Albright replaces injured Hejduk on World Cup roster (AP)
May 3, 2006A day after his World Cup dreams were crushed when he was left off the U.S. roster, Chris Albright was sitting at his computer Wednesday when he got an instant message to call coach Bruce Arena. Leah Albright, who is 7 1/2 months pregnant, asked her husband what was going on. "I didn't want her to see the instant message because I didn't want her to get her hopes up before I actually spoke to...
Ecuador's Barcelona handed home ban after riot (Reuters)
May 3, 2006Ecuador's Barcelona have been given a one-match home ban after their fans rioted and forced last Sunday's Guayaquil derby at arch-rivals Emelec to be suspended.
Barcelona clinches second straight Spanish title (AP)
May 3, 2006Barcelona clinched its second straight Spanish league title on Wednesday when second-place Valencia lost to Mallorca 2-1. Barcelona players began celebrating at halftime of their game at Celta de Vigo and went on to win 1-0 on a goal by Samuel Eto'o in the 55th minute. Barcelona (24-4-7) has 79 points and an 11-point lead over Valencia (19-6-11), which has two games left.
'Hughes pens three-year Rovers extension'
May 3, 2006'Hughes pens three-year Rovers extension'
by England
Bolton, Middlesbrough play to 1-1 draw
May 3, 2006EPL: Bolton and Middlesbrough played to a 1-1 draw, a match with little importance in the standings but featuring two managers being considered for the England national team position.
Barcelona wins second-straight title
May 3, 2006La Liga Wrap: Barcelona retained the Spanish league title on Wednesday after its nearest challenger Valencia lost 2-1 against Mallorca. Barcelona took an unassailable lead after Valencia was left eight points behind with only two matches to play.
Rijkaard behind Barcelona's second title
May 3, 2006Frank Rijkaard is a reticent man who prefers to shun publicity. But the Dutchman's achievement in steering FC Barcelona to its second straight Spanish league title has turned him into one of European soccer's most talked about coaches. Rijkaard wasn't the Catalan club's first choice in June 2003 when its new president Joan Laporta sought someone to lift it from the doldrums, but he made his mark in his first season, guiding Barcelona to a runner-up finish - its best position since 2000.
Ligue One Roundup, May 3
May 3, 2006Mamadou Niang and Renato Civelli scored and Marseille won 2-1 at Auxerre to move into fourth place in the French first division on Wednesday. Also, Rennes drew 1-1 at home with French Cup winner Paris Saint-Germain, a result which guaranteed second-place Bordeaux automatic qualification for next season's Champions League. Lyon, which has 81 points from 36 rounds, has already sealed its fifth straight division title, while Bordeaux has 65 points, and Rennes 58, with two games remaining.
Arsenal to take legal action
May 3, 2006Arsene Wenger has revealed the club are considering legal action against Dan Smith after his foul on Abou Diaby on Monday.
WC: Albright replaces injured Hejduk
May 3, 2006World Cup: Chris Albright made the U.S. World Cup roster a day late, earning a spot on Wednesday after a test revealed Frankie Hejduk has a torn knee ligament. Hejduk was injured on Saturday while playing for Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew.
Big Sam: McClaren will be handed England post
May 3, 2006Big Sam: McClaren will be handed England post
by England
Bolton 1-1 Middlesbrough: McClaren's legacy
May 3, 2006Bolton 1-1 Middlesbrough: McClaren's legacy
by England
Barca secure second successive Liga crown
May 3, 2006Barca secure second successive Liga crown
by Europe
Hearts 1-0 Aberdeen: Champions League awaits
May 3, 2006Hearts 1-0 Aberdeen: Champions League awaits
by Europe
Mancini levels Roma-Inter Coppa first leg
May 3, 2006Mancini
levels Roma-Inter Coppa first leg
by Europe
Sneijder goal puts Ajax in Champions League
May 3, 2006Sneijder goal puts Ajax in Champions League
by Europe
Bayern comeback tightens grip on title
May 3, 2006Bayern comeback tightens grip on title
by Europe
Costinha quits Moscow over unpaid wages
May 3, 2006Costinha quits Moscow over unpaid wages
by Europe
Blackburn manager Hughes signs new three-year deal-report (Reuters)
May 3, 2006Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes has signed a new three-year deal with the Premier League club, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
Allardyce tips McClaren for England job after 1-1 draw (Reuters)
May 3, 2006Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce predicted his Middlesbrough counterpart Steve McClaren would be named England coach on Thursday after a 1-1 draw between the two Premier League sides on Wednesday.
Barcelona retain Primera Liga title (Reuters)
May 3, 2006(Updates after Barcelona match)
WC: Late Lewis hopes for fast U.S. finish
May 3, 2006World Cup: Eddie Lewis will be arriving late for the United States World Cup training camp. It won't be the first time as Lewis was tardy four years ago, but made his mark against Mexico.
Iran fears team will be attacked by terrorists
May 3, 2006Iran fears its national soccer team could be the target of a terrorist attack at the World Cup, Germany's Interior Ministry said Wednesday. Iranian officials are worried that dissident groups - like the People's Mujahadeen - opposed to president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his regime could become violent at the June 9-July 9 World Cup. "They have told us they believe their team could be the victim of a terrorist attack," German Interior Ministry spokesman Christian Sachs said.
WC: Compensation issue rolls on ahead
May 3, 2006Bayern Munich has called for a compromise in the dispute between leading European clubs and FIFA over compensation for players used in international tournaments. "For all participants, it would be better to sort it out ourselves to avoid any legal dispute," Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the European Parliament on Wednesday.
Baup to leave Saint-Etienne at end of season
May 3, 2006Saint-Etienne said Wednesday that Elie Baup will quit as coach at the end of the season. Baup has been in charge of the 13th-place French club since last season after joining from Bordeaux. "Saint-Etienne respects Elie Baup's decision, thanks him for all the work he has done and wishes him good luck for the future," club president Bernard Caiazzo said in a statement. "Saint-Etienne wants to keep progressing by recruiting a coach who reflects the values of the club.
Spanish league to contest FIFA ruling
May 3, 2006Spain's Football League will make a legal appeal against a FIFA ruling preventing it from playing games after May 15.
Gonzalez optimistic over Liverpool work permit
May 3, 2006Gonzalez optimistic over Liverpool work permit
by England
Newcastle ask for dispensation for Roeder move
May 3, 2006Newcastle ask for dispensation for Roeder move
by England
France coach moves to avoid late heartbreak
May 3, 2006France coach moves to avoid late player heartbreak
by World Cup
Soccer-Germany well prepared for World Cup security (Reuters)
May 3, 2006In VIENNA story headlined "Germany well prepared for World Cup security-U.S." please read in 5th paragraph ... Max-Peter Ratzel ... instead of Max-Peter Raztel ... (corrects spelling of second name). A corrected version follows
Zenit St Petersburg sack Czech coach Petrzela (Reuters)
May 3, 2006Zenit St Petersburg's Czech coach Vlastimil Petrzela was sacked on Wednesday following a string of poor results, the Russian premier league club said.
Orasje beat Siroki Brijeg to win Bosnian Cup (Reuters)
May 3, 2006Orasje won their first Bosnian Cup on Wednesday to earn a UEFA Cup qualifying spot after beating Siroki Brijeg 3-0 in the second leg of the final.
More than one fracture in Rooney's broken foot (SportsTicker)
May 3, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Sven-Goran Eriksson admits England losing Wayne Rooney is like Brazil losing Ronaldinho.
Rooney has multiple fractures in foot (AP)
May 3, 2006England striker Wayne Rooney's chances of playing in the World Cup appeared more unlikely Wednesday after X-rays showed other fractures in his right foot. The Manchester United star broke his right foot in a Premier League game against Chelsea on Saturday and is expected to be out at least six weeks.
Tunisians queue for World Cup tickets despite visa fears (Reuters)
May 3, 2006Thousands of Tunisian soccer fans queued for more than four hours on Wednesday for World Cup tickets, even though visa problems risked scuppering their plans to travel to Germany.
McClaren likely to be confirmed as England manager (SportsTicker)
May 3, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Steve McClaren will be confirmed as England's manager following a board meeting of the Football Association on Thursday.
Arsenal consider legal action over Diaby tackle
May 3, 2006Arsenal considering legal action over Diaby tackle
by England
I can fill Rooney's boots, insists Cole
May 3, 2006I can fill Rooney's boots, insists Cole
by World Cup
McClaren appointment 'expected on Thursday'
May 3, 2006McClaren appointment 'expected on Thursday'
by England
Hoddle to stay at Wolves
May 3, 2006Wolverhampton Wanderers will keep manager Glenn Hoddle next season despite the club's failure to win promotion to the Premier League.
Vassell could be out of WC
May 3, 2006Stuart Pearce has confirmed Manchester City's intention to send Darius Vassell for an operation on his long-standing hernia problem next week.
Mourinho praise for Rovers
May 3, 2006Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho feels Blackburn are a different team to the one he slated for their brutal behaviour last season.
Blackburn 1 Chelsea 0
May 3, 2006Blackburn are back in Europe as Mark Hughes' side proved to Jose Mourinho they are no longer the thugs he labelled them 15 months ago.
Grip - Rooney-less England need plan B
May 3, 2006Grip - Rooney-less England need plan B
by World Cup
Mentor Smith warns McClaren to snub England job
May 3, 2006Mentor Smith warns McClaren to snub England job
by World Cup
Allardyce lauds Boro's 'remarkable achievement'
May 3, 2006Allardyce lauds Boro's 'remarkable achievement'
by England
Fowler waits for verdict on new Liverpool contract
May 3, 2006Fowler waits for verdict on new Liverpool deal
by England
Mourinho pays tribute to Euro-bound Blackburn
May 3, 2006Mourinho pays tribute to Euro-bound Rovers
by England
Chairman Mandaric pledges future to Portsmouth
May 3, 2006Chairman Mandaric pledges future to Portsmouth
by England
Parreira names Brazil team for World Cup opener
May 3, 2006Parreira names Brazil team for World Cup opener
by World Cup
Keller and Reyna set for fourth World Cup
May 3, 2006Keller and Reyna set for fourth World Cup
by World Cup
Rooney has broken more than one bone-Eriksson (Reuters)
May 3, 2006(updates with details)
France coach to take just 23 to World Cup training camp (Reuters)
May 3, 2006France coach Raymond Domenech will take just his squad of 23 players and nobody else to a World Cup training camp later this month.
Di Stefano criticises lack of planning at Real Madrid (Reuters)
May 3, 2006Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano has criticised the club for its lack of long-term planning and an obsession with buying new players.
Plucky won't do for U.S. soccer anymore (AP)
May 3, 2006Plucky sounds just about right. That was the word the rest of the world affixed to U.S. soccer players who ventured abroad in the last 15 years, and it was about as welcome as a cold plate of porridge. It meant most Yanks were brave but overmatched; tough and athletic, but lacking the necessary skill set, and that when gathered together on a field somewhere, they were very beatable.
Hernia op ends talk of Vassell England call
May 3, 2006Hernia op ends talk of Vassell England call
by World Cup
Double fracture leaves Rooney needing a 'miracle'
May 3, 2006Double fracture leaves Rooney needing a 'miracle'
by World Cup
Rooney 'still six only weeks from return,' insist United
May 3, 2006Rooney 'still six only weeks from return,' insist United
by England
Paraguay coach saddened by Rooney injury
May 3, 2006Paraguay coach saddened by Rooney injury
by World Cup
CTL: Ecuador's Liga de Quito advances
May 3, 2006Ecuador's Liga de Quito - boasting seven World Cup-bound players - scored a first-half goal and easily advanced to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores with a 1-0 victory over Colombia's Atletico Nacional on Tuesday.
Copa Libertadores Roundup, May 2
May 3, 2006Copa Libertadores Wrap: Chivas of Mexico and Ecuador's Liga de Quito advanced to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals Tuesday at the expense of their Colombian counterparts. Chivas suffered a 3-1 loss to Independiente, but still advanced to the final eight on a 4-3 goal aggregate.
ACL: Gamba, Chonbuk play to draw
May 3, 2006Satoshi Yamaguchi scored a late goal Wednesday as Japan's Gamba Osaka and Chonbuk Motors of South Korea played to a 1-1 draw in Group E of the Asian Champions League.
U.S. coach Arena plays it close to the vest
May 3, 2006American national team manager Bruce Arena today unveiled his World Cup roster to the public. As expected, the surprises were few, but there were a couple of doozies.
Ching, Conrad make U.S. World Cup roster
May 3, 2006World Cup: Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching and Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad were among 11 newcomers picked Tuesday for the U.S. World Cup roster, joining a team that also will include Moenchengladbach goalkeeper Kasey Keller and Fulham striker Brian McBride.
WC: Poland hungry for repeat of past glories
May 3, 2006After a long flight to South Korea and a short stay at the last World Cup, Poland will welcome the short trip to Germany. The team, now led by coach Pawel Janas, is anxious to leave behind the bitter memories of its brief campaign in Asia four years ago, where it was outscored 6-0 in its first two matches and failed to advance to the second round. Now, Poland is back in the World Cup, having eased through qualifying and finishing second in its group behind England.