No rest for U.S. as they prepare for Gold Cup defense

(CONFEDERATIONS, THEIR, BRADLEY, SQUAD, GREAT, GROUP, US)

By Mark Gleeson
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - United States switch attention from the Confederations Cup, where they finished runners-up to Brazil on Sunday, to defending the CONCACAF Gold Cup this weekend.
Exhausted yet exhilarated by their exertions in South Africa, where they fought back in style to earn a place in the final after losing their first two games, the Americans leave for home on Monday to seek another trophy.
However, coach Bob Bradley has chosen just four players from his 23-man Confederations squad to play in the Gold Cup. The team kickoff against Grenada in Seattle on Saturday.
"It`s been a great experience here, we`ll turn the page quickly and get to work with the group. The Gold Cup is still very important to us," Bradley told Reuters before leaving for a 25-hour flight and a change of 10 time zones.
"We knew it was going to be a challenging summer. We go to the Gold Cup with a new squad but it`s a great opportunity for some of the new players.
"It`s different to the Confederations Cup but it`s still the championship of our confederation. We take it very seriously, it`s played in the U.S. and we want to do well," added Bradley.
The Americans, who also face Honduras and Haiti in their opening-round group, have won the last two Gold Cups in 2005 and 2007 and it was as champions of the CONCACAF region that they competed in the Confederations Cup.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
Original article

U.S. sprinters to shine in Berlin: coaches

(METERS, OLYMPIC, CHAMPION, MEDALIST, 200, HURDLES, 100)

By Gene Cherry
EUGENE, Oregon (Reuters) - The U.S. team at August`s world athletics championships are expected to take the fast track to success, with coaches tipping sprinters and hurdlers to lead the way in Berlin.
"We have put together a great team," women`s head coach Chandra Cheeseborough told Reuters at the conclusion of the four-day U.S. trials on Sunday.
"I really like the make-up of this team," men`s coach Harvey Glance added. "We have seasoned veterans, but I also like the fact we have some rookies."
Hurdles squads for both men and women should be especially strong after Olympic bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson and a rejuvenated Lashinda Demus delivered season-leading times in winning 400 meters hurdles titles.
Olympic champion Dawn Harper looked impressive in a wind-assisted women`s 100 hurdles with Beijing silver medalist David Payne claiming the men`s 110 hurdles with a narrow win over Terrence Trammell, twice an Olympic silver medalist.
Top American sprinter Tyson Gay ran only one race at the trials, as the defending 100 and 200 meters world champion has an automatic bye to Berlin in both events.
However, he showed plenty of speed in his only appearance, clocking a wind-assisted 9.75 seconds in a 100 meters preliminary round.
CRAWFORD FAST
Equally impressive was 2004 Olympic 200 meters champion Shawn Crawford. Although now 31, Crawford zipped through his final in a windy 19.73 seconds, his fastest time ever.
The 400 meters also looks strong with Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt heading the team that will also include world champion Jeremy Wariner, who ran the 200 at the trials.
The 2004 Olympic long jump champion Dwight Phillips had also returned to form, Glance noted while adding that he expected an improved showing from U.S. shot putters compared to Beijing.
Injuries knocked out Olympic decathlon champion Bryan Clay, sprint hurdles medalist David Oliver and Walter Dix, bronze medalist in the Olympic 100 and 200 meters.
"Clay`s injury, that was a big blow," Glance said. "But overall I don`t think this team takes a great blow."
Cheeseborough expressed delight in her team`s mixture.
"In the sprints, the young ladies have done well," she said, referring to 100 meters winner Carmelita Jeter, 200 meters world champion Allyson Felix and 400 meters U.S. winner Sanya Richards.  Continued...
Original article

Brazil fight back to sink U.S.

(BRAZIL, US, DONOVAN, HOWARD, HEADER, AFTER, BEFORE)

By Mike Collett
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Holders Brazil fought back from 2-0 down with three second-half goals to beat the United States 3-2 and win the Confederations Cup for the third time in an entertaining final Sunday.
The U.S., who shocked Spain in the semis, looked set to complete an even greater upset when goals by Clint Dempsey and skipper Landon Donovan put them 2-0 ahead at halftime.
U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard produced several good saves before striker Luis Fabiano took his tournament tally to five just after the restart and he equalized with a header.
Brazil captain Lucio completed his side`s stunning recovery when he rose superbly to power home an Elano corner six minutes from time.
The match was a fitting climax to an outstanding tournament which provided shocks, excellent football and noisy crowds, auguring well for next year`s World Cup finals in South Africa.
The U.S. stunned Brazil by taking the lead with a fortuitous goal by Dempsey.
He connected with Jonathan Spector`s cross and although he did not get a perfect touch the ball sped past Julio Cesar.
Astonishingly, the Americans doubled their lead after 27 minutes.
Donovan started the move deep in his own half when he found Ricardo Clark who broke down the left before sending a perfect cross back to Donovan.
His first touch wrong-footed Ramires, creating an opening for the striker who switched the ball to his left foot and cracked it past Julio Cesar for his 40th international goal in his 114th match.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Brazil had beaten the U.S. 14 times in 15 previous meetings but keeper Howard kept the outsiders firmly in control with a number of fine saves.
Brazil had the majority of the possession but rarely threatened until a minute after the restart when Luis Fabiano turned and shot through the legs of a defender in one movement.
Brazil twice went close to an equalizer, Howard pulling off an excellent diving save from a Lucio header and getting lucky when Kaka`s downward header looked to have crossed the line before the keeper held on to it.
But he was not quite as fortunate the next time Brazil hit the bar.  Continued...
Original article

Related articles:
Brazil fight back to sink U.S. in Confederations Cup final

"Tired" Bolt cruises to 200m title in Jamaica

(JAMAICAN, WORLD, LITTLE, METERS, I`M, CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEFORE)

By Simon Evans
KINGSTON (Reuters) - Double Olympic champion Usain Bolt won the Jamaican 200 meters national title on Sunday, his first run at that distance this year, but conceded he is far from top shape ahead of the world championships in August.
After bursting through the bend, Bolt eased off in the final stages to finish with a time of 20.25, nearly a full second shy of his world record 19.30 set at the final of the Beijing Games last year.
"I`m feeling alright, I`m a little bit tired because I am not really in the best shape of my life, but I`m OK," Bolt told reporters after the race.
"There were a lot of fast guys behind me so I ran the corner pretty hard and then I came off and saw where I was and shut it down -- it was ok," said Bolt, who also won the 100 meters race on Saturday.
In contrast to his dancing jubilation in Beijing, a no-nonsense Bolt crossed the line without celebration in front of cheering home fans to finish ahead of Steve Mullings, second with 20.40, and Marvin Anderson on 20.63.
The run was enough to win the national title and secure passage to the world championships, but betrayed little of the awesome power the Jamaican revealed at last year`s edition in the lead-up to Beijing.
"I`m probably a little bit back, compared to that. I`ve still got a lot of work to do, day by day. But I am ready to do it," he said.
"I ran the corner very well I think and my coach will decide what to do to improve it."
SHOW-DOWN
Bolt faces a showdown in Berlin with world champion Tyson Gay, who last week said he could break the Jamaican`s 100m record if he could improve his start.
After winning the national 100m title on Saturday, Bolt hit back by declaring the American had little chance of setting a new mark.
The Jamaican said he hoped to come up against his main rivals, Gay among them, at least once before the world championships in Berlin.
"I wouldn`t mind meeting them in every race in the build-up so I know what I have to do but at least once before would be good," Bolt said.
Bolt and Gay may face off before the worlds at the London Grand Prix, with the Jamaican signed up and discussions being held with the American`s camp, according to organizers of the July 24-25 event.
Like Bolt, two-time women`s 200 meters Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown had little trouble securing first place in the Jamaican trials, holding off rival and 100 meters gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser to win in 22.40.  Continued...
Original article

French Open final repeat up next for Federer

By Tom Pilcher
LONDON (Reuters) - Roger Federer will have happy memories of his last encounter with Swede Robin Soderling at Roland Garros and will be hoping for a similar outcome when he opens the play on Wimbledon`s Center Court on Monday.
The Swiss master swept past Soderling to clinch his 14th grand slam title earlier this month, a performance so convincing on what is statistically Federer`s weakest surface that the 27-year-old is a big favorite to reach the last eight.
British world number three Andy Murray will again play last on the main show court against Swiss number two and 19th seed Stanislas Wawrinka, while in between stands an interesting duel between women`s world number one Dinara Safina and former Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo of France.
Over on Court One holder Venus Williams, chasing a sixth title here, starts proceedings against Serbia`s Ana Ivanovic, then Spain`s number seven seed Fernando Verdasco is next in the firing line for Croatian ace-machine Ivo Karlovic.
The line judges will again need lightning reflexes to dodge the bullets from another massive server, American Andy Roddick, who is last on court against Czech Tomas Berdych.
Serena Williams finds herself on Court Two where she faces the unseeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia. That match is followed by former champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia up against Czech Radek Stepanek.
Serbia`s world number four Novak Djokovic is the latest top four player consigned to an outside court. The 2008 Australian Open champion plays Dudi Sela of Israel on Court Four.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
Original article

White Sox claim battle of Chicago with shutout win

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Chicago White Sox took the decider of their three-game series with cross-town rivals the Cubs, as John Danks and Scott Linebrink combined on a four-hitter in the 6-0 win on Sunday.
Danks struck out five and walked four over seven innings, while Linebrink struck out four in two perfect relief innings to give the Sox their second straight win over the Cubs after losing the series opener.
Danks also beat the Cubs 4-1 on June 17 and has allowed just one earned run in his 14 innings against them this season.
"I didn`t throw as many strikes this time around, but I feel like I was still able to make the big pitch when I had to and guys were making plays all over the field for me," Danks told reporters.
Alexei Ramirez hit a two-run homer in the third inning and that was all the runs the Sox would need, but Jermaine Dye also hit a solo homer for the winners. Chris Getz stole home for another run in the sixth inning.
The White Sox took two of three games during the week against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have the best record in the majors, and then won two of three in this series.
Manager Ozzie Guillen was not ready to talk up the team`s prospects despite their run of good form, however.
"I`m going to take it one day at a time and try to move on real sneaky and quiet and see where we are in September," Guillen said.
Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano (4-3) struggled, allowing five runs, four of them earned, on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings.
"You have to give credit to the other pitcher, Danks," Zambrano said. "Sometimes the other pitcher comes with his best stuff, and there`s nothing you can do about it."
Cubs manager Lou Piniella was frank about Zambrano`s performance.
"He was so-so," Piniella said.
The White Sox lead the all-time series 36-35, with the teams yet to play a make-up game later this season from their first series at Wrigley Field.
(Writing by Roger Lajoie in Toronto; Editing by Ian Ransom)
Original article

Contador out to hold off Armstrong

By Julien Pretot
PARIS (Reuters) - Lance Armstrong`s return to the race he dominated for seven years should not stop team mate and hot favorite Alberto Contador from stamping his authority on a Tour de France more scrutinised than ever before.
Spaniard Contador, winner in 2007, will lead the Astana team but with deluxe domestiques like Armstrong and Tour podium finishers Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloeden, his margin for error is extremely slim.
The Armstrong v Contador rivalry is reminiscent of that between Bernard Hinault and American Greg LeMond, who won the 1986 race despite repeated attacks from his French team mate.
Although Astana manager Johan Bruyneel made clear Contador would be the leader and Armstrong his lieutenant, the seven-times champion is likely to try his luck early in the race to turn the hierarchy upside down.
"I would love to be a little mouse and see how it goes within Astana," Tour director Christian Prudhomme told Reuters.
"Contador will have only a week, and actually two stages, to show he is the boss in his own team."
The opening 15.5-km time trial in Monaco on Saturday should give an indication of the favorites` form on a course tailor-made for climber Contador with its 7.5-km ascent to the Cote de Beausoleil in the first part.
Contador, one of only five riders with victories in all three Grand Tours, is also expected to make a move in the seventh stage which finishes with an out-of-category climb to Arcalis.
Should he still be in contention at that time, Armstrong, back on the bike after 3 1/2 years in retirement, is convinced he can cause an upset.
"I feel strong, I feel strong enough to win," he told French radio Europe 1. "It will be close. Three to one."
SCHLECK THREAT
But Contador has shown he has no rival when the slopes get really steep and he has dramatically improved against the clock as he proved by winning the Spanish time trial title last week.
The ascent in the penultimate stage to the Mont Ventoux, where Armstrong has often struggled, will be his last master card.
"I`m a much stronger rider all round," the 26-year-old told Reuters.
Contador will also have rivals outside his team.  Continued...
Original article

Perry seals River Highlands win with flawless 63

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kenny Perry held off late charges by fellow Americans David Toms and Paul Goydos with a superb all-round display to win the Travelers Championship by three shots in Cromwell, Connecticut on Sunday.
The 48-year-old, who began the final round a stroke off the pace, fired a flawless seven-under-par 63 at the rain-softened TPC River Highlands to clinch his 14th PGA Tour title.
Perry, who needed only 25 putts, birdied four of the last nine holes on a sun-drenched afternoon to set a tournament record total of 22-under 258.
"It`s hard to talk right now," an emotional Perry said in a greenside interview after parring the last and raising both arms in celebration before removing his cap.
"This is as good a win as I`ve ever had, the way I finished today. To shoot 22-under par and break the all-time record of all the great champions that are on this trophy, it`s unbelievable.
"I knew there was so many guys right there in contention who could catch me ... I knew I had to keep making birdies. I wasn`t going to play defensive golf," Perry added, after winning his second title this year.
Toms birdied two of the last four holes for a 65 to finish in a tie for second with 54-hole leader Goydos, who closed with a 67.
American Hunter Mahan, the 2007 champion, signed off with a 64 to share fourth place at 17-under with compatriots Ben Curtis (65) and Ryan Moore (64).
A stroke behind the pacesetting Goydos overnight, Perry took control with three birdies in the first eight holes.
TWO-SHOT SWING
He benefited from a two-shot swing with his birdie at the par-three eighth after playing partner Goydos bogeyed the hole when three-putting from 28 feet.
Two ahead of the chasing pack at the turn, Perry tightened his grip with further birdies on 10 and 11 where he drained putts from 16 and 28 feet.
He lipped out with a long-range birdie attempt at the 14th before sinking an 11-footer at the 15th to forge three strokes clear.
Although Toms cut the deficit to two with a birdie at the par-three 16th, Perry responded at the par-four 17th, hitting a seven-iron approach to eight feet and nervelessly holing the putt.
"That seven-iron was one of the sweetest shots I`ve hit in a long time to give me birdie and a three-shot cushion to make the 18th hole, where I didn`t have to stress out," Perry said.
Goydos covered the last four holes in four under after eagling the 15th but was left to rue missed birdie putts from inside eight feet at the ninth and 17th.  Continued...
Original article

Brazil fight back to sink U.S. in Confederations Cup final

By Mike Collett
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Holders Brazil fought back from 2-0 down with three second-half goals to beat the United States 3-2 and win the Confederations Cup for the third time in an entertaining final Sunday.
The U.S., who shocked Spain in the semis, looked set to complete an even greater upset when goals by Clint Dempsey and skipper Landon Donovan put them 2-0 ahead at halftime.
U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard produced several good saves before striker Luis Fabiano took his tournament tally to five just after the restart and he equalized with a header.
Brazil captain Lucio completed his side`s stunning recovery when he rose superbly to power home an Elano corner six minutes from time.
The match was a fitting climax to an outstanding tournament which provided shocks, excellent football and noisy crowds, auguring well for next year`s World Cup finals in South Africa.
The U.S. stunned Brazil by taking the lead with a fortuitous goal by Dempsey.
He connected with Jonathan Spector`s cross and although he did not get a perfect touch the ball sped past Julio Cesar.
Astonishingly, the Americans doubled their lead after 27 minutes.
Donovan started the move deep in his own half when he found Ricardo Clark who broke down the left before sending a perfect cross back to Donovan.
His first touch wrong-footed Ramires, creating an opening for the striker who switched the ball to his left foot and cracked it past Julio Cesar for his 40th international goal in his 114th match.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Brazil had beaten the U.S. 14 times in 15 previous meetings but keeper Howard kept the outsiders firmly in control with a number of fine saves.
Brazil had the majority of the possession but rarely threatened until a minute after the restart when Luis Fabiano turned and shot through the legs of a defender in one movement.
Brazil twice went close to an equalizer, Howard pulling off an excellent diving save from a Lucio header and getting lucky when Kaka`s downward header looked to have crossed the line before the keeper held on to it.
But he was not quite as fortunate the next time Brazil hit the bar.  Continued...
Original article