Protests get support from Brazilian soccer players

By TALES AZZONI

The historic wave of protests that has swept across Brazil in recent days has gained some important allies _ the players of the Brazilian national football team.

Man United to begin title defense at Swansea

David Moyes was given a challenging start to life as Manchester United manager Wednesday, with his new team handed fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in the first five matches of its Premier League title defense.

FA Cup restored as last match of English season

The FA Cup final has been restored to its traditional place as the last match of the English football season.

Altidore leads US over Honduras in WCup qualifying

By JOHN COON

As goaltender Tim Howard looks out from in front of the U.S. net, he likes what he sees: the scoring of striker Jozy Altidore, the ball control of the midfielders and the steadiness of the defense.

Altidore scores, US beats Honduras 1-0

By JOHN COON

No amount of tight defense could keep Jozy Altidore from doing what he does best.

Nigeria rolls to 6-1 win over Tahiti at Confed Cup

By ROB HARRIS

Nigeria rolled to a 6-1 victory at Confederations Cup on Monday over Tahaiti, which was making its debut at a major FIFA tournament.

Players, father convicted in linesman's death

By MIKE CORDER

Six youth players and the father of one of them were convicted of manslaughter Monday for kicking a volunteer linesman to death after a game, a brutal attack that shocked this soccer-loving nation.

International soccer gets goal-line technology

By ROB HARRIS

FIFA will use goal-line technology in international games for the first time at the Confederations Cup, starting with Saturday's opening match between Brazil and Japan. The Associated Press looks at why the technology has been introduced and …

Confedations Cup to open Saturday after protests

By SIMON HAYDON

The Confederations Cup begins following protests that turned violent in three of Brazil's biggest cities, while builders were still slapping cement on stadiums.

FIFA rules male players can wear turbans

By The Associated Press

FIFA has ruled male head covers are acceptable to wear during matches, a decision that goes against the ban on turbans imposed by the sport's provincial governing body in Quebec.

Protest blocks road in front of Brasilia stadium

About 200 people burned tires and blocked the main road in front of the Brasilia stadium that will host the Confederations Cup opener Saturday.

Manchester City hires Manuel Pellegrini as manager

By STEVE DOUGLAS

Manchester City hired Manuel Pellegrini as manager Friday, entrusting a man nicknamed "The Engineer" with constructing a team to reclaim the Premier League title and become a force in the Champions League.

Ex-Barcelona president says Messi paid his taxes

By JOSEPH WILSON

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta is defending Lionel Messi against allegations of tax fraud, a case that experts say could carry a prison sentence for the Argentina star.

ESPN scores with US-Panama soccer broadcast

The United States' 2-0 victory over Panama on Tuesday night was ESPN's second most-watched and second highest-rated World Cup qualifying or international friendly game telecast.

With WCup a year away, Brazil vows to be ready

By TALES AZZONI

Brazil is a year from the World Cup, admitting to mistakes in its preparations but vowing to be ready in time.

Qatar eliminated from 2014 World Cup qualifying

By The Associated Press

Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, was eliminated in qualifying for next year's tournament on Tuesday night and Denmark put itself in nearly as dismal a position.

Togo soccer players refuse qualifier in Libya

Togo players are refusing to play a World Cup qualifier in Libya after recent violence there led FIFA to move Friday's game from Benghazi to the capital, Tripoli.

US beats Panama 2-0 in World Cup qualifying

By TIM BOOTH

Jozy Altidore continued his scoring run. Eddie Johnson earned a moment to remember getting a goal before his raucous home crowd that matched the hype that came with playing a World Cup qualifier in Seattle.

Argentina soccer player sent off for harming dog

An Argentine soccer player was expelled from a minor league game and fired from his team for mistreating a dog that wandered onto the field.

Brazil set for Confed Cup despite difficulties

By TALES AZZONI

Even if the Confederations Cup goes off without a hitch, the troubled preparations for the tournament have turned up the pressure on Brazil for the year ahead.

'Happy One' Mourinho wants to create stability

By ROB HARRIS

With the bravado toned down and the swagger subdued, Jose Mourinho presented himself as the "Happy One" on Monday and promised a more tranquil second spell as Chelsea manager.

Evans' late goal lifts US over Jamaica 2-1

By The Associated Press

Brad Evans saved the United States from another deflating World Cup qualifier on the road.

Local soccer club to compete at Disney Cup

John Burbridge john.burbridge@nwi.com, (219) 933-3371

MUNSTER | These Wings are actually going to fly south for the summer.

Barca clears Messi to play in World Cup qualifier

Lionel Messi has been cleared by Barcelona's team doctors to play in Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Ecuador.

Brazil at historic low No. 22 in FIFA rankings

Brazil has dropped to a historic low of No. 22 in the FIFA rankings a year out from hosting the World Cup, and the United States rises one place to No. 28.

Cosmos sign jersey sponsorship with Emirates

With Pele looking on, the revived New York Cosmos signed a jersey sponsorship contract with Emirates Airline as the team prepares to start play in the second-tier North American Soccer League this summer.

Japan 1st team to qualify for 2014 World Cup

By JIM ARMSTRONG

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, tying Australia 1-1 Tuesday night on Keisuke Honda's penalty kick in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.

Sydney Leroux says she was object of racial abuse

By RONALD BLUM

American women's national soccer team forward Sydney Leroux said she was the object of a series of racist and sexist tweets in recent days and said her provocative celebration after her weekend goal against Canada was a response to the abuse.

Beckham tours Miami stadiums; city hopes for team

Soccer star David Beckham may be setting his sights on a new sports venture: a professional soccer team in Miami.

Neymar signs 5-year contract with Barcelona

By JOSEPH WILSON

Neymar completed his transfer to Barcelona on Monday in a deal that unites the Brazilian star with Lionel Messi in what should be a formidable attacking partnership.

Quebec soccer leaders cite safety on turban bans

The Quebec Soccer Federation says if Sikh kids want to play soccer while wearing a turban there's an easy solution: They can play in their own yard.

Soccer, politics at play in Iran-Qatar qualifier

By MICHAEL CASEY

In a match with political overtones, Iran plays Qatar in a World Cup qualifier Tuesday that both nations need to win to maintain hope of reaching next year's tournament in Brazil.

US beats 2nd-string Germany 4-3 in exhibition

The United States can head into a key stretch with some added confidence.

Brazil tied 2-2 by England as Maracana re-opens

By The Associated Press

Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro reopened following lengthy renovations, with Paulinho scoring on an 82nd-minute volley to give Brazil a 2-2 tie against England in an exhibition Sunday.

FIFA approves stricter sanctions for racism

By GERALD IMRAY

Soccer teams face much tougher penalties for serious racist abuse, including being relegated or having points deducted.

Lucas Oil to host Chelsea and Inter Milan in summer tournament

TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer

MIAMI | When the inaugural International Champions Cup arrives this summer, seven of the eight club teams in the field will be working through their preseason schedules.