Soccer Capsules: John Rooney on trial with Sounders, MLS
TUKWILA, Wash. (AP) — The younger brother of English striker Wayne Rooney is currently on trial with Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders.
The team has confirmed that 19-year-old John Rooney is practicing with the club. He joined the team for its training session on Tuesday, but is not property of the Sounders.
If he were to join the league, Rooney would have to go through the MLS Superdraft.
Seattle coach Sigi Schmid tells The Seattle Times that Rooney was brought to their attention and, with having a full week of training at home, decided to give him a look -- along with some other players.
Rooney has played for Macclesfield Town in England's League Two.
He had a trial last year with Derby County of the Championship division.
Moreno won't return to DC United next season
WASHINGTON (AP) — This season will be the last at D.C. United for Jaime Moreno, the leading goalscorer in MLS history.
The club says the 36-year-old forward might return to his Bolivia homeland to play but has a standing offer to return to United and work for the club.
United president Kevin Payne calls Moreno "an invaluable member" of the team and "arguably the greatest player in the history of Major League Soccer."
Moreno broke the MLS record for goals with No. 109 in 2007 and his total is 132.
He has one goal in 16 games this season for United, which has only three wins.
Chivas USA's Kennedy needs arm surgery
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy will undergo surgery for an arm injury he sustained in a match against Toronto FC and is expected to miss the rest of the MLS season.
The team says Kennedy will have surgery on Friday in Santa Monica. He tore his left biceps tendon last Saturday and was able to continue playing.
Kennedy has posted a 1.22 goals-against average in seven appearances this season, including six starts.
League News
Chelsea, Man United resume Premier League battle
LONDON (AP) — There will be a familiar look to title favorites Chelsea and Manchester United when the Premier League seasons begins this weekend.
After ending Man United's three-year grip on the trophy in May, Chelsea has made one addition to an aging team, unloading several players ahead of Saturday's opener against West Bromwich Albion.
United's effort to get stronger has only amounted to signing a trio of youngsters, who may not start on Monday against Newcastle.
Such lack of investment could backfire if Manchester City's big spending — almost $500 million in two years — finally turns the underachievers into a force.
While Man City's outlay this offseason has reached 85 million pounds ($130 million) with more than two weeks left before the transfer window closes, billionaire Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has only spent 5 million pounds (less than $8 million) signing Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool.
The Israel captain has replaced 28-year-old midfielder Joe Cole.
Michael Ballack, Juliano Belletti and Ricardo Carvalho, all in their 30s, also have left. But manager Carlo Ancelotti still has a far-from-youthful squad, relying heavily on captain John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Peter Cech.
Those players bring experience, not tired legs, to the team, Ancelotti says.
"The players will be better this season because they have one year more experience, like me," Ancelotti said. "I'm not older. I'm more experienced. I am a better manager now. I had more doubt last year, when I started.
"I think we start this season in a different situation because I have more knowledge about players and club and atmosphere in England and the teams."
Ancelotti's first season in charge ended with Chelsea denying a record-breaking 19th league title to Manchester United, whose manager Alex Ferguson concedes that it is going to be tougher than ever to regain the trophy.
"Things definitely changed last season — it was a different league altogether compared to what we'd seen before," Ferguson said. "The top four found it difficult and dropped points in games they wouldn't have expected to. That's an indication of the improvement made by other teams, and I think there'll be a bit of a dogfight for the top four places this season.
"We all have to be aware of the threats from the likes of (Aston) Villa, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester City."
While Villa, Everton and Tottenham have been as prudent with the number of offseason recruits as Chelsea and United, City's spending is unrivaled.
The headline signings of the offseason have both joined City for 24 million pounds ($37.4 million): Spain winger David Silva and midfielder Yaya Toure — brother of City captain Kolo.
City's season begins Saturday at Tottenham, which edged City to claim fourth place in the league last May and the final Champions League spot.
But just breaking into the top four won't be enough for striker Carlos Tevez. Producing City's first league championship success since 1968 is the priority.
"We know we must fight for the title," Tevez said. "We have strengthened and we are stronger. There is no great difference between all the top teams now."
The eye-catching game on the opening weekend is Arsenal's trip to Liverpool, which went from runners-up in 2009 to seventh place in May and still doesn't have the finances to sign more world-class players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
One of the biggest successes for new manager Roy Hodgson was simply persuading the pair not to push for transfers.
Arsenal is chasing its first league title since 2004, with manager Arsene Wenger under pressure to produce the club's first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.
"The most important thing is that we have that belief," Wenger said. "We finished third last season, so we have two stairs to climb and I am confident that we can do it."
In the rest of the opening round of matches, Aston Villa attempts to overcome the recent resignation of manager Martin O'Neill when it plays West Ham on Saturday. Also Saturday, Everton is at Blackburn, Fulham travels to Bolton, Sunderland faces Birmingham, newcomer Blackpool makes the short trip to Wigan and Wolverhampton plays Stoke.
Marseille looks to bolster squad, morale
PARIS (AP) — Defending French champion Marseille needs to bolster both its squad and morale after starting the season with an embarrassing home loss to promoted Caen.
The opening 2-1 defeat at the Stade Velodrome exposed the team's thin squad and poor preparations, and the team desperately needs a win at Valenciennes on Saturday to get its campaign back on track.
"We are absolutely not focused on our season," midfielder Fabrice Abriel said. "Everyone is speculating about the transfers. Who is arriving, who is leaving? Who is staying? It doesn't stop. We are not in the mood for football but hopefully we are going to get back to it soon."
Because of Marseille's lack of funds, coach Didier Deschamps' only signing this summer was right back Cesar Azpilicueta, but the club is in advanced talks with Brazil striker Luis Fabiano.
"I'm convinced that this team needs strengthening," coach Didier Deschamps said. "I don't hold the purse strings. If we can't do it, I'll have to make do with what I've got, and I'll try and get the most out of the squad."
Marseille, which won its first league title in 18 years last season, put on a very poor display against Caen, prompting club officials to meet with Deschamps earlier this week.
Deschamps again asked for new players and Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier is now trying to reassure the club's influential fans.
"We need reinforcement, a striker and a midfielder, and we will get them," Dassier said.
Marseille is trying to lure Luis Fabiano from Spanish side Sevilla, with the striker expected to sign a three-year deal with the southern club in the coming days.
"He is our priority," Dassier said.
But Marseille could at the same time lose France midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa — one of the few players to show some fighting spirit against Caen — after Dassier confirmed the club is in talks with Newcastle over the player's transfer.
Another key player, striker Mamadou Niang, has expressed his desire to leave the club for Turkish side Fenerbahce only to see Deschamps refuse the move. Niang scored 18 league goals last season and has 72 in 153 league games for the club.
Midfielder Stephane Mbia is doubtful for the game at Valenciennes after picking up a knee injury against Caen while defenders Gabriel Heinze and Souleymane Diawara are still out.
Things are going far better for Marseille's fierce rival Paris Saint-Germain, which started its season with a convincing 3-1 win over Saint-Etienne. PSG leads the league standings on goal difference ahead of Sunday's game at Lille.
The club's new signings — playmaker Nene and midfielder Mathieu Bodmer — had a strong showing against Saint-Etienne and PSG is now confident it has the weapons to bounce back after finishing a disappointing 13th last season.
"PSG won with his heart and guts," PSG president Robin Leproux said. "Hopefully we'll find more fluidity in our game and more victories will come."
PSG might have finally built a team capable of fighting for the title, but its hopes of improving the club's off-the-field image took an early blow after fans clashed with police before the Saint-Etienne match. Police said about 250 Paris Saint-Germain fans will receive stadium bans after being arrested.
Also Saturday, it's: Brest vs. Auxerre, Lorient vs. Nice, Monaco vs. Montpellier, Nancy vs. Rennes, Saint-Etienne vs. Sochaux and Arles-Avignon vs. Lens.
Bordeaux plays Toulouse on Sunday while seven-time champion Lyon travels to Caen after being held to a scoreless draw by Monaco last weekend.
Montpellier bounced back from its surprise elimination to Hungarian side Gyor in the Europa League and got off to a strong start to the season with a 1-0 home win against Bordeaux.
Despite losing two key players during the offseason — playmaker Alberto Costa and striker Victor Montano — Montpellier played with the same aggressiveness and speed that allowed the team to finish fifth last season in its first year back in the top flight.
To compensate for Costa and Montano's departures, Montpellier recruited second-division top scorer Olivier Giroud and Chile midfielder Marco Estrada, who set up Gary Bocaly's winner against Bordeaux.
"We answered the excessive number of critics against one of the biggest sides in the league," Montpellier coach Rene Girard said. "I have complete faith in my players and our elimination from Europe doesn't change anything."
-- Samuel Petrequin
UEFA praises Ukraine's Euro 2012 preparations
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's authorities are meeting preparation deadlines for the 2012 European Championship, although there is still work to be done in stadium construction, transport links, accommodation and other infrastructure.
That's the view of UEFA after general secretary Gianni Infantino wrapped up a two-day trip on Thursday to check on Ukraine's four host cities for Euro 2012, which will be co-hosted with Poland.
"Lots of work has been done. Deadlines are being met," Infantino said. "I am fully optimistic over the success of Euro 2012 in Ukraine.
"The eyes of the world will focus on Ukraine. On July 1, 2012, Kiev will not be the capital of Ukraine anymore, it will be the capital of Europe and even the capital of the world. You will be proud of your country."
However, Infantino noted that hotel accommodation and an anticipated language barrier are still problems to be tackled.
"It does not help you to have 70,000 hotel rooms if nobody knows where they are located and how to get there," Infantino said.
"It's unlikely that in the next 18 months the rest of the world will learn Ukrainian, so maybe Ukrainians will use a little effort to learn a few words of foreign languages."
Infantino said concerns over the slow construction of a venue in the western city of Lviv and the reconstruction of Kiev Olympic stadium had been mostly alleviated, and described the stadium in Donetsk as unexpectedly being one of Europe's most beautiful.
He also looked satisfied with the stadium in Kharkiv, but pointed out that there is a lack of space to accommodate people.
"But I am sure what was promised will be done. We are positive, we are confident, we trust the football federation and we trust the government," said Infantino, praising Ukraine federation president Grygoriy Surkis and Deputy Prime Minister Borys Kolesnikov.
Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych invited UEFA president Michel Platini to visit the country in a letter published on his website.
"A chance to host the Euro 2012 final is a great honor for Ukraine, and properly organizing the tournament is an absolute key national priority," Yanukovych wrote.
-- Anna Melnichuk
World Cup
Brazil yet to start work on most WCup airports
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil has yet to begin upgrading most of its airports for the 2014 World Cup, although officials say the work will be completed on time for football's premier event.
Local authorities and tournament organizers have acknowledged that the airports' lack of capacity is one of the main concerns in Brazil's preparations and that significant improvements are needed to accommodate the expected 600,000 World Cup visitors.
A recent report by a government watchdog known as the Brazilian Audit Court warned that renovations in some airports may not be completed by 2014.
This week, the Estado de S. Paulo newspaper cited a recent report from a consulting firm particularly criticizing the state of the airports as part of an overall negative view on Brazil's infrastructure.
"We went decades without investing and that has meant that we've accumulated bottlenecks that are still reflected in the current state of our infrastructure," wrote Braulio Borges, chief economist with LCA Consultures, in the Estado.
Brazil's robust economic growth has resulted in increased demands on air and road travel, energy and the nation's infrastructure. Couple that with the World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics, and it could mean trouble if investments are not made soon.
"If we do nothing, adding these events with economic growth — which should be 5 percent a year — then a blackout is coming," Borges wrote.
Other experts have said aviation problems in Brazil stem from chronic under-spending on radars, runways and other infrastructure to meet increased demand. Safety upgrades, backup systems and even training for air traffic controllers have been delayed for years — despite the exponential growth in flights serving South America's biggest economy.
Brazil Sports Minister Orlando Silva, however, says that they are ramping up investments and that all will be in place come 2014.
"There is a timetable in place, so all the necessary work for the World Cup can be finalized on time," Silva said.
Brazil's airport authority, Infraero, is set to invest $3.1 billion to guarantee that the airports are ready before the World Cup, Silva said.
Infraero expects everything to be ready by December 2013, but work has begun only in airports in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Natal.
But improvements to the other 10 airports are yet to get underway. There are no projects scheduled in at least five of them, including the nation's capital, Brasilia. In four airports, the bidding processes haven't even been concluded.
"It shouldn't be a concern," said Brazilian aviation consultant Elias Gedeon. "It's actually better to take time in the planning stages. The construction stages usually don't take too long."
Gedeon said it is crucial the airports expand the passenger terminals to accommodate the increased number of visitors expected during the monthlong tournament. Infraero said the airports' capacity needs to increase from nearly 130 million passengers a year to about 165 million in 2014.
Air transportation will be key in Brazil as there will be 12 city venues spread across the nation, which is the fifth largest in the world. There are no passenger train lines in place and the roads linking host cities are in poor condition, making the airports crucial.
Infraero said in a statement to The Associated Press that its investment plan will "adapt" the airports to the demand of passengers expected for the World Cup. Infraero is responsible for funding the majority of the airport upgrades, along with the federal government. Nearly all investments will aimed at improving their passenger capacity.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recently signed a document guaranteeing that the investments will take place and authorizing Brazil's civil aviation agency to accelerate work to upgrade the airports.
Aviation problems are not new to Brazil.
In 2007, a plane crash that killed 199 people, combined with radar failures and other problems, created an air chaos that prompted mass cancelations and delays lasting several days across Brazil. Several thousand passengers were stranded at airports and ticket-counter revolts were routine.
Last week, local passengers had to go through severe delays in airports across the country, mainly because of scheduling problems within a single carrier — Gol airlines — had affected hundreds of flights.
-- Tales Azzoni
FIFA delegation praises Dutch-Belgian bid
AMSTERDAM (AP) — The head of a FIFA delegation says the Netherlands and Belgium made a good impression in presenting their joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Harold Mayne-Nicholls says "everything seems to be very well prepared to receive the teams and the trophy in eight years."
The five-member inspection team already has toured three other countries bidding for the World Cup — Japan, South Korea and Australia.
The United States, Russia, England and Qatar are also in the running, along with a joint bid by Spain and Portugal. Inspectors will visit them before the Dec. 2 decision.
During the four-day visit, inspectors toured stadiums in Antwerp, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven.
Elsewhere
AP Source: Beckham to reject England farewell game
LONDON (AP) — David Beckham will reject the chance to make one final appearance for England, a person familiar with the former captain's plans said Thursday.
Coach Fabio Capello announced Wednesday that the 35-year-old Beckham was too old to continue playing competitively for England, but offered him an opportunity to say farewell to fans in a friendly match.
Beckham, who is recovering from an Achilles' tendon injury that denied him a trip to a fourth World Cup, has played 115 times for England, second only to goalkeeper Peter Shilton on the country's all-time appearance list.
And the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder has said repeatedly that he wouldn't retire from England duty while still playing football.
"It would seem strange to say you are not retiring then to signal your retirement in a benefit match," the person familiar with Beckham's plans told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Thursday because Beckham has yet to announce his plans. "It's not going to happen."
So revered is Beckham in England that local media lashed out at Capello for essentially retiring him on TV rather than notifying him directly.
In a hostile media conference after England's 2-1 victory against Hungary on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium, Capello backtracked and said Beckham could end his 14-year international in a friendly match — possibly in November against France.
But when Beckham was ruled out of the June 11-July 11 World Cup after surgery on his left Achilles' tendon in March, Capello had insisted that he could still play a part in the 2012 European Championship.
"I hope he will be fit for the Euros because he is always one of the best players," Capello said.
Such confusion from Capello has prompted the volatile British media to lash out at the Italian, who is already under fire following the team's second-round exit at the World Cup.
The Daily Mirror called Capello "Dumb And Dumber" and The Daily Telegraph described this as "Another Fine Mess."
"Blundering England manager Fabio Capello's battered reputation sank even further," the Daily Express wrote Thursday.
British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday paid tribute to Beckham, who made his England debut in 1996.
"We will all remember some of those great free kicks, some of those great moments that he's been responsible for," Cameron said. "I'm sure lots of people will be sad that he's not going to be playing for England again."
Beckham has never won the international honors to put him alongside the likes of 1966 World Cup winners Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton in the pantheon of true England greats, but he arguably contributed more to the national side over the past 14 years than any other player.
Still, Beckham is well acquainted with the highs and lows of international football. He was blamed for England's elimination from the 1998 World Cup for his petulant red card against Argentina, but scored the winning goal against the same team at the World Cup four years later.
He responded to jeering at the 2000 European Championship with an obscene hand gesture to England fans, but was lauded by the same supporters little more than a year later when his last-minute free kick against Greece secured a place at the 2002 World Cup.
The latest revelation already has some speculating that this may not be the end of Beckham's international career, especially if Capello's spell in charge of the side ends soon.
Capello dropped Beckham in January 2007 when both were at Real Madrid after the midfielder announced that he would be leaving for Major League Soccer. But Beckham won over his coach with his attitude in training and made a scoring comeback a month later.
And more pertinently, England dropped Beckham in August 2006 in an effort to renew the team with younger players after a quarterfinal exit at that year's World Cup. Coach Steve McClaren recalled him the following year after a run of stuttering form, and he returned for the remainder of England's unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2008 European Championship.
"Look at the way he has adapted going into different cultures and different football clubs and the way he won over the Real Madrid fans and then went to MLS and then Italy with AC Milan," Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said. "He has been an amazing example and I don't think he is getting the right credit yet.
"When he retires, people will realize the footballer he was behind the brand of David Beckham."
Beckham, who has played mostly as a substitute over the past two years, has said he is not retiring from international football and will play if selected.
"I still wouldn't write him off yet and I wish him well," said Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who was at Manchester United during the first five years of Beckham's career. "He's a decent lad and he's always been absolutely 100 percent dedicated to football.
"Once he gets himself fit again, you never know because he's a resilient so and so."
Bruce said that the whole furor may simply be down to Capello's struggle to master the English language. British papers have regularly highlighted the Italian's inability to speak English fluently after two years in the country.
"Sometimes if we're looking at Fabio Capello, I think it's a communication problem and I think we witnessed that last night," Bruce said. "It is difficult, it would be like us going to Italy. There's a whole different culture and we have to respect that.
"I believe it's the language barrier more than anything. As soon as I heard it last night, I thought, well is that the end for David? Whether he meant that, I don't know."
-- Rob Harris
Beckham no longer wanted by national team coach
LONDON (AP) — The world's most sought-after soccer player is no longer wanted by his national team coach.
David Beckham's celebrity status, endorsement potential and good looks have often overshadowed his huge contribution to the England national team, but coach Fabio Capello said the 35-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder will no longer be picked because he is too old.
On Thursday, the volatile British media lashed out at Capello while British Prime Minister David Cameron praised the iconic Beckham.
"We will all remember some of those great free kicks, some of those great moments that he's been responsible for," Cameron said. "I'm sure lots of people will be sad that he's not going to be playing for England again."
Beckham made his England debut in 1996 and has played 115 times for his country, including in three World Cups. He sat out the World Cup in South Africa because of Achilles' tendon surgery.
Last week, AC Milan announced that it would not be taking Beckham on loan again because of his age.
But the remarks from Capello may sting more because the Italian made his comments on television rather than telling Beckham. That seems to be what really got the local press upset, with The Daily Mirror calling Capello "Dumb And Dumber" and The Telegraph describing it as "Another Fine Mess."
Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was regularly criticized for supposedly being enamored by Beckham's celebrity, but the media is attacking Capello for not making Beckham a special case.
Capello did offer Beckham the prospect of a farewell appearance in an exhibition match — possibly in November against France — but Thursday's papers were still filled with fury against a coach already under fire for a second-round exit from this year's World Cup.
"Blundering England manager Fabio Capello's battered reputation sank even further," the Daily Express wrote.
"Fabio has learned nothing from World Cup fiasco," The Daily Mirror said.
Beckham is second only to goalkeeper Peter Shilton on England's all-time appearance list. While he never won the international honors to put him alongside the likes of Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton in the pantheon of true England greats, he arguably contributed more to the national side over the past 14 years than any other player.
Still, Beckham is well acquainted with the highs and lows of international soccer. He was blamed for England's elimination from the 1998 World Cup for his petulant red card against Argentina, but scored the winning goal against the same team at the World Cup four years later.
He responded to jeering at the 2000 European Championship with an obscene hand gesture to England fans, but was lauded by the same supporters little more than a year later when his last-minute free kick against Greece secured a place at the 2002 World Cup.
The latest revelation already has some speculating that this may not be the end of Beckham's international career, especially if Capello's time in charge ends soon.
Capello dropped Beckham in January 2007 when both were at Real Madrid after the midfielder announced that he would be leaving for Major League Soccer. But Beckham won over his coach with his attitude in training and made a scoring comeback a month later.
Also, England dropped Beckham in August 2006 in an effort to renew the team with younger players after a quarterfinal exit at that year's World Cup. Coach Steve McClaren recalled him the following year after a run of stuttering form, and he returned for the remainder of England's unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2008 European Championship.
"Look at the way he has adapted going into different cultures and different football clubs and the way he won over the Real Madrid fans and then went to MLS and then Italy with AC Milan," Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said. "He has been an amazing example, and I don't think he is getting the right credit yet.
"When he retires, people will realize the footballer he was behind the brand of David Beckham."
Beckham, who has played mostly as a substitute during the past two years, has said he is not retiring from international soccer and will play if selected.
"I still wouldn't write him off yet and I wish him well," said Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who was at Manchester United during the first five years of Beckham's career. "He's a decent lad and he's always been absolutely 100 percent dedicated to football.
"Once he gets himself fit again, you never know because he's a resilient so and so."
Bruce said that the whole furor may simply come down to Capello's struggle to master the English language. British papers have regularly highlighted the Italian's inability to speak English fluently after two years in the country.
"Sometimes if we're looking at Fabio Capello, I think it's a communication problem and I think we witnessed that last night," Bruce said. "It is difficult, it would be like us going to Italy. There's a whole different culture and we have to respect that.
"I believe it's the language barrier more than anything. As soon as I heard it last night, I thought, well is that the end for David? Whether he meant that, I don't know."
-- Stuart Condie
France shows improvement despite loss
PARIS (AP) — France's bid to restore its battered image ended in a 2-1 defeat at Norway, but Laurent Blanc's rejuvenated team put on a far better display than the star-studded squad that crashed out in the first round at the World Cup.
The French team embarrassed its nation in South Africa with a string of poor performances and a players' training strike that capped an atrocious tournament.
The former world champions exited a major tournament in the first round without winning a game for the second consecutive time before Blanc stepped in and decided to drop all World Cup players for his first match in charge.
The former Bordeaux coach had only two short training sessions to prepare his inexperienced and young players for the Norway friendly.
His experimental team, however, managed to play an entertaining and attacking football French fans were deprived of under previous coach Raymond Domenech.
"I'm satisfied with the game we played," Blanc said. "The players lacked time but respected what we decided at training, they created chances and had the ball possession. But we also know that results define everything. From that perspective, this is a big disappointment."
France was in complete control during the first half and was rewarded for its efforts in the 48th minute when Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa scored from long range.
Norway's two goals came from individual mistakes. Erik Huseklepp equalized after 51 minutes with a shot from the right of the penalty after making the most of Guillaume Hoarau's bad positioning.
Huseklepp struck again in the 71st minute after Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra gave the ball away.
"Without this mistake the result could have been far better," Blanc said. "We deserved a better outcome."
France finished last in its group in South Africa, only showing its cohesion off the field when the players decided to boycott a training session to protest at Nicolas Anelka's exclusion from the squad following an expletive-laced tirade at Domenech.
"It's more open now," said new France captain Philippe Mexes. "Everyone talks to everyone else. There's a lot more contact with the coaches and staff. We've only known each other for three days, but we feel like we know each other well."
Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri, who was overlooked for the World Cup by Domenech after falling out with the former coach, said he enjoyed the game and "took a huge pleasure."
Blanc dropped the World Cup players as a collective punishment for their actions, but the former Manchester United defender is likely to recall a majority of them when France begins 2012 European Championship qualifying at home against Belarus on Sept. 3.
Blanc, who called up 13 uncapped players in his squad, said he was happy with the newcomers' showing and insisted they would be given more opportunities to play with the national team.
"They played with the good spirit and some of them will be called up again," Blanc said.
Veron criticizes Maradona after long silence
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has broken a monthlong silence to criticize almost every aspect of Diego Maradona's coaching during the World Cup.
In a radio interview on Thursday, Veron questioned Maradona's use of Barcelona star Lionel Messi and said Argentina's midfield was unbalanced, presenting a problem for Messi.
Argentina was ousted from the World Cup in a humiliating 4-0 loss to Germany in the quarterfinals.
"He (Messi) is not used to going near midfield to receive the ball," Veron said on radio La Red. "It is difficult to ask him to go 50 meters with the ball at his feet. Above all, since he had opposing players in front of him. He is not used to playing like this and it showed. It showed on his face.
"Sadly, he didn't look comfortable in those games. He is never going to be Maradona. He does his own thing and he needs team support to be at his best. Sometime he had it. Sometimes he didn't."
The former Manchester United and Inter Milan midfielder said he was puzzled why Maradona benched him during the World Cup. He said this contradicted what Maradona told him before the World Cup — that Veron should be the team's playmaker.
"One moment he told me he wanted me to be the Xavi of the team," Veron said, referring to Xavi Hernandez, the playmaking midfielder for World Cup winner Spain. "Then you see yourself outside and not playing, and this hurts."
Veron, who has represented Argentina since 1996, said he hoped eventually to speak privately with Maradona about his tactical decisions.
Veron also questioned Maradona's decision to play with three midfielders — Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria and Maxi Rodriguez. Di Maria and Rodriguez played on the outside, often going forward and leaving Mascherano out-manned in the middle.
"Angel and Maxi are players used to playing outside, which was always going to leave us with a numeric disadvantage. Javier played against three in most games."
Veron said the next coach should be chosen only on coaching merits.
"They (Argentine Football Association) need to have an open mind and evaluate people working with the team," Veron said. "It has to be someone who is top-notch in Argentine football, someone picked on merits. Not because they were members of the '78 World Cup team or the '86 World Cup team. I've got nothing against those people, but it should be on merits."
Sergio Batista, the Argentine youth coach, has been promoted to interim coach and strengthened his case for the full-time job with a 1-0 victory over Ireland on Wednesday.
Riquelme signs new deal with Boca Juniors
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Playmaking midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme has finally signed a four-year contract with Boca Juniors. The new contract was announced on Tuesday, but it took Riquelme until Thursday to sign.
The 32-year-old Riquelme's penchant for attracting controversy affected the deal.
Word leaked out as the contract was offered that the Boca board of directors was split evenly over offering Riquelme a new deal. The tie was broken by Boca president Jorge Ameal. Ameal confirmed Riquelme will receive $5 million over the four-year contract, and a portion of the proceeds from a farewell match if he elects to retire.
"It would have been ideal if this has been worked out in the first meeting." Riquelme said on Thursday. "Some negotiations take less time, some take more. The important thing is I will be a Boca player for four more years and I hope we can win many things."
Riquelme said he had offers from other clubs including Racing, Independiente and Estudiantes.
"I've never played in this country for a team other than Boca," he added.
Riquelme said he would return to the playing field when he feels fully recovered from left knee surgery in the offseason. He offered no timeframe.
Riquelme was asked about returning to play for the national team. He was dropped from the squad by Diego Maradona, with whom he had a personal falling out.
"Right now I have to think about feeling better," he said. "I still haven't played for Boca, and I can't think about the national team."
However, he acknowledged he has a "very good" relationship with interim national coach Sergio Batista.
Boca is at home on Saturday against Racing Club.
Santos may report Chelsea to FIFA over Neymar bids
SAO PAULO (AP) — Santos says it could report Chelsea to FIFA for allegedly trying to lure striker Neymar without talking to the Brazilian club first.
Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro says Chelsea is insisting on reaching out to Neymar for transfer talks even though the club has already denied an offer made for the 18-year-old striker.
Neymar and his father reportedly met with Chelsea officials after the striker helped Brazil beat the United States in a friendly on Tuesday.
Ribeiro told Brazilian media on Thursday the club may ask FIFA to intervene against Chelsea.
He has said Santos doesn't want to sell the player, but Chelsea can have him by paying the €35 million ($45 million) buyout clause.
Chelsea's initial offer reportedly reached €20 million ($26 million).
Poulsen moves from Juventus to Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen has joined Liverpool on a three-year deal from Juventus.
Liverpool will pay €5.475 million ($7.13 million) for Poulsen, according to Juventus, which could receive another €1.2 million ($1.56 million) if the player reaches undisclosed performance levels.
The 30-year-old Poulsen is linking up with manager Roy Hodgson for the second time. The Englishman signed him in 2000 at FC Copenhagen.
Known for his physical style, Poulsen's first move outside Denmark was to German club Schalke. He then played two seasons with Sevilla in Spain before moving to Juventus for the 2008-09 season.
Leicester bought by Thai-led consortium
LEICESTER, England (AP) — English second-tier club Leicester has been bought by a consortium led by Thai businessman Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn.
The League Championship club announced Thursday that Milan Mandaric will stay as chairman and is a stakeholder in the Asia Football Investments consortium.
Financial details were not disclosed.
Raksriaksorn owns Thailand-based duty-free shopping business King Power Group, which last week secured a three-year shirt sponsorship deal with Leicester.
Leicester's last major title was winning the League Cup in 2000.
Serbia forward Dragan Mrdja joins Swiss club Sion
SION, Switzerland (AP) — Serbian footballer of the year Dragan Mrdja has joined Swiss club Sion.
Sion said on its website on Thursday that the 26-year-old forward signed a three-year contract.
Mrdja scored 22 goals for Vojvodina Novi Sad last season and was included in Serbia's squad at the World Cup, though did not feature in its three matches in South Africa.
Sion will hope Mrdja can compensate for the loss of Belgian forward Emile Mpenza, who scored 21 times last season before joining Neftchi Baku of Azerbaijan this week.
Sion must sign players before the end of August, when it begins serving a one-year transfer ban imposed by FIFA for breaking regulations over the signing of Essam El Hadary.
Portugal's Carvalho passes medical at Real Madrid
MADRID (AP) — Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho has passed his medical test at Real Madrid to complete the signing of a two-season contract.
Carvalho said at a news conference Thursday that "I have wanted to play here for some time and at long last I have achieved it. I think I can help Real Madrid obtain its goals."
The 32-year-old Carvalho has also played under new Madrid coach Jose Mourinho at FC Porto and Chelsea.
Madrid team doctor Carlos Diez says Carvalho "is in perfect health to play at a professional level for many years to come."
Kaiserslautern signs Clemens Walch on 3-year deal
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany (AP) — Promoted Kaiserslautern has signed Austrian midfielder Clemens Walch from Bundesliga rival Stuttgart.
Kaiserslautern said Thursday that the 23-year-old Walch has signed a three-year contract.
Kaiserslautern, the 1998 Bundesliga champion, is returning to the topflight after a four-year absence. It won the second-division title last year.
