Times wires
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Soccer
Spain routs U.S. 4-0 in exhibition
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — After allowing three goals in 13 minutes, U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard pounded his hands on his thighs in frustration. And there was still another half to go.
"When you get knocked down, you see what you're made of," Howard said Saturday after World Cup champion Spain beat the United States 4-0 in an exhibition that the Americans used to tune up for the Gold Cup. "I put it behind me. … When you play the best team in the world, they can make you look silly at times."
Santi Cazorla scored twice and Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Torres added a goal each for Spain.
It was the most one-sided loss for the Americans since a 5-0 defeat by Mexico in the 2009 Gold Cup final.
The United States was missing Landon Donovan, who had an undisclosed illness. He is expected to be ready for Tuesday's Gold Cup opener against Canada in Detroit. The Americans then face Panama on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Maradona rips FIFA: Corruption and match-fixing scandals that have undermined FIFA will continue as long as the sport's governing body is run by "dinosaurs," Diego Maradona said. The Argentine great, who signed a two-year deal to coach the Al Wasl club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said FIFA had been badly run over the years. He attacked Wednesday's re-election of president Sepp Blatter, 75, "who has never kicked a football," and what he called the "arrogance" of all its executives.
WNBA
Defending champ Storm wins opener
Sue Bird scored 13 and handed out 10 assists, Camille Little led host Seattle with 18 points and the defending champion Storm opened with a 78-71 win over Phoenix.
"It was a lot (Saturday)," Bird said of the title celebration before the game. "A lot of emotion. … It can be a challenge to stay focused, but we're a mature group."
Diana Taurasi scored 31 for Phoenix.
Horses
Preakness winner set to run Belmont
Preakness winner Shackleford will take on Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.
Shackleford had a sharp 5-furlong workout at Belmont Park in New York.
It will be the first time the Derby and Preakness winners have hooked up in the Belmont since 2005, when Preakness winner Afleet Alex beat Derby winner Giacomo, and the 22nd time in the history of the Triple Crown races.
Et cetera
Boxing: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (42-0-1) beat Sebastian Zbik (30-1) by majority decision to win the WBC middleweight title in Los Angeles. Two judges scored the fight for Chavez, 115-113 and 116-112, while the third had it as a draw. Chavez's famous father (107-6-2) won his first title in the same city in 1984.
Greyhounds: M's Free Agent of Floyd & Porter kennel won the $8,000 T.L. Weaver Memorial Challenge for his first stakes victory at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. Trained by Cal Holland Jr. for owner Lamar Porter, M's Free Agent paid $24.20 to win. He clocked 550 yards in 30.56 seconds. Hi Noon Renegade was second and Uss Gazillionair third.
Track and field: Former Florida State standout and Olympian Walter Dix defended his 200 title in 20.19 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore. American David Oliver won the 110 hurdles, and defending champion Allyson Felix finished third in the 400 meters.
Don Jensen, Times correspondent; Times wires