May 23, 2013

Soccer: Third try at women’s pro soccer league to launch

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CHICAGO (AP) — Another pro women’s soccer league will try to succeed where two previous attempts have failed. The currently unnamed eight-team league will launch in the spring, U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday. The clubs will be located in Boston, Chicago, Kansas City, New Jersey, Portland, Seattle, western New York and Washington. The sport has repeatedly [...]

Tennis Recap: Roddick falls in opening round in Cincinnati, Venus rolls

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Venus Williams serves to Maria Kirilenko of Russia during day four of the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 14, 2012 in Mason, Ohio. (August 13, 2012 – Source: Nick Laham/Getty Images North America) MASON, Ohio (AP) Andy Roddick developed back spasms during his opening match at the Western & [...]

Olympics: Swimming – Michael Phelps is betting favorite in five of 7 events

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(By Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY) (PhatzRadio / USA Today) — Michael Phelps was 8-for-8 at the last Olympics. If you follow the money he’ll be at least 5-for-7 in London. Jason Logan of Covers.com writes that the superstar swimmer will be the betting favorite (odds courtesy of bet365.com) in three of his four individual events [...]

Track and Field: Usain Bolt thinks better start could lead to world record

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Usain Bolt said his main focus this season is to become quicker out of the blocks. (Michael Kappeler/AFP/Getty Images) (PhatzRadio / CBC Sports) — Usain Bolt is hoping to turn his only weakness into a strength in time for the London Olympics. The tall Jamaican sprinter has never been known for fast starts, but said [...]

NBA: Dwyane Wade says money is not an Olympic motivator

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MIAMI (AP) — Heat guard Dwyane Wade says money is not his motivation for the London Games this summer. In a statement Thursday, Wade said, “I do not want to be paid to go to the Olympics.” Wade was quoted Wednesday saying he thinks “guys should be compensated” for playing over the summer and noted [...]

U.S. men’s soccer fails to qualify for London Olympics

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(PhatzRadio / USA Today) — NASHVILLE – The U.S. Under-23 men’s soccer team began the Olympic qualifying process brimming with confidence and composure. But their Olympic quest ended in shock Monday night, as they let a must-win game slip away in the final seconds of stoppage time. Considering the stakes, El Salvador’s Jaime Alas faced [...]

Olympics: Freestyle champion Bernard fails to qualify

France's Bernard swims during warm up session at French Swimming Championships in Dunkerque

(Reuters) – Olympic 100 metres freestyle champion Alain Bernard failed to qualify for this year’s London Games after finishing fifth in the French championships on Thursday. Yannick Agnel clocked 48.02 seconds, a personal and French best this season, to win ahead of Fabien Gilot, fifth in last year’s world championships, who finished in 48.38 seconds. [...]

NHL: Crosby eyes comeback after being cleared for contact

Pittsburgh Penguins' center Sidney Crosby reacts during NHL hockey practice in Montreal

(Reuters) – Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been cleared for contact and is inching closer to a return but no timetable has been set for him to rejoin the lineup. Crosby, sidelined by concussion-like symptoms for most of the past 14 months, told reporters after practicing with team mates on Tuesday that he hoped [...]