Fast Break

U.S. Soccer

Ryan out as women’s coach

Greg Ryan is out as the U.S. women’s soccer coach less than a month after his top-ranked team lost in the World Cup semifinals following a contentious goalie switch.

U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said during a conference call Monday that Ryan’s contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the year. The squad does not play any more games in 2007.

“I’m not going to point to any one factor or one individual decision,” Gulati said. “Obviously, coaches’ decisions impact games. All that was weighed in.”

Ryan was 45-1-9 since taking over in early 2005, but that one loss – in his only major tournament – overshadowed the rest of his tenure.

With the Americans favored to win their third World Cup, Ryan decided before their match with Brazil to make a change in goal, replacing Hope Solo (pictured with Ryan above) with veteran Briana Scurry.

The U.S. lost 4-0 and had to settle for third place, and Solo ripped Ryan for the move.

Baseball

Mariners hire new coaches

The Seattle Mariners overhauled their coaching staff, hiring Mel Stottlemyre, Jim Riggleman and Norm Charlton.

Stottlemyre, a former pitching coach with the Yankees and Mets, took the same position in Seattle. Riggleman, an ex-manager in the majors, will be the bench coach. And Charlton, who spent 13 seasons as a relief pitcher in the big leagues, is the bullpen coach.

Also, Eddie Rodriguez took over as the Mariners’ first base coach. Only hitting coach Jeff Pentland was retained from last season’s staff.

Former Yankees third-base coach Larry Bowa has been offered the same position for Seattle. He is expected to accept.

NFL

Chargers flee from wildfires

Reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson was among several San Diego Chargers players, coaches and staff members who had to evacuate their homes as wildfires burned in San Diego County.

The Chargers, who had just returned from their bye weekend, canceled practice Monday. Players were dismissed so they could take care of their families and because the air quality was poor due to smoke, spokesman Bill Johnston said.

As of late Monday morning, wildfires fanned by fierce desert winds forced the evacuations of nearly 250,000 people in the county.

There was no word if any Chargers employees had lost their homes.