In brief: Chalupny experiences big moments in China

Lori Chalupny has experienced three decisive moments in China.

The first threatened her soccer career. The last were much better: two eye-catching goals for the U.S. national team’s quiet midfielder.

The latest goal came Tuesday after just 57 seconds, the second fastest in tournament history. It sent the No. 1-ranked Americans, who face England Saturday, past Nigeria 1-0 and into the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup in Shanghai, China.

Her other China goal came eight months ago in the Four Nations tournament, when Chalupny’s soaring 20-yard strike helped beat China 2-0.

Chalupny had a scary moment almost two years ago in China. Playing in a tournament, she sustained the last in a series of concussions and was sidelined three months.

As the American forwards struggle to score in the World Cup, Chalupny, Shannon Boxx and Carli Lloyd provide the biggest threats out of midfield.

The Americans, who are undefeated in 50 straight games, were stretched in their first three games in Group B against No. 3 Sweden, No. 5 North Korea and five-time African champions Nigeria.

“The two Women’s World Cup matches scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed for a day because of Typhoon Wipha, team officials said. The Canada-Australia Group C match in Chengdu and the China-New Zealand Group D match in Tianjin will both be played today.

Horse racing

Forego owner dies

Martha Gerry, who bred and owned three-time Horse of the Year Forego, has died. She was 88.

Gerry, who was chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, died Monday in New York.

“A Puerto Rican horse that can’t win a race now has a claim to fame.

Dona Chepa, a 9-year-old brown mare, finished last in a six-horse field at Camarero Racetrack in eastern Puerto Rico, a 125th consecutive loss that is believed to be the longest in horse racing history.

Miscellany

U.S. Open sets records

Attendance at the U.S. Open rose 12 percent to a record 715,587 this year, and the tennis tournament’s official Web site drew more than 30 million visits for the first time.

“The on-field debut for linebacker Mike Flynt, 59, will have to wait another week.

Flynt said that doctors have not cleared him to play Saturday in Sul Ross State’s home opener against East Texas Baptist in Alpine, Texas. He’s now eyeing the game against Howard Payne in Brownwood on Sept. 29 for his first action in 37 years.

“Olympic gold medalists Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Rowdy Gaines unveiled Chicago’s second attempt at an Olympic logo for its 2016 Summer Games bid – a white, six-point star surrounded by vertical bands of color.

In May, the International Olympic Committee said Chicago couldn’t use its first design, a torch whose flame represented the city skyline.

“German cyclist Joerg Jaksche, the first rider to admit using blood doping in the Operation Puerto scandal, was banned for one year by the Austrian cycling federation. The ban will last until July 2.