Soccer Capsules: While others rest, Davies pulls double duty for U.S.

WASHINGTON - Two games on different continents in less than a week? That was hardly an ordeal for U.S. national team forward Charlie Davies.

After all, this is an athlete whose soccer-loving father was more than a bit disappointed when his son failed in the first attempt to make a team in a local kids' league in New Hampshire.

The fallout?

"Three hours a day of training as a 6-year-old," Davies said. "That's when I developed my passion for soccer."

Davies' father, a native of Gambia, must have known what he was doing. Davies became a prep star in Massachusetts, avoiding burnout along the way by joining the football and wrestling teams.

He went on to Boston College and became a finalist for the Hermann Award, given to college's top soccer player. Then he turned pro, headed to Sweden and is very much in the U.S. picture for next year's World Cup - even if means pulling double duty by playing in both the Confederations Cup in South Africa and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States.

"I think if you look at what's happened with Charlie, this summer the combination of both tournaments works well in terms of trying to move him forward," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said Tuesday after the final practice session before Wednesday's Gold Cup match against Honduras at RFK Stadium. "He finished up the Confederations Cup in good form, and his club has felt that this time is good for him, and so we've been able to find a good balance there."

Davies started the Confederations Cup final against Brazil in Johannesburg on June 28, then scored a goal in the opener of the Gold Cup on Saturday against Grenada in Seattle. Bradley is going with younger players in the Gold Cup to give his regulars a break, but Davies fits in both categories, having just turned 23.

"After a 35-hour trip, it's difficult on the mind and body," Davies said. "The first game was good to get it out of the system, and now I'm ready to go."

The U.S. team handled Grenada easily, winning 4-0, but Honduras will be a tougher test. Honduras is the last CONCACAF opponent to defeat the Americans on U.S. soil, winning 3-2 at RFK in a World Cup qualifier in 2001. The U.S. home unbeaten streak against CONCACAF teams has since reached 54 - 44 wins and 10 ties.

"This is going to be a much better game," Bradley said. "We expect that this is going to be the game for putting ourselves in a position to win the group."

Bradley won't announce his lineup until game time, so Davies might be able to give his legs a rest on Wednesday. That said, any chance to play is a chance to make another impression for next year's World Cup. Regardless, Davies really wants to be on the field Saturday, when the U.S. team returns to his native New England to play Haiti at Foxborough, Mass.

Davies is also playing for a possible better job overseas. His decision to leave Boston College early and try his hand in Europe appeared to backfire initially. He struggled during his first season with Hammarby IF and received an ultimatum from his coach, who challenged Davies by saying "Do you want to go back?" or stay in Sweden and become a better player.

"I needed to get pushed," Davies said. "I stayed, and it was the best decision of my life."

Davies had a breakthrough year with 14 goals for Hammarby in 2008, enhancing his reputation all around. He has four goals in nine appearances this season, though hasn't appeared for Hamarby since May. A shot with a more prominent club in a league with higher prestige could be next.

"A lot of clubs have taken serious steps," he said. "Right now it's a waiting game. For me, it's really exciting to have a lot of clubs talking about me."

Davies isn't the same player in Sweden as he is with the national team. With Hammarby, he's expected to use his speed to score and counterattack often, while Bradley likes his forwards to play more physically and pay more attention to defense.

"In Sweden, the team really depends on me. It's 'Where to find Charlie?'" Davies said. "On the national team, you have to be a more well-rounded player and play for the cause."

Michael Bradley suspended for 3 matches

WASHINGTON - A confrontation with a referee following the United States' upset victory over Spain has earned midfielder Michael Bradley a three-game suspension, although the penalty is unlikely to affect qualifying for next year's World Cup.

Bradley, son of U.S. coach Bob Bradley, was sent off in the 87th minute for a lunging tackle in the 2-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinals in South Africa last month. Michael Bradley then confronted Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda in the tunnel after the game, drawing the suspension announced Tuesday by soccer governing body FIFA.

FIFA said Bradley breached its disciplinary code "by committing acts of misconduct against opponents and match officials."

"Obviously, the emotions after a game like that with a decision like that are high," Bob Bradley said Tuesday after the final practice session for Wednesday's CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Honduras. "This is typically the way FIFA handles those things."

The red card he received for the foul meant Bradley was automatically suspended for the Confederations Cup final. He's serving the next two games of the suspension during the ongoing Gold Cup - even though he's not on the roster because the team is using mostly younger players to get the veterans a break.

Bradley will be eligible to return for the Aug. 12 World Cup qualifier at Mexico. However, a fourth game could be added to the suspension if Bradley misbehaves again. FIFA will review any red card Bradley receives over a probationary period of six months and decide whether the additional game is warranted.

Larrionda was also the referee during the United States' 1-1 draw with Italy in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup, a match that finished with nine Americans on the field against 10 Italians after Larrionda issued three red cards.

-- Joseph White

Adu hopes good Gold Cup will help Europe prospects

WASHINGTON - Some positive press in Portugal has Freddy Adu thinking he might finally get some playing time in Europe.

Adu scored his second career goal for the U.S. national team in Saturday's 4-0 win over Grenada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

OK, so it was against a low-ranked team, and Adu was getting a rare chance to start because coach Bob Bradley is giving many regulars some time off following the Confederations Cup, but at least it was something that could make an impression.

"There's reports in the papers that I might get my chance in Benfica," Adu said Tuesday. "I know they're watching."

Adu, once hyped as U.S. soccer's greatest prodigy when he joined MLS at age 14, has been nothing more than a fringe player since moving to Portuguese club Benfica in 2007. Last season Benfica loaned him to Monaco of France's Ligue 1, where he played just 169 minutes over 10 matches.

The 20-year-old midfielder said he will return to Benfica for preseason training after the Gold Cup, and that his agent has been talking to "a couple of clubs."

Adu is expected to be in the lineup again Wednesday for his homecoming when the U.S. faces Honduras at RFK Stadium. Adu is from Maryland and spent his first three seasons with D.C. United. He said he had to secure 102 tickets for family and friends.

He said he's also had to deal with "fitness, rust, all that stuff" that comes from a lack of playing time.

"I've learned when you do get that chance," Adu said, "you've got to go out and get the job done."

U.S. defender Onyewu joins AC Milan

MILAN - United States defender Oguchi Onyewu joined AC Milan on Tuesday, becoming one of the few Americans to play in Italy's top league.

Milan said Tuesday that it acquired Onyewu from Standard Liege in Belgium on a three-year deal.

Onyewu, long a star in the Belgian league, gained notice with superb performances in the US run to the Confederations Cup final. Playing in central defense, he helped the Americans end the 15-game winning streak of European champion Spain with a 2-0 win.

That upset put the U.S. in the final against Brazil, where they led 2-0 before falling 3-2.

Nevertheless, the performances of several American players gained notice. Onyewu became one of the few Americans to play in Serie A.

"It's very exciting. It's one of the great clubs in the world," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "I think it's a terrific opportunity for him, and certainly the experience that he'll get there I think will be really important as we move forward with our national team."

Giuseppe Rossi, the son of Italian parents who was born in New Jersey, played for Parma and joined the Italian national team. He now plays for Villareal in Spain. American defender Alexi Lalas played for Padova from 1994-96.

Italy was eliminated in the group stages, when the U.S. took second place on total goals, despite a 3-1 loss to the Azzuri in which Rossi himself scored twice.

Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed. Onyewu holds a Belgian passport and will likely be registered by Milan as an EU player. Italian teams are limited in the amount of players they can sign from outside the European Union.

The 27-year-old was born in Washington, D.C., after his parents emigrated to the United States from Nigeria. He helped Standard Liege to two consecutive Belgian league titles.

Brazil president seeks assurances over swine flu

PARIS - Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wants health ministers in Brazil and Argentina to work together so that both clubs in the Copa Libertadores final are reassured over swine flu fears.

Brazil's Cruzeiro wanted the first leg against Estudiantes on Wednesday in La Plata, some 55 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Buenos Aires, to be postponed because of the swine flu outbreak in Argentina, or moved to a location where swine flu was not a threat.

The deaths of at least 44 people in Argentina have been blamed on swine flu but South American football authorities - CONMEBOL - have insisted the final go ahead.

"I think the Argentine health minister and the Brazilian health minister must both agree and give guarantees," Silva told reporters at the Brazilian embassy in Paris on Tuesday. "So that the match can take place in Buenos Aires or in another Argentine city. And if the health ministers give the green light, I can't see a problem."

Eduardo Maluf, Cruzeiro's director of football operations, wanted the Brazil Football Confederation to pressure for the match to be called off, or receive a guarantee for the health of its players.

"I can't give an opinion on a subject as sensitive as the health of Brazil's players, but without doubt the Argentine team has the same worries. No one wants to be infected," Silva said. "I think Cruzeiro are right to worry about their players' health. There have been several cases in Argentina, (although) this had not turned into an epidemic."

The second leg is scheduled for July 15 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

-- Jerome Pugmire

United finalizes Obertan move as Foster commits

LONDON - Manchester United was finalizing the signing of Bordeaux winger Gabriel Obertan on Tuesday as England goalkeeper Ben Foster committed his future to the Premier League champions by agreeing an improved four-year deal.

The 20-year-old Obertan underwent a medical examination as he moved closer to signing a four-year contract for a reported 3 million pounds ($4.9 million).

"We have agreed on the player," Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud told The Associated Press. "It will be decided (either way) in the next 48 hours. We have agreed with the club, Bordeaux has agreed with Manchester, but there is still the medical test to pass."

Bordeaux sent the France under-21 player on loan to Lorient for the second half of last season. He made 15 appearances, scoring one goal.

Adept on either the right or left wing, Obertan will give manager Alex Ferguson another option as he tries to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, the world player of the year who was unveiled by Real Madrid on Monday after his world-record transfer. United has already signed 23-year-old Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia.

Ferguson has also been focusing on the goalkeeping position. Foster, who had been considering whether to leave Old Trafford due to his lack of first-team opportunities, is now contracted to the club until 2013 after agreeing a new contract.

"I'm really happy to commit my future to the club," Foster said. "The team spirit here is fantastic."

Foster has been given assurances that he will eventually replace 38-year-old first-choice goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who set a British record of 14 consecutive matches without conceding last season.

The 26-year-old Foster has struggled with a string of injuries since joining the Premier League champions in 2005, limiting him to 10 appearances and making it tough dislodging first-choice goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Foster has acknowledged that he must establish himself in United's first team if he is to be part of the England squad at the 2010 World Cup. He made his second international appearance against Slovakia in March after a two-year wait.

"Ben is seen as one of the best young goalkeepers in England and we genuinely see him as a successor to Edwin Van Der Sar," United manager Alex Ferguson said Tuesday.

Foster was United's penalty shootout hero in the League Cup final victory over Tottenham in March.

-- Rob Harris

Ivan Hasek takes over as Czech Republic coach

PRAGUE - Ivan Hasek will take over as Czech Republic coach for the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Hasek is also chairman of the Czech football federation. He replaced interim coach Frantisek Straka, whose contract expired June 30 and was not renewed.

The announcement came after Hasek's favorite for the post, Slavia Prague coach Karel Jarolim, declined his offer last week to take over. Jarolim said he wanted to focus on his club duties.

"An extraordinary situation needs an extraordinary solution," Hasek said after a meeting of the federation's executive committee on Tuesday.

"It's not a standard move," Hasek said. "I take the responsibility."

Hasek had said the national team and the qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa are priorities for him.

The Czechs are fourth in their qualifying group with eight points from six games, seven behind leader Slovakia.

They face Belgium in an Aug. 12 friendly before they resume their qualifying campaign at Slovakia on Sept 5.

"It's a short-term solution," Hasek said. "But from the next qualifying cycle, we will come up with a long-term solution. I won't be part of that," he said.

Straka replaced Petr Rada in May after a string of poor World Cup qualifying results, and was in charge for just one match, leading the team to a 1-0 win over Malta in a June 5 friendly.

The 45-year-old Hasek is a former Czech international who played 56 matches for Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic between 1984 and 1994. He scored five international goals.

He was working as club coach in various countries, including France and Japan until taking over as the federation's chairman last month.

Former Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner will be Hasek's adviser.

"He will be with the team all the time," Hasek said about Bruckner's role.

Bruckner led the country to all major international tournaments when he took over as coach after the Czechs failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, including the semifinals of Euro 2004 and a berth in the 2006 World Cup. He stepped down after last year's European Championship after the Czechs were knocked out in the group stage of the tournament.

-- Ivan Hasek

PSG gets boost as Sessegnon signs new deal

PARIS - Highly rated Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Stephane Sessegnon signed a one-year extension to his contract, tying him to the club until 2013.

Sessegnon, who has been linked to moves to English clubs Chelsea and Arsenal, pledged his immediate future to PSG on Tuesday.

"It was my objective to stay here. I love this club," the 25-year-old Benin international told the club's Web site. "The most important thing in my eyes is to see that PSG is really counting on me."

PSG president Sebastien Bazin has secured new deals for four key PSG players in recent weeks. Last season's top scorer Guillaume Hoarau, defender Zoumana Camara and midfielder Claude Makelele have all extended their contracts.

PSG also signed veteran goalkeeper Gregory Coupet from Atletico Madrid, Turkey striker Mevlut Erding from Sochaux and midfielder Chrisophe Jallet from Lorient, giving new coach Antoine Kombouare a strong squad for next season.

"We have completed a large part of our recruitment and now we will have to take stock in case there are some departures," PSG's director general Philippe Boindrieux said.

PSG suspends Jerome Rothen for criticizing club

PARIS - Paris Saint-Germain winger Jerome Rothen has been suspended for criticizing the club's management in a newspaper interview.

Rothen was critical of president Sebastien Bazin in an interview last month and was asked by the club to explain his comments.

The club said on its Web site that Rothen is suspended "until the evening of July 10," and can join up with his teammates at their preseason training camp on July 11.

Rothen had told sports daily L'Equipe on June 1 that he could not play for the club under its current management.

The 31-year-old Rothen, a star of Monaco's run to the 2004 Champions League final, has been linked with a move to Blackburn. PSG wants at least €2.5 million ($4 million) for Rothen, who has two years left on his contract.

Rothen was jeered by PSG fans when he resumed training last week, prompting new coach Antoine Kombouare to intervene and call for calm at the club's Camp des Loges training ground.

Kombouare called Rothen a "quality player" who still has a future at the club.

Wolfsburg signs Ziani from Marseille

WOLFSBURG, Germany - German champion Wolfsburg signed Algeria midfielder Karim Ziani from Olympique Marseille Tuesday on a four-year contract.

The 26-year-old Ziani "fits well in our team and will help us to achieve our aims for the season," Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh said.

Ziani is Wolfsburg's second signing since the club won its first German league title in May. It already signed Denmark midfielder Thomas Kahlenberg.

"I am very happy now to be playing for the German champion and in the Bundesliga," Ziana said in a club statement.

Ziani, who joined Marseille from Sochaux in 2007, has played 25 games for Algeria.

Wolfsburg gave no financial details of the transfer.

Kaloglu moves from Bochum to Arnhem

BOCHUM, Germany - Turkish forward Sinan Kaloglu is leaving Bundesliga club Bochum for Dutch team Vitesse Arnhem.

Bochum said Tuesday that both sides agreed not to disclose the terms of the 28-year-old's transfer.

Kaloglu moved to Bochum a year ago from Turkey's Bursaspor.

Zhirkov signs 3-year contract with Chelsea

LONDON - Yuri Zhirkov has completed his move to Chelsea from CSKA Moscow on a three-year deal.

The 25-year-old Russia midfielder signed the contract on Tuesday. New coach Carlo Ancelotti announced the transfer on Monday.

As well as adapting to the Premier League, Zhirkov knows he must learn English.

He said: "It is good when some of the players speak Russian, even today (Czech Republic goalkeeper) Petr Cech translated some bits and pieces, and I understand some words in English. Now I hope to learn English too."

Lyon set to sign Lisandro Lopez from FC Porto

LYON, France - Lyon has agreed to sign FC Porto striker Lisandro Lopez for €24 ($39 million).

The seven-time French league champion announced on its Web site Tuesday that the deal could rise to €28 ($46 million) with performance bonuses.

Lyon will finalize the deal once the 26-year-old Argentina striker has completed his medical test. He scored 49 league goals in 106 league games for Porto.

Lyon sold star striker Karim Benzema to Real Madrid last week for €35 million ($57.4 million).

Ajax signs Cameroon defender Atouba from Hamburg

AMSTERDAM - Ajax signed Cameroon defender Thimothee Atouba on a two-year contract Tuesday from SV Hamburg.

The 27-year-old Atouba played 83 Bundesliga matches for Hamburg and was coached there last season by new Ajax coach Martin Jol.

Atouba also played for another of Jol's former teams, Tottenham, in the Premier League and has made 40 international appearances for Cameroon.

CAS blocks FIFA punishment of El Hadary, Sion

LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Sport's highest court has temporarily blocked FIFA from handing a four-month ban to Essam El Hadary, pending a final ruling of the Egyptian goalkeeper's appeal.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it has "frozen" FIFA's penalties on El Hadary and his current club, FC Sion, for breach of contract.

In April, the world football body banned Sion from signing any new players until the end of the 2009-10 season because it signed El Hadary last year before his deal with Al-Ahly had expired.

The club signed the goalkeeper by taking advantage of a contentious CAS ruling allowing players to buy out the remainder of their contracts.

Sion and El Hadary are also seeking to overturn FIFA's order that they pay €900,000 ($1.3 million) in compensation to Al-Ahly.

CAS said it will issue its final ruling in about four months.

Ireland keeper Paddy Kenny fails drug test

SHEFFIELD, England - Ireland goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been suspended by Sheffield United after he tested positive for a banned drug.

Kenny faces a possible ban after a urine sample he provided following United's League Championship playoff semifinal against Preston in May tested positive for the stimulant ephedrine.

Kenny will now be subject to a disciplinary inquiry by the Football Association and faces a range of possible sanctions from a reprimand up to a two-year ban.

Ephedrine is on the list of the World Anti-Doping Agency's specified substances but is contained in some cold cures. A positive test does not carry the usual automatic two-year suspension.

Since 2007, four rugby players have served two-year bans after testing positive for ephedrine.

Iraq hosts 1st home soccer match since 2002

BAGHDAD - Iraq's national soccer team will play on home soil Friday for the first time since 2002, hosting Palestine.

Tareq Ahmed, a senior official in the Iraqi Football Federation, said Tuesday that Iraq will play two exhibition matches against Palestine - the first Friday in northern Iraq, and the second next week in Baghdad.

"This is another sign that the security situation is getting better," Ahmed said in a telephone interview. He added that he expected a huge turnout by fans "who are eager to see their national team playing inside Iraq."

The Iraqi players have flown to the northern city of Irbil, the capital of Iraq's self-governing Kurdish region that will host the first match, Ahmed said.

Ahmed said Iraqi coach Nathem Shaker will take charge of the Iraq team against Palestine. The contract of coach Bora Milutinovic expired at the end of the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Iraq also plans to play Tanzania in Baghdad in August.

Iraq last played a home game on July 22, 2002, when it beat Syria 2-1 in Baghdad. The country sank into chaos after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, but has made gains in security after years of insurgent attacks and sectarian violence.

-- Sameer N. Yacoub

ESPN UK rebrands US sports channel to air soccer

LONDO - ESPN will broadcast Premier League matches in Britain on a channel previously dedicated to American sports.

ESPN, owned by The Walt Disney Co., acquired the rights to televise 46 matches next season and 23 in each of the following three seasons after broadcaster Setanta collapsed last month.

The matches will be aired on the British ESPN channel, previously known as ESPN America. The channel will continue showing American sports, such as baseball and ice hockey.

ESPN's Premier League content will be produced by Sky Sports, which has the rights to air the majority of matches. But ESPN will have its own commentators and graphics.

ESPN said Tuesday that viewers will have to pay up to 12 pounds ($19) a month to receive the channel.