Dempsey tabbed U.S. soccer player of year
Clint Dempsey was chosen the U.S. soccer player of the year Tuesday, honored for his scoring prowess on the national team.
He had four goals in nine games for the American team this year, including one in the World Cup, and finished tied for the team lead in goals.
Dempsey, 23, who made his debut with the national team at the end of 2004, has scored six goals in his 23 career matches. He is in his third season with the New England Revolution. He was the MLS rookie of the year in 2004.
“Franz Beckenbauer apologized for the confusion surrounding his comments about South Africa’s ability to host the 2010 World Cup.
Beckenbauer, head of the organizing committee of this summer’s World Cup in Germany, caused a stir last month when he reportedly said the tournament – the first to be held in Africa – was “beset by big problems.”
College football
Tennial leads Tulsa
Courtney Tennial ran for 120 yards and a touchdown in his first career start and Paul Smith threw for 201 yards and ran for a touchdown to lead Tulsa to a 20-6 victory over Southern Mississippi at Tulsa, Okla.
“Tommy Tate has been removed as the head football coach at McNeese State and offensive coordinator Matt Viator will take over the program on an interim basis, the Lake Charles, La., school announced.
The Cowboys got off to a 1-3 start this season under Tate.
Hockey
Devils have busy day
Devils leading scorer Brian Gionta and four other veterans signed with New Jersey after the NHL gave the team $3.5 million in salary cap relief by placing veteran forward Alexander Mogilny on the long-term injury exception list.
Defensemen Paul Martin and Dave Hale, backup goaltender Scott Clemmensen and center Erik Rasmussen signed one-year contracts as the Devils finalized their roster.
Miscellany
Jazil sidelined
Belmont Stakes winner Jazil won’t run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs next month, with the goal now the Dubai World Cup next year. Jazil recently returned to training after recovering from a bruised bone in his right hind leg.
“NASCAR will hold a Busch Series event in Montreal next summer – another step in covering the entire North American market.
“Peter Joppich of Germany won his second foil title at the fencing world championships in Turin, Italy. Joppich, who also won in 2003, beat Andrea Baldini of Italy 15-14 in the final.
“Rome’s plans to bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics are back on track following months of political haggling.
“Nine Iranian weightlifters were banned from the world championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, after testing positive for excessive levels of testosterone, the president of the sport’s governing body, Tamas Ajan, said. The nine who tested positive weren’t named.