Soccer Capsules: Blissfully bleary U.S. returns for CONCACAF Gold Cup

TUKWILA, Wash. - Bob Bradley was walking off the practice field toward the team bus when a father stopped the coach of the United States national team with a cheerful yell from a playground.

"Hey, good job on the Confederations Cup, man!" the dad shouted through a chain-link fence as a little girl played nearby. He then raised his coffee cup to salute the coach.

Two weeks ago, the guy might have thrown his mug at Bradley - if he'd even known who he was.

Now, strangers are toasting the U.S. coach and his team.

Three days after its stunning success in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, a younger, scaled-down U.S. team was back home preparing for Saturday's game against Grenada, its opener in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Wednesday morning's 90-minute practice on a back field with only a girls' team watching through a fence was a relatively quiet plateau off the peak of becoming the first U.S. team to reach the final of a FIFA men's tournament.

That came after the U.S. looked outclassed while losing its first two matches in South Africa, 3-1 to world champion Italy 3-1 and 3-0 to South American champion Brazil. Some were calling for Bradley to be fired before a final first-round match against Egypt.

Then, the Americans advanced to the semifinals on the second tiebreaker by blanking Egypt 3-0 as Brazil beat Italy. There, the revitalized Americans shocked top-ranked Spain. And they led five-time World Cup champion Brazil, the world's new No. 1 as of Wednesday, by two goals at halftime before losing 3-2 in Sunday's championship match.

"People are excited," Bradley said Wednesday, looking anything but following a trek halfway across the globe in the previous two days. "We all feel good that you get to a big tournament and your performance gets soccer people up and going. And now it gives us momentum to keep it going."

Bradley and players Charlie Davies, Freddy Adu, Heath Pearce and Luis Robles were slow to get out of South Africa because of limited flights. Then they traveled more than 10,200 air miles through Amsterdam, Paris and elsewhere across nine time zones Monday and Tuesday before practicing through jet lag Wednesday.

All in an effort to win a fourth consecutive title in the Gold Cup, the championship for North and Central America and the Caribbean.

"Yeah, traveling halfway across the world definitely has an effect," said Davies, the only American on the Gold Cup roster who appeared in games in South Africa.

"It's just a matter of getting refocused. ... It feels really good to be back in the U.S."

Bradley, who is letting most of the national team regulars either return to their clubs or take a break, was home barely long enough to brush his teeth before arriving in Seattle.

"I went Johnannesburg-Dakar-Washington, D.C., to LA," Bradley said. "Come home for three hours, and then into Seattle."

No wonder CONCACAF, soccer's North and Central American and Caribbean governing body, is allowing the U.S. to add seven players to its Gold Cup roster. The national team will likely announce those reinforcements Thursday, to swell the roster to 30. Teams can dress up to 18 for a match.

What clicked for the Americans to go from international flops to international force in a week?

"The work that's gone on for the last few years. The competition we've played against. The experience that we've had together. That all comes into play," Bradley said.

"The first two games, the results were disappointing. But there were positives, especially against Italy. And we knew going up against Egypt that we still had a chance. We talked at halftime about how 3-0 was probably what we needed. And the response was strong. And you could tell that momentum carried over."

Bradley and his four weary travelers were met in Seattle by the only two regular national team starters on the Gold Cup roster, Hannover right back Steve Cherundolo and Houston forward Brian Ching, who are returning from injury.

Ching missed the last two World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup because of a strained hamstring.

Cherundolo, whose 51 international appearances lead the U.S. Gold Cup roster, is coming off hip surgery. The defender, who helped win the 2005 Gold Cup with current teammates Jimmy Conrad and Santino Quaranta, hasn't appeared for the national team since last Oct. 11 against Cuba.

The U.S. completes first-round play next Wednesday against Honduras at Washington, D.C., and July 11 against Haiti at Foxborough, Mass.

U.S. allowed to add 7 players to Gold Cup roster

NEW YORK - The United States is allowed to expand its roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup by seven players to 30.

The decision was made by soccer's North and Central American and Caribbean governing body because the U.S. team is coming off the Confederations Cup, where it lost to Brazil 3-2 in Sunday's final in Johannesburg.

The U.S., seeking its third straight Gold title, included just two regular starters on its 23-man Gold Cup roster announced last week: forward Brian Ching and right back Steve Cherundolo. They missed the Confederations Cup because of injuries.

"With the objective of providing the best performance possible for the public, and in recognition that the back-to-back tournaments strain players and their clubs, CONCACAF will give permission to any team who also is participating in the Confederations Cup in the same year to enlarge their roster to 30 from the 23 already permitted," CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer said Tuesday. "This allowance will be extended to any team in the future that finds itself in the same situation."

Teams can dress 18 players for any match.

The U.S. opens Saturday against Grenada at Seattle. 

Brazil moves to top of FIFA rankings; U.S. at No. 12 

ZURICH - Brazil ended Spain's one-year reign as the world's top soccer team and the United States moved up two spots to No. 12, the highest ranking for the Americans in three years.

The FIFA rankings released Wednesday reflected last month's Confederations Cup, where Brazil rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the United States 3-2 in Sunday's final. The United States hasn't been ranked this highly since it was fifth in June 2006, before its first-round elimination at the World Cup in Germany. The Americans, who hit their high of fourth in April 2006, dropped as low as 31st (November 2006-January 2007 and August 2008).

Brazil rose four spots to gain the top spot for the first time since it held it for two months in July-August 2007 after winning the Copa America. Brazil had been No. 1 for 55 months before it was overtaken by world champion Italy in February 2007.

Spain, upset by the U.S. 2-0 in the Confederations Cup semifinals last week, slipped to second. Spain had held the top spot since last July, a month after winning the European Championship for its first major title in 44 years.

Netherlands fell one spot to third, Italy stayed fourth and Germany slipped two places to fifth. Russia, England, Argentina, France and Croatia rounded out the top 10, and Greece was just ahead of the United States in 11th.

North Korea jumped 23 spots to No. 83 after it qualified for its first World Cup since 1966.

FIFA World Rankings

ZURICH - The top 25 in FIFA's world rankings released Wednesday (previous month's ranking in parentheses):

1. Brazil (5), 1,672 points. 2. Spain (1), 1,590. 3. Netherlands (2), 1,390. 4. Italy (4), 1,229. 5. Germany (3), 1,207. 6. Russia (9), 1,161. 7. England (6), 1,135. 8. Argentina (7), 1,091. 9. France (10), 1,082. 10. Croatia (8), 1,031. 11. Greece (17), 1,001. 12. United States (14), 983. 13. Switzerland (16), 930. 14. Serbia (20), 925. 15. Denmark (24), 909. 16. Australia (29), 886. 17. Portugal (11), 879. 18. Ivory Coast (38), 874. 19. Ukraine (19), 869. 20. Uruguay (17), 860. 21. Czech Republic (15), 850. 22. Paraguay (13), 846. 23. Bulgaria (23), 839. 24. Scotland (22), 837. 25. Israel (25), 822.

Copa Libertadores: Ramires back with Cruzeiro

SAO PAULO - Cruzeiro will be boosted by the return of Brazil midfielder Ramires when it faces fellow Brazilian club Gremio in the semifinal of the Copa Libertadores on Thursday.

Cruzeiro won the first leg 3-1 at home and can reach the final of Latin America's most important club competition even if it loses the second match by a one-goal margin.

Ramires missed the match in Belo Horizonte because he was at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, helping Brazil beat the United States 3-2 in Sunday's final to win its third title.

After starting for Brazil in four of the five matches the team played in South Africa, Ramires arrived in Brazil on Monday and traveled with his Cruzeiro teammates for the decisive Copa Libertadores match against Gremio in Porto Alegre.

"I'm extremely happy about my work with the national team," Ramires said. "But I already practiced with Cruzeiro and I told (coach) Adilson (Batista) that I can play if he wants me to play."

It could be Ramires' last match with Cruzeiro before joining Portugal's Benfica after he was sold for more than $10 million in May. He will stay with the Brazilian club as long as Cruzeiro stays alive in the Copa Libertadores.

"I'm very motivated," Ramires said. "It's the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores. I'll give my best to help Cruzeiro advance to the final and to make sure I can stay for another two matches."

But despite having Ramires, Cruzeiro will not be able to count on Argentine defender Juan Pablo Sorin, who is nursing a muscle injury.

The first leg was marked by an accusation that Gremio Argentine striker Maxi Lopez, a former Barcelona player, racially abused Cruzeiro midfielder Elicarlos during the match. Lopez ended in a police station for interrogation.

Lopez is expected to start for Gremio alongside fellow Argentine striker German Herrera on Thursday. Gremio will welcome back goalkeeper Victor, who also was with Brazil's team at the Confederations Cup. He was the team's third goalkeeper, behind Gomes and starter Julio Cesar.

Gremio won the Copa Libertadores in 1995 and 1983, while Cruzeiro won the competition in 1976 and 1997. Gremio was runner-up to Argentina's Boca Juniors in 2007.

-- Tales Azzoni

Karim Benzema to join Real Madrid from Lyon

LYON, France - Lyon has agreed to sell highly-rated France striker Karim Benzema to Real Madrid in a deal which could be worth up to €41 million euros ($67 million), the French club said on Wednesday.

Lyon said on its Web site that Madrid will pay a minimum fee of €35 million ($57.4 million), rising to up to €41 million euros with performance bonuses.

"Lyon has accepted Karim Benzema's decision and has negotiated the terms of a transfer which satisfies all sides," Lyon said in a statement. "The club wishes Karim the best of success with Real Madrid."

The Spanish club headed off stiff competition from Manchester United to secure a deal for the 21-year-old Benzema, considered one of the most exciting young players in Europe.

He becomes Madrid's third major signing under its ambitious president Florentino Perez.

Madrid has already bought midfielder Kaka from AC Milan, winger Cristiano Ronaldo from United - and also defender Raul Albiol from Valencia. Madrid spent a record 80 million pounds (€94 million; $131 million) on Ronaldo.

"The player wishes to take the opportunity offered to him by Real Madrid to become one of the key players in an ambitious new policy involving several of the world's biggest players," Lyon said.

Perez has vowed to bring success back to Madrid after returning to the presidency in June. Last season, fierce rival Barcelona won the Spanish domestic double and the Champions League.

Benzema first hinted at a move away from the seven-time French champion in November, saying he wanted to discuss his future with club president Jean-Michel Aulas when the season ended.

"There are a lot of clubs, Barca, Real, but also Manchester United, Milan. They are all big clubs you dream about," Benzema told L'Equipe TV at the time. "I want to progress at the highest level to be among the world's best."

A prolific scorer in Lyon's youth team, Benzema broke into the first team during the 2004-05 season.

He scored more than 30 goals in the 2007-08 season but failed to make an impact at the 2008 European Championship in a lackluster French team which went out in the group stages without winning a match. Benzema was annoyed by coach Raymond Domenech's decision not to pick him against the Netherlands in a match Les Bleus lost 4-1.

Benzema has a prolific strike rate in the Champions League, scoring 12 goals in just 19 games.

Last season, Lyon could not sustain its bid for an eighth straight title and finished third behind Marseille and new champion Bordeaux.

Having tied Benzema down to a long-term deal until 2013, Aulas fully anticipated Benzema's value on the transfer market.

Benzema's burgeoning reputation as a goalscorer was magnified even further after he scored a brilliant individual goal against Manchester United at Stade Gerland in the Champions League two seasons ago.

A good negotiator in the transfer market, Aulas sold midfielders Michael Essien to Chelsea at the start of the 2005-06 season and Mahamadou Diarra to Real Madrid the following season.

Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid completed

LONDON - Cristiano Ronaldo's world-record transfer to Real Madrid from Manchester United has been completed.

A fee of $131 million for the player was agreed to between the clubs last month and United reported on its Web site on Wednesday that the fee has been paid.

United manager Alex Ferguson paid tribute to the Portugal winger.

"Cristiano has been a marvelous player for Manchester United. His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world," Ferguson said. "His contribution has been a major factor in the club's success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over."

"Everyone here wishes him well in his future career," Ferguson said.

Man City still keen on Barcelona's Eto'o

MANCHESTER, England - Manchester City may need to show patience in its bid to bring Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o to the Premier League club, manager Mark Hughes said Wednesday.

"We have made an offer but there appears to be a situation between the player and his club that we cannot be part of," Hughes said. "We just have to sit back and see what develops. Patience is a word that has been mentioned and we may need some of it."

Eto'o's agent Josep Maria Mesalles told a Spanish radio station on Monday that the player would see out the final year of his contract before leaving Barcelona on a free transfer next year.

City have reportedly offered Barcelona 25 million pounds ($41 million) for the Cameroon striker in a deal that would earn him around 10 million pounds a year, making him the highest-paid player in world.

Hughes also said that City remains keen to sign Argentina international striker Carlos Tevez from Manchester United.

"I am a huge admirer of Carlos," Hughes said. "Everyone is aware of his situation and we are interested, as we are in all top quality players. We will have to see what happens but these are very early days."

Tevez has made it clear that he will not be staying at United after two years with the club, having become disillusioned at his lack of starts last season.

Meanwhile, City has released Danny Mills, Darius Vassell, Dietmar Hamann and Michael Ball.

The 32-year-old Mills has not been part of the first team for well over a year, while Vassell, 29, and Hamann, 35, have struggled with injuries.

Ball was a regular under Hughes for the first part of last season, but the 29-year-old left back lost his place following the arrival of Wayne Bridge from Chelsea.

Leto leaves Liverpool for Panathinaikos

LIVERPOOL, England - Liverpool has sold Argentine winger Sebastian Leto to Greek club Panathinaikos for an undisclosed fee, the two clubs said on Wednesday.

Leto had to spend last season on loan at Greek champion Olympiakos, making 24 appearances and scoring one goal, after failing to obtain a work permit from the British authorities last year.

The 22-year-old midfielder has now signed a five-year contract with Panathinaikos after the two clubs agreed a fee which Greek media put at €4 million ($5.6 million). Leto's annual salary will be €1.2 million ($1.6 million), according to the media reports.

Leto was signed by Liverpool in August 2007 but was only able to play four games for the Premier League club, having initially had an Italian passport which was later revoked.

For Panathinaikos, the left winger will play alongside French striker Djibril Cisse, signed from Marseille last week for a reported fee of €8 million ($11.2 million), Panathinaikos' most expensive transfer.

Villa moving closer to Barcelona transfer

MADRID - David Villa appeared closer to signing with Barcelona following a reported meeting with the Spanish champion's sporting director Txiki Begiristain.

The Valencia striker, who has just returned from playing for Spain at the Confederations Cup, ate with Begiristain on Wednesday according to newspaper El Comercio. It said an agreement in principal had been reached between the club and the player.

Chelsea and Manchester United are also vying for the 27-year-old striker's services, with Real Madrid pulling out of the running last week after balking at Valencia's reported asking fee of €50 million ($70 million).

Villa scored three goals for Spain at the World Cup warmup event in South Africa, and is coming off a season in which he scored 28 goals - the third best tally in the league.

Ze Roberto eyes move to Hamburg

HAMBURG - Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto is in advanced talks to join Hamburg from German rival Bayern Munich, according to an interview published Wednesday.

Ze Roberto, who will turn 35 on Monday, recently turned down Bayern's offer of a one-year extension to a contract which expired on June 30. He is now a free agent.

Hamburg "is offering me two years with an option on a third," he was quoted as telling the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper. The club may also use him as a scout in South America after that, he added.

The player said that "the negotiations are very far advanced."

Dismissing speculation of a move to Premier League club Manchester City, he said: "I don't want to live in England." Hamburg would be "perfect for me and my family," he added.

Ze Roberto played for Bayern between 2002-06 and again between 2007-09, winning four Bundesliga titles and four German Cups.

Midfielder Amaury Bischoff leaves Arsenal

PARIS - Arsenal midfielder Amaury Bischoff has left the Premier League club after reaching a mutual agreement with coach Arsene Wenger not to renew his contract.

The 22-year-old Bischoff joined from Werder Bremen last year on a one-year deal, but played only four games for Wenger's team last season. Arsenal confirmed on its website Wednesday that Amaury had been released at the end of his contract.

"(Wenger) could not guarantee me playing time next season. So we decided together that it was best that I did not extend (the contract)," Bischoff said on the Web site of sports daily L'Equipe.

Aaron Ramsey signs new long-term deal with Arsenal

LONDON - Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey signed a new long-term contract Wednesday.

The 18-year-old Wales international made 22 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners last season. Six of those were in the Champions League in which he scored his first Arsenal goal in the 5-2 win against Fenerbahce in October. It was his only goal of the season.

"We're delighted that Aaron has signed a new long-term contract," manager Arsene Wenger said. "He made a very good contribution in his first season and he showed that he is a very intelligent player with great quality. He is still only 18 and we're really looking forward to seeing him develop with us in the forthcoming years."

Ramsey, who has made six appearances for Wales, joined Arsenal last summer after turning down Manchester United and Everton.

Advocaat signs to be head coach of Belgium

BRUSSELS - Dutch coach Dick Advocaat has signed a two-year contract to take charge of Belgium's national side from January, the Belgian football federation said on Wednesday.

In the meantime, Advocaat will remain with Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg.

Advocaat will take over from Rene Vandereycken, who was dismissed in April after losses in World Cup qualifiers left Belgium with little chance of making the tournament in South Africa next year.

Having guided the Netherlands to the 1994 World Cup quarterfinals and Euro 2004 semifinals, Advocaat's initial goal will be to qualify Belgium for the European Championship finals in 2012.

WCup cities: Infrastructure work needed right away

BRASILIA, Brazil - The host cities for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil say they need to start infrastructure work as soon as possible in order to have everything ready in time for the competition.

Brazil's government said Wednesday the mayors from the 12 host cities met with Brazil's Sports Minister Orlando Silva to discuss the responsibilities of each part and to create a timetable of what needs to be done.

Silva told mayors the "the biggest concern of the federal government is related to airports and the road system," which are key to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected during the World Cup.

The mayors reiterated the need to start work as soon as possible to make sure the cities can meet all of the requirements for the competition in time.