U.S. women to play two games in Japan (AP)
April 7, 2006The U.S. women's soccer team will play a pair of exhibition games in Japan next month. The Americans will meet Japan on May 7 in Kumamoto and on May 9 in Osaka. The U.S. team, which opened a training camp last weekend in Carson, Calif., doesn't play at home until a July 15 game against Sweden in Blaine, Minn.
Klinsmann picks Lehmann over Kahn (AP)
April 7, 2006Jens Lehmann was picked by Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann over Oliver Kahn on Friday to be his starting goalkeeper at this year's World Cup. "This was the most difficult decision of my time as coach," Klinsmann said. "Of course, Oliver is disappointed, but he took it as a real sportsman." Kahn, Germany's starter at the 2002 World Cup, played in a 4-1 win over the United States on March 22.
Red Bulls vs. Revolution
April 7, 2006MLS Preview: The New York Red Bulls have a new owner, a new name and several new faces. Next on the list is a new way to add to their fan base. A star-studded event has been planned for their home opener Saturday.
2006 MLS rookie class ready to make waves
April 7, 2006Calling Rookie of the Year in April is next to impossible, especially when the talented pool of new MLS players offers an abundance in variety, skills and grit. Here's a shortlist of the ten best bets to make a big impact during their rookie years.
Van Hooijdonk salvages a point for Feyenoord (Reuters)
April 7, 2006Pierre van Hooijdonk struck 11 minutes from time to salvage a point for Feyenoord at Heerenveen in the Dutch first division on Friday.
Kalou to appeal against Dutch passport decision (Reuters)
April 7, 2006Ivorian Salomon Kalou is to go to court to appeal against the decision of immigration minister Rita Verdonk to deny his application to be fast-tracked for a Dutch passport.
Lehmann beats Kahn in Germany's World Cup race (Reuters)
April 7, 2006(adds Lehmann quotes paras 10-11)
Hearts of Oak declared winners of Champions League tie (Reuters)
April 7, 2006Ghana's Hearts of Oak have been formally declared the winner of their African Champions League second round tie against Ethiopian club St George, who stormed off the pitch just before half-time of their second leg tie in Obuasi, Ghana last Saturday.
Mantorras still in contention despite criticism of coach (Reuters)
April 7, 2006Benfica striker Mantorras remains in contention for a place in Angola's World Cup squad, coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves said on Friday, despite the striker's stinging criticism of the coach after the African Nations Cup finals earlier this year.
Fowler's future hinges on physical condition,says Benitez (Reuters)
April 7, 2006Robbie Fowler's hopes of a new contract at Liverpool hinge on his physical condition, says manager Rafael Benitez.
Ghana's April friendly in Hanover cancelled (Reuters)
April 7, 2006World Cup finalists Ghana have had a friendly against Hanover 96 this month cancelled, the Ghana Football Association said on Friday.
Klinsmann picks Lehmann over Kahn
April 7, 2006Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann has picked Arsenal's Jens Lehmann over Oliver Kahn to be his starting goalkeeper at this year's World Cup. The German soccer federation (DFB) said Klinsmann and his staff met with Kahn and told him of the decision Friday.
Carvalho: No hope for United
April 7, 2006Ricardo Carvalho insists Manchester United have no chance of catching Chelsea and pipping them to the Premiership title.
Galaxy signs Brazilian forward
April 7, 2006Thiago De Souza, who has played professionally in his native Brazil and Germany, signed a contract Thursday to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy. The 21-year-old forward trained with the defending Major League Soccer champion last month in Costa Rica.
Olympic Stadium fitted with new gangways
April 7, 2006At a small factory outside Berlin, the last touch to the stadium that will host the World Cup final is taking shape - a set of rescue gangways that authorities hope spectators will never see. Berlin's 70-year-old Olympic Stadium was the most prominent target when a leading German consumer group in January raised concern over stadium security. It said a 2.7-meter (9-foot) ditch between seats and playing field could become a dangerous barrier if an emergency caused panic among spectators.
CTL: Rosario Central drubs Cerro Porteno
April 7, 2006Copa Libertadores: Marco Ruben scored twice and Argentina's Rosario Central, in spite of a missed penalty shot, defeated Cerro Porteno 3-1 Thursday to move out of last place in group 7 and keep alive its hopes of advancing to the elimination round of the Copa Libertadores.
CTL: Liga de Quito steamrolls Universitario
April 7, 2006Edison Mendez scored one goal and set up another to lead Liga de Quito over Universitario 4-0 Thursday, putting the Ecuadorean side on the verge of the second round in the Copa Libertadores while formally eliminating the Peruvian squad.
Aragones names five new faces in massive squad
April 7, 2006Aragones names five new faces in massive squad
by World Cup
Five new faces for Spain World Cup get-together (Reuters)
April 7, 2006(writes through)
Birmingham midfielder Clemence out for season (Reuters)
April 7, 2006Birmingham City midfielder Stephen Clemence has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring tear, the Premier League strugglers said on Friday.
Ronaldinho's penalty tip sends Casillas the wrong way (Reuters)
April 7, 2006Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has been sent the wrong way by Barcelona's Ronaldinho, both off the field and from the penalty spot.
COLUMN-Soccer-Sacking season underway with a vengeance (Reuters)
April 7, 2006By Trevor Huggins
Italy coach Lippi joins praises Wenger youth policy (Reuters)
April 7, 2006Italy coach Marcello Lippi has praised Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for putting his faith in young players after the Premier League side beat Juventus to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Sevilla coach eyeing place in UEFA Cup final (Reuters)
April 7, 2006Sevilla coach Juande Ramos has already set his focus on a place in the UEFA Cup final after his side knocked out Zenit St Petersburg to set up a semi-final clash with 1997 winners Schalke 04.
Benitez dangles contract carrot in front of Fowler
April 7, 2006Benitez dangles contract carrot in front of Fowler
by England
Mourinho finally feeling the pressure... of bird flu
April 7, 2006Mourinho finally feeling the pressure... of bird flu
by England
Harry Houdini hosts Rovers
April 7, 2006Harry Houdini hosts Rovers
by England
Lehmann beats Kahn to World Cup jersey
April 7, 2006Lehmann beats Kahn to World Cup jersey
by World Cup
Agent charged over Cole 'tapping-up' affair
April 7, 2006Agent charged over Cole 'tapping-up' affair
by England
Cole faces old club in search of a win
April 7, 2006Joe Cole faces his old West Ham club this weekend with one thing in mind - get Chelsea winning again. The Blues' lead at the top of the Premier League - once 18 points - has slipped to seven over Manchester United.
Nolan targets top-six finish
April 7, 2006Bolton captain Kevin Nolan claims he will not be able to sleep for a week if the Trotters end up in the Intertoto Cup this summer.
Hleb: Arsenal can't afford any slip-ups
April 7, 2006Hleb: Arsenal can't afford any slip-ups
by England
Carvalho cools United's title hopes
April 7, 2006Carvalho cools United's title hopes
by England
Awestruck Lippi hails 'beautiful' Gunners
April 7, 2006Awestruck Lippi hails 'beautiful' Gunners
by UEFA Champions League
Villa sign 'seven-figure' sponsorship deal
April 7, 2006Villa sign 'seven-figure' sponsorship deal
by England
Crouch revels in new-found confidence
April 7, 2006Crouch revels in new-found confidence
by England
Redknapp wants return to Fratton fortress
April 7, 2006Redknapp wants return to Fratton fortress
by England
McClaren eyes history after amazing comeback
April 7, 2006McClaren eyes history after amazing comeback
by England
Delighted Diop signs new Fulham contract
April 7, 2006Delighted Diop signs new Fulham contract
by England
Torn hamstring ends Clemence's season
April 7, 2006Torn hamstring ends Clemence's season
by England
Pearce plays down Eastland's crisis talk
April 7, 2006Pearce plays down Eastland's crisis talk
by England
Chelsea on alert as Joaquin eyes move
April 7, 2006Chelsea on alert as Joaquin eyes move
by Europe
Celtic striker Hartson facing 'toughest decision'
April 7, 2006Celtic striker Hartson facing 'toughest decision'
by Europe
FIFA considering action over Israeli airstrike on Gaza soccer field (AP)
April 7, 2006FIFA said Friday it is considering possible action over an Israeli airstrike last week on a soccer field in the Gaza Strip. Jerome Champagne, FIFA deputy general secretary in charge of political issues, said it was a direct strike "without any reason" and that the field was not being used by Palestinians as a missile launching pad, as Israel's ambassador to Switzerland had originally claimed.
Santos' decisive match sells out in four hours
April 7, 2006All 17,000 tickets available for the match that could give Santos its first Sao Paulo state championship title in nearly 22 years were sold in less than four hours on Thursday. Santos needs a victory against Portuguesa on Sunday at Vila Belmiro stadium to clinch the title - its 16th overall and first since 1984.
S.Korea to play Norway, Ghana in World Cup tune ups (Reuters)
April 7, 2006South Korea will play Norway and Ghana in friendlies before the World Cup finals in June, coach Dick Advocaat announced on Friday.
PREVIEW-Soccer-Barcelona have league title in their sights (Reuters)
April 7, 2006By Mark Elkington
PREVIEW-Soccer-Manchester faces north London on pivotal weekend (Reuters)
April 7, 2006By Ken Ferris