In brief: U.S. women cruise in World Cup soccer

Kristine Lilly glanced up, catching sight of Abby Wambach 25 yards ahead racing down the left side toward Sweden’s goal. She reacted instinctively, lofting a soaring ball for Wambach to run under.

Wambach did just that, settled it off her chest, and lashed a left-footed half-volley from 15 yards that ripped into the net behind Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.

It was Wambach’s second of the game – her third in two games in China. It was classic Lilly-Wambach in the 58th minute of Friday’s women’s World Cup Group B game in Chengdu, China; America’s top strikers linking up to seal a 2-0 victory over Sweden.

“If you like football, you like to see a goal like Abby Wambach’s goal today,” Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby said.

Playing with 11 stitches in her head, picked up in a 2-2 draw with North Korea earlier in the week – and a sore toe that’s numbed before she plays – Wambach also converted a penalty in the 34th minute after Lori Chalupny was taken down in the area.

The victory boosted the United States to four points atop Group B – the same as North Korea – with a final group game Tuesday in Shanghai against Nigeria.

Basketball

Warriors court Nelson

The Golden State Warriors are close to reaching a deal to rework coach Don Nelson’s contract and bring him back for another season with the team.

“I am hopeful that we can finalize something by the close of the business week,” team president Robert Rowell said.

Nelson, who had two years left on the contract he signed last year, would get a raise from $3.1 million to $5.1 million a year under the new deal, according to the Contra Costa Times.

“Indiana Pacers forward Shawne Williams intends to plead guilty to charges of driving without a license in Indianapolis.

Miscellany

Landis deadline in

Arbitrators in the Floyd Landis doping hearing met for the final time this week and declared the hearing officially closed, meaning a decision on the 2006 Tour de France winner’s fate must come in by Sept. 22. He faces a two-year ban from cycling and the loss of his Tour title if he loses the case.

Landis testified in May as part of a two-week public arbitration hearing to determine whether his positive doping test from last year’s Tour should be upheld. He tested positive for synthetic testosterone after Stage 17 of the race.

“Theodorus Papaloukas made a layup with 7 seconds left as Greece scored 10 straight points in the final 1:32 to beat Slovenia 63-62 at Madrid, Spain, to advance to the European Basketball Championship semifinals, where they will face Spain.

Lithuania outlasted Croatia 74-72 and will face Russia in the other semifinal.

“Meseret Defar set a world record in the women’s 2-mile run at the Van Damme Memorial meet in Brussels, Belgium, smashing her mark by almost 12 seconds. The Ethiopian finished in 8 minutes, 58.58 seconds.

“Seattle University will add five sports over the next two years as part of its intended move to Division I, the school said. The university will add baseball, men’s and women’s golf and men’s and women’s tennis.