FC Dallas rallies past Chicago in MLS opener

April 1, 2006

Kenny Cooper's first MLS goal gave FC Dallas a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire in the first game of the league's season on Saturday. Cooper made his MLS debut in the game's 65th minute and scored 5 minutes later to give FC Dallas its first lead. FC Dallas rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits. On the winning goal, Cooper angled in a header from the top of the goalie's box. Bobby Rhine set up the score when he crossed a pass from the right flank to Cooper. Ronnie O'Brien also assisted.

La Liga Roundup, Apr. 1

April 1, 2006

La Liga Wrap: Ronaldinho converted a penalty but Ronaldo equalized in a 1-1 draw between Spanish league leader FC Barcelona and a 10-man Real Madrid on Saturday. The result at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium left Barca 11 points atop the standings and requiring 10 points from its last seven games to retain its title.

Eredivisie Roundup, Apr. 1

April 1, 2006

PSV Eindhoven beat RBC Roosendaal 2-1 on Saturday on a pair of second-half goals and closed within a point of its second straight Dutch league title and third in four years. Saturday's loss assured Roosendaal's demotion from the Eredivisie after managing only a single win in 31 games. The victory gave PSV 79 points and a 12-point advantage over second-place AZ Alkmaar, putting it in position to claim its 19th Dutch crown with a victory by NAC Breda over AZ on Sunday.

PSV close on title as RBC go down

April 1, 2006

PSV close on title as RBC go down

by Europe

Sporting go top with 1-0 win over Vitoria Guimaraes (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

Sporting took charge at the top of the Portuguese Premier League with a 1-0 victory at relegation-threatened Vitoria Guimaraes on Saturday.

Sending off hurt Barca as much as Real, says Rijkaard (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard believes the dismissal of Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos hurt his side as much as it did their rivals in the 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

Barca's Motta doubtful for Benfica game (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta is likely to miss next week's Champions League return match against Benfica after sustaining a groin strain against Real Madrid in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

Ronaldo helps 10-man Real hold Barca at Nou Camp (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

(Updates with match details)

Messina's Zoro targeted by Inter fans again (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

Messina defender Marc Zoro, who threatened to walk off the field after suffering racist abuse from Inter Milan fans earlier this season, was the target of whistles and jeers again when the two teams met on Saturday.

Ethiopia's St George face expulsion after walkoff (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

By Mark Gleeson

Ronaldo inspires ten man Real comeback in El Clasico

April 1, 2006

Ronaldo inspires ten man Real comeback in El Clasico

by Europe

Ancelotti concedes title after Lecce loss

April 1, 2006

Ancelotti concedes title after Lecce loss

by Europe

English Premier League Roundup, Apr. 1

April 1, 2006

EPL Wrap: Manchester United won 2-1 at Bolton on Saturday to cut Chelsea's Premier League lead to seven points after the champion was held 0-0 by relegation-threatened Birmingham.

Premiership Recap, Apr. 1

April 1, 2006

EPL Recap: Manchester United won 2-1 at Bolton on Saturday to cut Chelsea's Premier League lead to seven points after the champion was held 0-0 by relegation-threatened Birmingham.

Serie A Roundup, Apr. 1

April 1, 2006

Serie A Wrap: Leader Juventus was held to a 0-0 draw by last-place Treviso on Saturday. Juve still managed to stretch its lead over second-place AC Milan to nine points with six rounds left after the Milan club tumbled 1-0 at Lecce.

Bundesliga Roundup, Apr. 1

April 1, 2006

Two blunders by goalkeeper Oliver Kahn helped last-place FC Cologne stun Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich at home with a 2-2 draw on Saturday. Hampered by a rib injury and substituted at the half, the Germany 'keeper missed a cross that led to Markus Feulner's goal in the 12th minute and misjudged a bounce on Albert Streit's 36th minute shot from well outside the area.

Ligue One Roundup, Apr. 1

April 1, 2006

Portugal midfielder Tiago headed the winner and four-time defending champion Lyon won 1-0 at Troyes to open a 12-point lead in the French league Saturday. Lyon, which has managed only three goals in the last four games, had to wait until the 77th minute for the breakthrough. Brazil midfielder Juninho took a corner on the left and Tiago met it firmly. Lyon has not lost away in the league for 20 matches, stretching back more than a year.

Wenger: Henry irreplaceable

April 1, 2006

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted Thierry Henry would be almost irreplaceable after the striker destroyed Aston Villa.

Arsenal 5 Aston Villa 0

April 1, 2006

Arsenal warmed up for their Champions League trip to Juventus in magnificent style with a crushing victory over an inept Aston Villa team.

English Premier League reports (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

(Adds West Brom v Liverpool)

Milan lose, Juve held before European tests (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

(Adds detail, quotes, byline)

United win closes gap on Chelsea to seven points (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

(Updates with Liverpool win)

Arsenal's Fabregas, Eboue doubtful for Juventus match (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

By Marc Jones

Tiago heads Lyon near to fifth consecutive crown (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

Portugal midfielder Tiago propelled Olympique Lyon closer to a record fifth consecutive Ligue 1 title by sealing a 1-0 win at strugglers Troyes on Saturday.

Reading seal second division title (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

Reading secured the English second division title on Saturday after nearest rivals Sheffield United were held to a draw at Stoke.

Fabregas, Eboue injury worries for Gunners

April 1, 2006

Fabregas, Eboue injury worries for Gunners

by UEFA Champions League

Premiership: Chelsea slip up as United close gap

April 1, 2006

Premiership: Chelsea slip up as United close gap

by England

Bolton 1-2 Man Utd: United close gap

April 1, 2006

Bolton 1-2 Man Utd: United close gap

by England

Birmingham 0-0 Chelsea: City prove point

April 1, 2006

Birmingham 0-0 Chelsea: City prove point

by England

West Brom 0-2 Liverpool: Reds stroll it

April 1, 2006

West Brom 0-2 Liverpool: Reds stroll it

by England

Arsenal 5-0 Aston Villa: O'Leary's woes grow

April 1, 2006

Arsenal 5-0 Aston Villa: O'Leary's woes grow

by England

Everton 2-2 Sunderland: Stead ends drought

April 1, 2006

Everton 2-2 Sunderland: Stead ends drought

by England

Newcastle 3-1 Tottenham: Spurs hopes hammered

April 1, 2006

Newcastle 3-1 Tottenham: Spurs hopes hammered

by England

Fulham 1-3 Portsmouth: Pompey play up

April 1, 2006

Fulham 1-3 Portsmouth: Pompey play up

by England

Italy: Top two falter against bottom two

April 1, 2006

Italy: Top two falter against bottom two

by England

Bad-tempered Belgrade derby abandoned by crowd

April 1, 2006

Bad-tempered Belgrade derby abandoned by crowd

by Europe

Germany: Bayern held by strugglers Cologne

April 1, 2006

Germany: Bayern held by strugglers Cologne

by Europe

Santos nears another title with Luxemburgo

April 1, 2006

Vanderlei Luxemburgo's unsuccessful stint with Real Madrid has turned into a blessing for Santos. The coach returned to the Brazilian club after being fired by Real Madrid last December, and now Santos is closing in its first Sao Paulo state championship in nearly 22 years. The club made famous by Pele needs a draw against rival Sao Paulo at Morumbi stadium on Sunday to celebrate the traditional state title.

Pearce: European dream alive

April 1, 2006

Stuart Pearce believes his Blues' should not abandon their European dreams for this season just yet, sighting last years end of season run in results as an example of what can happen.

Scottish Premier League Roundup, Apr. 1

April 1, 2006

Division two champion Gretna reached its first Scottish Cup final with a 3-0 victory over Dundee on Saturday.

FIFA boss says Asia must forge its own development

April 1, 2006

FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Saturday said Asia's soccer governing bodies must come up with their own programs to develop the game in their region.

Big day beckons Gretna after semi-final victory (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

(updates with quotes)

Chelsea held to 0-0 draw by struggling Birmingham (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

Leaders Chelsea were frustrated by relegation-threatened Birmingham City on Saturday, the below-par champions held to a 0-0 draw at St Andrews in a lunchtime kickoff.

Blatter hopeful of good Asian showing at World Cup (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes this year's World Cup finals can give Asian teams another chance to show how far they have progressed.

Zambia national coach Bwalya quits-reports (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

(adds correct slug)

Karanka leaves Bilbao to sign for MLS side Colorado (Reuters)

April 1, 2006

Former Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao defender Aitor Karanka has agreed a deal to play for Colorado Rapids in the forthcoming Major League Soccer season.

Wembley wait now heading for litigation

April 1, 2006

Wembley wait now heading for litigation

by England

Big Sam nails colours to England mast - again

April 1, 2006

Big Sam nails colours to England mast - again

by England

Levein won't rule out Tynecastle return

April 1, 2006

Levein won't rule out Tynecastle return

by England

Ref Riley backed after stance on racism

April 1, 2006

Ref Riley backed after stance on racism

by Europe

Psycho wants summer transfer warchest

April 1, 2006

Psycho wants summer transfer warchest

by England

Blues chief Sullivan blasts back at Jordan

April 1, 2006

Blues chief Sullivan blasts back at Jordan

by England

Rafa: Kirkland has no future at Liverpool

April 1, 2006

Rafa: Kirkland has no future at Liverpool

by England

Robbo: Relegation won't force firesale

April 1, 2006

Robbo: Relegation won't force firesale

by England