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Yahoo! Sports - NFL News

07/03/2009 New league UFL to consider signing Vick (AP)
When the United Football League debuts in October, Michael Vick could be one of its players. Michael Huyghue, the commissioner of the new four-team league, says the UFL is willing to give Vick a place to play -- provided there are no pending legal issues. His rights belong to the Orlando franchise. "One of the things that is important in our premiere season is to showcase the quality of talent...

07/02/2009 Jets LB Pace gets 4-game drug suspension (AP)
The NFL suspended Jets linebacker Calvin Pace for four games without pay Thursday for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Pace will miss New York's first four games of the season and be eligible to return for the Monday night game at Miami on Oct. 12. In a statement issued by the Jets, Pace said the ban is a result of him taking an over-the-counter dietary...

07/03/2009 Leaf case in Washington state dismissed (AP)

A lawyer for Ryan Leaf says a fugitive action filed against the former NFL quarterback in Washington state has been dismissed. The Whatcom County prosecutor had filed an interstate fugitive case against Leaf after he was arrested by federal Customs agents as he crossed the border from Canada in mid-June on his way to face drug and burglary charges in Texas.

07/02/2009 Judge won't release Stallworth video (AP)

A judge refused Thursday to release surveillance video depicting the moment a car driven by Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth struck and killed a pedestrian in a drunk-driving crash. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy said the privacy interests of the family of victim Mario Reyes outweighed the public's right to view the video.

07/03/2009 NFL coaches visit troops in Iraq (AP)
The soldiers expressed their gratitude over and over to the NFL coaches who made the trip to Iraq. "They kept thanking us," said the Tennessee Titans' Jeff Fisher. "We kept thanking them." Fisher, the New York Giants' Tom Coughlin, the Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh, former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden are...

07/02/2009 Jury awards DE Taylor, partners $1.5M (AP)
A jury in the U.S. Virgin Islands has awarded Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor and two partners the return of a $1.5 million deposit from the botched sale of a private island. The NFL star, who recently signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract to come back to the Dolphins, will be given his share of the deposit, plus expenses, after a jury determined that the seller breached a 2004...

07/03/2009 Saints lose money in tax credit deal (AP)
At least 16 people associated with the New Orleans Saints, including coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees and Hall of Famer Archie Manning, are among investors who lost $1.9 million. Kevin Houser, cut Monday as the team's long snapper after eight years, said Thursday he and at least 26 others bought what they thought were state film industry tax credits from Louisiana Film Studios in...

Yahoo! Sports - MLB News

07/04/2009 Manny hitless in return from 50-game ban (AP)

Manny Ramirez is back in the big leagues, looking like a guy who missed 50 games. Returning from his suspension for violating baseball's drug policy, the Los Angeles slugger barely hit the ball out of the infield in the Dodgers' 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night. He did provide a lot of energy to the team with baseball's best record.

07/04/2009 Pujols hits fourth slam of season in win (AP)

Albert Pujols appreciates history. He just doesn't let it overshadow what he considers important. Pujols hit his club-record fourth grand slam of the season and 10th of his career, and Jarrett Hoffpauir drove in the go-ahead runs in the ninth inning with his first career hit as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-4 on Friday night.

07/04/2009 Danks sharp as White Sox extend run to 7 (AP)

The Chicago White Sox seem to be getting better swings at Zack Greinke every time they see him. Before a packed house Friday night, they finally beat him. John Danks threw 7 1-3 innings and got a big lift from reliever Scott Linebrink, while A.J. Pierzynski and Scott Podsednik had three hits apiece to lead the White Sox over the Kansas City Royals 5-0, their seventh straight victory.

07/04/2009 Polanco lifts Tigers over Twins in 16 (AP)

Placido Polanco hit a pair of extra-inning RBI singles, the second giving the Detroit Tigers the lead for good in an 11-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins in 16 innings Friday night. Polanco drove in a run in the top of the 14th inning off R.A. Dickey, but Michael Cuddyer's RBI single in the bottom half tied it at eight.

07/04/2009 Cubs' Ramirez, Johnson make rehab starts (AP)
Aramis Ramirez had a double in three plate appearances in his first rehabilitation game since going on the disable list May 9 with a dislocated left shoulder. The Chicago Cubs third baseman also walked and lined out to right field, and scored two runs for the Class A Peoria Chiefs on Friday night. Also, Cubs center fielder Reed Johnson popped out, singled and was hit by a pitch for Peoria.

07/04/2009 Choo's 2 HRs, 7 RBIs power Tribe in rout (AP)

Shin-Soo Choo gave his high school baseball coach a fitting tribute. Choo learned before batting practice that his coach had died of cancer. Then he homered twice and drove in a career-high seven runs in a 15-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night that snapped Cleveland's five-game losing streak.

07/04/2009 Texas' Hamilton not ready to return yet (AP)
Josh Hamilton's return to the Texas Rangers has been put on hold. Rangers manager Ron Washington said Friday night that the All-Star center fielder will play at least one more rehab game for Triple-A Oklahoma City as he attempts to come back from abdominal surgery. Hamilton was supposed to play the outfield Friday night at Iowa.

07/04/2009 Twins' Slowey on DL with strained wrist (AP)
Minnesota Twins right-hander Kevin Slowey was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained wrist following his start against the Detroit Tigers on Friday night. Slowey, who was trying to become the majors' first 11-game winner, gave up a season-worst six runs on five hits in three innings in Minnesota's 11-9 loss in 16 innings.

07/04/2009 Giants start quick, rout Astros 13-0 (AP)

Pablo Sandoval had a feeling back in spring training that the San Francisco Giants could have high-output offensive nights like this. It certainly helped ease any nerves rookie Ryan Sadowski may have had in his home debut. Sandoval hit a two-run homer and an RBI triple to boost his bid for an All-Star spot and stake Sadowski to a quick cushion, and the Giants routed the Houston Astros 13-0 on...

07/04/2009 Phillies' Lopez gets first win since '07 (AP)

Rodrigo Lopez walked off the mound to a standing ovation from a sellout crowd in the home of the defending World Series champions. Not bad for a guy who hadn't pitched in the majors in two years. Lopez took a three-hitter into the seventh inning, helping the Philadelphia Phillies snap a six-game home losing streak with a 7-2 victory over the New York Mets on Friday night.

Yahoo! Sports - NBA News

07/04/2009 Jackson to return as Lakers coach (AP)
Phil Jackson will return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season, getting a clean bill of health following a record championship season. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September and said on the team's Web site Friday he got the go-ahead for another season after consulting the team doctor.

07/03/2009 Report: Celts offer Rasheed Wallace deal (AP)
The Boston Celtics have offered forward Rasheed Wallace a contract as part of a major push to land the coveted forward, according to a published report on Friday. The Boston Globe reports the Celtics offered Wallace a deal during a three-hour meeting in Detroit on Thursday. Celtics stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce joined general manager Danny Ainge and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck...

07/03/2009 Lakers' Gasol to play for Spain at Euros (AP)
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship. Gasol said Friday that it was an easy decision after winning the NBA finals. "The season went really well for me and now I want to defend our country," Gasol said. "We're really hopeful about the team we have, but we can't go there with a mentality that we'll be...

07/03/2009 Artest agrees to deal with Lakers (AP)

Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. "I am very excited to finally be going to L.A.," Artest said in a statement issued by his agent Thursday night. "For years now, the Lakers have expressed interest in having me play for them, but we could never get the stars to align.

07/03/2009 Yao still consulting with doctors (AP)
Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot. The playing future of the 7-foot-6 Yao is in question amid reports from the team doctor that the hairline fracture in his foot could keep him out all of next season, and potentially end his career.

07/03/2009 Rockets, Ariza agree on multiyear deal (AP)
The Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because NBA rules prohibit announcing free-agent deals until next week, said the Rockets offered Ariza the full mid-level exception for the first year, about $5.6 million.

07/02/2009 Gordon: Bulls never made contract offer (AP)
A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station Thursday that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority. "I mean they didn't pursue me at all. They didn't even make an offer so it was pretty much a one-man race," Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago.

07/02/2009 Knicks to offer multiyear deal to Kidd? (AP)
Donnie Walsh says he will consider giving more than a one-year deal to a free agent, following a report that he plans to do that with Jason Kidd. ESPN.com, citing sources close to the process, reported Thursday that the Knicks would offer a three-year deal to the point guard. The Knicks hosted Kidd and his agent Wednesday on the first day of free agency and are hoping he'll leave Dallas to come...

07/01/2009 Bryant doesn't opt out of contract (AP)
Kobe Bryant insisted his contract status wouldn't be an issue, and he was right. Now the Los Angeles Lakers can turn their attention to some NBA champion teammates. Bryant chose not to terminate the final two years of his contract and will remain with the Lakers, the team he wanted to leave just two summers ago.

Yahoo! Sports - NHL News

07/04/2009 Nash, Jackets agree on 8 years, $62.4M (AP)
Rick Nash and the Columbus Blue Jackets have reached agreement on an eight-year contract extension through the 2017-18 season. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson confirmed the signing to The Associated Press on Friday night. The Canadian Press first reported the signing, saying the deal is worth $62.4 million.

07/04/2009 Kings acquire LW Smyth from Avalanche (AP)
The Los Angeles Kings acquired left wing left wing Ryan Smyth from the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night for defensemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing and a fifth-round draft pick next year. The 33-year-old Smyth had 26 goals and 33 assists in 77 games last season. He has 310 goals and 350 assists in 920 regular-season games with Edmonton, the New York Islanders and Colorado.

07/03/2009 Samuelsson leaves Wings to join Canucks (AP)
Free agent forward Mikael Samuelsson signed a $7.5 million, three-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday. "Obviously (the money) was the key, I shouldn't lie," Samuelsson said in a conference call after signing the deal. The Swedish right wing spent the past four seasons in Detroit, winning the Stanley Cup in 2008 and falling one game short this past season.

07/03/2009 Fedotenko OKs pay cut to stay with Pens (AP)
Turns out more than one player is willing to take a hometown discount to stay with the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Ruslan Fedotenko signed a $1.8 million, one-year contract Friday, becoming the third forward to take a pay cut so he wouldn't have to leave a mostly young team that expects to be a championship contender for years.

07/03/2009 Ducks' Selanne done after next season (AP)
Anaheim forward Teemu Selanne says his next NHL season will be his last. Selanne, a 10-time All-Star, celebrated his 39th birthday Friday. He told the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper in Finland that a man his age doesn't belong in the NHL. Selanne recently contemplated retirement but decided to play for one more season.

07/03/2009 Likely 1 last season for Bruins' Recchi (AP)

Mark Recchi wants one last chance to be a Stanley Cup champ again. The 41-year-old Recchi, who signed a one-year deal to return to the Bruins on Thursday, said during a conference call Friday that he'll likely call it quits after next season. "I'm going to be honest with you. This will probably be it," the 20-year veteran said.

07/03/2009 Ex-'Hawks F Havlat happy to join Wild (AP)

When Chicago would no longer give him a long-term contract, Martin Havlat turned his focus to Minnesota. He was intrigued by the Wild's hockey-savvy fans, well-regarded arena, young core players and new up-tempo style, enough that he was willing to take a little less money than offered elsewhere to leave general manager Chuck Fletcher salary-cap flexibility.

07/02/2009 Blackhawks sign former Devils C Madden (AP)
The Chicago Blackhawks signed John Madden on Thursday, adding a veteran center who has spent his entire 10-year career with the New Jersey Devils. The 36-year-old Madden signed a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. Madden helped the Devils make the playoffs the last nine seasons, including Stanley Cup titles in 2000 and 2003.

07/02/2009 Thrashers get Antropov for $16M, 4 years (AP)
The Atlanta Thrashers signed free agent forward Nik Antropov to a four-year, $16 million contract on Thursday, setting up a reunion with Ilya Kovalchuk. The 29-year-old Antropov played with Kovalchuk in Russia during the NHL lockout. General manager Don Waddell said Kovalchuk endorsed the signing with a text message saying "great job." Kovalchuk's approval is important.

07/03/2009 Ex-Penguins D Scuderi signs with Kings (AP)

Rob Scuderi signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, leaving the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins without their top defensive pairing. Scuderi, who teamed with Hal Gill to form a shutdown tandem on the blue line, led the Penguins with a plus-23 rating and had a career-high 16 points in 81 regular-season games.

Yahoo! Sports - MLS News

07/04/2009 Real Salt Lake ties Earthquakes 1-1 (AP)
SANDY, Utah (STATS) -- Up a goal and a man, the San Jose Earthquakes entered stoppage time Friday night within sight of getting out of the Western Conference basement. But after booting in an own-goal, San Jose had to settle for a 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake, which ran its unbeaten streak to a franchise-record tying five games.

07/04/2009 Salt Lake snatch 1-1 draw after own goal (PA SportsTicker)
An own goal in stoppage time salvaged a 1-1 home draw for ten-man Real Salt Lake against the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer on Friday.

07/03/2009 Revolution-Galaxy Preview (AP)
Even before he returned to the field, Landon Donovan was making news this week. The Los Angeles Galaxy now hope he can provide just as much excitement on the pitch after a four-game absence. Donovan and the Galaxy look to record their first win in 10 matches against the New England Revolution as the two meet Saturday.

07/03/2009 United-Crew Preview (AP)
A bitter rivalry created by three conference finals meetings in the first four seasons of MLS had faded in recent years with a lack of high-profile matchups between the Columbus Crew and D.C. United. The clubs' last meeting may have restored some of that intrigue. In their first matchup since the Crew eliminated United from postseason contention en route to their first MLS Cup title last fall,...

07/03/2009 Fire-Rapids Preview (AP)
After having their franchise-record unbeaten stretch snapped, the Colorado Rapids still have a chance to extend two other impressive streaks Saturday night. The Rapids look to continue their success on Independence Day and improve their unbeaten streak at home against the Chicago Fire to 11 games. Colorado (5-3-6) fell 3-0 at Seattle on Sunday for its first loss since April 19.

07/03/2009 Dynamo-Wizards Preview (AP)
The Houston Dynamo had the longest undefeated streak in club history snapped in their last match, getting shut out for the first time since April. Starting a new streak Saturday night could be tough with their top two scorers missing. Playing without Brian Ching and Stuart Holden, the league-best Dynamo look to rebound from their first loss in 12 matches as they visit a Kansas City Wizards team...

07/03/2009 Red Bulls-FC Dallas Preview (AP)
Apparently the New York Red Bulls didn't think Jon Conway could end their road woes. Their next starting goalkeeper might have a reasonable chance to do so considering he won't have to contend with Kenny Cooper. After releasing Conway, the Red Bulls look to end their MLS-record, regular-season road winless streak at 22 games Saturday night as they face an FC Dallas team that will be missing...

07/02/2009 Earthquakes-Real Salt Lake Preview (AP)
Real Salt Lake feels success at home will be a key factor if it's going to return to the playoffs. Its first win at Rio Tinto Stadium in two months has the team moving in the right direction. Salt Lake will try to extend its overall unbeaten streak to five games and avenge its last loss as it hosts the last-place San Jose Earthquakes on Friday night.

Yahoo! Sports - World Soccer News

07/04/2009 Close Canada/Jamaica Match Kicks Off Gold Cup (Goal.com)
For most of the match, Jamaica and Canada were even, but a magnificent strike by Ali Gerba lifted Canada, much to the frustration of the Reggae Boyz.

07/04/2009 Gold Cup: El Salvador Hit Late To Beat Costa Rica (Goal.com)
Two goals from Osale Romero led El Salvador to 2-1 win over Costa Rica in Gold Cup Group A action.

07/04/2009 El Salvador surprises Costa Rica 2-1 (AP)
Osael Romero scored two goals, including the winner in the 86th minute, to give El Salvador a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica in Group A at the Gold Cup on Friday night. El Salvador and Canada share first place with three points apiece after Canada defeated Jamaica 1-0. Romero broke a 1-1 tie by intercepting an attempted defensive clearance and scoring on a low 16-yard shot before an overwhelmingly...

07/04/2009 Canada Take First Win In Gold Cup Over Jamaica (Goal.com)
The Gold Cup kicked off in Carson, Calif. with Canada taking a slender 1-0 win over Jamaica.

07/04/2009 Canada edges Jamaica in opener (AP)

Ali Gerba scored in the 75th minute to give Canada a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the opening game of the Gold Cup on Friday night. Gerba volleyed Mike Klukowski's left-wing cross inside the left post from 7 yards while being marked tightly by Jamaican defender Claude Davis. Goalkeeper Greg Sutton kept Jamaica scoreless with two saves in a 10-minute span.

07/04/2009 Guille Replaces Arellano On Mexico's Gold Cup Roster (Goal.com)
An ankle injury ruled Omar Arellano out of Mexico's Gold Cup effort and Mexico turned to Guillermo Franco to fill his spot.

07/03/2009 CONMEBOL says Copa final on despite swine flu (AP)
Next week's first-leg match in the finals of the Copa Libertadores will go ahead in Argentina despite a swine flu outbreak that is blamed in the deaths of at least 44 people in the country. CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American soccer, said on Friday the match between Argentine club Estudiantes and Brazilian club Cruzeiro would be played in La Plata on Wednesday.