Dempsey hopes for World Cup spot
April 28, 2006World Cup: Clint "Deuce" Dempsey has a solid shot at making his first U.S. World Cup team when coach Bruce Arena announces the roster Tuesday, although the talented midifielder was suspended for two weeks after a fight with New England teammate Joe Franchino.
MLS Preview: D.C. United vs. FC Dallas
April 28, 2006MLS Preview: FC Dallas, already leading the Western Conference, looks to extend its franchise-record unbeaten streak to eight matches Saturday when it visits the Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United.
Valenciennes back in Ligue 1 13 years after VA-OM case (Reuters)
April 28, 2006Valenciennes won promotion to Ligue 1 on Friday 13 years after being engulfed in France's biggest match-fixing case with Olympique Marseille.
Scolari pulls out of England job race (Reuters)
April 28, 2006(adds more reaction)
Soccer star who hit teammate hopes for World Cup spot (AP)
April 28, 2006Clint Dempsey dribbled slowly up the left side, then accelerated past a defender and kicked the ball. One of America's top soccer players smacked it off the left post in a scrimmage for the New England Revolution against Harvard last Tuesday. His former college coach had seen moves like that many times.
Boakye may miss World Cup after reinjuring knee (AP)
April 28, 2006Ghana striker Isaac Boakye may miss the World Cup after reinjuring his right knee. Boakye will sit out Arminia Bielefeld's final three games of the Bundesliga season and, if the injury is confirmed as a meniscus tear, would need surgery, his club said Friday. Ghana is in Group E of the World Cup, with the United States, Italy and the Czech Republic.
Soccer-Scolari withdrawal sparks call for English manager (Reuters)
April 28, 2006In LONDON story headlined 'Soccer-Scolari withdrawal sparks call for English manager' please read in second para.... FA chief executive Brian Barwick (corrects from chairman)
Text of Scolari news conference (Reuters)
April 28, 2006Following are extracts from Portugal soccer coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's address to a news conference in Marienfeld, Germany, on Friday, at which he said he was withdrawing from the race to become England manager:
English media a challenge too far for Big Phil (Reuters)
April 28, 2006By Jon Bramley
Scolari turns down English approach
April 28, 2006Luiz Felipe Scolari announced Friday he is not interested in taking over as England soccer coach, a day after English officials approached him about replacing Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup.
Cole looks to second title
April 28, 2006Joe Cole insists Chelsea have put their FA Cup heartbreak behind them as they seek to claim back-to-back titles against Manchester United on Saturday.
Fulham to sign Bullard at end of the season
April 28, 2006Fulham agreed to sign midfielder Jimmy Bullard from Premier League rival Wigan for 2.75 million pounds (US$5 million; €4 million) when the transfer window opens. Bullard agreed to a four-year contract starting May 8, the day after the final round of Premier League games. Fulham offered an undisclosed fee for the 27-year-old Londoner, triggering a clause in his contract that allowed him to open negotiations.
Heavy police presence for French Cup final
April 28, 2006The French Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille on Saturday will be marked by a heavy police presence to prevent clashes between fans of two clubs with a history of violence - as well as fighting between rival PSG supporters.
Macca: That was unbelievable
April 28, 2006Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren admitted even he cannot believe his side's remarkable powers of recovery after seeing them pull off one of the great UEFA Cup comebacks.
Streakers liable for stadium fines, court rules
April 28, 2006A German court ruled that stadium operators can claim damages from streakers at matches - a decision that could affect the World Cup.
Scolari turns down approach to become England coach (AP)
April 28, 2006Luiz Felipe Scolari will not coach the England national team, telling English officials Friday he is not interested in replacing Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup. "The English FA is going to choose a name. My name isn't one of them because I'm closing this matter here," Scolari said in Marienfeld, Germany, where he was visiting Portugal's World Cup base.
Scolari turns down England job (SportsTicker)
April 28, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Luiz Felipe Scolari has withdrawn from the race to be England coach after complaining about the media intrusion into his life.
Scolari withdraws England job candidacy (Reuters)
April 28, 2006(adds quotes, background)
Scolari to make statement on future (Reuters)
April 28, 2006Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will make a statement about his future plans at 1630 GMT on Friday, a spokesman for the Portuguese Football Federation said.
£2.5m-Bullard to join Fulham at end of season
April 28, 2006£2.5m-Bullard to join Fulham at end of season
by England
FA confirm Garcia and Mullins will miss cup final
April 28, 2006FA confirm Garcia and Mullins will miss cup final
by England
Ferguson has 2007 warning for title-chasing Chelsea
April 28, 2006Ferguson has 2007 warning for title-chasing Chelsea
by England
Bruce criticises England's McClaren snub
April 28, 2006Bruce criticises England's McClaren snub
by England
Bayern wary of underdogs in German Cup Final
April 28, 2006Bayern wary of underdogs in German Cup Final
by Europe
Scolari: no deal with England for coaching job
April 28, 2006Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed he was sounded out by English FA officials about taking over as England coach, but denies he received a firm job offer. FA officials met with his agent, Scolari said in an interview published Friday in a Portuguese daily newspaper.
Premier League awards TV packages to Sky
April 28, 2006The English Premier League awarded three live television rights packages Friday to satellite network BSkyB in the first sale of broadcasting contracts under new European Union rules.
Chelsea one point away from retaining title
April 28, 2006EPL Preview: Chelsea is one point away from securing its second consecutive Premier League championship. Jose Mourinho's team will retain the English title tomorrow if it avoids defeat against Man U at Stamford Bridge.
Hans Backe to take over at Panathinaikos
April 28, 2006Sweden's Hans Backe has agreed to take over as coach of Panathinaikos Athens, news reports said Friday.
Harry seeks to secure safety
April 28, 2006Harry Redknapp is desperate to guide Portsmouth to safety this weekend before discussing his future at Fratton Park.
Boakye may miss WC after re-injuring knee
April 28, 2006Ghana striker Isaac Boakye may miss the World Cup after re-injuring his right knee.
A 9-man Internacional earns valuable away win
April 28, 2006A 9-man Internacional from Brazil earned a valuable 2-1 away victory over host Nacional in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores second-round match on Thursday.
Copa Libertadores Roundup, Apr. 27
April 28, 2006Copa Libertadores Wrap: Leandro Somoza converted two penalty kicks Thursday as Velez Sarsfield beat Argentina's Newell's Old Boys in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores second-round series.
Primera Liga forced to extend season to May 20 (Reuters)
April 28, 2006The Primera Liga has been forced to extend the season by another week to finish on May 20, after Sevilla and Barcelona both reached European Cup finals.
No concerns about World Cup says EU police chief (Reuters)
April 28, 2006By Ingrid Melander
Rapid and Dinamo fans celebrate Middlesbrough UEFA win (Reuters)
April 28, 2006Dinamo and Rapid Bucharest fans celebrated into the early hours after Middlesbrough's comeback semi-final win over their bitter rivals Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Cup.
Chelsea fully focussed on title-clinching game
April 28, 2006Chelsea fully focussed on title-clinching game
by England
Scolari defends England talks after Portuguese criticism
April 28, 2006Scolari insists England deal is far from complete
by England
Bullard at Fulham for transfer talks
April 28, 2006Bullard at Fulham for transfer talks
by England
Cisse hopes good form can secure Cup final spot
April 28, 2006Cisse hopes good form can secure Cup final spot
by England
Hughes won't be drawn on Bellamy transfer clause
April 28, 2006Hughes won't be drawn on Bellamy clause
by England
Pearce grateful for fans' support through poor run
April 28, 2006Pearce grateful for fans' support through poor run
by England
Vidic keen to make impression on Champions League
April 28, 2006Vidic keen to make impression on Champions League
by England
Bruce criticises England's McLaren snub
April 28, 2006Bruce criticises England's McLaren snub
by England
McClaren stunned as 'lightning strikes twice'
April 28, 2006McClaren stunned as 'lightning strikes twice'
by England
Sky win 2007 Premiership TV rights
April 28, 2006Sky win 2007 Premiership TV rights
by England
Serie A: Juve, Milan prepare for scudetto showdown
April 28, 2006Juve, Milan prepare for scudetto showdown
by Europe
Club success forces Spanish season back a week
April 28, 2006Club success forces Spanish season back a week
by Europe
La Liga: Title to put gloss on perfect week for Barca
April 28, 2006Title to put gloss on perfect week for Barca
by Europe
Chile beats New Zealand 1-0 in friendly
April 28, 2006Eduardo Rubio scored a first-half goal for Chile to beat New Zealand 1-0 in a soccer friendly in this industrial city north of Santiago on Thursday. Rubio gave Chile the lead in the 37th minute, heading in a cross from the right by midfielder Jorge Valdivia. It was the second friendly this week between the squads. On Tuesday, Chile, with a team made mostly of young players with no international experience, beat New Zealand 4-1 in the city of Rancagua, just south of Santiago.