USA Stuns Spain in Soccer

October 9th, 2009 US Soccer president says we can win World CupLONDON — U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati believes the Americans can win next year's World Cup.

October 6th, 2009 UEFA president Platini meets with Israel's PeresJERUSALEM — The head of European soccer's governing body believes the sport can play a role in bringing peace to the Middle East. UEFA president Michel Platini said Tuesday that soccer promotes "peace, tolerance and friendship." He spoke during a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres, an avid sports fan and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.

September 30th, 2009 Unit to fight soccer hooliganism in FrancePARIS — France's Interior Ministry has announced the creation of a unit that will target soccer hooligans. A day after the death of Toulouse supporter Brice Taton, the ministry announced Wednesday that the new unit will be responsible for surveillance of potential troublemakers.

September 19th, 2009 Spain defeats Israel, advances to Davis Cup finalTORRE PACHECO, Spain — Defending champion Spain advanced to the Davis Cup finals by defeating Israel 3-0 on Saturday. Feliciano Lopez and Tommy Robredo beat Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 7-6 (6), 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2.

August 31st, 2009 Bone tests to show soccer players within age limitZURICH — Bone tests will be performed on soccer players at the Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria to catch teams with over-age players. Soccer's governing body said Monday the MRI tests will "protect the integrity of the tournament" and serve "the spirit of fair play." The decision follows reports from Nigeria that the host nation intended to select older players for the Oct.

August 29th, 2009 Bolt arrives in Spain to watch Real-Deportivo gameMADRID — Usain Bolt has arrived in Spain for a weekend visit to watch Real Madrid play Deportivo La Coruna in the kickoff to the Spanish soccer season. The Jamaican sprinter who smashed the 100- and 200-meter world records in Berlin will fulfill another dream when he kicks a ball at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Saturday night.

July 10th, 2009 Germany ties defending champion Spain 1-1MARBELLA, Spain — Philipp Kohlschreiber beat Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Friday and Germany tied defending champion Spain 1-1 in their best-of-five Davis Cup quarterfinal matchup. Kohlschreiber converted three of his five break chances to beat Robredo, who failed to convert either of his two chances.

July 1st, 2009 Brazil moves to top of FIFA rankings; US at No. 12ZURICH — Brazil has ended Spain's one-year reign as the world's top soccer team and the United States moved up two spots to No.

June 27th, 2009 US excited to have chance to play Brazil in finalJOHANNESBURG — Landon Donovan remembers the first time he played the Brazilians, when his under-23 team trudged off the field, victims of a 7-0 thrashing. "I haven't beaten Brazil on any level," the U.S.

June 23rd, 2009 KOLKATA - City soccer giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have agreed to release players for the national preparatory camp in Dubai beginning June 25 and the subsequent exposure trip to Spain after assurances from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that the players' medical expenses and matters related to fees will be taken care of. The two clubs had earlier demanded that the AIFF pay the entire medical expenses of players who sustain injuries during camps or matches on national duty.

June 17th, 2009 SA union: Low soccer turnout an embarrassmentJOHANNESBURG — Low attendance at Confederations Cup matches are an embarrassment to South Africa, the country's trade union confederation said Wednesday. Host South Africa almost filled the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg for Sunday's opening game of the two-week tournament, but the world's best teams — including Brazil, Spain and Italy — have played to less than full grounds, with some half-full.

June 14th, 2009 Torres leads Spain to 5-0 rout over New ZealandRUSTENBURG, South Africa — Fernando Torres scored three goals in the first 17 minutes, powering Spain to a 5-0 rout of New Zealand on Sunday on the opening day of the Confederations Cup. The European champions stretched their unbeaten run to 33 games, two shy of Brazil's record.

June 3rd, 2009 Spain marks a year atop world soccer rankingsZURICH — European champion Spain completed a year atop FIFA's world rankings, while the United States moved into its best position in two years at No. 14 in the latest monthly standings published Wednesday.

May 30th, 2009 Obama's day: Soccer, NYC date night with MichelleWASHINGTON — There were no official events are his schedule Saturday, so President Barack Obama had plenty of time to devote to his other roles — father and husband. The president and first lady Michelle Obama watched their daughter Malia's soccer game in the morning.

May 29th, 2009 English-only 'Britain' soccer team for OlympicsLONDON — A soccer team of only English players is set to represent Britain at the 2012 London Olympics. The four "home nations" — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — sent a joint letter to world governing body FIFA on Friday saying they had agreed that an English team could represent Britain in both the men's and women's tournaments.