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Mexico is celebrating its first Olympic gold medal in men's soccer, and Brazil is wondering if it will ever be able to add the title to its long list of triumphs.

Oribe Peralta scored only 29 seconds into the Olympic final at Wembley Stadium and added another goal in the second half to help Mexico upset Brazil 2-1 Saturday.

Peralta took advantage of a mistake by the Brazilian defense in one of the game's first plays and sent a low right-footed shot inside the near post. It was fastest Olympic goal since FIFA began keeping records of the competition in 1976.

The striker added the second with a firm header off a free kick in the 75th. Hulk scored for Brazil in injury time, but Oscar missed a header in the final seconds to waste the last chance for a comeback in front of 86,162 fans.

Brazil was also trying to win its first Olympic gold, which is the only significant trophy the five-time World Cup champions haven't won in soccer. The Brazilians established the London Games as the team's priority this year and arrived as the big favorite after bringing most of its top players for the competition.

As Mexican players jumped up and down at midfield in celebration, the Brazilians dropped to the ground in despair. Neymar, touted as the future of Brazilian soccer, was one of them, sitting stoned-faced. Real Madrid left back Marcelo dropped his head and cried as his teammates came to console him.

Read More: Mexico beats Brazil to win 1st Olympic soccer gold - News | FOX Sports on MSN

Mexico is celebrating its first Olympic gold medal in men’s soccer, and Brazil is wondering if it will ever be able to add the title to its long list of triumphs.

Oribe Peralta scored only 29 seconds into the Olympic final at Wembley Stadium and added another goal in the second half to help Mexico upset Brazil, 2-1, Saturday.

Peralta took advantage of a mistake by the Brazilian defense in one of the game’s first plays and sent a low, right-footed shot inside the near post. It was fastest Olympic goal since FIFA began keeping records of the competition in 1976.

The striker added the second with a firm header off a free kick in the 75th. Hulk scored for Brazil in injury time, but Oscar missed a header in the final seconds to waste the last chance for a comeback in front of 86,162 fans.

Read More: Fast start helps Mexico beat Brazil for soccer gold - The Boston Globe

A getaway to the family cabin in Sechelt, B.C., a barbecue with loved ones and a cruise in her freshly waxed Volkswagen await Burnaby, B.C., Olympian Christine Sinclair when she touches down at Vancouver airport Monday morning.

The national women’s soccer team captain and star striker had her family at top of mind Sunday on the day of her final farewells in London, recognizing their staunch loyalty just hours before she bore the Canadian flag at 2012 Olympic closing ceremonies.

“Thank you for the support, over the years, through the good times and the bad times with the national team, they’ve always been behind me. Just a huge thank you,” the 29-year-old said in a teleconference from London.

“This past couple of days have been very hectic, so I actually wasn’t able to speak to (my family) too often. But they’re so proud and so happy, and can’t wait for me to come home.”

Sinclair, whose steely nerve and agile footwork on the playing field led to her Olympic tournament record of six goals, admitted to being scared of tripping up during the closing ceremonies.

“I’m hoping I can walk and not trip, but I’m pretty confident I can do it,” Sinclair said.


Read More: Soccer star Sinclair eager to return to friends and family | London 2012 Team Canada | London 2012 | Toronto Sun

The gold-medal partying by Canadians in Vancouver two years ago was followed by a major hangover in London.

Canada’s disappointments in the just-concluded Olympics were too many to list here. Even the Canadian finish in the final medal count in London had a sour ring to it — 13th. The Canadian Olympics Committee’s goal had been to place in the top 12. Close but no Cuban cigar (legal in Canada)

This comes two years after Canada won more gold than any other country at Vancouver’s Winter Olympics.

But despite all the disappointing Olympic news this time, Canadians watched in record numbers — along with many Americans on Canadian Internet sites.

One more downbeat number: 276 Canadian athletes in London, but only one gold medal. (A female trampolinist).


Read More: Women

Well done Mexico...

I'm going to say something that may bother you: The rise of Mexican soccer is only a good thing for the United States. That's not to say it's easy right now if you're a fan of the U.S. men's soccer team. In fact, it's probably painful, a sharp and enduring ache that feels like a punch to the gut.

The U.S. meets its greatest rival, Mexico, in an exhibition here on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2/3, Univision) -- I'm sure as hell not calling it a "friendly" -- and the gap between the two countries is bigger than it has been in more than 20 years. Just last Saturday, Mexico won the Olympic gold medal, outplaying a star-studded Brazil team that will provide much of that nation's 2014 World Cup squad. The U.S., by contrast, failed to even qualify for the Games.

Read more: The rise of Mexican soccer is a positive for the United States - Grant Wahl - SI-com

With the Spanish La Liga set to get underway this weekend, the question is the same as every year: Real Madrid or Barcelona? Real Madrid is currently the favorite to win La Liga Championship at 10/13, while Barcelona isn’t far behind at 23/20. The only other teams with odds under 150/1 are Malaga (66/1), Atletico Madrid (80/1), and Valencia (80/1).

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Real Madrid is led by midfielder Xabi Alonso, goalkeeper Iker Casillas, and the dynamic scoring duo of Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo. Real is the defending champion in La Liga, and also won the title in 2007-08 and 2006-07. Real Madrid gets an early test to start the season Sunday against Valencia, but is expected to take care of business as a -450 favorite at home. Valencia, the third-place finisher in each of the last four seasons, is a +900 underdog with Draw odds at +500.

The only player that can cast a shadow over Ronaldo’s greatness in La Liga is Barcelona's Lionel Messi, the defending goal-scoring champion. Barcelona, which had won La Liga three straight seasons before Real Madrid jumped back into the lead last year, also boasts a stacked lineup including Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas. Barcelona is a commanding -1200 favorite at home this Sunday over Real Sociedad (+1800), with Draw odds of +850.

Before the “Big Two” get their season underway on Sunday, La Liga starts up Saturday with a three-game slate: Celta De Vigo (+140) hosts Malaga (+185) (Draw +220), Sevilla (-155) hosts Getafe (+425) (Draw +250), and Real Mallorca (+105) hosts Espanyol (+250) (Draw +225).

Sunday’s card rounds out with Real Betis (+300) visiting Athletic Bilbao (-120) (Draw +250) and Atletico Madrid (+140) as the only road favorite of the weekend visiting Levante UD (+180) (Draw +225).

Fog blankets the grassy soccer field surrounded by chickens and grazing cows as the players of Santiago Morning sprint through a practice game. It's just another training session in Chile's second-tier soccer league, but at least one man plays like a child running free in a pasture.

For Maxim Molokoedov, it's a taste of temporary freedom after almost three years in prison - and a renewed shot at a professional soccer career that seemed to have been cut short.

Every evening, the Russian footballer sleeps behind bars. But every morning, Molokoedov walks out of his prison cell, ready to hit the field wearing the jersey of his professional soccer team.

The newest star of Santiago Morning is getting a second shot at life through soccer after he was arrested carrying six kilograms of cocaine that he planned to smuggle to Europe inside children's books.

"I'm so happy, but I know I need to work hard. It's been three years since I played at this level,'' Molokoedov, 24, said in a thick accent, sometimes dropping in Spanish slang that he learned from other inmates. "I have a six-month contract. I'm looking forward, but I'm living a day at a time.''

Back home in Russia, Molokoedov had dropped out of school in his native St. Petersburg, but was recruited by second-division soccer team FK Pskov 747 because of his power and agility with a ball.

Traveling from Ecuador on his way to Madrid, and then Moscow in 2010, he was arrested during a stop at the airport in the Chilean capital of Santiago. He was sentenced to three years and one day.

Molokoedov said he was stupid, regrets it, and prefers not to talk about it, calling the experience "a bad memory.''

Read more: Russian goes from jail to pro soccer in Chile - - SI-com

Former U.S. women’s national soccer team coach Greg Ryan denied goalie Hope Solo’s claim that he shoved her during a meeting in 2007, according to reports.

“This allegation is completely false,” Ryan said in a statement. “I did not shove or push Hope as I’ve been accused in her book. I would have been terminated immediately by USA Soccer had this allegation been true. I have openly discussed the contents of the meeting and this is the first time that this accusation has been brought to light.

“Hope was disappointed that I benched her for the semifinals, but it was the right move for the team. It was discussed with team leaders, and they stood by my decision.”

Solo made waves at the 2007 World Cup when she spoke out against Ryan after being benched for the semifinal. Ryan had played veteran Brianna Scurry against Brazil, but the United States fell 4-0. Afterward, Solo called it “the wrong decision.”



Former U.S. women’s soccer coach denies shoving Hope Solo | SI Tracking Blog

Before the English Premier League season even got underway, Manchester United made a big splash Wednesday in pulling elite striker Robin Van Persie away from Arsenal. Van Persie joins Wayne Rooney up front for Man U in what should be a lethal 1-2 scoring punch all year long. Manchester United, which has won the Premier League in four of the last six years, is 12/5 to win it this year.

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On the board they are behind only Manchester City, who is going off at 5/4 to defend its title. Man City is also loaded with offensive talent including Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli. 2009-10 champion Chelsea is going off at 5/1 to win the Premier League, while last year’s third-place finisher, Arsenal, is 9/1. Needless to say, Arsenal will sorely miss Van Persie, last year’s top goal scorer in the league with 30 goals.

Van Persie is currently sitting at 8/1 to defend his title as the Premier League’s top goal scorer, behind only Aguero and Rooney who are both going off at 7/1.

Bovada Live Betting will be available on Saturday morning’s matchup between Arsenal and Sunderland. Arsenal is a prohibitive -300 favorite at home with Sunderland going off at +900 to win and Draw odds at +350. Saturday’s other matchup with live betting available features Newcastle United hosting Tottenham Hostpur, with both teams at +160 to win with Draw odds at +230.

In Sunday’s action, Chelsea is a -220 road favorite on the moneyline at Wigin Athletic (+650) with Draw odds of +300. Manchester City is an overwhelming home favorite of -600 hosting lowly Southampton (+1400) with unlikely Draw odds at +600.

Rounding out the opening week’s action, Manchester United will try to get through an early road test at Everton. Man U is a -120 favorite over Everton (+300) with Draw odds of +265.

The United States hopes its historic victory at Estadio Azteca is a precursor of sorts, but nobody is mistaking it as a shift in the balance within the region's primary rivalry. The gap separating the Americans from Mexico remains intact, and the only questions concern how great is the chasm and what must be done to bridge it.


Mexico's focus on youth development has created a golden generation of players and could signal El Tri's arrival among the truly elite in international soccer. Last weekend's gold-medal triumph at the London Olympics, with their under-23 team, follows successes by the U-17s (World Cup titles in 2005 and 2011) and the U-20s (third place at last year's World Cup), and the impact on the full national team -- the one that could, for real, be competing for the spoils in Brazil in two years -- has been profound.

Mexico's destruction of the U.S. at last year's CONCACAF Gold Cup final at the Rose Bowl, built on the sublime talent of Giovani Dos Santos, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Andres Guardado, was product of Mexico's reaction to the Americans' dominance in the series for nearly a decade from 2000.

Now the U.S. must respond in kind.


Read More: U.S. looks to close gap on Mexico, the World - Los Angeles Soccer - ESPN Los Angeles

With three teams currently tied for the third, fourth, and fifth seeds in the Western Conference with 37 points, Saturday’s matchup between the Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps in Seattle will have major implications on the MLS standings. The LA Galaxy moved into the three-way tie with a draw against Columbus on Wednesday, and one of these two teams will be looking to take over sole possession of the third seed with a win.

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The San Jose Earthquakes own the MLS’s best record at 14-5-5, but they have just one win in their last four games with a loss to Vancouver and two draws. MLS’s top goal scorer, Chris Wondolowski (17), will try to lead the Earthquakes to a road win against the Montreal Impact on Saturday.

Rounding out the key games out West, Alvaro Saborio and Real Salt Lake (13-9-3) host FC Dallas (7-11-8). While Real will be the favorite at home with the substantially better record on the season, they are currently riding a two-game losing streak while FC Dallas has won two straight.

Out East, top-seeded Sporting Kansas City (13-7-4) and the New York Red Bulls (12-7-5) both have easy draws this week. Sporting KC heads to Toronto to take on the Eastern Conference’s worst team in the Toronto FC (5-13-5) on Saturday while New York hosts the Western Conference’s worst team in the Portland Timbers (5-12-6) on Sunday.

The Houston Dynamo (11-6-7) will look to keep pace with the two teams above them in the Eastern Conference standings at home against the Columbus Crew on Sunday. Rounding out Sunday’s schedule, D.C. United (11-8-3) hosts the Philadelphia Union (7-12-2). And on Saturday, the Chicago Fire (11-7-5) will also hope to gain ground in the standings with a win at home over the New England Revolution (6-12-5).

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A federal judge ruled for the U.S. Soccer Federation in an antitrust and racketeering lawsuit filed by a defunct promoter but also reaffirmed his decision that Congress' amateur sports act gave the governing body authority over only Olympic events and not the entire professional sport in the country.

The USSF was pleased with the opinion by U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber in Chicago in the six-year-old case, saying his interpretation of the amateur sports act would not impact its authority over the professional sport because it was derived from FIFA, soccer's world governing body.

Leinenweber issued a summary judgment Friday in a suit filed by ChampionsWorld LLC against the USSF and Major League Soccer, a case that claimed the two conspired to put the promoter out of business. But he refused to change his 2010 decision that the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1998 "gives USSF no more of an antitrust exemption or authority over professional soccer than necessary for it to oversee Olympic and related events."

"USSF's request for reconsideration is denied," Leinenweber wrote. "USSF seems to argue that the 1975-77 President's Commission on Olympic Sports' final report, which notes that USSF was unique among the national governing bodies in that it had professional members, compels reconsideration. Even assuming that Congress noted that fact in passing the Act, this is insufficient to change this Court's conclusion as to the law as Congress actually adopted it. That law was directed at the authority of the national governing bodies relating to amateur and Olympic sports. A note in the commission's report that USSF exercised authority over its professional members does not mean that the Act bestowed any such authority."

The USSF says it has sole authority over professional soccer in the United States because it is recognized by FIFA.

Read more: Judge rules for U.S. Soccer in antitrust suit - Soccer - SI-com

The UTC soccer team kicked off its 2012 campaign with a 6-0 win over cross-town foe Tennessee Temple at Finley Stadium on Friday night. Freshmen accounted for five of the six goals and six of the seven assists in the win.

Freshman midfielderHannah Wyatt (Soddy Daisy) started off the scoring when she put one over Crusader keeper Jess Salera in the eighth minute. She was the recipient of a feed from fellow freshman Skylar Brewer (Farragut, Tenn.).

Brewer made it 2-0 with a goal of her own in the 14th minute. She scored off an assist from freshman Clare Latham (Cordova, Tenn.). The pattern continued in the 34th minute when Lathan knocked in a shot from 10 yards out off a feed from Loryn Queen.


Read More: Soccer Lady Mocs Open 2012 With 6-0 Win Over Tennessee Temple - 08/18/2012 - Chattanoogan-com

Once again Rio Tinto Stadium proved to be the Utah State soccer team's home away from home as junior midfielder Jennifer Flynn scored a goal in the 94th minute to lead USU to a 1-0 overtime win in Sandy, Utah on Friday. This was Utah State's fourth-straight win in the home of Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake.

This was Utah State's second-straight win over the Utes after beating Utah 1-0 in Logan last season. USU has captured three of the last four meetings with an equally dramatic 2-1 overtime win against the Utes at Rio Tinto Stadium in 2009. The Aggies also earned wins at Rio Tinto against Weber State in 2010 and 2011 to maintain a 4-0 record at the home of Real Salt Lake.

“We think of this as our home away from home. We really came out with the attitude of trying to protect our home field. I am not sure we were the better team today to be honest with you. We didn’t play particularly great; we didn’t play the way we have been practicing, but this team has confidence and they have fighting spirit and that is what got us through in the end," USU soccer coach Heather Cairns said. "I think we had some key players step up. Ashlyn Mulford in goal, Taryn Rose and Natalie Norris as our two center backs, Maris Hamblin and Lexie Morgan as the two defensive midfielder. We were so strong down that spine that they really saved our bacon, quite a few times. We are going to celebrate the win. It is against a rival; it is our home away from home and we are going to celebrate that but we are not satisfied.


Read More: USU soccer: Flynn's golden goal leads USU soccer to overtime win over Utah at Rio Tinto Stadium Friday | Deseret News

Let the Olympics book deals begin.

Alex Morgan, the gold medalist and key member of the U.S. Olympic soccer team, has signed with Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for "The Kicks," a three-book series for middle schoolers. The first novel will come next summer, the publisher announced Monday. The main characters will be four young girls. The themes will be friendship, leadership, and, of course, soccer.

Morgan, 23, had three goals and four assists as the U.S. women's team won its third consecutive gold medal. In a statement released by Simon & Schuster, she said she wanted her books to "inspire young girls" and "celebrate" her love of soccer.

Read more here: Soccer star Alex Morgan has book deal - Wire Entertainment - The Sacramento Bee

Manchester United made a losing start to the Premier League season today, crashing to a 1-0 defeat at Everton as Robin van Persie endured a dismal debut.

Marouane Fellaini capped an impressive performance by heading in a corner from former United midfielder Darron Gibson in the 57th minute.

"I don't think anybody tonight was considering Everton at all," Everton manager David Moyes told Sky Sports television. "A lot of people forgot Everton aren't a bad team, and Goodison is a difficult place to come and win."

Tom Cleverley came closest to leveling for last season's runners up, but his shot was cleared off the line by Everton defender Phil Jagielka.

Signing Van Persie from Arsenal last week was meant to provide the additional firepower the 19-time champions need to regain the Premier League title from rivals Manchester City.

But the Netherlands striker, who cost a reported 24 million pounds ($38 million), failed to even hit the target after coming off the bench in the 68th.


Read More: Soccer: Everton upset Man Utd - Sport - NZ Herald News

Hope Solo's recent book controversy is overshadowing the U.S. women's soccer team again. Instead of a focus on the team's upcoming tour that will celebrate the gold medal at the Olympics, Solo has been at the center of another feud. Now, there are rumors that she may be facing a legal battle that stems from her book.

"Solo: A Memoir of Hope"

Hope Solo has been busy promoting her book, "Solo: A Memoir of Hope," and her Twitter stream is filled with reviews and interviews. Although several parts of her book have been scrutinized, her statements about her experience on "Dancing with the Stars" and accusations that Maks Chmerkovskiy hit her during the show have garnered the most attention. Solo has stood by her statements while the network has not issued an official comment.



Read More: Hope Solo

Do you think It's better if Van Persie starts the match? He's too cold off the bench.

The Troy University Soccer team is the first to welcome a Southeastern Conference foe from Mississippi to Troy this fall.

The Trojans host the Ole Miss Rebels on the pitch at the Jesse H. Colley Track/Soccer Complex this afternoon.

The Trojans come in to the matchup 2-0 after wins over Alabama State and Alcorn State over the weekend. Troy came from behind to beat the Hornets from ASU 5-2, and shutout Alcorn 2-0.

Head coach Chris Bentley said he saw some things in the Alabama State game that will help the team down the line.

“We showed a lot of resilience,” Bentley said. “For us to be down two-nil and come all the way back and score five unanswered goals to win the game shows a lot of character. We are pleased with that.”

Ole Miss comes to Troy undefeated after notching a pair of 3-1 wins over Saint Louis and Sun Belt member Middle Tennessee State.

The Rebels roster yields a lot of talent but one stands above the rest. Rafaelle Souza was selected to try out for Brazil’s national team, her home country, in the spring. Souza turned in one of the most impressive first seasons in Ole Miss History in 2011.

She ended the season with nine goals, seven assists and 25 points, all of which were one shy of the school record. So far in 2012, Souza has accounted for two goals and four points.

Bentley knows of Souza’s accomplishments, but said that playing against tough competition will help the Trojans as the year goes on.


Read More: www-troymessenger-com/2012/08/22/troy-soccer-hosts-ole-miss-today/