| California partners with Brownsville for soccer team
California is now partnered with Brownsville in a co-op varsity soccer team. However, the California School Board voted Nov. 15 to allow California to form its own soccer team next year. The co-op was originally formed because California didn't have enough players to form a complete team, which requires about 22 players. Terri Doman, a California School Board member for four years, said when the co-op began, it was with the understanding that when California had enough players to form a team, it would move back to California and play for its own school. The next step California needs to take in order to form its own team is to secure the approval of the WPIAL. Since WPIAL already approved the co-op team for another two years, California needed to send a letter stating that it has formed its own team.
'Beckham transcends the sport'
Australian football may be forever in the debt of David Beckham after 'Becksmania' enticed 80 000 fans to watch an international club friendly. Los Angeles Galaxy's 5-3 loss to Sydney FC was immaterial. It was the prospect of watching the international football phenomenon strut his stuff for the first time in Australia that attracted the fans in their droves to Sydney's Olympic stadium on Tuesday. Only Australia's World Cup final eliminators have drawn more home fans than the 80 295 at Tuesday's exhibition. Charismatic Beckham didn't disappoint his legion of admirers, stroking home a signature "Bend it like Beckham" free kick in the first half and even getting steamed up enough to earn himself a yellow card for a square-up tackle. .
Fans will lose out in NFL Network battle with cable operators
The NFL Network's business strategy is well on its way to becoming one of the biggest flops in sports television history. All the yap-flapping, spinning, and perhaps even some anger from fans who cannot watch Thursday's Packers-Cowboys tilt on NFLN won't change that fact. Neither will all the anti-cable rants coming from the mouth of Jerry Jones, whose sudden concern for the average fan is the leading candidate for Most Disingenuous Sports Moment of 2007. Nor will the well scripted, well presented words of commissioner Roger Goodell, who last week was on the stump campaigning against cable monopolists via a conference call. Surprised we have not heard from NFLN boss Steve Bornstein, marked conspicuously absent on this recent propaganda tour. It looks like Mr.
Grass-roots program for a blossoming sport
LOWELL -- Up until two decades ago, Peter Pinto was a hockey referee who didn't know very much about lacrosse. But that changed in a hurry once Pinto had an opportunity to officiate a few lacrosse games. "I found lacrosse through hockey," said Pinto, 52, who grew up in Somerville. "I started officiating lacrosse about 20 years ago and the sport became an instant addiction. I no longer officiate hockey. "Lacrosse is such a great game to watch. It's quick. It's a tough sport. The most impressive thing about the sport is the ball movement. Watching the way players pass the ball. To be running as fast as you can and zip the ball while on the move to a teammate like it's a laser is really something to see." Eventually, officiating lacrosse games turned into a labor love, one that Pinto wanted to share with as many young players as possible.
NFL notes
EAGLES: Quarterback Donovan McNabb will miss Philadelphia's game today against New England because of a sprained ankle and injured thumb.
McNabb hurt the thumb on his throwing hand early against Miami last Sunday and left after injuring his ankle in the second quarter. He has not practiced all week.
A.J. Feeley, who led the Eagles to a pair of touchdowns in a 17-7 win over the Dolphins, gets the start for underdog Philadelphia.
McNabb has started every game since returning ahead of schedule after a torn knee ligament ended his season early last year. Injuries ended his regular season three times in the past six years. The Eagles are 13-8 without him, including 1-1 in the playoffs last season.
Feeley will make his first start since he led Miami over Cleveland on Dec.
News Index
VANCOUVER - David Beckham says the Los Angeles Galaxy knew what they were getting when they signed him to play Major League Soccer.The former England captain was responding to criticism from soccer legend Pele, who said American fans were misled into thinking Beckham would be a goal scorer in the league. "The Galaxy wouldn't have come out and said that," Beckham said Wednesday after the Galaxy played to a 0-0 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps in an international friendly before 48,172 fans."The Galaxy brought me in because I'm a football player. Everybody in the world knows I'm not a goal scorer."Everyone has their own opinion. Pele is a great player and a great ambassador for the game."Pele told the Associated Press that American soccer fans were given the impression Beckham would be a goal scorer."They announced him as a scorer of goals," Pele said during an interview in Sheffield, England.
Events
FUNDRAISING RIDE: Ride Without Limits, a national fundraising campaign to benefit United Cerebral Palsy, will take place in the Tampa Bay area today and Sunday. The two-day, 200-mile ride requires a minimum donation of $500 for riders and a $35 registration fee. Visit www.ridewithoutlimits.org or call 1-888-547-3239. SLED HOCKEY: The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation and Fan Development Department offer bi-monthly sled hockey clinics for people with disabilities. All equipment is provided. The next sessions will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 25 at the St. Pete Times Forum. For information, contact David Cole at (813) 301-6822 or send an e-mail to dcole@sptimesforum.com. ANGER MANAGEMENT: Family Service Association, 407 N. Parsons Ave., Suite 104A, Brandon, will begin a five-week program on Anger Management on Wednesday.
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