Soccer Capsules: U.S. Soccer signs Bradley to four-year extension
CHICAGO (AP) — Bob Bradley has agreed to a contract extension Monday that will see him remain coach of the U.S. football team until after the 2014 World Cup.
U.S. Soccer announced the four-year contract extension late Monday, ending speculation Bradley was seeking a job in Europe and that the federation wanted to start anew in the lead-up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Financial terms were not disclosed.
"Bob is honored to be the U.S. coach," said Ron Waxman, Bradley's agent. "It's a job he enjoys very much, and he's very happy."
U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati and Bradley will address the extension Tuesday.
The United States won its group at the World Cup in South Africa before being eliminated in a 2-1 extra time loss to Ghana.
Though many countries addressed their coaching situations soon after the World Cup, Gulati felt no pressure to move quickly because Bradley's current deal didn't expire until December. The Americans also had a friendly against Brazil earlier this month and will play two more in October.
As the weeks passed, however, it seemed less likely Bradley would be retained. Despite reaching the second round, Gulati has said he thought the Americans were capable of more in South Africa. Bradley also expressed interest in jobs overseas, including Fulham and Aston Villa in the English Premier League.
It's often tough for coaches to replicate success over to a second cycle, too. Bradley replaced Bruce Arena, who led the Americans to the quarterfinals in 2002 only to see them crash out in the first round in 2006.
But in the end, Bradley and U.S. Soccer decided to stay the course. Bradley is well-respected tactically, and players appreciate his even keel and open-mindedness. He selected both Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez for South Africa despite the fact neither was even on the depth chart at the beginning of the year.
Gulati and Bradley met last Thursday, and negotiations on a new deal were finalized Sunday night.
Adidas and MLS ink new sponsorship deal
Major League Soccer and Adidas have agreed to a new eight-year sponsorship deal that officials believe solidify and validate the increased growth of the league and calls for significant investment in youth development.
The new deal replaces a 10-year, $150 million contract between the two organizations that started with the 2005 season. The new agreement will begin with the 2011 season and continue through 2018 — when the league will be in its 22nd season.
The previous deal came before MLS added successful expansion franchises, increased player salaries and committed to deepening the talent pool with the option for teams to add multiple designated players. All those factors, plus record interest in the United States surrounding the World Cup earlier this summer prompted Adidas to approach MLS with a new deal.
"Both of us are feeling really good about the partnership we have had since the start of the MLS and the first deal that we did. ... We both felt this was the time to talk this deal out for a longer time frame and for spending the money on the youth development of the game in the U.S," Adidas America president Patrik Nilsson said.
A person with knowledge of the new deal said it's worth more than $200 million. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because financial terms were not disclosed by the league or Adidas.
"That's a great statement about the league that this company, very well respected football soccer company that has a very distinct and clear vision for the sport in North America and sees MLS as the cornerstone for that vision," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "That's an important thing for us."
Adidas has served as one of MLS' partners since the league's inception in 1996. When the current deal started with the 2005 season, Adidas took over as the official athletic sponsor and licensed product supplier for the league. Adidas also purchased advertising rights.
The new deal continues much of the previous agreement, but makes a significant investment in youth development and reserve programs tied to all 16 — soon to be 18 starting next season — MLS franchises.
How that investment is executed is still to be determined.
"The goal will be to make a very direct link between our academies, our reserve league, our youth programs with a lot of the other youth programs going on in this country," Garber said. "Adidas can play a very important role in creating that bridge and solidifying all those ties."
There also will be additional commitment by Adidas in marketing support — including additional retail marketing to increase player exposure — and with various media platforms.
The idea for broaching a new deal with four years remaining on the current sponsorship deal came from Adidas. Nilsson said he sees a bridge missing between the high school level and professional level and hopes the money included in this new deal will help strengthen that link.
"I think that is one area where we need to do more and MLS has acknowledged that," Nilsson said. "That is one of the key reasons why we decided to change this deal now and be able to invest stronger toward investing in that direction."
-- Tim Booth
Hannover signs U.S.midfielder DaMarcus Beasley
HANNOVER, Germany (AP) — United States midfielder DaMarcus Beasley has joined Bundesliga club Hannover on a two-year contract.
The 28-year-old Beasley was available on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Scottish champion Rangers at the end of last season.
His move to Germany reunited him with U.S. teammate Steve Cherundolo, the Hannover club captain.
Coach Mirko Slomka says that "DaMarcus will give us a further push in the Bundesliga with his international experience."
Hannover narrowly avoided relegation last season, but has won its first two matches of the new season.
Beasley said that he is looking forward to playing with Cherundolo.
U.S. team to play Colombia Oct. 12
CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — The U.S. men's team will host Colombia on Oct. 12 at the new PPL Park in Chester, Pa.
The match at the home of the Philadelphia Union of MLS is the first for the Americans against Colombia since the 2007 Copa America, in which the United States lost 1-0.
Overall, the United States is 3-9-3 against Colombia, with the most famous American victory coming in the 1994 World Cup, a 2-1 win that helped the U.S. team advance to the knockout stages.
U.S. coach Bob Bradley called the game "one of the important parts of developing the program." Colombia did not qualify for this year's World Cup, where the Americans were eliminated in the second round by Ghana.
League Roundups
J.S. Kabylie within reach of semifinal place
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Algerian club J.S. Kabylie is on the verge of a place in the semifinals of the African Champions League, while 2009 runner-up Heartland of Nigeria finally won a group match in the fourth round of games.
Kabylie dropped its first points in Group B with Sunday's 1-1 draw at Egypt's Al Ahly, but with 10 points from four matches the team needs just a point from two games to reach the semifinals.
Desperate to make up ground on Kabylie in Group B, six-time African club champion Al Ahly grabbed the lead at its Cairo International Stadium with a 22nd-minute header from Mohamed Nagy.
Kabylie equalized just five minutes later through midfielder Saad Tedjar's long-range effort, after his free kick was blocked by the Ahly defensive wall.
J.S. Kabylie now sits five points ahead of Al Ahly with two games to play.
Also Sunday in Group B, Heartland claimed a desperately needed first win after edging Egypt's Ismaily 2-1 in Owerri, southern Nigeria.
Heartland, last season's finalist, kept its slim hopes of a semifinal spot alive in the encounter at its Dan Anyiam Stadium.
Mohamed Soliman Ali put Ismaily ahead in the 29th minute. But Heartland captain ThankGod Ike equalized just before halftime, and Chinedu Efugh grabbed a dramatic winner for the Nigerian team five minutes before the end.
Heartland coach Samson Siasia, who thanked fans for their patience in the buildup to the game after no wins in three matches, was still unhappy with his players.
"This is our first win and we hope it will go on like this. But I am not happy with the way the defenders played today," the former Nigerian international and 1994 African Cup of Nations winner said. "The defenders' mistakes cost us our first goal. ... That goal could have cost us the game. And we were not sharp in front of goal."
Heartland has been hampered by off-field problems with reports that players and staff had not been paid. Siasia said last week that the club, ironically nicknamed the Naze Millionaires, was now back on track after the local state government, which is the owner, had paid the salaries.
Heartland faces a tough away trip to Al Ahly and then a home game against runaway group leader J.S. Kabylie in its bid for an unlikely semifinal place.
In Group A, Esperance of Tunisia beat defending champion T.P. Mazembe of Congo 3-0 in Rades on Friday. Captain Michael Eneramo scored two goals for Esperance, which avenged a 2-1 loss at Mazembe two weeks ago.
Walid Hicheri also scored three minutes from time to push Esperance two points clear of last year's winner at the top of the group standings.
"Our success tonight didn't surprise me," Esperance coach Faouzi Benzarti said. "Michael Eneramo was the main man."
Esperance has nine points and Mazembe has seven with two rounds to go.
Mazembe struggled without talismanic captain Tresor Mputu and midfielder Guy Lusadisu. Their futures are still unclear after they were suspended by the African football confederation earlier this month for alleged involvement in Mazembe's walkout during a match in a tournament in Rwanda in May.
On Saturday, Entente Setif of Algeria lifted itself off the bottom of Group A with a 3-0 win over Zimbabwean club Dynamos.
Setif has four points from four games, a point ahead of bottom-place Dynamos.
The top two teams in each group will qualify for October's two-legged semifinals.
Fifth-round matches are scheduled for Sept. 10-12.
-- Gerald Imray
Atletico Madrid beats Sporting Gijon 4-0
MADRID (AP) — Diego Forlan showed he has maintained his World Cup form by scoring twice to help give Atletico Madrid a 4-0 win against Sporting Gijon in their Spanish league opener Monday.
Jose Manuel Jurado and Simao Sabrosa added goals for Atletico, last season's Europa Cup winner which took the league lead on goal difference.
Jurado connected with his right foot on a poor clearance by Sporting midfielder Diego Castro and shot powerfully into the top left corner of goal in the 11th minute.
Atletico was playing at home to a cheering, almost capacity crowd at the Vicente Calderon Stadium three days after beating Inter Milan 2-0 to win the European Super Cup for the first time.
Sporting goalkeeper Juan Pablo Colinas athletically saved a high ball at full stretch in the 24th minute as his team visibly struggled against a sharp-looking and motivated Atletico.
Sergio Aguero then beat four defenders before he toe-poked a soft ball which bounced off a defender across the goalmouth to land in front of Forlan, who swiftly slotted the ball into goal in the 39th minute.
Five minutes later Jose Antonio Reyes ran up the right wing and crossed a low pass which Forlan shot just wide right.
Aguero nearly added a third in the 58th minute when he wrong-footed Sporting's defense to shoot toward the top right of goal, but Colinas punched out at full stretch.
Forlan, who won the Golden Ball in South Africa after leading Uruguay to the semifinals, scored his second in the 63rd, before Simao Sabrosa hit Atletico's fourth goal in injury time.
Colinas was also forced to save two shots by Aguero in injury time.
In other weekend matches it was Barcelona 3, Racing Santander 0; Athletic Bilbao 1, Hercules 0; Valencia 3, Malaga 1; Sevilla 4, Levante 1; Espanyol 3, Getafe 1 and Real Sociedad 1, Villarreal 0. Mallorca held Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw, Deportivo La Coruna drew 0-0 against Zaragoza 0 and Osasuna was held to the same score by Almeria.
-- Harold Heckle
Inter opens Serie A with 0-0 draw at Bologna
BOLOGNA, Italy (AP) — European champion Inter Milan opened its pursuit of a record sixth consecutive Serie A title with a 0-0 draw at Bologna on Monday.
The closest Inter came to scoring was when Samuel Eto'o hit the crossbar midway through the second half. Wesley Sneijder also created some second-half chances, while Diego Milito again appeared off form.
"I was happy about the reaction the squad showed in the second half," said new Inter coach Rafa Benitez. "We're just lacking a bit of physical freshness."
Inter also failed to score in its last outing, getting beat 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in the European Super Cup on Friday.
The poor results could prompt club president Massimo Moratti to make some moves Tuesday before the current transfer window closes.
"There's not much time but we hope we can do something," Benitez said.
AC Milan signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Barcelona on Saturday and beat Lecce 4-0 a day later to suggest it will be a strong challenger this season. Also over the weekend, AS Roma was held to a 0-0 draw by freshly promoted Cesena and Juventus lost 1-0 at Bari.
After a week off for national team play, Serie A resumes Sept. 11-12.
World Cup
Two Sao Paulo stadiums could host 2014 WCup matches
SAO PAULO (AP) — Government officials say South America's biggest city will likely have two stadiums ready to host World Cup matches in 2014.
The club team Corinthians is planning to build a stadium that could host the tournament's opener, and Sao Paulo mayor Gilberto Kassab said Monday that Palmeiras' facility could also host matches after its renovation is complete.
Sao Paulo's Morumbi stadium was set to host the opener, but it was dropped earlier this year because of a lack of financial guarantees.
Corinthians' stadium would need extra investments to host the opener, though. It initially has been planned for 48,000 people, well short of FIFA's requirement of 65,000.
FIFA assesses Spain-Portugal World Cup bid
MADRID (AP) — A FIFA delegation began its trip to assess Spain and Portugal's joint bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup on Monday, saying the countries got off to a good start by presenting all the required documents on time.
Delegation leader Harold Mayne-Nicholls said the seventh and final inspection tour in Europe would last four days. Only the United States and Qatar remain to be visited.
Spain's Interior Ministry said in a statement Monday that it was due to present security plans for the joint proposal to the evaluation committee from soccer's world governing body.
Miguel Angel Lopez, the bid's CEO, said Madrid and Barcelona would be visited in Spain, and Porto and Lisbon in Portugal. He said the joint bid was strong because it included seven elite category stadiums.
Elsewhere
France's Cabaye, Reveillere picked for qualifiers
CLAIREFONTAINE, France (AP) — France coach Laurent Blanc called up midfielder Yohan Cabaye and defender Anthony Reveillere for European Championship qualifiers against Belarus and Bosnia-Herzegovina as cover for the injured Lassana Diarra.
The versatile Diarra picked up a hamstring strain in Real Madrid's Spanish league opener at the weekend and was ruled out for both games on Monday.
"Lassana could have played in two areas, as a defensive midfielder or a right back," Blanc told a news conference. "We therefore thought it would be useful to call back a right back and a holding midfielder."
Diarra's withdrawal is another blow to Blanc's side, which begins Euro 2012 qualifying at home against Belarus on Friday and at Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sept. 7.
Blanc will also be without Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, who is suspended after being sent off at the World Cup, and the injured Samir Nasri.
Blanc, a former Manchester United defender who replaced Raymond Domenech after the World Cup, was also unable to call on Nicolas Anelka, Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan after they were suspended by the federation for the squad's training strike in South Africa.
"Those things also happen at club level," said Blanc, who coached Bordeaux to the French title in 2009. "But our problem is that most of the unavailable players usually play in the same area (midfield)."
France's injury concerns could soon worsen after striker Karim Benzema's training session was cut short Monday after receiving a knock on his right ankle.
France spokesman Philippe Tournon said Benzema's injury "doesn't look serious."
Reveillere has played six times for France and was part of the squad that crashed out in the group stage of the World Cup in South Africa.
Cabaye made his international debut last month in Blanc's first game in charge, a 2-1 loss at Norway in a friendly.
"It's a bit unexpected and I had traveled to the south of France to be with my wife and daughter," Cabaye told L'Equipe's website. "But I can't wait to be there and to start training. The France squad is an exceptional thing."
Last week, Blanc picked nine World Cup players, including in-form Chelsea winger Florent Malouda.
"We will never forget what happened in South Africa," Malouda said at France's training camp. "But we need to soldier on and think about the future. We will give our best answer on the field. This will be the best therapy for all of us."
In South Africa, France exited a major tournament in the first round without winning a game for the second consecutive time. The players also embarrassed their country with a training strike intended to protest Nicolas Anelka's expulsion from the squad following a foul-mouthed tirade at Domenech.
France will play its first home game since the World Cup against Belarus at Stade de France, and Blanc is hoping the fans won't take it out on his players.
"I don't know what the fans are hatching for us, but hopefully we will receive a positive welcome," Blanc said. "I hope the people who will be there will be in the mood for football. If some of them want let off steam, I would advise them to go somewhere else."
France, which has won the European Championship twice and the 1998 World Cup, recently dropped to the 21st place in the FIFA rankings, and Blanc needs to rebuild a team that was left in ruins by his predecessor.
"I'm encouraging everyone to show humility," Blanc said. "I'm hearing that we have two easy games to play. But the reality is far different from this."
Blanc said his main task is to restore confidence in his players, who will practice with former France great Zinedine Zidane at Wednesday's training session.
"I didn't ask Zinedine Zidane to come here for a speech," Blanc said. "People who know him understand this is not his stuff. But he has things to share, and hopefully he will help us to reinforce the idea that the national team is a crucial element in the players' career."
-- Samuel Petrequin
Reports: Portugal's Queiroz suspended for 6 months
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal's anti-doping agency has ruled that national coach Carlos Queiroz disrupted an anti-doping test and suspended him for six months, local media reported Monday.
An agency inquiry found that Queiroz insulted an anti-doping team sent to test the Portugal squad ahead of the World Cup and that his aggressive behavior disrupted their work, national news agency Lusa and other media said.
Officials at the agency were not available for comment on the reports. The Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement on its website that the agency has not informed it of any ruling and that it will not comment until it receives notification.
Queiroz said in a statement that neither he nor his lawyer had been informed of any official decision. However, he said if it is true he will appeal against the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
He said in the statement sent to national media that convicting him of interfering in a doping test would be "totally wrong, harsh and unfounded."
The federation earlier this month suspended Queiroz for one month on a charge of misconduct related to the same incident at Portugal's pre-World Cup training camp in May.
Officials sent to carry out routine tests on Portugal players said Queiroz harassed and intimidated them and used foul language, according to media reports. Details of the inquiry have not been made public.
Queiroz has said he was angry that the unannounced early morning tests had disturbed the players and admitted that he used inappropriate language but denied disrupting the tests. None of the players tested positive.
Queiroz, who has spent two years as Portugal coach, has fought the charges. Earlier this month, Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson testified on Queiroz's behalf as a character witness. Queiroz was previously Ferguson's assistant at Old Trafford.
Portugal produced a disappointing World Cup campaign in South Africa, where it went out in the second round against eventual champion Spain.
Portugal's first qualifying games for the 2012 European Championship are against Cyprus on Friday and Norway four days later, when Queiroz's assistant Agostinho Oliveira will be in charge. Group H also includes Denmark and Iceland.
If confirmed, the agency's ruling will increase pressure on the federation to find a replacement for Queiroz, who would have to sit out four of Portugal's Euro 2012 qualifying games.
It would also deliver another blow to Portuguese hopes of making a strong start to its campaign after captain Cristiano Ronaldo was ruled out of the first two matches after picking up an injury last weekend playing for Real Madrid.
Also, midfielder Deco, winger Simao Sabrosa and defender Paulo Ferreira — three of Portugal's most capped players — have all retired from international football since the World Cup.
-- Barry Hatton
Tevez: Tough preparing for another friendly
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina striker Carlos Tevez is finding it hard to get motivated for another international friendly — even against World Cup champion Spain — saying that being back with the national team still evokes the bad memories of being eliminated in South Africa.
The Manchester City striker arrived Monday in Buenos Aires for the Sept. 7 match against Spain at River Plate's stadium.
"The group is relaxed," Tevez told reporters Monday after arriving in the Argentine capital. "We're trying to get over what happened (at the World Cup). It hurt all of us. It's not easy to return to the national team, play a friendly against Ireland — and now against Spain. It's difficult to set goals again."
"Personally, it is difficult to be motivated, but you have to be strong."
Tevez urged Argentine football officials to quickly name a permanent replacement for Diego Maradona, who was dropped as the national team coach after Argentina's 4-0 loss to Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Former Argentina youth coach Sergio Batista was named interim coach to replace Maradona, and Tevez said it would be OK with him if Batista was given the job permanently.
Batista was in charge earlier this month in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Ireland, and will be on the bench against Spain.
"It would be good if we had a coach as soon as possible; to know his thoughts and how we are going to play," Tevez said.
Tevez was a vocal supporter of Maradona.
Argentine football association president Julio Grondona said last week that Batista was likely to get the full-time job unless "very large problems" emerged. The new coach is expected to be named after the AFA board meets in late October.
"I appreciate him (Batista), I have a lot of respect for him." Tevez said. "If he gets the job it's because he earned it. I would agree with the choice."
Trezeguet in Spain to sign 2-year Hercules deal
ALICANTE, Spain (AP) — Former France striker David Trezeguet was in Spain on Monday looking to finalize a two-year deal with newly promoted club Hercules.
The 32-year-old Trezeguet was meeting with the Alicante-based team two days after leaving Juventus, where he spent 10 seasons.
Trezeguet said he rejected offers from Italy, France and England — including Liverpool — to start "a new adventure" and fulfill his dream of playing in Spain.
"I want to know the Spanish championship," Trezeguet was quoted as saying by Spanish media. "It was an important objective in my career."
Trezeguet said he is experiencing the same feelings as he did when he signed for Juventus shortly after scoring the goal that won the 2000 European Championship — something he views as a good sign. He was also a member of France's 1998 World Cup winning team.
"It's very important to arrive motivated like when I signed for the first time in Italy," the former Monaco striker said. "With the desire and expectations of having a good campaign alongside your teammates."
Trezeguet and Juventus parted ways after he struggled to get into the starting lineup last season and the Turin club no longer wanted to pay his contract, which was worth €4.5 million ($5.7 million) per season.
Trezeguet won four Serie A titles with Juventus and two more that were revoked in the Italian match-fixing scandal. He missed a key penalty in a shootout to hand AC Milan the 2003 Champions League title, although penalties were never his strength. He was an expert finisher inside the area, often needing only one quick touch to score.
Trezeguet showed his dedication to Juventus by remaining with the club when it was relegated to Serie B for 2006-07 for its role in the scandal.
He was Serie A's joint top scorer with 24 goals in 2001-02 and might have scored many more goals for Juventus had he not been often injured, undergoing numerous surgeries.
Van Nistelrooy recalled for injured Van Persie
AMSTERDAM (AP) — Veteran striker Ruud van Nistelrooy returned to the Netherlands squad for the first time in two years Monday as coach Bert van Marwijk called him up to replace the injured Robin van Persie for two European Championship qualifiers.
Van Persie injured his left ankle on Saturday in Arsenal's 2-1 defeat of Blackburn Rovers and the Dutch Football Association said Monday he is likely to be out of action for "at least a few weeks."
Van Nistelrooy last played for the Netherlands in the 2008 European Championship quarterfinal, when he scored his country's only goal in a 3-1 extra-time loss to Russia. Van Nistelrooy has scored 33 goals in 64 appearances for the Netherlands.
The 34-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid player has scored three goals so far this season for his Bundesliga club Hamburg.
He was expected to join the Netherlands' training camp on Tuesday.
World Cup runner-up the Netherlands plays Group E qualifiers in San Marino on Sept. 2 and against Finland in Rotterdam four days later.
Announcing his squad last Friday, Van Marwijk said Van Nistelrooy could still play in the Euro 2012 campaign.
"Ruud is already 34 and will be 36 in two years at the European Championship but we will call him up if necessary," Van Marwijk said.
Francisco Varallo, player at 1st WCup, dies at 100
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Former Argentine soccer star Francisco Varallo, the last surviving player from the first World Cup in 1930, died Monday. He was 100.
His death in La Plata, Argentina, was confirmed by his former Argentine club Gimnasia y Esgrima, which did not specify a cause of death.
Varallo played in the final between Uruguay and Argentina in Montevideo, Uruguay. Argentina lost 4-2.
He began his career with the club Gimnasia y Esgrima, but made his mark with Boca Juniors. He is Boca's second-leading scorer with 194 goals, behind only current striker Martin Palermo. Varallo was nicknamed "Canoncito" (little canon) for his powerful shot.
He won national titles with Gimnasia in 1929 and with Boca in 1931, 1934 and 1935. He retired in 1940 and worked as a coach with Boca's lower-division teams and coached Gimnasia in 1957-59.
Varallo gave an interview earlier this year to soccer's world governing body to mark his 100th birthday. He said the loss to Uruguay was his greatest disappointment.
"I achieved a lot of nice things in my career," he told FIFA. "I represented the national team and was Boca's record goalscorer. However, in my whole life I've never felt such a bitter pain as losing that World Cup final against Uruguay in 1930."
Argentina led 2-1 at halftime. After that, Varallo said the Argentines were soundly beaten.
"We ran out of steam, to tell you the truth," Varallo said. "With all due respect to my teammates, we weren't gutsy enough. How I cried that day. Even now when I look back it still makes me angry."
Italy's Zaccheroni appointed Japan coach
TOKYO (AP) — Former Juventus and AC Milan coach Alberto Zaccheroni was appointed to lead Japan's national football team on Monday.
The Japan Football Association has made Zaccheroni the first Italian and the sixth foreigner to coach Japan.
The 57-year-old Zaccheroni takes over from Takeshi Okada, who stepped down after taking Japan to the round of 16 at the World Cup in South Africa.
Japan plays Paraguay and Guatemala at home on Sept. 4 and 7, with more friendlies against Argentina and South Korea scheduled in October.
Zaccheroni's first competitive tournament will be the Asian Cup in Qatar in January.
A news conference has been scheduled for Tuesday to present Zaccheroni, who won the 1999 Serie A title with Milan.
The appointment of Zaccheroni ends a search that extended beyond an initial deadline of Aug. 15. JFA team director Hiromi Hara has been criticized in Japan for not finalizing a deal sooner.
Hara has been in temporary control of the team and is expected be in charge for the friendlies against Paraguay and Guatemala.
Argentina's Perez gets 2-match ban for diving
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Argentine midfielder Patricio Perez's first goal in Australia's A-League from a penalty has been followed by a two-match ban for diving.
Perez, a former under-20s teammate of Lionel Messi, made his debut off the bench at Sydney Football Stadium and earned his Central Coast Mariners a 1-1 draw with a 73rd-minute goal from the spot.
The equalizer came in controversial circumstances, with Perez's fall resulting in Sydney goalkeeper Liam Reddy being sent off for the foul.
On Monday, the A-League's match review committee gave Perez the ban under its "simulation rules." It also rescinded Reddy's red card, leaving him available for Sydney's next match.
Vennegoor of Hesselink joins Rapid Vienna
VIENNA (AP) — Rapid Vienna says Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has joined the Austrian club on a two-year deal.
The 31-year-old Vennegoor of Hesselink had been without a club since his contract with Hull expired last season.
Vennegoor of Hesselink, who scored three goals in 19 games for the Dutch national team, previously played for Twente, PSV Eindhoven and Celtic before joining Hull last year.
Vennegoor of Hesselink is a replacement for Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic, who moved from Rapid to Rangers last week.
Rapid Vienna reached the group stage of the Europa League by eliminating Aston Villa in the playoffs last week.
Mascherano passes medical to seal Barca transfer
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano passed a medical to seal his transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona on Monday.
The 26-year-old Mascherano underwent a five-hour "exhaustive" review, according to team doctor Ricard Pruna.
Mascherano agreed to a four-year contract, with Spanish reports putting the fee for the ball-winning midfielder at €22 million ($28 million).
Mascherano, who also played at West Ham and Corinthians, is a natural replacement for the departed Yaya Toure in the Spanish champion's lineup.
Van Persie out for several weeks with ankle injury
LONDON (AP) — Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be out of action for several weeks after hurting his left ankle in Saturday's Premier League match against at Blackburn.
The Dutch Football Association says that the forward will miss its European Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Finland because he is likely to be out of action for "at least a few weeks."
Van Persie set up Arsenal's opening goal before being replaced in the 35th minute of the 2-1 win at Ewood Park.
Van Persie missed five months last season after injuring ankle ligaments in November while on international duty.
Former Brazil assistant Jorginho to coach Goias
SAO PAULO (AP) — Former Brazil assistant Jorginho is the new coach of Goias, the last-place team in the Brazilian league. Jorginho replaces Emerson Leao, who was fired last week after a series of poor results.
Jorginho worked with then Brazil coach Dunga at the 2010 World Cup. The team was eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. The 46-year-old Jorginho has also coached Rio de Janeiro's America.
A former right back, Jorginho was Dunga's teammate when Brazil won the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Goias dropped to last in the 20-team Brazilian league after losing three straight matches. It has 13 points from 17 matches.
Argentina midfielder Sosa joins Napoli
MUNICH (AP) — Argentina midfielder Jose Ernesto Sosa has joined Italian club Napoli after terminating his contract with Bayern Munich a year early.
The German champions said Monday that Sosa has left. He has signed a four-year deal with Napoli.
Sosa joined Bayern from Argentine club Estudiantes in 2007 but struggled to establish himself in Munich, scoring two goals in 35 Bundesliga matches. He went on loan to Estudiantes last season.
Bayern didn't disclose the transfer fee.
Injured Ivanovic out of Serbia's qualifiers
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia defender Branislav Ivanovic has been ruled out of European Championship qualifiers against the Faeroe Islands and Slovenia because of a back injury.
Ivanovic is expected to play again in two to six weeks.
The Chelsea player said Monday, "I came to Belgrade to see my teammates, but the back injury is such that I cannot train or play."
Serbia plays at the Faeroe Islands on Sept. 3 and hosts Slovenia in Belgrade four days later in qualifying. Group C also includes Italy and Estonia.
Cristiano Ronaldo injures ankle, out for 3 weeks
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo will be out three weeks after injuring his ankle in his team's Spanish league opener.
Madrid said Monday on its website that the Portugal international was hurt in the 0-0 draw with Mallorca a day earlier.
The 25-year-old Ronaldo will miss Portugal's 2012 European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and Norway. He will also be out for Madrid's next league match against Osasuna and its opening Champions League game against Ajax.
France under-21 defender Paul Baysse joins Brest
BREST, France (AP) — France under-21 defender Paul Baysse has signed a four-year deal with Brest after moving from second-tier club Sedan.
Brest said Baysse signed on Monday before traveling to a France under-21 training camp to prepare for European Championship qualifiers against Ukraine and Malta in September.
The 22-year-old Baysse played at Bordeaux before joining Sedan in 2007.
Brest gained promotion to the topflight last season and is 15th with four points after four rounds this season.
Injury deprives striker Pizarro of Peru comeback
BREMEN, Germany (AP) — Werder Bremen says striker Claudio Pizarro will not be able to make his international comeback in either of Peru's two friendlies in September after injuring his thigh.
Peru coach Sergio Markarian had called up the 31-year-old Pizarro for the first time in nearly three years to play Canada in Toronto on Saturday and Jamaica in Miami on Sept. 7.
Bremen said Monday that Pizarro is staying in Germany after being hurt in the Bundesliga win against FC Cologne at the weekend.
Silvestre is close to joining Bremen from Arsenal
BREMEN, Germany (AP) — French defender Mikael Silvestre is close to signing a two-year contract at Bundesliga club Werder Bremen on a free transfer from Arsenal.
The 33-year-old Silvestre, who has also played for Manchester United and made 40 appearances for France, arrived at Bremen on Monday after being released in the offseason by Arsenal.
Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf says Silvestre "is still hungry to take on great challenges."
Bremen finished third in the Bundesliga last season and advanced to the Champions League group stage by eliminating Sampdoria last week.
Monnet-Paquet close to joining Lorient on loan
LORIENT, France (AP) — Lens striker Kevin Monnet-Paquet is set to sign a one-year loan deal with rival French league club Lorient.
Lorient, which has an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season, said the 22-year-old player will undergo a medical on Tuesday before signing.
Considered as one of the most talented young forwards in France, Monnet-Paquet started his career at Lens and was a regular member of the under-19 and under-21 France teams.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Sydney FC signs Brazilian striker Cazarine
SYDNEY (AP) — Brazilian striker Bruno Cazarine has signed a one-year contract with the defending A-League champion Sydney FC.
The club said Tuesday that, pending visa approval, Cazarine could play in Saturday's match against Adelaide at Sydney Football Stadium.
Cazarine, 27, has spent the past two years playing in the Brazilian second division.
Sydney has only two points from its opening four matches after two draws and two losses.
