Soccer Sports News & Betting

CHICAGO — The U.S. national team is likely to play an exhibition at Egypt on Feb. 9.

Egypt Football Association chairman Samir Zaher said the match probably will be in Cairo. The U.S. Soccer Federation said Friday that negotiations are not yet complete.

It would be a rematch of the nations meeting at the 2009 Confederations Cup, won by the U.S. 3-0.

The U.S. opens its 2011 schedule against Chile on Jan. 22 at Carson, Calif. The Americans also have been negotiating to host Argentina in March as they prepare for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June.

Finlands Juho Makela, the leading scorer in his domestic league this season, has signed a 15-month contract with Sydney FC in Australian footballs A-League.

Born in Oulu, Finland, Makela scored 16 goals in 18 matches with HJK Helsinki in the Finnish Veikkausliiga and won the striker of the year award.

Sydney FC, which is in ninth place in the 11-team league, said in a statement Saturday that Makela will arrive in Australia in early January.

New players, new jerseys, new assistant coaches: This has been a busy couple of days for the Portland Timbers as they prepare to join Major League Soccer next season.

First the team rounded out its coaching staff, then they introduced a bunch of new players. On Thursday they unveiled their inaugural uniforms, and on Friday the teams first retail store will open in downtown Portland.

And as if that werent enough, the Timbers also started to pepper the airwaves with commercials and erect huge billboards around town.

Portlands team and the Vancouver Whitecaps both join the MLS for the 2011 season, which starts in March.

The Timbers revealed their new jerseys, with sponsor Alaska Airlines, at a gala “fashion show” at Portland International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Alaska provided a jet adorned with a Timbers scarf and players disembarked wearing the new kits, designed by Adidas.

“Its not hyperbole to say we could not have scripted a better partner than Alaska Airlines,” Timbers President Merritt Paulson said to the crowd at the event, which was streamed live on the teams website.

The jerseys are two tones of green with white sleeves, while the away jerseys - in a nod to Portlands Rose City nickname - are two tones of red.

Fittingly for the Pacific Northwest, the collection of official merchandise includes raingear.

The day before, the Timbers introduced several of the players they acquired in last months expansion draft.

Midfielder Peter Lowry came to the Timbers from the Chicago Fire in last months the MLS expansion draft and visited the city for a news conference on Wednesday at the new team store.

“I got just on to (Twitter) recently and Im kind of hooked. Theres been such a buzz through social media. We get out here, we see the billboards, we see all of you here. This is very exciting for us,” Lowry told reporters.

The billboards, which started cropping up around town recently, feature fans holding logging implements. Television ads include the chant, “No pity in the Rose City.”

Lowry was joined by defender Eric Brunner, midfielder Adam Moffat and defender/midfielder Rodney Wallace. Like Lowry, Brunner and Moffat were selected in the draft that involved the Timbers and Whitecaps. Portland traded No. 1 pick Dax McCarty to D.C. United in exchange from Wallace on the same day.

“Its nice to have people want you, and to be in a city thats craving soccer,” said the 6-foot-4 Brunner. “I think thats what we all want to play for, and I think were going to get it.”

Theyll join goalkeeper Steve Cronin, forward Bright Dike, forward Eddie Johnson and midfielder Ryan Pore, who were all signed by the club in October. The team will add to its roster during the MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 12, when the leagues teams can sign free agents and select from available college players.

Earlier in the week the Timbers announced they had appointed new assistant coaches Trevor James and Amos Magee, and goalkeeper coach Adam Smith.

James comes to the Timbers from the Los Angeles Galaxy while the other assistant coaches were already with the Timbers, who were part of the USSF Division-2 Pro League last season.

Portland also hired Nik Wald as the clubs trainer and Karim Derqaoui as the strength and conditioning coach. The assistants will serve under head coach John Spencer.

Results in 18th round of Argentinas Apertura football tournament:

Thursday

Olimpo 1, Newells 0

Banfield 0, Boca Juniors 0

Quilmes 1, San Lorenzo 0

Lanus 2, Argentinos 1

Wednesday

Estudiantes 4, River Plate 0

Velez 2, Huracan 0

Godoy Cruz 1, Racing 1

Tuesday

Gimnasia 3, All Boys 1

Arsenal 2, Colon 1

Argentines Independiente, known as the “King of Cups,” won another one on Wednesday, defeating Brazil club Goias 5-3 on penalties in the second-leg final of the Copa Sudamericana.

Independiente led 3-1 after regulation time, which left the two-leg final level at 3-3 on aggregate after Goiass 2-0 victory last week in Brazil in the first leg. The standoff forced 30 minutes of extra time in which neither side scored.

Independientes Eduardo Tuzzio scored the deciding penalty after Brazilian Felipe missed Goias third attempt, hitting the post to the right of keeper Hilario Navarro.

“This was a very deserved Cup victory for us,” Navarro said. “We fought hard for this and beat a great rival.”

All the scoring took place in the first 34 minutes in a first half dominated by Independiente. Goias stiffened in the second half and had more chances, including what might have been a deciding goal in the 110th minute. The header into the net was ruled offside, and TV replays showed the call was right.

Julian Velazquez gave Independiente a 1-0 lead in the 19th, scoring off a rebound after Goias keeper Harlei stopped an initial shot.

Goias Rafael Moura equalized three minutes later, scoring on a leaping header off a long cross from his left side.

Independiente went ahead again in the 28th, scoring with a freak goal by Facundo Parra. The ball struck his foot and fooled Harlei, who slipped coming off his line.

Parras next goal to make it 3-1 in the 34th was no fluke. He leaped high trying to knock in a header. After missing the attempt and falling to the ground, he kicked the ball home from close range with his right foot.

Parra almost got his third in the 48th, but his powerful shot off the left wing was tipped over the crossbar by Harlei.

Moura was Goias most dangerous player, coming up with at least a half-dozen scoring chances, most coming in the late stages of the match.

The Buenos Aires club is known in South America as the “Rey de Copas” - King of Cups - having won the Copa Libertadores seven times, more than any other club. It has also twice won world club titles, and has 14 Argentine league trophies.

By contrast, Goias lacks tradition and titles and has been demoted next season to the Brazils second division. The clubs main trophy came when it won the 1999 second division.

Independiente has had a poor season in the Argentina Apretura championship, stranded at 17th place in the 20-team league.

The Independiente victory was surely a relief to officials of South Americas football governing body CONMEBOL, which may had been embarrassed having Goias - a second-division team - as the champion of its No. 2 cup competition.

The victory gives Independiente an automatic place in the more prestigious Copa Libertadores, which opens in January and is Latin Americas equivalent of Europes Champions League.

The Portland Timbers have selected Trevor James and Amos Magee as assistants and Adam Smith as goalkeeper coach for their inaugural Major League Soccer season.

James comes to the Timbers from the Los Angeles Galaxy while the other assistant coaches were already with the team, which was part of the USSF Division-2 Pro League last season.

Portland also named Nik Wald as the clubs head athletic trainer and Karim Derqaoui as the strength and conditioning coach.

The assistants will serve under head coach John Spencer. The Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps join MLS in 2011.

FC Copenhagen became the first Danish team to reach the Champions League knockout stage, while holder Inter Milan missed out on top spot in its group by losing 3-0 at Werder Bremen on Tuesday.

Copenhagen beat Panathinaikos 3-1 to clinch second place in Group D behind Barcelona, which ended the group stage unbeaten after a second-string team defeated Rubin Kazan 2-0.

“Its fantastic, really fantastic,” said Copenhagen winger Jesper Gronkjaer. “We have written history. We fully deserved it.”

It was a special night too for Tottenham after a 3-3 draw at FC Twente saw the Champions League newcomers beat Inter to first place in Group A, having scored 18 goals in six games.

“Weve scored a lot of goals but its also important not to concede too many so it was frustrating tonight,” said Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, who scored twice.

Manchester United conceded its first goal of the group stage in a 1-1 draw with Valencia, but still secured top spot in Group C at the expense of the Spanish side.

Schalke won Group B with a 2-1 victory at Benfica as second-place Lyon was held to a 2-2 draw by Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Group winners are kept apart in the last-16 draw which will be held on Dec. 17, giving potentially easier draws against the runners-up.

Copenhagen will be glad just to be in the draw after advancing for the first time in style by ripping apart Panathinaikos.

Martin Vingaard put the Danish side ahead in the 26th minute by curling a low shot into the bottom right of the net.

Gronkjaer doubled the advantage five minutes into the second half from the penalty spot after being fouled by defender Nikos Spyropoulos.

Panathinaikos striker Djibril Cisse headed the ball into his own net as he defended a corner in the 73rd, but the visitors secured a late consolation goal through Cedric Kantes header.

Barcelona was already assured of top spot and coach Pep Guardiola used the match to watch several reserve players in action.

Andreu Fontas, who was making his European debut, and Victor Vazquez scored the second-half goals that clinched their teams first win in four attempts against the Russian club.

“It says a lot about these players that we were finally able to beat such a good defensive team with people that are so young,” Guardiola said.

The first of Tottenhams goals came about in freak circumstances. Peter Wisgerhofs 12th-minute backpass was embarrassingly missed by Twente goalkeeper Sander Boschker as he went to clear the ball upfield.

“It can happen,” Boschker said of his blunder. “I thought I had the ball but obviously that wasnt the case.”

But Denny Landzaat converted a penalty in the 22nd to level as Spurs conceded the lead three times.

Tottenham reclaimed the lead in the 47th through Defoe, only for Roberto Rosales to head home Theo Janssens cross to equalize again for Twente in the 56th.

Defoes second goal three minutes later appeared to have settled the game but Nacer Chadli leveled for Twente five minutes later from a free kick.

While Spurs played a strong side, Inter rested many stars ahead of the Club World Cup and Bremen, which is struggling in the Bundesliga, easily controlled the match.

Goals from Sebastian Proedl, Marko Arnautovic and Claudio Pizarro secured Bremens first win in Group A.

At Old Trafford, Brazil midfielder Anderson ended a 15-month goal drought for Manchester United, rifling home an equalizer after Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita had parried Park Ji-sungs strike.

But United conceded its first goal of this seasons group stage when Pablo Hernandez shot between the legs of goalkeeper Ben Amos.

Michael Carrick was at fault for the goal, the England midfielder being dispossessed 35 meters (yards) from his own goal. Alejandro Dominguez nipped in, took the ball and ran straight at Nemanja Vidic before rolling a pass to Hernandez.

In the other Group C match, Bursaspor and Rangers drew 1-1.

In Group B, Jose Jurado and Benedikt Howedes scored to give Schalke a 2-1 win at Benfica. The Portuguese side clinched a spot in the Europa League after Hapoel Tel Aviv finished bottom by drawing in Lyon.

On Wednesday, AS Roma will be guaranteed progress from Group E if it avoids defeat at lowly Cluj.

In Group H, both spots are open, although Shakhtar Donetsk and Arsenal each need only to avoid defeat to freeze out third-place Braga. Arsenal hosts Partizan Belgrade and Shakhtar plays at home to Braga.

Anderson ended a 15-month goal drought for Manchester United on Tuesday to earn a 1-1 draw against Valencia and secure top spot in Group C of the Champions League.

The Brazil midfielder rifled home the equalizer in the 62nd minute after goalkeeper Vicente Guaita had parried Park Ji-sungs strike.

The goal - only Andersons second for United in 109 appearances - kept the three-time European champions unbeaten in the competition.

“He should score more,” United manager Alex Ferguson said. “The boy has terrific talent. He has great pace and power. He is a strong boy. We are pleased he got a goal. It may help him.”

The 22-year-old former FC Porto players first goal since finding the net against Tottenham in September 2009 ensures that United cannot face Barcelona or Real Madrid in the last 16.

But United conceded its first goal of this seasons group stage when Pablo Hernandez shot between the legs of 20-year-old goalkeeper Ben Amos, who was starting his third senior match.

Michael Carrick was at fault for the goal, the England midfielder being dispossessed 35 meters (yards) from his own goal. Alejandro Dominguez nipped in, took the ball and ran straight at Nemanja Vidic before rolling a pass to Hernandez.

“Michael knows better,” Ferguson said. “Its just one of these unfortunate things. I thought he had a terrific game apart from that.”

Wayne Rooneys failure to score from open play for United since March continued, but Ferguson was encouraged by his progress since a lengthy layoff with an ankle injury

“His distribution, his leading of the line and his work rate were outstanding tonight,” Ferguson said. “Hes getting there, and hes getting there quickly.”

Rooney said he feels fit.

“Just in and around the box, Ive got to get my sharpness back. But overall Im happy with my fitness and with my performance today,” Rooney said.

United has concerns about Rio Ferdinands fitness after the center back limped off five minutes into the second half with hamstring problems.

But Ferguson is optimistic that Ferdinand will be fit for Mondays Premier League match against Arsenal.

Liverpool handed the returning Gerard Houllier a morale-sapping defeat Monday, beating Aston Villa 3-0 to move up to eighth in the Premier League.

Nouioui Lassads second-half goal saw a defensive Deportivo La Coruna squeak out a 1-0 victory over Hercules in La Liga.

Christian Maggio scored in the final minute of injury time as Napoli beat Palermo 1-0 in Serie A.

Palermo goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu made a series of splendid saves before Edinson Cavani beat the Sicilian clubs offside trap in the fifth minute of added time and crossed to Maggio in front of an empty net.

Before the goal, Sirigu blocked shots from Ezequiel Lavezzi, Cavani and Maggio at the San Paolo stadium.

“We should have scored five goals,” said Napoli coach Walter Mazzari. “It would have been a shame not to win.”

The victory moved Napoli level with Juventus on 27 points, six behind leader AC Milan.

Palermo remained tied with Inter Milan, Sampdoria and AS Roma with 23 points each.

Argentina forward Javier Pastore had one of Palermos best chances in the 60th, with his shot from beyond the area blocked by Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.

The match may have marked the last Serie A fixture before a players strike called for next weekend.

Nouioui Lassads second-half goal saw a defensive Deportivo La Coruna squeak out a 1-0 victory over Hercules in Spain on Monday.

Neither club created many clearcut chances at El Riazor stadium, but the Galicians finally broke through in the 73rd-minute through striker Lassad. Hercules rarely even tested the Deportivo goal.

Deportivo improved to 17 points while Hercules stayed on 15 points.

Barcelona leads the league table with 37 points after 14 rounds - two better than Real Madrid. Villarreal is third with 30.