielder Deco insists he is happy at Stamford Bridge after holding showdown talks with new manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Portugal international was expected to leave the Blues after a disappointing campaign following last summer's switch from Barcelona.

He was wanted by ex-manager Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan, but the Serie A champions were not prepared to match Chelsea's asking price.

Deco has now met with Ancelotti and insists he will stay and give his all for their cause this season.

"I have talked with the manager," explained Deco.

"We talked a lot about things, about the game, about what he thinks about the team and tactics.

"I will be here. I have a contract and I will do my best, wherever I am on the pitch."

Although Deco flourished early on last season a succession of injuries hampered the Brazilian-born star's form.

The 31-year-old is hoping staying injury-free this time around will give him the chance to show fans what they have been missing.

"The last season was difficult for me - I had many injuries," he continued.

"You recover and get fit again and, straight after, another injury. I hope this season will be different. I'm happy to play.

"I hope I can show fans what I can do. I'm happy to be here. The club is good, the atmosphere around it is good. I like being here."

Keane targets top-four finish

2009-07-24T03:05:00.004-07:00

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane believes this season could finally see the club break back into the top four of the Premier League.

Spurs last achieved a top-four finish in the 1989/90 campaign, but Keane believes a change of fortunes is on the horizon.

After a torrid start under former boss Juande Ramos last term, manager Harry Redknapp helped steer the side to eighth in the Premier League.

Former Liverpool attacker Keane is now eyeing progression and feels any further spending by Redknapp will ensure they are a force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch, but Redknapp has admitted a deal could be too expensive while Keane is of the belief that the club's frontline is already strong enough.

He said in the Daily Star: "We've got the firepower to do it now. I'm sure if other players come in, it will only add to the squad.

"Crouch is a good player but I don't really want to talk about players who are still with other clubs.

"This could be a big year for us. Breaking into the top four has to be the aim."

Keane also accepts that cash-rich Manchester City will be a major threat in the new season but does not fear the Eastlands outfit.

He said: "City are at the same level as us. They have a similar squad to ours, and they've spent a lot of money.

"Good luck to them. But we've got to concentrate on what we do. Maybe we can be the quiet ones and come from nowhere."

Ajax chief Jol hints at Bale bid

2009-07-24T03:05:00.003-07:00

Ajax boss and former Tottenham manager Martin Jol has hinted he could be ready to rescue Gareth Bale from his unhappy time at White Hart Lane.

The Wales international has struggled with injuries and a loss of form since his £5million move from Southampton in May 2007.

In the 24 Premier League appearances he has made for Spurs, the full-back is still to finish on the winning side during his time under Jol, Juande Ramos and Harry Redknapp.

Jol, who signed Bale, believes the youngster needs regular action and feels a switch away from England would be a wise move.

He told the Daily Mirror: "He is at a great club but he has got to be playing football because that is the only thing that will help him to get better.

"It might be that going abroad might be the best thing for him because it might help him to get his confidence back.

"When he was a young kid he was brilliant at free-kicks and corners. It would be a shame if that talent was to go to waste."

Jol insists that the raw ability he spotted in Bale remains and is confident the 20-year-old can recapture the form which saw several clubs chasing his signature two years ago.

He added: "I promised his mum that I would play him when I signed him. I think that's why he chose Spurs over the other clubs that wanted him.

"People might have doubted that he was ready but I was confident that he had the talent and that he would become one of the best players in Europe in his position. I still think that could be the case.

"It might be that a lot was expected of him at a young age but he had the talent back then and he has still got it."

Cesc 'vital' for Gunners - Henry

2009-07-24T03:05:00.001-07:00

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry claims it is "vital" Arsenal keep Cesc Fabregas at the club, despite reported interest from the Catalan giants.

In virtually every transfer window the Catalan giants are linked with the Spain international, who has flourished at the Emirates.

The Gunners' stance remains unmoved - they insist the 22-year-old, who is on a long-term contract, is going nowhere.

Ex-Arsenal favourite Henry believes it is vital his former club retain Fabregas' services and that he does not join him at the Nou Camp.

"It is vital Arsenal keep Cesc. Vital," said Henry.

"He is the Arsenal captain and he is young and I'm sure he wants to give something back to the club. Knowing him, he will.

"But it is vital they keep Cesc."

Henry remains a fan of the Gunners following his eight-year stint there prior to heading to Barca.

Arsenal have now gone five years without a major trophy and Henry hopes they still have enough quality to succeed this season despite Samir Nasri's injury and Emmanuel Adebayor's exit.

"When I talk about Arsenal, my heart will always rule my head," he continued.

"It is not easy to lose Adebayor and what happened to Nasri was not what Arsene [Wenger] would have been hoping for.

"But I hope they can win the league and win everything they can, that's always my feeling about my old club.

"What I know about Arsenal from my time there was not about finishing in the top four - it was about winning the league.

"That's how I saw it when I was there and I still see it like that, they are a big club. Arsene has proved so many times he can win things without spending a lot of money and hopefully they can do it again.

"The only thing that matters to me is not who is in the top four, it's who is going to be top and I know that's how Arsene sees it too."

Cats boss hopes for Chamakh talks

2009-07-24T03:04:00.002-07:00

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is hoping the club will hold talks over a deal for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh over the weekend.

Bruce is eager to improve his attacking options and has already missed out on Peter Crouch after the Portsmouth forward turned down a move to the Stadium of Light.

Tottenham's Darren Bent is also a target for Bruce, while the in-demand Chamakh is another player to have caught the Black Cats manager's eye.

Chamakh has suggested he would be keen on joining Sunderland and Bruce is hoping progress can be made by chairman Niall Quinn in the coming days.

"Chamakh is a player I've liked for a long, long time," said Bruce in The Guardian.

"We have shown an interest and we'll see what develops with that. He is one of a few we are looking at and we will decide soon.

"Niall got back on Thursday and there will be high-level talks going on over the weekend, not just about him, but regarding other targets as well.

"We've still got one or two irons in the fire like we've had for weeks. We're still trying and we're close, in particular, to one deal being done over the next couple of days.

"But, after what has happened this week with Peter Crouch, I don't want to say too much.

"That was a massive disappointment and you can never say 'yes', the deal is done, until everything has actually been done."

Blues boss repeats Terry stance

2009-07-24T03:04:00.001-07:00

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has again stressed that Manchester City target John Terry will be the Blues' captain for many years.

City have failed with two offers for the defender but have yet to end their interest in prising Terry away from their Premier League rivals.

Chelsea have repeatedly insisted that Terry is not for sale, although the England skipper has yet to comment on his future.

Ancelotti revealed earlier this week that he expected the matter to be resolved in the coming days as the Blues look to fend off interest from City.

And, speaking ahead of Friday's friendly with his former club AC Milan, Ancelotti reiterated that Terry would not be leaving Stamford Bridge.

"John Terry, I repeat, is the captain of this team and he will be the symbol of this club and this team for many years," said Ancelotti.

"It's not been a problem in these last few days. He will be the captain of Chelsea in the future."

Meanwhile, Ancelotti is refusing to rule out a raid on his old club Milan to sign midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who is likely to line up against Chelsea on Friday night.

He added: "Pirlo, I think will be with Milan (on Friday), but no one knows for the future."

Reds fans make revised proposal

2009-07-24T03:03:00.000-07:00

Supporters' groups ShareLiverpoolFC and Spirit of Shankly have unveiled a revised buy-out proposal.

The fans' organisations are unhappy with the financial structuring of Liverpool and are behind a proposal for supporters to take ownership of the club in a similar scheme to those operated by Barcelona, Real Madrid and other European clubs.

The key change to the group's original proposal is the reduction of the share price from £5,000 to £500. Initially they hoped to raise £500million from 100,000 fans each paying the £5,000 'entry fee'.

The aim is to acquire a 60% stake in the club by raising £150million while seeking a "commercial partner" to invest £100million for a 40% stake.

A detailed summary of the proposal can be viewed at www.shareliverpoolfc.com.

A statement from the SLFC board said: "This is a realistic plan that squares the circle: How to get broadly based fan ownership of the club, and relieve the level of debt, by offering Liverpool fans an affordable entry fee and a chance to get a modest return for their additional financial support.

"Now we need all those Liverpool fans to carefully consider the proposals in detail on our website - and let us know what they think."

Degen looking to prove his worth

2009-07-24T03:02:00.004-07:00

Liverpool's pre-season may not have produced a win yet but for Anfield star Philipp Degen things could not have gone better.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has the futures of Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Alvaro Arbeloa and Andrea Dossena to sort out and all four could still leave the club.

In particular, Real Madrid are closing in on deals to land Alonso and Arbeloa.

Benitez has played down all the transfer speculation, but on the playing side of the build-up so far he will be pleased with the comeback from injury that has seen Degen at last start to show the reason he was signed on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund a year ago.

Degen is expected to get another run-out in the national stadium against Singapore on Sunday as Liverpool complete their Far East tour.

Degen said: "Last season was a very sad one for me. But I have worked hard during the holidays and now I feel really good. I am not yet at 100% match fitness but I am feeling better every day.

"It is a new season and a new start for me. I have never had a season like last season before when I was injured all the time. I came to a new club wanting to show what I could do but it was not possible.

"I was injured, injured, injured and I know the fans were thinking I am that sort of player, but it isn't true. I want to fight to prove myself now and that is why I am looking forward to this year so much."

Benitez has splashed out £17million to land Glen Johnson from Portsmouth - more competition for Degen at right-back - and the Swiss international is well aware of the fight he has on his hands to win a place in the Anfield defence.

Degen said: "That is life at a big club like Liverpool. I will do all I can to show what I can do. That's the most important thing for me."

Adebayor blames Gunners fans for exit

2009-07-24T03:02:00.003-07:00

New Manchester City recruit Emmanuel Adebayor has blamed his decision to leave Arsenal on his poor relationship with the club's fans.

The Togo international was booed by sections of the Gunners faithful last term after a summer which saw him strongly linked with a move from the Emirates Stadium.

AC Milan were favourites then but no move materialised.

Instead, Adebayor claims the supporters' reaction to the rumours merely ensured he would leave this year, with City on hand with a reported £25million transfer fee.

Adebayor said: "The way the fans behaved towards me was not nice at all. I can't understand why they were after me. I did my best for them and I was very happy there.

"I scored 30 goals in a season - it's not my fault that Milan, Barcelona or Real Madrid wanted to sign me.

"In any summer, Barcelona try to sign Cesc Fabregas. But the fans never turned on him."

Adebayor's arrival at Eastlands, along with fellow strikers Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez, has already seen Felipe Caicedo leave the club on a year-long loan to Sporting Lisbon and reports suggest Bulgaria forward Valeri Bojinov could be next to go.

Serie A side Lazio are thought to be leading the running.

City could claim title - Redknapp

2009-07-24T03:02:00.001-07:00

Harry Redknapp believes Manchester City are just two signings short of becoming a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

City owner Sheikh Mansour has bankrolled Mark Hughes' £80million spending-spree this summer as the City manager looks to build a side capable of bringing UEFA Champions League football to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Despite failing to land Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o, Hughes has been successful in capturing Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry while Carlos Tevez has risked the wrath of Manchester United fans by making the move cross-city to Eastlands.

Hughes has also made a much-publicised attempt to capture Chelsea defender John Terry in a �40million move, although the England captain looks to have opted to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, Tottenham manager Redknapp believes that Hughes requires just two more key players to make City real title contenders.

"Don't write them off, they can do it," Redknapp said.

"If they bring in a couple of players they could be right up there. They already have players like Shaun Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland who are great players."

"If he (Hughes) gets the right players they could be real title contenders. If they make a couple of good players in the right areas then who knows."

Spurs' lack of firepower last term cost them a place in this season's Europa League with their four main strikers contributing just 25 league goals between them.

Redknapp acknowledges that City have one of the best strikeforces in country, which could be key in Hughes' side breaking the top four.

"Look at their strike force, they have players like Tevez, Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Craig Bellamy," said the former Portsmouth boss.

"You wouldn't swap that for too many other strikeforces in the league."

Redknapp sees a similarity between the way City have conducted their summer transfer spending with that of Blackburn, who spent big to attract the players good enough to win the title in 1995.

He also draws comparisons with Chelsea, who have won the title twice since being bought by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

"Chelsea did it and so did Blackburn when they brought in players like (Chris) Sutton, (Alan) Shearer and (Tim Flowers). They built a team to win the championship," Redknapp added.

Gill not ready to match City spending

2009-07-24T03:01:00.002-07:00

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has ruled out any attempt to match Manchester City's surge to the top of the spending stakes.

City have forked out some astonishing sums already this summer and it is claimed they are willing to offer John Terry £250,000-a-week in a desperate bid to entice him north from Chelsea.

Aside from finding Sir Alex Ferguson's successor when the most successful manager in Manchester United's history eventually decides to call it a day, Gill would probably concede wage inflation is the biggest medium-term problem he is likely to face.

Just as Liverpool and Arsenal are trying to wrestle with major financial issues in addition to putting a winning team on the pitch, so must United given their near-£700million debt.

So Gill has no interest in attempting to match City, or Real Madrid, the summer's other colossal spenders, for that matter.

"It is highly unlikely that we would want to go to those levels," said Gill.

"We don't think it's necessary because we are looking to the medium and long term.

"United has been around since 1878 and our job is to make sure it is still around for many more years in a sensible fashion.

"That is by generating our own income. There will be ups and downs but, overall, we think that what we are doing is having a sustainable business model for the long-term."

With City, the motive is fairly obvious. Mega-rich owners wanting to make a big impact.

At the Bernabeu, Gill senses a flaw.

"I don't understand the economics of what Real Madrid are doing," said Gill.

"Their turnover is not materially different to ours so I am not quite sure how they can make the profits to justify the salaries.

"It's none of my business I suppose but I don't think they can."

The departures of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo, plus the refusal of Karim Benzema to entertain a move to Old Trafford once he knew Real Madrid were offering more cash, proves the lure of United cannot conquer all.

However, Gill is confident the attraction is still there, enough to ensure they can continue to recruit the players to keep them at the top.

"Not everyone wants to come. Not everyone loves Manchester United," he said.

"But if we continue to grow our revenue, that will deliver more profitable income, which we can then put into the players. Then we can continue to attract and retain the best players in the world.

"We should not under-sell our key assets. We have the history and heritage of Manchester United and 76,000 people in the stadium every week.

"I still think we are a major attraction."

Beckham unapologetic after confronting fans

2009-07-24T03:01:00.001-07:00

CARSON, Calif. (AP) - David Beckham offered no explanations or apologies for the way he confronted an angry group of Los Angeles Galaxy fans over the weekend.

"It's not a setback for myself. It's other people that have to change," Beckham said Thursday after practice. "It's not about whether I can move on. I wasn't the one booing."

Beckham confronted Galaxy fans in a group called the L.A. Riot Squad during Sunday night's 2-2 exhibition tie with AC Milan.

Members of the Riot Squad booed and jeered him during the game and displayed banners saying, "Go Home Fraud" and "Is Evil Something You Are or Something You Do?"

"Of course, I don't like my son seeing that and hearing that," Beckham said. "From an organized group of fans, I think it was disrespectful."

At halftime, Beckham walked toward the group while shouting and pointing. He challenged fans to meet him on the field and tried to lift himself over advertising boards before security intervened. Police arrested a fan who left the stands.

Then after a second-half corner kick in front of the Riot Squad's section, Beckham immediately turned to those fans, put his index finger to his lips, shrugged his shoulders and blew them a kiss. The kick resulted in a goal.

"At the end of the day, I play my game," Beckham said. "If it's not good enough for some people, as long as it's good enough for myself and the team, nothing else matters."

The Riot Squad blamed Beckham for agitating the situation in a statement on the group's Web site Thursday.

"Had David responded differently on Sunday, the booing and the chanting probably would have ended at halftime," the statement read in part. "We don't believe questioning Beckham's commitment to our team is over the line, but it's clear that David feels otherwise."

Galaxy fans have been angry about Beckham's public desire to stay with AC Milan beyond March, the original end of his loan. Both clubs and Major League Soccer negotiated a deal to let Beckham stay until the end the Serie A season.

"We want to support David," the Riot Squad's statement continued. "We will almost certainly end the booing and chanting when Beckham plays in his first MLS match in our stadium, but it is ultimately up to David.

"If (he) shows the evident disinterest he did at the end of last season, or if he provokes us further, we might have something more to say to him."

Beckham was recently criticized in the book, "The Beckham Experiment" by Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan for not giving his full effort during the final half of last season.

Donovan said Thursday that he doesn't expect to see Beckham as a late addition to the MLS All-Star roster for the July 29 game against Everton.

Beckham has played in only two games with the Galaxy this summer since returning from a five-month loan to AC Milan.

"There's a lot of guys that have been here from minute one and worked very hard to get this honor," Donovan said. "And I don't think if asked that he would necessarily want to be on the team because he's a pretty honest guy. He works hard and he knows that a lot of guys deserve this."

Ochoa makes big save to send Mexico to finals

2009-07-24T03:00:00.002-07:00

CHICAGO (AP) - No way Mexico was squandering this chance.

Guillermo Ochoa came up with the big save on the third penalty kick, giving El Tri a victory over Costa Rica on Thursday night and setting up a rematch in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final with its archrival, the United States. Mexico won 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie.

After Carlos Vela buried the fifth and final penalty into the corner of the net to seal the victory, he sprinted over and tackled Ochoa as the rest of their teammates rushed forward to join the dogpile.

This will be El Tri's sixth trip to the Gold Cup final, its only loss coming two years ago at the hands of the Americans. The final is Sunday at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

"We're very happy as a team. This was a struggle against a very good team, but now we are through to the final," Ochoa said.

Mexico could have been through a lot earlier, blowing several chances to put the game away in the second half and in the first period of extra time. But when it counted most, Ochoa and his teammates came up big, making each of their penalties and getting that one critical save.

Froylan Ledezma, whose goal in the 93rd minute sent this game into extra time, took Costa Rica's third penalty kick. But as he connected, Ochoa dived to his left and thrust out his hands, smacking the ball away. Costa Rica would make its next penalty, but it wouldn't matter.

Sunday's final is sure to be highly charged, as all games between the United States and Mexico are. That the two have a World Cup qualifier Aug. 12 at Azteca - where the Americans have never one - only adds to the drama.

"We're not focusing on that right now, we're focusing on our next match," Ochoa said. "What's important is the match coming now, and we need to play well against them before we can start looking forward to (Aug. 12)."

At least Mexico will have its coach back. Javier Aguirre's three-game suspension for his altercation with Panama's Ricardo Phillips during group play ended with Thursday night's game.

Though Mexico had few of its regular starters - like the United States in the first semifinal - any victory these days is big. El Tri has had more drama than a telenovela, with a revolving door of coaches, losses on the field and a surprisingly slow start to World Cup qualifying. Mexico is fourth in the CONCACAF region right now, with only the top three teams getting automatic spots in South Africa next year.

"This win tonight in this tournament is going to energize us," Aguirre said through a translator.

The game was wide open early, with both teams able to make deep runs and get into the area with little trouble. But Mexico seemed to have the edge in the second half, and had several chances to get on the board.

Ticos captain Freddy Fernandez was whistled for a handball in the 56th minute after a cross by Jose Antonio Castro smacked his upper arm. Miguel Sabah, whose four goals lead the Gold Cup, took the penalty kick but the ball rolled right to Costa Rica goalkeeper Keilor Navas. Navas dived on it, smothering it and drawing groans from the Mexico fans who made up much of the crowd of 55,173 at Soldier Field.

In the 82nd minute, Fernandez tripped Carlos Vela and was given a yellow card. Castro took the kick from about 25 yards, but instead of directing it toward the goal, he kicked it to the side and it was immediately cleared by a Ticos defender.

Mexico finally broke through in the 88th minute when Guillermo Franco scored from the edge of the 6-yard box. Navas swatted at the ball, but it bounced backward and over the goal line. The stadium erupted - someone even threw a smoking flare on the field - and Franco pulled his jersey out with pride.

But the celebration was short-lived. Three minutes into stoppage time and seconds from the final whistle, Alvaro Saborio headed the ball forward and Ledezma beat Juan Carlos Valenzuela for it. Ochoa had no chance at the laser from 10 yards, taking the game into extra time.

And just as it did in the second half, Mexico couldn't capitalize on several opportunities.

In the sixth minute of the first overtime, El Tri got a free kick thanks to a foul by Christian Oviedo and Giovani Dos Santos' delivered it right into the scrum in front of the goal before Navas punched it clear.

A minute later, Dos Santos made a beautiful run, finishing with a perfect cross to Vela at the far post. But Vela muffed the shot, banging it off a couple of Costa Rican defenders.

"These were two teams playing their best to reach the final, and we each had many chances to score more goals," Aguirre said. "The game could have ended without going to penalties, and we will need to take advantage (of those chances) in the final."

Beckham unapologetic after confronting fans

2009-07-24T03:00:00.001-07:00

U.S. beats Honduras 2-0 to reach Gold Cup finals

2009-07-24T02:58:00.002-07:00

CHICAGO (AP) - First the big boys in South Africa, now the JV at home. No matter who the United States puts on the field these days, they're finding a way to win.

Clarence Goodson scored at the end of the first half and Kenny Cooper at the end of the second to give a young American team a 2-0 victory over Honduras on Thursday night and a spot in its third straight CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

The Americans, winners of the last two Gold Cup titles, will play Mexico in Sunday's final at the Meadowlands. The Mexicans edged Costa Rica 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie.

"It's a big opportunity for all of us, and we're all trying to take advantage of that," said Goodson, who got his first goal in his fifth appearance with the U.S. team.

Honduras had a chance to tie with 5 minutes to play, but goalkeeper Troy Perkins and defender Jay Heaps made big stops. Perkins made an excellent save on a shot by Carlo Costly, then Heaps made a sliding block to clear the rebound and end the threat.

Cooper then sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th, one-timing a pass from Stuart Holden past Honduran goalkeeper Donis Escobar. As the Americans celebrated, Escobar leaned into the net, stone-faced.

It was the U.S. team's third win over Honduras in less than seven weeks, and the second at Soldier Field.

"I think it's going to be a sweet and sour taste going back home," Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda said. "We have to accept reality and learn from what we experienced here. ... We didn't reach our objective in reaching the final."

The U.S. men stunned the soccer world last month by upsetting top-ranked Spain before falling to Brazil in the Confederations Cup. The Gold Cup may not have quite the buzz as that tournament, which also featured World Cup champion Italy, but this run is impressive in its own right.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley did a complete makeover of his roster after the Confederations Cup, letting most of his top players return to their MLS teams or take time off ahead of the European season. In their place, he brought in a bunch of youngsters, many making their first appearances with the senior national team.

While they might not have the flair of Landon Donovan, Tim Howard or Carlos Bocanegra, the kids have been more than all right.

The Americans have gone unbeaten in the tournament, and several young players have emerged who could play a role in next year's World Cup. Goodson is the sixth American to get his first goal during the Gold Cup. Holden had assists on both goals Thursday, adding to the two he scored in earlier games.

"They're not intimidated by the situations," said Brian Ching, the lone regular starter on the Gold Cup roster after missing the Confederations Cup with a strained hamstring. "Some of the guys have shown well, and that's always a good sign of things to come."

The Americans beat the Hondurans in the opening round of the Gold Cup, and it was clear early on the result would likely be the same Thursday. The United States had significant advantage in shots on goal (17-10) and corner kicks (10-5).

And that was even with squandering several chances late in the first half, including near-misses by both Holden and Ching in the final 3 minutes. Holden's free kick in the 43rd was tipped over the crossbar by Escobar, while Ching grazed the crossbar a minute later with a left-footed shot from close range.

Finally, in stoppage time, the Americans broke through off a corner kick by Holden.

After Holden took his first corner in practice Wednesday, Bradley walked onto the field and stood directly in front of the goal, telling Goodson, "This is where you need to be."

Good call.

Goodson outjumped Costly for the ball and headed it past Escobar into the net. Goodson is the 10th U.S. player to score during the Gold Cup; the Americans have 12 goals overall.

"It was a momentum changer, for sure," Goodson said. "Obviously 1-0 gave us a huge boost. To come out of the first half with nothing, I'm sure they went into their locker room depressed."

The Americans kept up the pressure, with shots by Holden and Chad Marshall in the opening minutes of the second half. But they couldn't convert.

"For sure the opportunities we had in the early part of the second half, you worry about," Bradley said. "Sometimes when you don't take advantage of opportunities, you pay for it."

The Americans finally got their insurance goal in the 90th minute, thanks to a nice setup by Ching and Holden. Ching flicked the ball to Holden - his teammate on the Houston Dynamo - with his back heel, and Holden crossed to Cooper for the one-timer and the victory.

"We knew from the start of the tournament it was a great opportunity for some younger players," Bradley said. "But we also made it clear we were the defending champs."

Beckham unapologetic after confronting fans

2009-07-24T02:58:00.001-07:00

Silva: Brazil to spend whatever needed for World Cup

2009-07-24T02:57:00.002-07:00

SAO PAULO (AP) - President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Brazil will not contain costs to make sure the 2014 World Cup goes as planned.

"Obviously, we don't want to host a World Cup spending more than what we have," Silva said on Thursday. "What we want is ... to spend whatever is necessary to facilitate the lives of people before, during and after the World Cup."

The cost of the 2014 tournament could reach more than $40 billion in infrastructure alone, according to Globo's G1 Web site on Wednesday.

Silva said it will need investments from the private sector, which will have a chance to "make money" from the World Cup.

The president said the improvements for its first World Cup since 1950 will stay in place after the competition and will benefit Brazilians for a long time.

"El Gringo" hopes to return home with U.S.

2009-07-24T02:57:00.001-07:00

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Even when he was playing for Mexico's national team, Edgar Castillo sensed he should be wearing the soccer jersey of the United States, the country of his birth. Despite perfect Spanish, his Mexican teammates playfully called him "El Gringo" - a nickname that stuck.

Castillo has always stood out, starting at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces, N.M., and he's still hard to miss. His darting moves on the ball belie the fact that he's a defender. And the striking tattoo on his left shoulder of the Virgin of Guadalupe - Mexico's most revered religious icon - attests to his mixed roots.

"Even though I wore the Mexico jersey, I had that feeling I should play for the U.S.," Castillo said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I feel confident. They have to call me first, and then after that I know I have the capability of doing things right."

Because of a new rule, and because he holds both U.S. and Mexican passports, the left-footed, left-sided defender may get a chance to showcase his slashing runs for the United States.

The new regulation from FIFA - the governing body of world soccer - allows players of any age to switch countries once, provided they have dual nationality and have not played in an official match for the senior national team. The old rule prohibited players 21 and over from switching national teams.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley and United States Soccer Federation officials have declined to say much about Castillo's potential impact. There's the fear of speaking about a player who's yet to take the field for the United States, and the wish to keep the move low-key in Mexico, where newspaper headlines have already described the 22-year-old Castillo as a "traitor" and a "deserter."

"Everything is open," U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said. "I don't think Bob (Bradley) is ready to say that he's coming into the team or not coming into the team. But, from our perspective, we've had some preliminary discussions with Edgar."

Bradley acknowledged last year in an interview that missing out on a player like Castillo was "frustrating."

Castillo could fill a need at left back, a position that was shared in the recent Confederations Cup by Jonathan Bornstein and Carlos Bocanegra, typically a central defender. Even midfielder DaMarcus Beasley was tried there in a recent World Cup qualifier. Heath Pearce and Marvell Wynne Jr. are other possibilities.

Castillo's speed and deft moves on the ball would bring a bonus to the back line - like a catcher who can run, or a center who can shoot the 3-pointer. His younger brother, Noel, is also a left-footed, left back playing professionally in Mexico.

"I think if you were to talk about one position where the U.S. has been unsettled, it would be left back," said Eddie Rock, Castillo's agent. "Edgar brings qualities that are special and unique, which is the ability to attack out of the back and take people on on the wing."

Assuming Castillo makes the jump to the U.S. team, he wouldn't be eligible when the United States plays at Mexico City in a World Cup qualifier on Aug. 12 at 105,000-seat Aztec Stadium, where the Americans have never beaten Mexico. If he were on the field, it would certainly add fuel to an already heated rivalry.

"I can imagine that - putting on the U.S. jersey - and I can imagine the Mexican people's reaction," Castillo said.

Castillo has played for a half-dozen unfamiliar coaches in the last several years. That carousel should end this season with Monterrey club Tigres, where he is united with Daniel Guzman, his old coach at Mexican club Santos Laguna.

"I'm a fast little guy," he said. "I like to go attack but I'm not very good defender yet. I have to work on that. I get in a little trouble for that, but not all the time."

FIFA's new rule could give U.S. soccer another boost. Holding midfielder Jermaine Jones - another tough position to fill - has said he will switch from Germany to the United States. Jones, who plays for German Bundesliga club Schalke, is the son of a German mother and American father.

The U.S. Soccer Federation has been working to recruit immigrant, Hispanic and African-American players, an effort president Gulati - an immigrant himself - has stressed since taking office three years ago. Castillo is simply one who initially got away.

Castillo said he attended a national camp in Massachusetts when he was 14, thinking it might be a break. At the time he felt ignored. In hindsight, he recognizes there are many talented young American players, and he was only one.

"I thought I was overlooked, but now I hope I get the call up," he said.

Castillo left Mayfield High School during his senior year for a tryout in Mexico's professional league, eventually becoming a starter for Mexican first-division club Santos, which won the 2008 Clausura championship - one of two league titles decided each year in Mexico.

En route, he got a call-up from Mexico's then-national team coach Hugo Sanchez and played in four exhibition matches, which don't count as official games.

In March, Sven-Goran Eriksson, who succeeded Sanchez, called up Castillo for his first official games - World Cup qualifiers against Honduras and Costa Rica. But he missed both, unable to attend because he'd lost his Mexican passport. Current Mexico coach Javier Aguirre also hasn't used him in World Cup qualifiers.

Castillo was ripped by the Mexican media over the lost passport, which appears to have been a stroke of fortune. Had he played, he would have been ineligible to switch national teams.

Castillo and his agent said they had no idea the rule change was coming when Castillo lost his passport. He said he never found it and had it replaced.

"I don't know what happened when I lost my passport," Castillo said. "Then the months went by and all of a sudden Eddie (his agent) told me there was a new rule."

Rock said Castillo was "gutted" to have missed the two matches, but said the incident may have changed his career - and his outlook.

"I think what happened added some maturity to him," said Rock, who hopes Castillo will be eligible for the U.S. in two months. "He took a beating in the press for what happened, and rightfully so."

Harry keen to clinch Klaas capture

2009-07-24T02:56:00.000-07:00

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed his interest in Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as the Real Madrid striker looks set to turn down Stuttgart.

The Dutch star is surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, despite only joining from Ajax in January and Stuttgart looked all set to land him after agreeing a deal worth around £15million with the Spanish giants.

However Huntelaar is heading back to Spain after talks with the Bundesliga side broke down and that is sure to signal a move from Spurs, with Redknapp confirmed the 25-year-old is a target.

"The lad is a very good goalscorer and I'm still interested in him," he said.

"I know of Stuttgart's involvement but I'm hoping we will still be able to do something.

"There's a lot of talk about who I may or may not be after but Huntelaar is the one I like."

Bairns suffer Europa League exit

2009-07-23T14:44:00.001-07:00

Falkirk fell at the first Europa League hurdle after a 2-0 extra-time defeat to FC Vaduz in Liechtenstein on Thursday, losing 2-1 on aggregate.

Eddie May's tenure had begun on a bright note as his youthful side celebrated their first-ever game in Europe with a 1-0 win last Thursday.

But there was to be no such joy in the shadow of the Alps as they disappointingly exited the inaugural Europa League at only the second qualifying round.

Franz Burgmeier struck the 105th-minute winner to secure a deserved victory for the hosts after Emil Noll's goal levelled the aggregate score in the first half.

Last week's goalscorer Ryan Flynn dropped out with a slight strain and Chris Mitchell came in as part of a more cautious 4-2-3-1 line-up.

Vaduz coach Pierre Littbarski, the German World Cup winner, sent out the same team on home soil.

The neat Rheinpark Stadion welcomed around 1,000 Bairns fans who made their voices heard

before kick-off, despite the arrival of heavy rain and a blustery wind.

The early exchanges showed there was no love lost between the sides as tackles flew in - resulting in six first-half bookings - before Vaduz began to boss the action.

Throwing players forward in a flexible 4-4-2 formation, Pascal Cerrone sped in behind Darren Barr in the right-back position but his cross was gathered by Robert Olejnik.

Lively left midfielder Burgmeier then cut inside to flash a 25-yard drive just past.

The Bairns were struggling as Vaduz dominated, Damian Bellon next to see a shot deflected wide.

Olejnik was then called into meaningful action, clawing away a strike from Michael Stegmayer that was deflected en route by Nick Proschwitz. It was a smart save, even if the offside flag had been raised.

Burgmeier, the ex-Darlington player, was proving a nuisance and he was unlucky to see Marc Twaddle block another attempt for a corner.

But the red tide flowing towards the Falkirk goal claimed its reward on 24 minutes.

From yet another set piece, the Bairns failed to properly clear and centre-half Noll was able to turn Brian McLean and flick past Olejnik's despairing hand.

With conditions worsening as thunder cracked and lightning flashed, May's men were struggling to even move from their own half.

Bellon and Burgmeier again tried their luck from distance, the latter denied by a superb Olejnik stop. The Austrian keeper produced another excellent save to parry Bellon's long-range shot seconds from the break.

The pattern of play continued upon the re-start, Proschwitz seeing another shot deflected away.

Colocci then broke clear on the right and centred for the on-rushing Burgmeier who saw Olejnik spectacularly push over. Centre-half Marco Steil even stormed forward to try his luck from distance, seeking to emulate his partner Noll.

Flynn's arrival for Falkirk was welcomed, replacing Alex MacDonald, but the visitors still struggled for ball.

It was 76 minutes before the Bairns registered an effort and a chance it was. Burton O'Brien's corner landed at the head of Twaddle who nodded just wide.

Sub Dennis Kempe restored a familiar theme when Olejnik thwarted his fierce drive eight minutes from time before he wastefully fired wide at the end of normal time.

Flynn, set up by Scott Arfield, had a glorious extra-time chance but Peter Jehle made his first save of the contest.

It was to prove pivotal as Burgmerier won it, bursting forward and lashing in from 18 yards to secure a third-round meeting with Czechs Slovan Liberec.

Falkirk suffered further misery when Carl Finnigan was shown a straight red card at the final whistle.

Blues beaten on Austrian tour

2009-07-23T14:43:00.004-07:00

Birmingham slipped to a 2-0 defeat against German 2nd Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburg in the Austrian Alps on Thursday night.

The Premier League side conceded either side of half time against their Bavarian opponents and despite improving in the second half, could not claw their way back into the match.

Summer signings Scott Dann and Roger Johnson teamed up in central defence but conceded when Tobias Werner beat Maik Taylor in the 23rd minute.

Elton Da Costa made it 2-0 in the second half.

Blues lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Marcus Bent making his first appearance on the club's tour of Austria, alongside Kevin Phillips and Garry O'Connor in attack.

Barry Ferguson also started the match, while the likes of James McFadden and Cameron Jerome came off the bench.

Steelmen put eight past Albanians

2009-07-23T14:43:00.003-07:00

Motherwell's youngsters came of age as the Steelmen romped to a memorable 8-1 UEFA Europa League triumph over Flamurtari on Thursday night.

Teenager Jamie Murphy netted an 18-minute hat-trick and Ross Forbes, Shaun Hutchinson, Paul Slane and Robert McHugh all grabbed their first career goals as Well emphatically banished memories of their 1-0 second qualifying round first leg defeat in Albania last week, going through 8-2 on aggregate.

Jim Gannon's side scored seven goals in the space of 34 minutes and then added one more, thus comfortably securing a third qualifying round clash with Steaua Bucharest.

The stunning victory vindicated a major reshuffle by Gannon, who handed debuts to Steve Jennings and Chris Humphrey and gave Hutchinson his second appearance in central defence.

Full-backs Steven Saunders and Stevie Hammell were dropped with Mark Reynolds and Jim O'Brien moving into their places and Murphy brought in up front.

Motherwell had enjoyed plenty of possession in Albania and John Sutton missed a penalty, but the 38C heat blunted their attacking edge. There was no such problem in the cool Lanarkshire breeze at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium.

There were goals in the air from the start with Murphy and Devis Mema forcing saves at either end in the opening stages.

Flamurtari adopted an attacking approach but their frailties at the back were soon evident when Humphrey blazed over after Sutton headed on Stephen Craigan's simple long ball.

Murphy and Jennings were both denied in a frantic goalmouth scramble after Shpetim Mocka fumbled Forbes' free-kick but the Steelmen soon broke the deadlock in the 16th minute.

Mocka, who had looked solid in the first leg but barely caught anything all night, parried Sutton's header from a Slane corner and Murphy forced home.

Well took the lead in the tie three minutes later after the visitors were caught woefully short at the back when their corner was cleared.

The hosts had a three-on-one advantage when Forbes sent Slane clear from inside his own half and Murphy tucked home the rebound after the winger's shot hit the post.

Slane had just six minutes to wait for his goal when he cut inside and fired just inside the post from 25 yards.

Forbes sent Mocka the wrong way from a 28th-minute penalty after Bledion Guga clumsily pushed Sutton and Murphy completed his treble in the 34th minute.

Artan Sakaj gifted possession to Sutton when he fell over in the centre circle and the former St Mirren man fed the 19-year-old, whose low drive from 20 yards slid through Mocka's legs.

Hutchinson diverted a Forbes free-kick just inside the post in the 38th minute and Forbes rattled home his second from 20 yards following Sutton's lay-off in the 50th minute.

Flamurtari sub Elham Galica should given some comfort to the 50 away fans following a mistake by Craigan, but he slipped the ball wide from 12 yards.

At this point Motherwell looked like they could score every time they went forward and Humphrey, Hutchinson and Sutton all missed half-chances.

But the visitors grabbed a 64th-minute consolation when Odise Roshi ran on to a simple through ball and slotted past Michael Fraser.

Well had lost their impetus and Gannon brought on Keith Lasley and McHugh for new signings Jennings and Humphrey.

McHugh continued the goal spree in the 72nd minute when he rolled the ball into an empty net after Mocka had dropped a high ball, and Sutton missed a great chance to join the scoresheet when he headed wide from six yards.

Gannon now continues the eventful start to his Motherwell reign in Romania next Thursday.

Fulham face Vetra in Europa League

2009-07-23T14:43:00.001-07:00

Fulham will face FK Vetra of Lithuania in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

Vetra recorded a surprise 3-1 win away to Finland's HJK Helsinki in the second qualifying round second leg on Thursday night, having lost 1-0 at home a week ago, to complete a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Roy Hodgson's Cottagers will travel to Vilnius for the first leg on Thursday July 30, before entertaining the Lithuanians at Craven Cottage in the home leg on August 6.

Trotters in frame to sign Ricketts

2009-07-23T14:42:00.002-07:00

Hull have accepted an undisclosed bid from an unnamed Premier League club - believed to be Bolton - for defender Sam Ricketts.

The Tigers have revealed few details of the approach for the Wales international but the 27-year-old is understood to have met with Bolton officials on Thursday and undergone a medical.

Ricketts, who is out of contract next summer, has also been linked with Everton and Portsmouth.

Manager Phil Brown told BBC Radio Humberside: "We've accepted an offer from a Premier League club and it gets up to our evaluation of Sam. We have allowed him to go and talk to this club."

Ricketts made 35 appearances for the Tigers last season, mostly in the full-back positions.

Brown claims he does not especially want to sell the player but had challenged him to earn a new contract.

He said: "I don't particularly want to get rid, I said I wanted a little more consistency in performance.

"It was provided towards the end, the last couple of games, but I need that for 38 games from whoever - it doesn't matter if it is Sam Ricketts or whoever.

"I put that to Sam in his appraisal at the start of the season, 'Give me 10 games and if we get the consistency we got at the end of the season there will be a contract on the table'."

In terms of recruitment, Brown has endured a frustrating summer in the transfer market, missing out on deals for strikers Michael Owen, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Fraizer Campbell and Daryl Murphy.

They are now hoping for a positive response from their latest target, Bobby Zamora, after meeting with the £5million-rated Fulham forward this week.

Brown said: "We have put a contract on the table, a very lucrative contract in terms of what we think of Bobby Zamora.

"We are standing firm on it, this is our evaluation of Bobby Zamora, end of story.

"The opposition always begs to differ. We are in that no man's land again, awaiting a response.

"I have not put a timescale on it. We're giving him time to think about it, it will probably be in the next 24 hours."

Brown also played down links with veteran Mark Viduka, a free agent after leaving Newcastle at the end of last season, insisting there has been no contact.

However, the prospect of signing the former Leeds and Middlesbrough striker has not been completely ruled out.

"A fit Mark Viduka is some I would be interested in for sure," Brown said.

Harry keen to clinch Klaas capture

2009-07-23T14:42:00.001-07:00

Club America wins in World Football Challenge

2009-07-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA (AP) - Oguchi Onyewu likes his new surroundings, even in defeat.

Onyewu, who earlier this month became the first American-born player to sign a contract with AC Milan, made his debut for AC Milan to begin the second half Wednesday night. While he was on the losing side in Club America's 2-1 victory in the World Football Challenge, the defender was looking at the positive side.

"We have a long time before the season starts," Onyewu said. "This preparation will only help me and the team get better. I feel good, my teammates make me feel comfortable, and I am happy to be on the field."

Daniel Marquez headed in the winning goal to help Club America take its second straight victory in the tournament.

Just one day after practicing for the first time with his new teammates, Onyewu had been on the field only 10 minutes when Salvador Cabanas' pass looped over his head and Enrique Esqueda used a high kick to beat goalkeeper Marco Storari's late dive to the left.

AC Milan's Filippo Inzaghi scored on a breakaway 66 minutes into the exhibition match, running past Club America defenders Guillermo Cerda and Ademar Rodriguez to beat goalkeeper Armando Navarrete's late dive to the left.

Marquez made it 2-1 in the 84th minute.

How did Onyewu feel he performed?

"I don't ever grade myself publicly, but I think we fought well and fought hard and we didn't capitalize on some chances," he said. "But the fact we created a lot of chances will be good in the long run."

Many of the 53,600 fans at the Georgia Dome cheered Onyewu in his debut with AC Milan. After getting a welcome hug from midfielder Clarence Seedorf, Onyewu was announced to replace defender Alessandro Nesta.

"He introduced himself with a lot of personality," Seerdorf said of his new teammate." He's still trying to fit in, but he's going to be an important player for us."

Onyewu, 27, whose parents emigrated to the United States from Nigeria, left to play professionally in Europe seven years ago.

He signed a three-year deal with Milan earlier this month, but the Italian club had been tracking Onyewu since he emerged with Belgium's Standard Liege in 2004. Despite an unsuccessful 11-game stint with Newcastle, where he often failed to keep up with the fast pace in the English Premier League, Onyewu returned to Belgium for the 2007-2008 season and helped Standard Liege win consecutive Belgian league titles.

For the United States, Onyewu started all three games at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and showed his talent in the Americans' CONCACAF Gold Cup championships in 2005 and '07.

He most recently helped the United States to the Confederations Cup final, where it lost 3-2 to Brazil.

Onyewu admitted to having a language barrier with Milan, something that needs to be conquered quickly.

"Obviously I just started training yesterday, we can't communicate as well as I would like to on the field," he said. "It's not that much of an issue, it's still football. We use sign language and other stuff. But I do need to pick up the language as quick as possible to minimize all the other minor areas I need to improve on."

Club America beat Inter Milan 5-4 on penalty kicks Sunday in Stanford, Calif. The Mexico-based club took eight shots, four on goal. Cabanas and Juan Carlos Silva each had three attempts for Club America.

Ronaldinho, Seedorf and Gianmarco Zigoni each had three shots for AC Milan.

Nzonzi is one to watch - Roberts

2009-07-23T13:28:00.002-07:00

Blackburn striker Jason Roberts believes young French midfielder Steven Nzonzi is set for a bright future at Ewood Park.

The 20-year-old signed for Rovers on a four-year deal for a fee of around £500,000 from SC Amiens earlier this summer.

At 6 feet 3 inches, the defensive-minded player is already an imposing figure but Roberts has been impressed with his pre-season showings to date and has tipped the new arrival as one to watch next season.

Roberts was on target twice in the recent friendly win over Cambridge and will hope to score against Leeds in Rovers' next assignment on Saturday.

Discussing the pre-season build-up with the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Roberts said: "We have been doing a lot of training so it is nice to get on the ball, and score a couple of goals.

"There have been one or two good performances as well. I thought the new lad Steven Nzonzi was outstanding so it all bodes well for the future."

Defender now a priority - Harry

2009-07-23T13:28:00.001-07:00

Harry Redknapp admits Tottenham may have to enter the market for a defender after a series of injuries left him without one fit centre-half.

Spurs had been favourites to sign England international Peter Crouch but Redknapp concedes that injuries to Michael Dawson, Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King mean a move for a defender has now become his priority.

Redknapp revealed that King "hasn't kicked a ball all pre-season" after his long-term knee injury flared up again on his return from the summer break.

Woodgate has been sent to a specialist in America to look at a groin injury while Redknapp also revealed that former Nottingham Forest defender Dawson will miss the start of the season with an Achilles injury.

The three injuries have left Spurs without one fit recognised central defender with the Premier League season due to start in under four weeks.

"We weren't thinking of buying anyone in defence but suddenly this problem has come up all of a sudden and it leaves us short," said Redknapp.

"Suddenly your priorities change and you think maybe we'll have to do something about getting a centre half in for the start of the season because we have no central defenders."

Redknapp was also quick to dampen speculation linking both David Beckham and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar with a move to Spurs.

"I admire him (Beckham) as a person and a professional but that's not an area I'm looking to strengthen," Redknapp said.

"Aaron Lennon plays for me and has been in great form and David Bentley plays there as well.

"Huntelaar is a great player that interests us but I think it's another one that's beyond us."

Harry keen to clinch Klaas capture

2009-07-23T13:27:00.000-07:00

Club America wins in World Football Challenge

2009-07-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

Harry keen to clinch Klaas capture

2009-07-23T12:02:00.003-07:00

Sporting chance for City's Caicedo

2009-07-23T12:02:00.001-07:00

Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo is looking for a fresh start with Sporting Lisbon after dropping down the pecking order at Eastlands.

The summer arrivals of Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz meant the Ecuador striker's first-team chances were limited.

As a result, the club have allowed the 20-year-old to join Sporting on a season-long loan deal.

"My objective is to play and to demonstrate that I can triumph in Europe," Caicedo told skysports.com.

"City have many forwards who have arrived this summer and they have complicated my presence.

"For me it is difficult to get in the starting XI at City and the opportunity to go to Sporting is a personal challenge to me.

"I don't think it will be a problem to adapt to life in Portugal and the possibility to play in the Champions League appeals to me."

Caicedo is the second City striker to go out on loan this summer after Brazilian Jo was allowed to return to Everton, where he spent the second half of last season, for another campaign.

But even with youngster Ched Evans also on the verge of a permanent move to Championship side Sheffield United, it still leaves Mark Hughes with seven forwards to choose from.

Last summer's British transfer record signing Robinho, Craig Bellamy, the injury-plagued Valeri Bojinov and Benjani Mwaruwari are the others.

Argentina moves Brazil qualifier to Rosario

2009-07-23T12:01:00.001-07:00

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Argentina will play its World Cup qualifier against Brazil at Rosario Central stadium after coach Diego Maradona complained about the quality of the field at the regular River Plate stadium in Buenos Aires.

Julio Grondona, the president of the Argentina Football Association, confirmed the move on Thursday.

Rosairo is located about 300 kilometers (180 miles) northwest of Buenos Aires. Argentina officials announced earlier this week they had received permission from FIFA - the world governing body of football - to play the Sept. 5 match in Rosario.

Maradona, a former star player with Boca Juniors - River Plate's great rival - described the River Plate playing field as "disastrous" and a "pasture" before a 1-0 victory over Colombia on June 6 in a World Cup qualifier. He also said the place needed a paint job.

With four games left to play, Argentina occupies the fourth and final automatic qualifying slot from South America for next year's finals in South Africa.

The group is led by Brazil (27), Chile (26) and Paraguay (24), with Argentina on 22 points and facing competition from Ecuador (20), Uruguay (18), Colombia (17) and Venezuela (17).

The team finishing fifth faces a playoff with the fourth-place finisher from North and Central America and the Caribbean for another qualifying berth.

Argentina has another home match against Peru on Oct. 10, and is away on Sept. 8 in Paraguay and Oct. 13 in Uruguay.

Club America wins in World Football Challenge

2009-07-23T12:00:00.002-07:00

Gerrard says his mistake led to bar fight

2009-07-23T12:00:00.001-07:00

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) - England midfielder Steven Gerrard said Thursday he mistakenly believed he was about to be attacked when he punched a man who refused to let him pick a song to play in a bar.

The Liverpool captain denies charges of affray after being accused of hitting businessman Marcus McGee at the Lounge Inn bar in the early hours of Dec. 29 as he celebrated his team's 5-1 win over Newcastle.

Gerrard told Liverpool Crown Court he "remembers swinging my right hand two or three times" at McGee in self-defense, but said he didn't know McGee had initially been hit by a friend of his.

"I thought he was going to hit me. He was on his way forward to me and his behavior had changed from when I was having a discussion with him. I didn't know why," Gerrard said. "I am certainly mistaken in thinking he was coming towards me to throw punches at me. Now I know, obviously, he had been struck, reacted and thought the strike was by me, and he came into me and that's when I reacted.

"I didn't go over there with any intentions to fight ... obviously, I am upset about how the whole thing turned out."

The 29-year-old Gerrard said the incident took about four or five seconds before he was "pushed and pulled" away from McGee.

"It was very difficult at the time to explain to police why I did throw that first punch," Gerrard said. "We were arguing and I told the police I felt that Marcus came towards me and that's why I raised my arms. I firmly believed Marcus came towards me to hit me."

But prosecutor David Turner said "he went over for a fight and got one."

"Without doubt, Steven Gerrard is a world class footballer, a man whose physical ability on the football field whether heading, chesting or kicking the ball is immaculate," Turner said. "I am sorry to say, so was his bar room fighting that night."

Turner had earlier put it to Gerrard that he wasn't used to anyone saying "No" to him because "people admire and worship you."

"If you ask for a beer there are 16 on the bar," Turner said.

Gerrard responded: "People do say no to me. Maybe not all the time but they do it."

Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish provided a character reference for Gerrard that was read out to the jury. Dalglish, now a club ambassador, said he had known Gerrard since he joined Liverpool at the age of 14.

"Steven is a very responsible man and always has been," Dalglish said. "He is humble and his personality can be described as quiet."

Dalglish said Gerrard "receives a lot of grief for simply trying to be normal."

Five other men have already pleaded guilty in the incident and another admitted a lesser charge of threatening behavior. The jury is set to be sent out Friday to consider its verdict.

Torres: Reds ready to claim title

2009-07-23T10:31:00.002-07:00

Fernando Torres talked of winning the Premier League with Liverpool on Thursday, as countryman Xabi Alonso moved closer to an Anfield exit.

Liverpool have flown from Thailand to Singapore as they continued their Far East tour, amid speculation that Real Madrid had increased their bid for midfielder Alonso to £30million-plus.

Liverpool insist that no deal has been agreed, and boss Rafael Benitez maintained that the player - who was ruled out of Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Thailand with an ankle injury - is fit and available for the friendly with Singapore on Sunday.

But with Real stepping up their interest in Alonso - as well as full-back Alvaro Arbeloa - the summer long saga is coming to a conclusion.

Torres made his first appearance of pre-season for Liverpool as a late substitute in Bangkok, and insists that this could be the season that the title returns to Anfield.

He said at Thursday's media conference at the team hotel in Singapore: "Two years without a trophy is a long time for a club like Liverpool, but we believe we can do it this year.

"It won't be easy because there are big challenges ahead but we think we can win.

"Maybe this season will be more important because we have a fantastic squad and we can play better than last season.

"I came to Liverpool to win trophies. But I am sure that this time we can win the Premier League or the Champions League or a big trophy like that."

But Benitez's build-up to the new campaign is not being helped by the constant speculation over Alonso, as well as Javier Mascherano.

There have been further claims that Mascherano wants to move to Spain, but Benitez brushed that aside by saying: "Things get said over and over again on websites and newspapers, but this is not a new comment."

On Alonso, as in Bangkok, Benitez said: "Alonso is here and as I said before, he will enjoy the weather and the fans and the journalists. He is ready and he can play (on Sunday)."

Liverpool have not won any of their three pre-season games so far, but Benitez said: "For us this trip is a very good experience. It is a good opportunity for us to come out here to Singapore and Bangkok and to play in front of our fans.

"We try to approach it in positive way, train properly and make sure that everybody will be happy at the end of it."

But Benitez will not be happy to discover that Madrid have again been openly talking about his players, amid suggestions that Arbeloa - with one year left on his contract - could also be on his way to the Bernabeu.

Madrid's sport director Miguel Pardeza said on Thursday: "With Arbeloa there was an option which, at the moment, has come to nothing.

"Liverpool haven't had much intention of letting him go, even though he has one year left on his contract, and we are still in this situation.

"There is more than a month of the transfer market left and this could change. I'm not going to deny that we'd like to have Arbeloa."

On Alonso's future, Pardeza said: "From day one, Liverpool have asked for more than Madrid are ready to pay and it's very difficult to understand. But I've not lost hope that things can be resolved."

And there could also be movement on Andrea Dossena's possible departure soon, with the full-back believed to want to return to Italy, where Napoli are interested.

The club president Aurelio De Laurentiis said: We are talking to Liverpool about Dossena."

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel and midfielder Nabil El Zhar, who picked up hamstring and knee injuries against Thailand, are returning to England for scans and further assessment.