Cup opener pits U.S., England

Soccer: U.S. soccer players were almost giddy Friday after a favorable World Cup draw gave them hope they’ll reach the second round in South Africa next June.

The Americans will play England in their opener, perhaps the most-anticipated first-round match in the 32-nation tournament. After that, the U.S. faces two low-profile teams in Slovenia and Algeria.

After advancing to the quarterfinals in 2002, the best U.S. finish since the initial World Cup in 1930, there were high expectation for the Americans at the 2006 tournament in Germany. But they were eliminated in the first round with a 0-2-1 record.

The U.S. famously upset England 1-0 in the first round of the 1950 tournament in Brazil, still considered by many the greatest American soccer victory.

The June 12 game in Rustenburg features a matchup that could pit Los Angeles Galaxy teammates David Beckham and Landon Donovan (pictured) on opposite teams.

Associated Press

Switzer, Bowden rally the troops

Football: Barry Switzer and Tommy Bowden are heading back to the sidelines, but in Iraq instead of the United States.

Switzer, who led Oklahoma to an NCAA championship and the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl title, will lead a flag-football team made up of former college stars and military personnel in a game against a similar squad led by former Auburn coach Bowden. The Salute to The Troops is being staged by the USO.

Highlights of the game are to be shown on television during halftime of the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4.

Among the players lined up for the game are former Sooners Tony Casillas, Brian Bosworth and Joe Washington; 1990 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Ty Detmer of BYU; pro football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith of Virginia Tech; former Georgia star Garrison Hearst; and former Notre Dame star Rocket Ismail.

Associated Press

Walker added to fight card

MMA: Herschel Walker will make his mixed martial arts debut next month.

The 1982 Heisman Trophy winner will face an opponent to be announced as part of a fight card at the Florida Panthers’ arena on Jan. 30 at Sunrise, Fla.

The former NFL running back holds a fifth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Associated Press