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Soccer Capsules: Mexico wins Gold Cup, routs U.S. 5-0
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Vindication. Satisfaction. Domination.
After finally earning a win against the Americans on U.S. soil, Mexico's players used all of those words Sunday to describe the 5-0 romp that gave them their fifth Gold Cup championship.
Oh, and one other noun: pride.
"I believe this is a great win for Mexico because we showed the pride we have in our hearts today," Giovani Dos Santos said. "This is a huge step for us in the process."
That process had included no progress this decade when the United States hosted its southern rival. The Mexicans were 0-9-2 since a March 1999 victory at San Diego.
They snapped that victory drought before an overwhelmingly pro-Mexico crowd of 79,156 at Giants Stadium with an offensive onslaught in the second half. Captain Gerardo Torrado scored on a penalty kick in the 56th minute, then the inexperienced U.S. squad came unglued.
"When a goal is scored, there's always a change in the game and we didn't respond well," coach Bob Bradley said of the worst American home loss since a 5-0 stinker against England on June 16, 1985.
As the green-clad fans rocked Giants Stadium, game MVP Dos Santos and Carlos Vela scored 5 minutes apart despite several brilliant saves by Troy Perkins. Indeed, it seemed the goalkeeper was the only American on the field during the 11-minute blitz in which Mexico's attackers could have sprinted all the way back to Azteca Stadium without being touched.
The fiesta was on.
"That's soccer," Dos Santos said of the penalty kick after he was fouled in the area by Jay Heaps. "Afterward, you must still do your job. That's how it is, how it must be."
While the Mexicans kept at it, the Americans wilted.
Jose Antonio Castro and Guillermo Franco put the finishing touches on Mexico's dynamic win. Castro scored off a great through-pass from Vela, a substitute who energized Mexico when he entered the game after halftime.
The United States, fielding a raw squad after the top team finished second in the Confederations Cup last month, could not maintain American dominance of its continental rival. Not even close.
"We were chasing the game a lot in the second half, and it tired us out," said forward Brian Ching, a regular with the 'A' team who missed the Confederations Cup with an injury. "Look at anybody in the United States and this loss has to anger you."
Mexico fell 2-0 in February in a World Cup qualifier in frigid Columbus, Ohio, the most recent meeting of the archrivals. The nations meet again in Mexico City on Aug. 12, but then the full American roster will be on hand, along with several of the players who carried El Tri to this Gold Cup crown.
But that is another tale. For now, after a 10-year wait, there was sweet victory in commanding style.
"The win injects us with some motivation, confidence and maturity," Dos Santos said.
At the final whistle, the green-clad Mexican players stormed onto the field in jubilation, mobbing Dos Santos and coach Javier Aguirre. Then they saluted the crowd that made the Meadowlands sound more like Mexico City, making a tour of the pitch with the trophy in hand.
"This ends here in this locker room," Aguirre said. "we're celebrating now, but that's it. Tomorrow is another day and we begin working for Aug. 12, and that's a different story."
For the Americans, it was a return to reality. After Bradley coached them to a runner-up finish in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, he gave most of the players a pass for the Gold Cup. Still, the untested fill-ins showed versatility and fortitude — at least until Mexico ran over them in a spectacular 45-minute scoring burst.
"We have to learn from this," midfielder Stuart Holden said, "and use it in the future."
Notes: Mexico has won the Gold Cup in 1993, '96, '98, 2003 and this year. The United States also has four titles: 1991, 2002, 2005 and 2007 ... Heaps drew a second yellow card and was ejected in the 88th minute ... Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa needed to make just one save ... The United States had a 58-game home unbeaten string against CONCACAF opponents snapped. The last loss was Sept. 1, 2001, to Honduras.
Mexico celebrates: 'Ay ay ay ay, canta no llores'
MEXICO CITY — Hector Fregoso stretched a red, white and green Mexican flag across his chest and led chants as thousands followed his lead Sunday in front of the Independence Monument — known as "The Angel" — the place in Mexico City where the country traditionally gathers to celebrate important football victories.
Sunday's 5-0 win over the United States in the Gold Cup final wasn't quite monumental. It wasn't the World Cup or even a World Cup qualifier. But it was lopsided, and it was the first time in 10 years for Mexico to beat the U.S. on American soil.
"Cinco, cinco, cinco," Fregoso barked out, reminding the crowd that the home side had scored five goals. As that faded out, "Viva Mexico, Viva Mexico" surfaced to drown out everything else.
"This gives us something to celebrate after so many disappointments," explained Fregoso, who works in a local bank. "Beating the U.S. is always important, from the national team down to youth teams."
Once the regional power, Mexico hasn't had much to celebrate lately.
Javier Aguirre took over in April as Mexico's fourth coach in three years — and fifth since Ricardo La Volpe was released after the 2006 World Cup. His results have been spotty with Mexico struggling to qualify for next year's World Cup in South Africa. The key match in qualifying comes on Aug. 12 at Aztec Stadium — again against the United States.
This time the Americans will field their first team, but even that may not be enough. The U.S. has never beaten Mexico at Aztec Stadium.
"It does not matter if this was the American second team or not," said 15-year-old Juan Jesus Sanchez, waving a small Mexican flag in one hand and sporting a red, green and white "M'' on his forehead. "We beat the Gringos and that will help in a few weeks."
With several hundred police ringing the towering monument — which is centered on a huge roundabout — the good-natured crowd chose to run laps around it, knowing they'd never be allowed to climb to the top. Every few minutes they'd stop to mug for TV cameras, always pursued by street merchants hawking flags for 20 to 60 pesos ($1.50 to $5), and Mexico team jerseys for 200 pesos ($15).
Many of the chants were original, like this one shouted by several hundred fans bounding up and down to celebrate the win: "El que no brinca es Gringo."
Translated, that means: "Those who aren't jumping are Gringos."
Dozens of times, fans also broke out with the chorus of a song that even some Gringos can sing: "Ay, ay, ay ay/Canta y no lllores/Porque cantando se alegran/Cieltio lindo los corazones."
"I don't think it's just beating the United States," said Norma Dominguez, visting Mexico City from the coastal state of Veracruz. "I'm not a big fan, but my husband said beating anyone is important the way we have played recently. This will help most everyone enjoy back to work on Monday."
-- Stephen Wade
World Football ChallengE
DiSanto, Malouda score for Chelsea in 2-0 win
ARLINGTON — Franco DiSanto and Florent Malouda scored in a two-minute span in the second half to lead Chelsea to a 2-0 win over Mexico's Club America on Sunday in the final match of the World Football Challenge friendly tournament.
Malouda took a pass from Ashley Cole and chipped it in front of the goal, where DiSanto beat Club America goalkeeper Armando Navarrete to the ball and knocked it into the net in the 76th minute.
"It is very important for a young player like me to take advantage of every single opportunity," said DiSanto, 20, who made 16 appearances as a sub last season. "I'm just beginning with the Chelsea and I want to stay here."
Two minutes later, DiSanto beat defender Oscar Rojas, and dropped a ball back to Malouda, who fired it past Navarrete.
Chelsea went undefeated in winning the four-team, round robin-style tournament, which was played in six cities across the United States over the last week. Club America was second, one point ahead of Inter Milan. AC Milan finished fourth.
The goals came about 15 minutes after Club America failed to capitalize on two of its best scoring opportunities. In the 61st minute, Chelsea goalkeeper Ross Turnbull pushed Enrique Esqueda's shot wide. Two minutes later, Pavel Pardo's free kick from 35 yards out glanced off the head of forward Salvador Cabanas, who flicked the ball off the post.
Esqueda also missed two chances in the first half, when goalkeeper Hilario tipped away a header. A minute later, Esqueda's shot went just wide.
Chelsea kept most of its famous names on the bench. Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and John Terry did not play.
Club America was without star keeper Guillermo Ochoa, who earlier in the day led Mexico to a 5-0 win over the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final. Coach Jesus Ramirez took several players off the field in the second half, saying he was saving them for an upcoming match against Mexican club San Luis.
"It is hard to take off most of our starting team because everybody wanted to continue on the field," Ramirez said through a translator. "We have to be smart, because we need most our players ready for this Wednesday."
-- Jeff Carlton
Far from home, Inter Milan tops rival AC Milan 2-0
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts — Diego Milito scored his first of two goals in the opening minutes to lead Inter Milan to a 2-0 victory over Serie A rival AC Milan on Sunday in a friendly during their preseason tour of America.
The crowd of 42,531 leaned heavily toward AC Milan, and they were quieted in the fourth minute when Milito chased the ball down to the left of the goal and guided it between the goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac and the near post. He gave Inter a 2-0 lead in the 75th minute on a 2-on-1 break with Dejan Stankovic, who drew the defender and passed to Milito for the shot that bounced off and over the keeper into the net.
The clubs that share a home in foggy San Siro had met outside Italy only twice: in Chiasso, Switzerland, in 1908 and at Yankee Stadium in 1969. But they came to the United States as part of an friendly tournament known as the World Football Classic.
"Certainly the focus will be on league play," Milito said "But I want to help the team do well, and to honor the shirt that wearing every time I put it on."
Inter star Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not with the team; he is expected in Barcelona on Monday for a physical that would complete the deal that would send striker Samuel Eto'o and midfielder Aleksandr Hleb to the Italian champions.
"For me, there's no such thing as a friendly game," said defender Oguchi Onyewu, the first American ever to play for Milan. "I don't go out there hoping to lose, or expecting to lose. I go out there trying to give it my all."
Milan and Chelsea sold out the 71,000-seat home stadium of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens on Friday night. But Sunday's match on a warm New England afternoon was played with the upper deck half-closed and the lower bowl empty at one end because the seats were obstructed by the enormous stage for Tuesday night's AC/DC concert. (Also obstructed was the press box, forcing the media to be relocated into luxury suites.)
Although the rivalry between the teams has been bitter, there was little animosity for the friendly and even a few smiles — and gasps from the crowd — when referee Jorge Gonzalez held up a red card for Milan's Ronaldinho in the 34th minute but quickly realized his mistake and replaced it with a yellow one.
Inter was rarely tested, though Julio Cesar made a pair of tough saves at around the 70th minute, when it was still 1-0, and another on Alessandro Nesta in stoppage time, just before the final whistle.
"This is preseason. It shouldn't be a precursor to anything," Onyewu said. "By no means is this a reflection of how the games are going to go during the season."
Missing from the Milan lineup were Clarence Seedorf, who injured his leg on Friday night; Filippo Inzaghi, who is one of the club's top forwards; and the team's top two goalkeepers. Milan coach Leonardo also bemoaned a schedule that had his team play three times since Wednesday; Inter had not played since meeting Chelsea last Tuesday.
"I think you have a lot of problems with injuries. It's not easy to manage," he said. "To play each two days a match, it's impossible."
-- Jimmy Golen
Mexican Soccer
Toluca beats Chivas 4-3 in injury time
MEXICO — Israel Lopez scored an injury-time free kick Sunday to give nine-man Toluca a 4-3 victory over Chivas in the first round of the Mexican Apertura.
Lopez's 22-meter free kick hit the crossbar and went in with goalkeeper Luis Michel watching on helplessly. The Red Devils played with nine men after Francisco Gamboa was sent off in the 77th minute and Antonio Naelson in the 87th.
"It was a great game. We made things complicated, but they are a great team who did their thing, but in the end the effort and courage paid off," Lopez said.
Javier Hernandez put Chivas ahead in the sixth minute. But Nestor Calderon in the 19th, Raul Nava in the 36th and Naelson in the 73rd scored goals as the Red Devils led 3-1. However, Aaron Galindo in the 79th and Ramon Morales in the 82nd leveled the match.
The Chivas loss marked a tough first round for three of the top four clubs in Mexico. On Saturday, Cruz Azul was downed 2-0 at home by Jaguares, and reigning champion Pumas lost 1-0 to Atlas.
America postponed their match to play in the World Challenge.
In Estadio Azul, Oribe Peralta and Ezequiel Orozco scored the Jaguars goals to send Cruz Azul to its fifth straight loss at home, where they have not won since January.
"They deserved the victory. We are very sorry for our fans — this is a tough loss, we are angry — but I'll promise that we are going to get better," Cruz Azul manager Enrique Meza said.
Cruz Azul will play next Sunday against the Pumas, who lost to Atlas after Edgar Pacheco headed in a goal in the 45th after Daniel Osorno sent a cross from the right.
In other results, it was: Pachuca 3, Estudiantes 2; Tigres 1, Puebla 1; Ciudad Juarez 0, Monterrey 0 and Morelia 1, Santos 1.
-- Carlos Rodriguez
MLS
Thornton replaces Onstad as MLS All-Star goalie
NEW YORK — Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton has been selected to replace Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad on the MLS All-Star team.
Onstad strained his back in a 1-0 loss to New England on Saturday night.
The MLS All-Star team will take on Premier League club Everton on Wednesday night in Utah.
Thornton is second in the MLS in shutouts (seven) and third in goals-against average (0.88) and went 401 minutes without allowing a goal from April 22 to May 16. He has played every minute of every league game for Chivas USA.
This is the sixth All-Star selection for the 13-year MLS veteran and the first since 2003 when he was a member of the Chicago Fire.
Elsewhere
Blatter to invite Obama to World Cup
NEW YORK — FIFA president Sepp Blatter has specific ideas on upgrading the popularity of football in the United States, and hopes he has an eager listener in President Barack Obama.
Blatter plans to extend a personal invitation to Obama to attend next year's World Cup in South Africa when the two meet at the White House on Monday.
In an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday, Blatter said the invitation has been extended and that he will "confirm it" at the meeting.
"I know there are people around the president who are football fans, and that they will make everything possible in his agenda that the president be at the opening of the World Cup or the final," Blatter said.
Blatter also plans to discuss the state of U.S. Soccer with the president, including Major League Soccer's spring-through-autumn schedule, and the United States' bids to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
"I spoke with (MLS commissioner) Don Garber and (U.S. Soccer president) Sunil Gulati yesterday again," Blatter said. "We want also to have in this country a very strong professional league. The problem is, when they play out of the international season, they never attract the great players from the European market.
"They have to look at it and whether they can change the schedule and enter into the international (autumn-to-spring) calendar. We can only suggest."
Blatter, who attended the Gold Cup final between the U.S. team and Mexico at a sold-out Giants Stadium on Sunday, is concerned that MLS can never become entrenched in this country if the best American players aren't playing in it. He noted that 18 of the 23 players on the U.S. squad that recently finished a stunning second in the Confederations Cup are in European clubs' squads.
"If they want to be called a major league ... and have this impact of other major leagues like American football, baseball and the NBA, I think they are far away in quality," he said. "I think with the number of participants on the youth level, they should try to do it.
"For the national team, they are not the only one with players mostly not playing inside the country. It's the same as Brazil and Argentina, who have most of their players in Europe. It can't help football in the U.S. if the heroes and stars are not playing here. How can the youth identify with the game?"
The entire football movement in the United States could receive a tremendous boost if the 2018 or 2022 World Cup is awarded to the Americans. FIFA will decide in December 2010, with England considered the front-runner for '18 — Blatter has expressed a preference for bringing the tournament back to Europe after stints in Africa and then South America, where Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup.
Blatter, as always, was noncommittal on the bids. The United States is one of 11 countries that has formally declared its desire to host either event, while Netherlands-Belgium and Portugal-Spain have submitted joint bids.
But he is firm in his support of awarding both tournaments at the same time.
"One big reason is it gives the local organizing committee more time for the preparation of the tournament," he said. "Also, looking at who would be interested in 2018, there were 10 (bidders) indicating they would like to have it. We can not go 10 for one, so we said, 'Let's go for two World Cups.'
"It's also very important for our partners — economic and television — and for FIFA to know where we will go. The interest is so huge in having the World Cup."
-- Barry Wilner
Ibrahimovic ready to learn from Barca's stars
WEMBLEY, England — Zlatan Ibrahimovic is poised to complete his move to Barcelona on Monday and coach Pep Guardiola wants to strengthen the squad further before the new season starts.
As Barcelona played in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, the Sweden striker arrived at the Spanish city ahead of a medical examination the next day.
"Everything seems to be all set, it just needs my signature," Ibrahimovic said. "When this is all settled I'll be the happiest man in the world.
"Every player wants to come to Barca, but not everybody can. When I saw Barca were interested in me I told my manager to sort it out and he's done a great job."
The reported €45 million ($64 million) Barcelona is willing to pay would be a club record.
Ibrahimovic jumped at the chance to join Guardiola's team after watching them become the first team to win the Champions League, Spanish league and Copa del Rey titles last season.
"The best players have to be at Barca and I hope to be one of them," Ibrahimovic said.
The 27-year-old forward was Serie A's top goalscorer last season as Inter claimed a fourth straight title, but now wants to help Barca continue "making history."
"I'm coming here with the qualities everyone knows I have — I play a skillful game, as Barca do, and I want to do as well as I have done at Inter," he said. "I want to learn how Barca play. There are champions in every position and I want to learn what I can from all of them.
"I'm coming here ready for anything and anything that I can bring will be great."
Guardiola said Ibrahimovic will bring "different things" to the team.
"He is a top player and we are here to help him as soon as possible play to his level," Guardiola said after his team beat Al Ahly 4-1 in a friendly in London. "He is a very powerful player."
As part of the deal, Barcelona's Cameroon striker, Samuel Eto'o, will join Inter on what is expected to be a five-year contract while Belarus midfielder Aleksandr Hleb will go on loan to the Italian club for one season.
"I think there is an agreement but we still don't know whether (Hleb) will continue with us or go," Guardiola said. "We are going to try and get someone else. It's important to sign good players, no matter the style."
Guardiola is aware he can't match the free-spending Real Madrid in the transfer market, so he is hoping to develop young talent.
A team packed with youngsters and fringe players — 16 of them homegrown — gave Barcelona its first preseason win against Egyptian side Al Ahly.
"The best players are expensive for us," Guardiola said. "These young guys have the talent and the skills. For me, it was important for me to see them in the two games here and now I have more information."
Lionel Messi and Eidur Gudjohnsen were the biggest names to play in the second half as two of 11 substitutions, with Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta not featuring.
Pedro Rodriguez, a 21-year-old Spanish winger, scored Barcelona's fourth goal and was singled out for praise by Guardiola.
"He has very good movements and helps his colleagues in the middle of the field," Guardiola said. "I am sure that will help us this year."
The 18-year-old Bojan Krkic weaved his way through the defense before shooting to put Barcelona ahead in the 16th minute.
The African champions drew level in the 31st when Hany El-Egezy rounded goalkeeper Albert Jorquera.
Jose Maria Rueda put the Spaniards back in front in the 41st with a fierce, swerving shot from the edge of the area. Jeffren Suarez slotted into an open net in the 56th for Barcelona's third goal after Messi and Pedro had combined. Pedro completed the win 10 minutes later.
Celtic won the four-team inaugural Wembley Cup — though it did not play Barcelona — by thrashing Al Ahly 5-0 on Friday and Tottenham 2-0 on Sunday.
-- Rob Harris
Terry commits future to Chelsea, rejects Man City
LONDON — John Terry pledged to remain with Chelsea on Sunday, insisting he was "totally committed" to the Premier League club and had never contemplated accepting a lucrative offer from Manchester City.
The 28-year-old defender said he has received assurances from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich that the club's "ambition remains as high as ever" despite the Russian being reluctant to return to the days of big spending following his 2003 takeover.
Speculation has mounted for weeks that the England captain might leave the club he has been at since joining the youth team at 14, fueled in part by Terry's decision to stay silent until now.
"I want to clear this up once and for all. I am totally committed to Chelsea and always have been," Terry said in a statement. "Chelsea have also made it clear to me consistently that there was never any intention to accept any kind of offer."
The bid of reportedly 30 million pounds ($49 million) for Terry followed an approach last season from City, which is seen as having greater financial resources than its Premier League rival since it was bought by an Abu Dhabi group last year.
"When you are linked with any club, or with a manager (Mark Hughes) who I have huge respect for, it will always make headlines. But me leaving Chelsea was never a possibility," Terry said. "I know there has been comment that I should have made a statement earlier. However, throughout this period there have been numerous discussions between myself, the owner and the Chelsea board and we all agreed that the timing of any statement would suit everyone involved in those talks, not any outside influences or agendas.
"What is clear to me following those discussions is that Chelsea's ambition remains as high as ever. This has been further proved by the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti. I am certain that he will take this club on to the next level."
Terry has been assured that the team will be in a position to build on its FA Cup triumph in May and challenge for its first Premier League title since 2006.
"Another important factor was knowing that Chelsea would be securing key current players for the long term," Terry said. "The strengthening of the squad around this core is crucial to pushing us onto greater success.
"I am as committed as ever to helping drive Chelsea forward and I will be proud to lead the team for as long as I can."
-- Rob Harris
Ronaldo makes low-key Madrid home debut
MADRID, Spain — Cristiano Ronaldo produced only glimpses of his talent during his home debut for Real Madrid in a 1-1 draw with Al Ittihad on Sunday.
Ronaldo was substituted by Gonzalo Higuain in the 66th minute, immediately after Hicham Aboucherouane equalized for the Saudi Arabian champions in the Peace Cup. Raul Gonzalez gave Madrid the lead at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the 55th minute.
Madrid's new No. 9 came closest to his first Madrid goal just before halftime, when his shot was tipped around the post by goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid after a swift exchange of passes with Karim Benzema.
The Portugal winger is the world's most expensive player after his $133.7 million transfer from Manchester United. He was one of three new signings included in the starting lineup by Madrid's new Chilean coach, Manuel Pellegrini. The others were striker Benzema and defender Ezequiel Garay.
"The changes I made today were planned. I didn't want Cristiano Ronaldo or Benzema to play more than a hour," Pellegrini said. "I'm happy because these are offseason matches. At the moment, I see good and bad things about the team and of course things which need improving."
Kaka and defender Raul Albiol, two more signings in Madrid's $300 million spending spree since Florentino Perez regained the club presidency last month, were to begin training with Madrid on Monday.
The Peace Cup is a 12-team offseason tournament that also includes former European champions Juventus, FC Porto and Aston Villa. Madrid competes in Group B, and its next opponent Tuesday is Liga de Quito. The final takes place in Seville next Sunday.
Ronaldo, who played his first game for Madrid last week in a 1-0 friendly win in Ireland against Shamrock Rovers, impressed with his first touch after a minute, performing a series of step-overs before passing the ball to a teammate.
With Madrid failing to trouble Zaid in the early stages, Ronaldo's first goal attempt arrived in the 15th minute when he fired a shot from outside the area which that over the crossbar.
Man Utd closes out Asia tour with win
BEIJING — A Ryan Giggs hat-trick and two goals from Michael Owen helped Manchester United finish off its preseason Asian tour with a fourth consecutive win on Sunday.
The 8-2 win over Hangzhou Greentown in eastern China, south of Shanghai, comes after earlier victories over FC Seoul, and two against Malaysia. The second game in Kuala Lumpur was scheduled on short notice after hotel bombings in Jakarta forced the club to cancel its match in Indonesia.
Dimitar Berbatov, Zoran Tosic and Nani also scored for United, which led 4-0 at halftime. Brazilian Valdo and substitute Wang Hongyou scored late goals for Hangzhou.
The English champions played in Hangzhou without captain Gary Neville, who flew home for treatment on a groin strain before the Seoul game on Friday.
Manchester United maintained its popularity in Asia despite the departures of winger Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid and striker Carlos Tevez to Manchester City.
China's population of 1.3 billion people is a huge potential market for United. Sunday's game was the club's fifth in greater China in the past 10 years.
Last month, United signed a five-year deal with Aigo, which will make and sell co-branded digital cameras, multimedia players and data storage devices for the club around the world, and mobile phone handsets in China.
Liverpool tops Singapore 5-0, snaps winless streak
SINGAPORE — Liverpool beat Singapore 5-0 Sunday to snap a three-game preseason winless streak.
Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin opened the scoring in first-half injury time after a slow start by the Reds. Liverpool secured the result with second-half goals by Fernando Torres, Albert Riera and a brace from Krisztian Nemeth.
"We had five goals with different players so I'm really pleased," Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. "Every single day we are improving physically."
Midfielder Xabi Alonso, subject to intense transfer speculation about a move to Real Madrid, played the final 13 minutes of the match in his first appearance this preseason.
Liverpool, which had five Spanish internationals arrive late for preseason training after taking part in the Confederations Cup, was winless in friendlies this year. A 1-1 draw against Thailand on Wednesday followed a 1-0 defeat by Rapid Vienna and a scoreless draw against Swiss club St. Gallen.
The team picked up two injuries in the Thailand game as first-choice central defender Martin Skrtel strained his right hamstring and forward Nabil El Zhar damaged a right knee ligament. Both returned to Britain for treatment last week.
Shearer 'in limbo' over his Newcastle future
LONDON — Alan Shearer's future at Newcastle is "in limbo" as the club's owner attempts to sell the team.
The Magpies are still to appoint a permanent manager as uncertainty over the League Championship club's ownership persists.
The 38-year-old Shearer took over on a short-term basis in April but was unable to save the club from relegation from the Premier League.
A long-term appointment is unlikely to be made until owner Mike Ashley completes his intended 100 million-pound ($164 million) sale of the club.
"I know as much as you," Shearer said Sunday. "I would dearly love it to be sorted out one way or the other then the club can move forward.
"I am the same as everyone else, I am in limbo. I don't know what is going on. Everyone is telling me there are people in to buy the club. If that is the case, then great."
The former Newcastle striker said he remains fully committed to the club.
"I want it sorted out as quickly as everyone else does," he said. "I'm a fan like everyone else and I don't like to see the situation the club is in."
Report: Romario convicted of tax evasion
SAO PAULO — Former Brazil striker Romario is appealing a tax evasion conviction that could keep him in prison for up to three and a half years, Brazilian media reported Sunday.
Romario was convicted and sentenced on June 9 after accusations he evaded about $500,000 in taxes when he played for Brazilian club Flamengo in 1996 and 1997, Globo's G1 Web site reported. He allegedly did not declare his earnings in full at the time.
The striker, who helped Brazil win the 1994 World Cup in the United States, is likely to escape prison time, however, and the sentence could be transformed into community service after an appeal, G1 said, citing prosecutors.
Romario's lawyer, Alexandre Lopes de Oliveira, said the striker is innocent. He told G1 that it wasn't Romario's fault that some money ended not being declared, and that the he never intended to commit any fraud.
Less than two weeks ago, Romario was arrested in a child support case involving his first wife and spent a night in jail until reportedly paying what he owed.
Romario was detained for the same reason in 2004, but was released in a few hours after proving he had paid his wife.
Dortmund completes transfer of Barrios
DORTMUND, Germany — Borussia Dortmund has completed the transfer of Argentine striker Lucas Barrios from Chilean club Colo Colo.
Barrios, who scored 58 goals in 66 matches for Colo Colo in two seasons, received a four-year contract, Dortmund spokesman Josef Schneck said Sunday.
The 24-year-forward arrived in Dortmund on Saturday, passed a medical examination and practiced for the first timer with his new team Sunday.
"We've been interested in him for a long time," Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp said. "We already have good players in the attack and he gives us another option."
Wolfsburg's Costa headed for Zaragoza
WOLFSBURG, Germany — German champion Wolfsburg says Portuguese defender Ricardo Costa is set to move to Spanish club Real Zaragoza.
Wolfsburg says the 28-year-old Costa traveled to Zaragoza on Sunday for a medical. A club statement says that contractual details will be finalized early in the week.
Costa joined Wolfsburg from FC Porto in 2007 and has played 31 Bundesliga matches for the club.
