Sounders decline option on Gspurning

Soccer: The Seattle Sounders have declined the 2014 contract option on goalkeeper Michael Gspurning, leaving the position as a major question going into next season.

The Sounders announced the decision on Monday.

The 2013 season was Gspurning’s second with the club. He was a finalist for MLS goalkeeper of the year in 2012, but by the end of the 2013 season had lost his starting job on a regular basis. The Sounders used backup Marcus Hahnemann as their starter for a few games late in the year as Gspurning struggled with consistency.

The 32-year-old Austrian came to Seattle from Skoda Xanthi in the Greek Super League in December 2011.

Associated Press

Arizona moves to No. 1 in AP poll

Men’s college basketball: Arizona has moved up one spot to No. 1 in the Associated Press poll, the Wildcats’ first top ranking since 2003.

Arizona (9-0) was a runaway choice, receiving 63 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel Monday. The Wildcats were sixth in the preseason Top 25. Their climb has been highlighted by wins over San Diego State and Duke.

Syracuse, which got the other first-place votes, and Ohio State moved up two places to second and third. Wisconsin jumped four spots to fourth. Michigan State, which had been No. 1 for three weeks, slid to fifth after losing 79-65 at home to North Carolina, which moved back into the poll at No. 18.

Associated Press