FAC: Terry strike puts Chelsea into semifinals

March 22, 2006

FA Cup: John Terry's fourth-minute strike put Chelsea into the FA Cup semifinals, earning a 1-0 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday to keep the Blues on course for their first league-cup double.

Germany thumps United States 4-1

March 22, 2006

Germany vs. USA: Germany came alive in the second half and beat the United States 4-1 on Wednesday for a morale-boosting victory less than three months before it kicks off the World Cup at home.

CTL: Goias draws 0-0 with Newell's

March 22, 2006

Keeper Harlei thwarted at least three clear chances and enabled Brazil's Goias to draw 0-0 with Newell's Old Boys on Wednseday to move to the brink of reaching the second round of the Copa Libertadores.

CTL: Corinthians beats Tigres 1-0

March 22, 2006

Argentine international Carlos Tevez scored a first-half goal and Corinthians defeated Mexico's Tigres 1-0 Wednesday to move atop Group 4 in the Copa Libertadores. Corinthians and Chile's Universidad Catolica have seven points each, one more than Tigres. Colombia's Deportivo Cali, which lost to Universidad Catolica 2-1 on Tuesday in Santiago, is last with zero points. Deportivo and Universidad have a game in hand.

EU closes antitrust dispute with EPL

March 22, 2006

The European Union closed a long-standing antitrust dispute with England's Premier League on Wednesday, forcing one the of richest leagues in the world to stop selling the rights to its live soccer matches exclusively to one TV channel.

Mental lapse costs U.S. dear in Germany loss, says Arena (Reuters)

March 22, 2006

U.S. coach Bruce Arena blamed fitness problems and a mental lapse for Wednesday's 4-1 defeat by Germany in a World Cup warm-up.

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle: Shearer dream over

March 22, 2006

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle: Shearer dream over

by England

Germany 4-1 USA: Pressure off Klinsmann

March 22, 2006

Germany 4-1 USA: Pressure off Klinsmann

by World Cup

Ronaldo to the rescue for Real Madrid

March 22, 2006

Ronaldo to the rescue for Real Madrid

by Europe

Parreira continues to keep Ronaldo faith

March 22, 2006

Parreira continues to keep Ronaldo faith

by World Cup

Celtic 2-1 Inverness CT: Bhoys closing in

March 22, 2006

Celtic 2-1 Inverness CT: Bhoys closing in

by Europe

PSV to meet Ajax in double decider

March 22, 2006

PSV to meet Ajax in double decider

by Europe

Gerrard: Everton must beware

March 22, 2006

Steven Gerrard issued a derby warning to local rivals Everton as boss Rafael Benitez insisted he never lost faith in his strikers despite their goal famine.

Patient Germans eventually crush the U.S.

March 22, 2006

Germany vs. USA: It took Germany an entire half to finally figure the USA out, but once they did, the Germans unloaded for four goals and defeated the Americans 4-1 at the Westfalen stadium in Dortmund, Germany.

Germany vs. USA gallery, Mar. 22

March 22, 2006

La Liga Roundup, Mar. 22

March 22, 2006

La Liga Wrap: Ronaldo scored in injury time and Real Madrid drew Zaragoza 1-1 but slipped to third place in the Spanish league on Wednesday. The strike by Ronaldo, making his first league start since club president Florentino Perez resigned on Feb. 27, leveled with a 48th-minute goal by Diego Milito.

Scottish Premier League Roundup, Mar. 22

March 22, 2006

Goals by Stephen McManus and Shaun Maloney gave Celtic a 2-1 victory over Inverness on Wednesday and moved Gordon Strachan's team 17 points clear in the Scottish title race.

Asian Champions League, Mar. 22

March 22, 2006

Last year's runner-up Al Ain conceded an injury-time goal for Mash'al to draw, and J-League champ Gamba Osaka crushed Vietnam's Da Nang by a record-tying 15-0 in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday.

Officials, police meet with Romanian clubs

March 22, 2006

Romanian soccer officials and police have met with club representatives and fan leaders in a bid to prevent violence at the UEFA Cup quarterfinal between Steaua Bucharest and crosstown rival Rapid Bucharest.

Plucky Palermo recover from early setback in Italian Cup (AFP)

March 22, 2006

Palermo recovered from going a goal down inside the first minute to beat Roma 2-1 in the first leg of their Italian Cup semi-final.

Palermo gain advantage over Roma in Cup (Reuters)

March 22, 2006

- Palermo came from a goal down to beat AS Roma 2-1 in their Italian Cup semi-final, first-leg match on Wednesday.

Germany v United States - teams (Reuters)

March 22, 2006

Germany v United States - teams

AC Milan and Juventus want Gallas (AFP)

March 22, 2006

Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus reportedly want to sign Chelsea's versatile defender William Gallas.

Anelka future uncertain as player seeks treatment in Paris (AFP)

March 22, 2006

Nicolas Anelka's future with Turkish outfit Fenerbache was called into question as the unsettled French international returned to Paris for treatment on a knee injury.

Gill deflects talk that Ruud is unsettled

March 22, 2006

Gill deflects talk that Ruud is unsettled

by England

G14 target international tournament lucre

March 22, 2006

G14 target international tournament lucre

by Global

Hearts sack manager Rix after five months

March 22, 2006

Hearts sack manager Rix after five months

by Europe

No Beckham types wanted in Munich - Magath

March 22, 2006

No Beckham types wanted in Munich - Magath

by Europe

UEFA demand defiance in face of G14 challenge

March 22, 2006

UEFA demand defiance in face of G14 challenge

by Europe

Mallorca dismiss Arango to Spurs 'rumours'

March 22, 2006

Mallorca dismiss Arango to Spurs 'rumours'

by Europe

Charlton wants Brit as Eriksson's successor

March 22, 2006

Big Jack wants Brit as Eriksson's successor

by England

Dugarry involved in breach of procedure

March 22, 2006

A trial into alleged embezzlement from French soccer club Olympique Marseille was held up Wednesday after a breach of procedure involving former World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry. Chief judge Vincent Turbeaux spotted Dugarry talking to one of Marseille's defense attorneys in a corridor. Such a meeting is forbidden under the penal code, as a witness is allowed no contact with an attorney prior to taking the stand.

Hearts fires Rix, citing poor results

March 22, 2006

With the team falling further behind Celtic in the Scottish title race, Hearts fired manager Graham Rix on Wednesday.

Asian CL: Gamba downs Da Nang 15-0

March 22, 2006

Brazilian strikers Fernandinho and Magno Alves accounted for eight goals Wednesday as J-League champions Gamba Osaka crushed Vietnamese club Da Nang 15-0 in the Asian Champions League.

Luque vows to shine for Toon

March 22, 2006

Newcastle striker Albert Luque remains determined to fight back from his disappointing first season in the Premiership.

Sven to coach Real Madrid?

March 22, 2006

Real Madrid are reportedly set to offer Sven-Goran Eriksson the chance to be their manager. The Swede, who is stepping down as England coach after the World Cup, now appears to be the front runner to land one of Europe's most prestigious posts.

Arena plays down importance of German game

March 22, 2006

Germany vs. USA: The USA gets another chance to test its mettle in a pressure situation tonight, when it takes on Germany. FSC writer Jamie Trecker reports from Dortmund that coach Bruce Arena says he is not taking the result too seriously.

New women's league ahead?

March 22, 2006

The new president of the U.S. Soccer Federation predicted Wednesday that an American women's league will be launched within the next few years. Sunil Gulati, who took over as USSF president from Bob Contiguglia on March 11, wouldn't give a timetable but said he expects some of the investors in Major League Soccer to be part of the new women's league.

Birmingham players 'fully behind' Bruce, insists Taylor

March 22, 2006

Taylor: Players back Bruce

by England

Luque: I'll stay and battle for Newcastle spot

March 22, 2006

Luque: I'll stay and battle for Newcastle spot

by England

FA charge Blades boss Warnock over V-sign

March 22, 2006

FA charge Blades boss Warnock over V-sign

by England

Real Madrid land their mystery new coach

March 22, 2006

Real Madrid land their mystery new coach

by Europe

Dugarry dismissed as witness in Marseille trial

March 22, 2006

Dugarry dismissed as witness in Marseille trial

by Europe

Bulgaria to play Wales in August Cardiff friendly

March 22, 2006

Bulgaria to play Wales in August Cardiff friendly

by Europe

No Beckham types wanted as Ballack replacement - Magath (Reuters)

March 22, 2006

Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath does not want any "Beckham types" in his squad to replace Germany captain Michael Ballack next season.

"Soccernomics" urges Italy World Cup win (Reuters)

March 22, 2006

Among European countries Italy should win the World Cup because its economy desperately needs a boost, economists at Dutch bank ABN AMRO said on Wednesday.

Dugarry rejected as witness for Courbis (AFP)

March 22, 2006

Former Barcelona, Birmingham and Marseille striker Christophe Dugarry has been sensationally ruled out as a defence witness for former Marseille coach Rolland Courbis.

EU requires Premier League to auction TV rights for top matches (AFP)

March 22, 2006

The European Commission told the English Premier League to auction television broadcasting rights for top-flight football matches.

Rix is second Hearts manager sacked this season (Reuters)

March 22, 2006

(Adds director of football Duffy's departure)

Rix sacked by Hearts (AFP)

March 22, 2006

Scottish Premier League club Hearts were plunged into fresh turmoil when head coach Graham Rix was sacked, just four months after his appointment.

Sissoko completes amazing comeback (AFP)

March 22, 2006

Mohamed Sissoko has completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in football after helping Liverpool into the last four of the FA Cup only a month after being temporarily blinded in his right eye.

Traumatised Bruce refuses to quit after Reds massacre (AFP)

March 22, 2006

Steve Bruce has vowed he will not quit in the wake of relegation-threatened Birmingham's seven-goal humiliation by Liverpool in their FA Cup quarter-final.

Hearts sack manager Rix after five months

March 22, 2006

Hearts sack manager Rix after five months

by Europe

Cisse on his way to Tottenham, says agent

March 22, 2006

Cisse on way to Spurs, says agent

by England

Premier League welcome end to TV rights battle

March 22, 2006

Premier League welcome end to TV rights battle

by England

EU closes antitrust dispute with EPL

March 22, 2006

The European Union closed a long-standing antitrust dispute with England's Premier League on Wednesday, forcing one the of richest leagues in the world to stop selling the rights to its live soccer matches exclusively to one TV channel.

Bruce: I won't quit Blues

March 22, 2006

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce will not quit after the FA Cup humiliation by Liverpool but it remains unclear whether co-owner David Sullivan and chairman David Gold will keep faith in him.

G-14 won't sue FIFA for damages

March 22, 2006

The G-14 association of Europe's major soccer clubs said Wednesday it has no intention of suing FIFA for past damages over player injuries sustained during international duty.

CTL: Chivas beat Sao Paulo 2-1

March 22, 2006

Omar Bravo scored with a flying header to give Chivas of Mexico a 2-1 victory over Brazil's Sao Paulo on Tuesday and first place in Group 1 of the Copa Libertadores. With Tuesday's win, Chivas has seven points, one ahead of Sao Paulo. Peru's Cienciano has three, while Caracas of Venezuela trails with one. Sao Paulo opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Danilo beat a defender and knocked the ball in with his left foot.

Copa Libertadores Roundup, Mar. 21

March 22, 2006

Copa Libertadores Wrap: Omar Bravo scored with a header to give Chivas a 2-1 win over Sao Paulo and put the Mexicans in first place in Group 1. Sao Paulo hit the first goal and Adolfo "Bofo" Bautista tied the score before Bravo's heroics.

Wednesday's Underwhelming Gossip

March 22, 2006

There's more talk of Djibril Cisse going to Spurs, while George Boateng is linked with AC Milan and more...

Cisse on his way to Tottenham, says agent

March 22, 2006

Cisse on way to Spurs, says agent

by England

Ballack fancies Premiership over La Liga

March 22, 2006

Ballack fancies Premiership over La Liga

by Europe

Hiddink won't be the next England manager

March 22, 2006

Hiddink won't be the next England manager

by England

Scolari denies reports about England coach talks

March 22, 2006

Scolari denies England talks

by World Cup

Solano fears Chelsea backlash in Cup clash

March 22, 2006

Solano fears Chelsea backlash in Cup clash

by England

Under pressure O'Leary: I care as much as fans

March 22, 2006

Under pressure O'Leary: I care as much as fans

by England

Shell-shocked Bruce vows to carry on

March 22, 2006

Shell-shocked Bruce vows to carry on

by England

AWOL Romario misses fourth practice in a row

March 22, 2006

AWOL Romario misses fourth practice in a row

by Global

CAPS United kicked out of Champions League

March 22, 2006

CAPS United kicked out of Champions League

by Global

Bruce vows to carry on after Cup humiliation (AFP)

March 22, 2006

Steve Bruce insisted he was still the right man to lead Birmingham City in their fight against relegation after his club crashed out of the FA Cup in a 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool.

Zimbabwe's CAPS United kicked out of Champions League (Reuters)

March 22, 2006

Zimbabwe's CAPS United have been kicked out of the African Champions League after using two improperly registered players in the first round.

Chivas beat Sao Paulo in Copa Libertadores (AP)

March 22, 2006

Omar Bravo scored with a flying header to give Chivas a 2-1 victory over Sao Paulo on Tuesday night and put the Mexican team in first place in Group 1 of the Copa Libertadores. With Tuesday's win, Chivas moved one point ahead of Sao Paulo. The visiting Sao Paulo opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Danilo beat the Guadalajara defender and knocked the ball in with his left foot.

Sledging all part of 'man's game' says Strachan (AFP)

March 22, 2006

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has insisted sledging is just as much a part of a "man's game" like football as it is in cricket following accusations of verbal abuse during his team's recent Scottish League Cup final success.

Charlton calls for FIFA ref rage crackdown (AFP)

March 22, 2006

Bobby Charlton has urged world football governing body FIFA to tackle the problem of players hounding referees.

Hamburg building temporary jail for anticipated World Cup hooligans (AP)

March 22, 2006

A temporary jail is being built here specifically to detain hooligans during the World Cup. The facility in Hamburg, where the United States team is staying, will hold up to 150 prisoners. Cells will be specifically designated for people who have been "temporarily taken into custody" in order to avert violence.

Real's options narrow over next coach (Reuters)

March 22, 2006

By Simon Baskett

Romario misses fourth practice in a row (Reuters)

March 22, 2006

By Brian Homewood