Guardado scores 2 as Mexico beats Canada 3-1

DENVER (AP) — Mexico coach Gerardo Martino held out one of his best players against Canada in the Gold Cup. But when an injury left the team short-handed, he subbed in Andres Guardado. The captain came through to lead his national team to victory. Guardado had two goals in the second half, Roberto Alvarado...

Tokyo Olympic tickets: Be prepared to be disappointed

TOKYO (AP) — Want tickets for next year's Tokyo Olympics? Prepare to be let down. Millions were disappointed starting Thursday when applicants in a ticket lottery — for Japan residents, only — began learning if they landed tickets. The answer is going to be overwhelmingly — no. The...

England beats Japan 2-0 to clinch top spot in Group D

NICE, France (AP) — For the first time since Bryan Robson, Peter Shilton and Glenn Hoddle, an England team finished a World Cup group stage with a 3-0 record. Ellen White scored both goals, and the Lionesses roared into the round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Japan on Wednesday night to win the group. Phil...

United States and Sweden highlight final group stage day

LE HAVRE, France (AP) — The United States will finally face a tough opponent in the Women's World Cup, and it's a team that embarrassed the Americans in their last significant tournament. The defending champions wrap up the group stage Thursday with a match against nemesis Sweden. Which U.S. team shows up...

Man arrested in connection with death of soccer player Sala

LONDON (AP) — Police investigating the death of Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala arrested a man on Wednesday on suspicion of manslaughter. A single-engine aircraft carrying Sala and pilot David Ibbotson crashed in the English Channel on Jan. 21. The body of Sala, who had just signed for Cardiff City...

Spanish soccer federation says national team coach Luis Enrique is stepping down

Platini: "It hurts," soccer star says of police questioning

PARIS (AP) — After a day of police questioning centering on his former role as a top decision-maker in soccer, Michel Platini was released from custody without charge in the early hours of Wednesday and said he found the experience painful given "everything I've done" in the sport. Summoned Tuesday morning...

Newcomer Boyd gets 2 goals for US in 4-0 win over Guyana

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — After newcomer Tyler Boyd scored early in the second half to give the United States a two-goal lead, the sure sign this was going to be a good night for the Americans was visible on Gyasi Zardes' face. A shot by Paul Arriola from just outside the box was headed by Guyana defender...

Bradley restored to US captain for Gold Cup opener

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Michael Bradley returned to his role as captain for the first time under new U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter as the Americans opened the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Guyana in their first competitive match in 20 months. Berhalter made three changes Tuesday night from the lineup that started...

Soccer great now mired in corruption scandals

Affectionately nicknamed Le Roi, or The King, Michel Platini bestrode the soccer field with inimitable elegance as the world's best player of the early 1980s, helping to bridge the gap between the eras of Pele and Diego Maradona. Repeatedly voted Europe's best player, the Frenchman instantly recognizable for his...