Coaches find it's no game on battlefields of Iraq By Baxter Holmes UCLA's Rick Neuheisel, who was part of a morale-boosting tour for servicemen and women overseas, finds lessons he can share with his players. CYCLING Lance Armstrong's return seems to be OK with Tour de France fans By Chuck Culpepper The seven-time champion hasn't always been embraced by the French, but they aren't too bothered that he is back for the first time since 2005. JERRY CROWE At least Manny Ramirez paid a penalty Jerry Crowe Text messages from press row . . . Friday's TV highlights GRAHAME L. JONES / ON SOCCER U.S. has an extra advantage in Gold Cup By Grahame L. Jones Under pressure from the U.S., CONCACAF is allowing the U.S. to draw from a 30-man roster while the other 11 teams in the three-week tournament are limited to 23 players. ANGELS FYI Angels GM Tony Reagins doesn't see a deal for pitching on the horizon By Kevin Baxter With the staff struggling, the general manager says he won't make a trade simply to look busy HOCKEY Kings sign Rob Scuderi to four-year, $13.6-million deal By Helene Elliott The defenseman comes to L.A. after helping Pittsburgh win the Stanley Cup last month. ANGELS Up next for the Angels: Friday vs. Baltimore Ervin Santana returns from the disabled list to take on David Hernandez. NL RESULTS Mets win after Francisco Rodriguez blows save Ryan Church knocks in the winning run against the Pirates. BASEBALL Up next for Dodgers: Friday at San Diego Hiroki Kuroda faces Padres' Chad Gaudin. AL RESULTS Mariners end Yankees' winning streak Branyan homers as Seattle ends New York's streak at seven games.

Previous Days • Friday, July 3 • Thursday, July 2 • Wednesday, July 1 • Tuesday, June 30 • Monday, June 29 • Sunday, June 28 • Saturday, June 27 In the Blogs Pau Gasol The inside game from a Lakers insider. All Things Trojan Adam Rose follows USC sports throughout the year. What's Bruin Adam Rose follows UCLA sports throughout the year. Lakers Blog A purple-and-gold fix from Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky. Dodger Thoughts Follow Big Blue all year with Jon Weisman. Angels Unplugged Steve Bisheff and crew go deep with the Halos. Olympics: Ticket to Vancouver The Times is your guide down the road to the Olympics. Varsity Times Insider Times reporters get the scoop on the Southland high schools Outposts Getting the most from the great outdoors.