U.S. name World Cup squad (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

(adds additional reserves named)

Blackburn 1-0 Chelsea: Rovers into Europe

May 2, 2006

Blackburn 1-0 Chelsea: Rovers into Europe

by England

Roeder remains guarded on Toon job

May 2, 2006

Roeder remains guarded on Toon job

by England

Hamburg keep up the pressure on Bayern

May 2, 2006

Hamburg keep up the pressure on Bayern

by Europe

Ching, Conrad make U.S. World Cup roster (AP)

May 2, 2006

Forward Brian Ching and defender Jimmy Conrad were the biggest surprises among 11 players selected Tuesday for their first appearances on a U.S. World Cup roster. Forward Taylor Twellman, and defenders Gregg Berhalter and Chris Albright were not included in the 23-man group picked by U.S. coach Bruce Arena.

Confident Parreira names Brazil team for World Cup opener (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

By Pedro Fonseca

Mexican game in a world of its own (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

When Puebla were relegated to the second division of the Mexican championship in 1999, they found a simple way to deal with their predicament.

Frankfurt hills to come alive with sand and samba (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

By Krista Hughes

Lithuania beats Poland 1-0 in World Cup tuneup match (AP)

May 2, 2006

Andrius Gedgaudas scored in the 14th minute to guide Lithuania past Poland 1-0 Tuesday, handing the Poles their second loss in three World Cup preparation matches. Poland will play Ecuador, Costa Rica and host Germany in the first round of the June 9-July 9 World Cup. Lithuania's Valdas Trakys flicked a long throw-in to Andrius Gedgaudas, who volleyed the ball past Poland goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek...

US name World Cup squad (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

The United States named the following 23-man squad on Tuesday for next month's World Cup. Five additional players were named as reserves.

Reid strikes puts Blackburn into UEFA Cup

May 2, 2006

EPL: Both sides hit the woodwork, but Steven Reid turned home a free kick from Robbie Savage as Blackburn edged newly crowned Premier League champion Chelsea 1-0 on Tuesday to guarantee a UEFA Cup spot next season.

Premiership Recap, May 1-2

May 2, 2006

EPL Recap: Both sides hit the woodwork, but Steven Reid turned home a free kick from Robbie Savage as Blackburn edged newly crowned Premier League champion Chelsea 1-0 on Tuesday to guarantee a UEFA Cup spot next season.

Hibernian 1 Rangers 2

May 2, 2006

Rangers kept their slim Champions League hopes alive with a win over Hibernian at Easter Road.

Scottish Premier League Roundup, May 2

May 2, 2006

Krys Boyd scored two goals and Rangers won 2-1 at Hibernian on Tuesday to maintain their slim chances of capturing a place in next season's European Champions League. With Celtic already crowned champion, Hearts is in second, one point ahead of Rangers having played one less game. Hearts can clinch second with a victory against Aberdeen on Wednesday, limiting Rangers - last season's champion - to third at best and a place in the UEFA Cup.

Lithuania beats Poland 1-0

May 2, 2006

Midfielder Andrius Gedgaudas scored in the 14th minute to guide Lithuania past Poland 1-0 in a friendly match Tuesday, handing the Poles their second loss in three World Cup preparations matches. Poland will play Ecuador, Costa Rica and host Germany in the first round of the June 9-July 9 World Cup. Lithuania striker Valdas Trakys flicked on a long throw-in to midfielder Andrius Gedgaudas, who volleyed the ball past Poland goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek from five meters to put the visitors ahead.

Bundesliga Roundup, May 2

May 2, 2006

Bundesliga Wrap: Hamburg beat Cologne 1-0 on an early own-goal Tuesday and retained its dwindling hopes of overtaking Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title. The win pulled Hamburg within two points of Bayern, which plays its 32nd-round match at home against Stuttgart on Wednesday.

Spurs captain King extends stay at Lane

May 2, 2006

Spurs captain King extends stay at Lane

by England

Blackburn 1-0 Chelsea

May 2, 2006

Blackburn 1-0 Chelsea

by England

Rooney getting on with staying positive

May 2, 2006

Rooney getting on with staying positive

by World Cup

Rijkaard: Winning league is Barca's priority

May 2, 2006

Rijkaard: Winning league is Barca's priority

by Europe

Soccer-Boyd double keeps Rangers Champions' League hopes alive (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

In GLASGOW story headlined "Boyd double keeps Rangers Champions' League hopes alive" please read in paragraph four... "Dundee United were beaten 1-0 by Dunfermline"... instead of... "Dundee United beat Dunfermline 1-0" (making clear Dunfermline won the match)

Reid header guarantees Blackburn UEFA Cup place (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

By Pritha Sarkar

Leaky defence leads to Poland defeat (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Slack defending and a lacklustre second-half performance led to World Cup finalists Poland losing 1-0 to Lithuania in a home friendly on Tuesday.

Ze Rui named as new coach of Cape Verde Islands (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Former international Ze Rui has been named as the Cape Verde Island's new national coach, replacing Alexandre Alhinho who resigned at the end of last year.

Angola winger Gilberto not expected to be fit for Germany (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Angola wing Gilberto is not expected to recover in time from injury to play in next month's World Cup finals in Germany, coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves said on Tuesday.

Inzaghi hopes return to Italy training leads to World Cup squad place (AP)

May 2, 2006

Filippo Inzaghi worked out with Italy's national team Tuesday, hoping to return to the Azzurri for the first time since October 2003. "It's very emotional to be back in these colors," Inzaghi said. "Just putting on the uniform is something special." The 32-year-old forward, among 29 players picked for the two-day pre-World Cup training camp, missed the 2004 European Championship and most of the...

Physio expects Rooney to be fit in eight weeks

May 2, 2006

Physio expects Rooney to be fit in eight weeks

by World Cup

Ashton facing anxious wait over Cup final fitness

May 2, 2006

Ashton facing anxious wait over Cup final fitness

by England

Redknapp to open talks over new Pompey deal

May 2, 2006

Redknapp to open talks over new Pompey deal

by England

Tottenham remaining tight-lipped over Degen deal

May 2, 2006

Tottenham remaining tight-lipped over Degen deal

by England

Royals boss Coppell expecting summer of frustraion

May 2, 2006

Royals boss Coppell expecting summer of frustraion

by England

Inter Milan seeking compensation in cup

May 2, 2006

Inter Milan seeking compensation in cup

by James Eve

Lippi clear on final 23 and upbeat over Totti

May 2, 2006

Lippi clear on final 23 and upbeat over Totti

by Simon Evans

Inzaghi delighted but cautious ahead of Italy return

May 2, 2006

Inzaghi delighted but cautious ahead of Italy return

by Simon Evans

League title more important to Barca, says Rijkaard (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard believes that reaching the Champions League final has led some to undervalue his side's achievements in the Primera Liga.

Vukic ready to make comeback (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Partizan Belgrade midfielder Zvonimir Vukic is set to return to action on Wednesday after being sidelined for three months with a broken foot.

King signs new contract with Tottenham (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Tottenham Hotspur central defender Ledley King has signed a new improved four-year contract, the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday.

Warnock gets another FA improper conduct charge (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock, whose side will be playing in the Premier League next season, has been given a second FA charge for improper conduct in under two months.

Russian club Samara eyes North Korean players (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Several players from North Korea could soon join Krylya Sovietov Samara after representatives from the Russian premier league club visited the reclusive communist state last week.

FA dismisses talk of rift with Man U over Rooney (SportsTicker)

May 2, 2006

LONDON (Ticker) - The Football Association insists there is no club-versus-country rift over the decision about whether Wayne Rooney will go to the World Cup.

Brazilian ref suspended after banning mask (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Brazilian referee Wilson Souza de Mendonca has been suspended for three weeks after refusing to let a player wear a protective mask during a game on Sunday.

Eight-man Emelec cling on to win interrupted derby (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Emelec finished with eight men but managed to cling on and beat arch-rivals Barcelona 3-2 as they completed an Ecuadorean championship derby halted by crowd violence on Sunday.

FIFA: England can wait to replace Rooney

May 2, 2006

World Cup: England can wait until the eve of its first World Cup game to replace injured striker Wayne Rooney, FIFA said on Tuesday. Rooney broke a bone in his right foot on Saturday, and is out of action for at least six weeks.

AS Roma to be under-strength upfront

May 2, 2006

AS Roma will field a makeshift striker partnership when it hosts the first leg of the Italian Cup final against defending champion Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Rafa backing Crouch for WC

May 2, 2006

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes Peter Crouch has the big-time temperament to handle the pressure if he is thrust into the England front line in the absence of the injured Wayne Rooney.

Diaby out for season at Arsenal

May 2, 2006

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will miss the rest of the season after injuring his ankle in Monday's 3-0 victory over Sunderland.

Sunderland 0 Arsenal 3

May 2, 2006

Arsenal kept their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive by condemning relegated Sunderland to another unwanted entry into the record books.

Injured Diaby to miss Arsenal's Champions League final (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Arsenal's French midfielder Abou Diaby will be unavailable for the Champions League final after suffering a serious ankle injury in their 3-0 Premier League win at Sunderland.

Belgian coach signs 15-month contract with Swaziland (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Belgian Jan van Winckel has signed a 15-month contract to coach Swaziland and will arrive on Wednesday to begin working with the tiny kingdom's national team, the National Football Association of Swaziland announced.

Malaga captain Sanz stunned by relegation (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Malaga skipper Fernando Sanz says he is still in a state of shock after his side were relegated to the second division at the weekend.

Top scorer Eto'o says team trophies remain the priority (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o says he is unconcerned about the possibility of being deprived of top spot in the Spanish scoring charts as long as his side manage to retain the title and win the Champions League.

Barthez missed Cup ceremony because he had to go (Reuters)

May 2, 2006

Olympique Marseille goalkeeper Fabien Barthez says he missed Saturday's French Cup final medals ceremony because he had to go and answer the call of nature.

Robben rubbishes talk of Stamford Bridge exit

May 2, 2006

Robben rubbishes talk of Stamford Bridge exit

by England

Ashley Cole ready to step up fitness bid

May 2, 2006

Ashley Cole ready to step up fitness bid

by England

England can wait on Rooney until June 9 - FIFA

May 2, 2006

England can wait on Rooney until June 9 - FIFA

by World Cup

Curbishley set to take a break from football

May 2, 2006

Curbishley set to take a break from football

by England

Blues chief Sullivan hits out at big earners again

May 2, 2006

Blues chief Sullivan hits out at big earners again

by England

Sunderland 0-3 Arsenal: Diaby to miss Paris match

May 2, 2006

Sunderland 0-3 Arsenal: Diaby to miss Paris match

by England

Malaga captain Sanz stunned by relegation

May 2, 2006

Malaga captain Sanz stunned by relegation

by Europe

Toilet break forces Barthez to miss medal presentation

May 2, 2006

Toilet break forces Barthez to miss medal presentation

by Europe

Metatarsal victim Yanagisawa gives Japan hope

May 2, 2006

Metatarsal victim Yanagisawa gives Japan hope

by World Cup

Keep the resumes at the ready ...

May 2, 2006

Despite evidence that success is more likely to come through patience, good planning and consistent execution, the knee-jerk reaction of hiring and firing of managers becomes more pervasive with each season and, as Bobby McMahon explains, the World Cup is a prime display case for potential club and national team bosses.

Preliminary roster gives Wallace, Rodriguez time to heal (AP)

May 2, 2006

Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes' preliminary 24-man roster released Monday includes hobbled defenders Harold Wallace and Michael Rodriguez, who will have two weeks to prove they are fit enough for the upcoming World Cup. Wallace and Rodriguez are recovering from knee injuries, but striker Bryan Ruiz and defender Carlos Johnson -- not included in Monday's announcement -- were standing by if...