Sao Paulo beats Caracas 2-1
March 2, 2006Copa Libertadores: Danilo and Aloisio both scored on Wednesday as Brazil's Sao Paulo defeated Caracas 2-1 and moved atop Group 1 in the Copa Libertadores. Danilo scored in the 36th with a blast far beyond the reach of goalkeeper Javier Toyo.
CTL: Libertad draws 0-0 withy Paulista
March 2, 2006Libertad of Paraguay held Paulista to a 0-0 draw Thursday and retained its lead atop Group 8 of the Copa Libertadores. Libertad has four points, followed by Paulista with two, Ecuador's El Nacional with one and Argentina's River Plate with zero. Paulista came out strong, with Colombian striker Munoz testing Libertad keeper Aldo Bobadilla from the edge of the penalty area in the fifth minute.
Arsenal's Cole out for three weeks (Reuters)
March 2, 2006Arsenal left back Ashley Cole will be out for three weeks, manager Arsene Wenger told the club's website on Thursday.
World Cup host Germany stunned by Italy
March 2, 2006World Cup: German soccer fans are in shock 99 days before their nation hosts the World Cup, trying to comprehend coach Juergen Klinsmann's 4-1 exhibition loss to Italy.
Ruud leaves Fergie wondering
March 2, 2006Ruud van Nistelrooy could be struggling to win his Manchester United starting spot back after pulling out of Holland's friendly win over Ecuador with a stomach complaint.
Crouch faces England teammate Bent
March 2, 2006EPL Preview: As England teammates, Peter Crouch and debutant Darren Bent had starkly different performances on Wednesday. When they face each other on Saturday though, Charlton's Bent hopes to outshine Liverpool's Crouch and show he is worthy of an England place.
Eto'o rages against racism
March 2, 2006Samuel Eto'o has slammed the Spanish Football Federation for fining Real Zaragoza £6,000 after their fans hurled abuse at the Cameroon striker.
Disgraced referee goes to American football
March 2, 2006The soccer referee who was convicted in Germany's match-fixing scandal is about to switch to American football. Robert Hoyzer may get another career as kicker for the Berlin Adler (Eagles), a former champion in the German football league.
Blatter wants to reduce European leagues
March 2, 2006FIFA chief Sepp Blatter wants to limit national soccer leagues to 16 teams. "FIFA can prescribe this. Of course, with a transition period," Blatter told the Bild newspaper in an interview published Thursday. "We must reduce national soccer so that we can have a better balance between club and national team soccer." The chief of soccer's world governing body said next year's FIFA congress would discuss the issue.
FIFA head Blatter calls for league team limits (SportsTicker)
March 2, 2006BERLIN (Ticker) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter has stated his desire to implement a radical proposal that would limit Europe's domestic leagues to a maximum of 16 teams.
Cole out for at least three weeks, says Wenger (AFP)
March 2, 2006England left-back Ashley Cole will be out of action for at least three weeks, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Injury fears ease for Bridge (AFP)
March 2, 2006England received a World Cup boost when it was confirmed that the ankle injury suffered by Wayne Bridge during the 2-1 friendly win over Uruguay was not as serious as first feared.
Fortune hits the comeback trail (AFP)
March 2, 2006Quinton Fortune has defied predictions that his career could be over by recovering sufficient fitness to return to action for Manchester United, the club confirmed.
World Cup host Germany stunned by Italy, next faces U.S. in tuneup (AP)
March 2, 2006German soccer fans are in shock 99 days before their nation hosts the World Cup, trying to comprehend a 4-1 exhibition loss to Italy. Ever-optimistic German coach Juergen Klinsmann is not deterred by the stunning loss Wednesday in Florence. In fact, he says he'll make no roster changes for the next match -- a World Cup tuneup against the United States later this month.
Chelsea now close to signing Bayern Munich star Ballack (SportsTicker)
March 2, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Bayern Munich star Michael Ballack's agent claims Chelsea has a "strong interest" in signing the German international.
Larsson promises Swedes will absorb Irish lessons (AFP)
March 2, 2006Henrik Larsson is confident that Sweden will have absorbed the lessons of a 3-0 friendly defeat to Ireland before they begin their World Cup campaign this summer.
Wenger: Cole out for 'three weeks minimum'
March 2, 2006Cole out for 'three weeks minimum'
by England
Finnan astonished by reports of racist abuse
March 2, 2006Finnan astonished by reports of racist abuse
by England
Fulham confirm Bridge ankle sprain
March 2, 2006Fulham confirm Bridge ankle sprain
by England
FA warn Blackburn's Nelson over conduct
March 2, 2006FA warn Blackburn's Nelson over conduct
by FA warn Blackburn's Nelson over conduct
Sven impressed by Carrick England showing
March 2, 2006Sven impressed by Carrick England showing
by England
Pennant warned after latest off-pitch incident
March 2, 2006Pennant warned after latest off-pitch incident
by England
Ballack edging towards Stamford Bridge
March 2, 2006Ballack edging towards Stamford Bridge
by England
New Real chief issues warning to 'millionaires'
March 2, 2006New Real chief issues warning to 'millionaires'
by Europe
World Cup hosts running out of time
March 2, 2006With less than one hundred days to go until Germany's hosting of the 2006 World Cup begins, the national side looks rather sheepish after losing 4-1 to Italy in a friendly. Oliver Hinz takes a look back in history at some of the heaviest German losses.
AS Roma can end Inter Milan's title hopes
March 2, 2006AS Roma will be looking to stretch its Italian league record of 11 straight wins when it hosts Inter Milan at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
Italian press hard on Germany after friendly
March 2, 2006Criticism of Germany outweighed praise for the Azzurri in the Italian press on Thursday, the day after Italy's 4-1 win in a friendly.
Italy routs Germany 4-1 in friendly
March 2, 2006Italy vs. Germany: Italy routed World Cup host Germany 4-1 in a friendly Wednesday, improving its unbeaten streak to 16 matches.
England vs. Uruguay gallery, Mar. 1
March 2, 2006
New Real chief issues warning to 'millionaires'
March 2, 2006New Real chief issues warning to 'millionaires'
by Europe
Stomach complaint may sideline Ruud
March 2, 2006Stomach complaint may sideline Ruud
by England
Staunton plays it cool after famous win
March 2, 2006Staunton plays it cool after famous win
by Europe
Media lash Klinsmann after Italy thrashing
March 2, 2006Media lash Klinsmann after Italy thrashing
by World Cup
It's official: Germany will win the World Cup
March 2, 2006It's official: Germany will win the World Cup
by World Cup
Aragones predicts great things after win
March 2, 2006Aragones predicts great things after win
by World Cup
France racked by doubt after Slovak win
March 2, 2006France racked by doubt after Slovak win
by World Cup
Kuyt to oust Van Nistelrooy for the Dutch?
March 2, 2006Kuyt to oust Van Nistelrooy for the Dutch?
by World Cup
Sao Paulo begin Copa defence with a win
March 2, 2006Sao Paulo begin Copa defence with a win
by Global
Eto'o blasts small Spanish fine for racists
March 2, 2006Eto'o blasts small Spanish fine for racists
by Europe
Mexico 1-0 Ghana: Sub Franco on target
March 2, 2006Mexico 1-0 Ghana
by World Cup
Chinese man wanted over Belgian fix
March 2, 2006Chinese man wanted over Belgian fix
by Europe
Agent denies Bayern move for van Bommel (AFP)
March 2, 2006Dutch international midfielder Mark van Bommel's agent Rob Jansen has dismissed reports that the Barcelona midfielder is set to join German champions Bayern Munich.
CSKA captain to miss restart of Bulgarian championship (Reuters)
March 2, 2006CSKA Sofia captain Emil Gargorov has not fully recovered from a knee injury and will miss the start of the second half of the Bulgarian championship, coach Miodrag Jesic said on Thursday.
New Real president gets tough with players (Reuters)
March 2, 2006(adds more quotes, detail)
College recruiting in U.S. colleges a gamble
March 2, 2006All American sports place a heavy emphasis on recruiting, but what about soccer? Jamie Trecker talks to a pair of collegiate coaches — one from a large university and the other from a small Connecticut college — who shed some light on getting noticed by college programs.
Dutch police arrest 51 suspected hooligans
March 2, 2006Police arrested 51 Dutch soccer fans and used pepper spray to control hooligans in central Amsterdam shortly before the Netherlands' 1-0 win over Ecuador in a World Cup warmup.
Thursday's Tired Gossip
March 2, 2006Real's new boss, Arsenal's new defender, Whelan's new club and more...
Kuijt emerges as threat to Van Nistelrooy in Dutch team (Reuters)
March 2, 2006By Theo Ruizenaar
Classy Italy leave Germans with plenty of work to do (Reuters)
March 2, 2006Italy and Germany are routinely billed as World Cup favourites going into the sport's biggest tournament, but on the evidence of Wednesday's 4-1 rout, this year's hosts looked far from being regarded a genuine contender.
Kuyt to oust Van Nistelrooy for the Dutch?
March 2, 2006Kuyt to oust Van Nistelrooy for the Dutch?
by World Cup
Cole dedicates match-winner to Ossie
March 2, 2006Cole dedicates match-winner to Ossie
by World Cup
Neville expecting no Sven squad surprises
March 2, 2006Neville expecting no Sven squad surprises
by World Cup
Friendlies wrap: Italy stun World Cup hosts
March 2, 2006Friendlies wrap: Italy stun World Cup hosts
by World Cup
International Friendly Wrap, Mar. 1
March 2, 2006
Maradona revives some of his class in Chile
March 2, 2006Soccer great Diego Maradona displayed some of his former style Wednesday when he took to the field with Argentine team Universidad Catolica in a friendly match against Chile's national team.
Super League signs major sponsor
March 2, 2006China's scandal-plagued Super League has found a new title sponsor to help boost its sagging finances ahead of its upcoming third season, the organization's director was quoted as saying Thursday.
Franco's header lift Mexico past Ghana in World Cup tuneup (SportsTicker)
March 2, 2006FRISCO, Texas (Ticker) - Guillermo Franco did not need much time to make his presence felt.