PREVIEW-Soccer-No time for nostalgia as Arsenal eye final place (Reuters)
April 17, 2006By Mike Collett
STATBOX-Soccer-Champions League semi-final, first leg (Reuters)
April 17, 2006Champions League statistics before Wednesday's semi-final, first leg match: Arsenal v Villarreal No previous meetings * Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in nine of their last 13 Champions League home games * Arsenal could extend their Champions League record of eight consecutive clean sheets. They have not let in a goal in the competition since Markus Rosenberg scored for Ajax in Arsenal's 2-1 win in Amsterdam on Sept. 27 last year * Arsenal, playing in their first European Cup or Champions League semi-final, have reached five European finals in the past - three in the Cup Winners Cup and two in the UEFA Cup * Villarreal, playing in the Champions League for the first time, have lost only one of their last 12 European away games, winning three and drawing eight * Villarreal are visiting British shores for the fourth time this season. They beat Everton 2-1 in the qualifying round, drew 0-0 with Manchester United in the group stage and 2-2 with Rangers in the first knockout round * Villarreal are unbeaten in nine matches against British clubs in the three seasons they have been playing in European competition
Bayern keeps challengers at bay with win (SportsTicker)
April 17, 2006MUNICH, Germany (Ticker) - Bayern Munich were made to sweat by Arminia Bielefeld but kept pursuers Hamburg at arm's length with a 2-0 win earned by two late goals.
Juventus draw leaves AC Milan with title hopes (SportsTicker)
April 17, 2006MILAN, Italy (Ticker) - Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday at Cagliari to leave AC Milan with a glimmer of hope in the Scudetto race with just four weeks remaining.
Chelsea a point away from second straight Premier League title (AP)
April 17, 2006Chelsea moved within a point of winning its second straight English Premier League title by beating Everton 3-0 on Monday, hours after second-place Manchester United edged Tottenham 2-1. The Blues can win the title on Sunday if Man United fails to beat Middlesbrough. Otherwise, a draw against the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge on April 29 will suffice.
Valencia moves into second place; Barcelona still way ahead (SportsTicker)
April 17, 2006VALENCIA, Spain (Ticker) - Valencia forged ahead in the battle for second place in the Primera Liga as it thrashed Espanyol and closest challengers Real Madrid and Osasuna could only manage disappointing draws.
Brazil thanks Chile for support over 2014 World Cup bid (Reuters)
April 17, 2006Brazil has thanked Chile for supporting its plans to host the 2014 World Cup following FIFA president Sepp Blatter's suggestion that the Chileans could launch a joint bid with Argentina instead.
Relaxed Mourinho not surprised by United's win
April 17, 2006Relaxed Mourinho not surprised by United's win
by England
West Brom 0-0 Bolton: Missed opportunity
April 17, 2006West Brom 0-0 Bolton: Missed opportunity
by England
Premiership Recap, Apr. 17
April 17, 2006EPL Recap: Chelsea maintained its nine-point lead in the English Premier League after it beat 10-man Everton 3-0 and second-place Manchester United won 2-1 over Tottenham on Monday.
Soccer-CSF ponders sanctions after Libertadores brawl (Reuters)
April 17, 2006In ASUNCION story headlined "CSF ponders sanctions after Libertadores brawl" please read in second paragraph "delayed the start of the second half"... instead of..."delayed the start of last Thursday's tie" (making clear the first half started on time)
Newcastle star Shearer's career possibly over (SportsTicker)
April 17, 2006SUNDERLAND, England (Ticker) - Alan Shearer's career could be over after the Newcastle skipper suffered suspected knee ligament damage in the derby victory at Sunderland on Monday.
Injured Shearer may have played last game of career (Reuters)
April 17, 2006Alan Shearer feared on Monday that his career might have ended three matches early after he came off with a knee injury during Newcastle United's 4-1 win at Sunderland.
Milan are favourites but we don't care, says Rijkaard (Reuters)
April 17, 2006Barcelona's Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard says AC Milan start Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, first-leg match as favourites but that will count for little when battle commences.
Mourinho plays down Man United title clash (Reuters)
April 17, 2006By Robert Woodward
Knee injury threatens to end Shearer's career
April 17, 2006Knee injury threatens to end Shearer's career
by England
Charlton 2-1 Portsmouth: Survival hopes dented
April 17, 2006Charlton 2-1 Portsmouth: Survival hopes dented
by England
Wednesday condemn Brighton, Crewe and Millwall
April 17, 2006Wednesday condemn Brighton, Crewe and Millwall
by England
Ancelotti confident before Barca meeting
April 17, 2006Ancelotti confident before Barca meeting
by UEFA Champions League
Henry demands 100% focus on Villarreal
April 17, 2006Henry demands 100% focus on Villarreal
by UEFA Champions League
Sunderland 1 Newcastle 4
April 17, 2006Newcastle staged a stunning second-half fightback to maintain their charge for Europe by slamming the Barclays Premiership door firmly shut behind arch-rivals Sunderland.
CTL: Brazilian clubs can sweep five spots
April 17, 2006It's the last chance to qualify in the Copa Libertadores, and Brazilian clubs have a chance to complete an unprecedented sweep of six spots in the second round. With the final 12 first-round games to be played this week, six of the 16 berths in the knockout round are still up for grabs. Defending champion Sao Paulo, Palmeiras and Goias already have clinched a spot. Corinthians and Internacional are on the verge and Paulista still has an outside chance at advancing.
English Premier League Roundup, Apr. 17
April 17, 2006EPL Wrap: Chelsea maintained its nine-point lead in the English Premier League after it beat 10-man Everton 3-0 and second-place Manchester United won 2-1 over Tottenham on Monday.
Shearer's career could be over
April 17, 2006Newcastle captain Alan Shearer hurt his knee Monday and may have to retire from soccer three games earlier than expected. The former England striker was injured in a challenge with Sunderland's Julio Arca, and he was holding his left knee while a doctor was treating him on the field. He tried to continue, but soon limped off. "He's had a brace put on his knee," Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder said.
Chelsea win but Rooney spoils the party (Reuters)
April 17, 2006(adds later games)
Uruguay name experimental squad for U.S. tour (Reuters)
April 17, 2006Uruguay have named an experimental squad of home-based players for next month's trip to the United States, where they will face Turkey and Romania in friendlies.
Bellion makes permanent exit from Manchester United (Reuters)
April 17, 2006Manchester United striker David Bellion is to make his loan to French side Nice a permanent move, the Premier League club said on Monday.
Barcelona undermanned for Champions League semifinal at Milan (SportsTicker)
April 17, 2006MILAN, Italy (Ticker) - Barcelona will be without several key players for Tuesday's opening leg of its Champions League semifinal clash against AC Milan.
Chelsea 3-0 Everton: Champagne still on ice
April 17, 2006Chelsea 3-0 Everton: Champagne still on ice
by England
Tottenham 1-2 Man Utd: Rooney at the double
April 17, 2006Tottenham 1-2 Man Utd: Rooney at the double
by England
Boro 2-0 West Ham: Cup semi-final warning
April 17, 2006Boro 2-0 West Ham: Cup semi-final warning
by England
Sunderland 1-4 Newcastle: Black Cats mauled
April 17, 2006Sunderland 1-4 Newcastle: Black Cats mauled
by England
King struck down by curse of the metatarsal
April 17, 2006King will be fit for World Cup, says Spurs coach
by World Cup
Milan striker Inzaghi out of Barcelona clash
April 17, 2006Milan striker Inzaghi out of Barca clash
by UEFA Champions League
Moment to make mark, says Barca's Rijkaard
April 17, 2006Moment to make mark, says Barca's Rijkaard
by UEFA Champions League
Lyon chairman fighting to keep players at champions
April 17, 2006Lyon chairman fighting to keep players at champions
by Europe
Lalas steps down as Red Bulls president?
April 17, 2006Alexi Lalas has stepped down as president and general manager of the New York Red Bulls, and is expected to take a similar position with the Los Angeles Galaxy, The New York Times reported Monday.
CL semifinal pits Europe's top two attacks
April 17, 2006Champions League: Two of the most prolific offenses in Europe meet when AC Milan hosts FC Barcelona in the Champions League first-leg semifinal on Tuesday. Milan has 75 goals in 34 matches in the Serie A, while Barcelona has 73 in 33 La Liga games.
Madrid chief denies bust-up with Beckham
April 17, 2006Madrid chief denies bust-up with Beckham
by Europe
Promoted Warnock set for new Blades deal
April 17, 2006Promoted Warnock set for new Blades deal
by England
Record signing Angel set for Villa contract talks
April 17, 2006Angel set for Villa contract talks
by England
Lampard aims to emulate Man Utd 'monopoly'
April 17, 2006Lampard aims to emulate Man Utd 'monopoly'
by England
Blues defender Upson waits on injury update
April 17, 2006Blues defender Upson waits on injury update
by England
Injury blow for Villarreal ahead of Euro semi-final
April 17, 2006Injury blow for Villarreal ahead of Euro semi-final
by UEFA Champions League
Luxemburgo blames pitch for deary Santos draw
April 17, 2006Luxemburgo blames pitch for deary Santos draw
by Global
Lyon chairman wants players to stay after fifth title (Reuters)
April 17, 2006Olympique Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas says his priority is to keep his best players after the team won a record fifth consecutive Ligue 1 title.
Foot injury sidelines Spurs captain King (Reuters)
April 17, 2006Tottenham Hotspur captain Ledley King is likely to be out of action for up to a month after injuring his foot in Saturday's 1-0 win at Everton.
Report: Lalas steps down as Red Bulls president; expected to join Galaxy (AP)
April 17, 2006Alexi Lalas has stepped down as president and general manager of the New York Red Bulls, and was expected to take a similar position with the Los Angeles Galaxy, The New York Times reported Monday. An unidentified club official told the newspaper that the official announcement would be made sometime Monday.
The names PFA should have considered
April 17, 2006The six stars up for the PFA Award each play for one of the 'Big Four' EPL clubs, like previous winner Thierry Henry of Arsenal. FSC's Nick Webster shares his six alternative nominations for the award, preferring some of the hardest workers who rarely get the credit they deserve.
Argentine Roundup, Apr. 16
April 17, 2006Martin Palermo's second-half header gave Boca Juniors a 1-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday and pushed it past River Plate for sole possession of the lead in Argentina's Clausura championship.
Brazilian Roundup, Apr. 16
April 17, 2006Midfielder Alessandro and defender Evaldo scored a goal each and Gremio defeated defending champion Corinthians 2-0 in the Brazilian league opener on Sunday.
PREVIEW-Soccer-Glamour tie kicks off Champions League semis (Reuters)
April 17, 2006By Rex Gowar
Depleted Guadalajara thumped in derby (Reuters)
April 17, 2006Guadalajara, missing six players called up for Mexico's pre-World Cup training camp, were beaten 3-0 at home by smaller neighbours Atlas on Sunday.
Palermo heads Boca back to the top in Argentina (Reuters)
April 17, 2006Boca Juniors went back to the top of the Argentine Clausura championship on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Arsenal while River Plate were held to a goaless draw at San Lorenzo.