Ex-Trinidad Player Lee Dies at 21
Marvin Lee, a former youth captain for Trinidad and Tobago, died at a hospital near his home in Arima, Trinidad, after he stopped breathing. He was 21.
Lee had suffered a career-ending neck injury after a collision with Landon Donovan of the United States during an Under-20 World Cup qualifying game in March 2001, and had been in a wheelchair since.
Lee’s mother, Dawn Warrick, did not know what caused her son to stop breathing but said he had been suffering from a cold in recent days.
Jack Warner, president of CONCACAF, a FIFA vice president and native of Trinidad, had paid all of Lee’s medical expenses since the incident.
Warner said a funeral will be held Thursday.
Mexican League
Nuevo Leon got goals from Brazilian Irenio Soares and Argentine Walter Gaitan in a 2-1 victory Sunday over Necaxa, good for a one-point lead in its group over Monterrey. Nuevo Leon has 17 points after the ninth round of games in the Mexican league.
Necaxa, which has 16 points, maintained its group lead over Morelia after it tied struggling Cruz Azul, 1-1, giving up a late goal by Sergio Almaguer.
Guadalajara continued its strong play and maintained the overall lead with 18 points after a 2-0 victory over San Luis. Chivas got a penalty-kick goal from Ramon Morales in the 26th minute, and another in the second half on a right-footed shot by Omar Bravo after he outran two defenders.
U.S. to Play Mexico
The U.S. will play Mexico in a friendly May 8 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium, the first meeting between the teams since last summer’s historic 2-0 victory by the U.S. in the second round of the World Cup.
“No matter what the occasion, it’s always a fierce battle when we play Mexico,” Coach Bruce Arena told Reuters. “This match represents an important part of our preparation for two major tournaments this summer, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
The Americans, who have won five of the last six games against Mexico, will be preparing for the FIFA Confederations Cup in June in France and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July. The World Cup victory over Mexico put the U.S. into the quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years.
The U.S. has not played in Houston since a 2-0 loss to Ecuador in 1988.
Champions League
Defending champion and nine-time winner Real Madrid needs a victory over AC Milan on Wednesday at Madrid if it is to control its destiny and advance to the quarterfinals in the European Champions League.
AC Milan and Manchester United are the only teams to have qualified for the quarterfinals. Games today and Wednesday figure to clear up the race for the other six spots.
Madrid could be without Brazilian forward and World Cup hero Ronaldo, who is suffering from a left leg injury.
Quick Passes
Australian Brett Emerton, who plays with Feyenoord in the Dutch league, has been selected Oceania player of the year. Galaxy midfielder Simon Elliott of New Zealand was fourth in voting by the confederation.... Sunderland, languishing in last place in the English Premier League, fired coach Howard Wilkinson and assistant Steve Cotterill.... The winner of the replay between Arsenal and Chelsea on March 25 will face English first division Sheffield United in the FA Cup semifinals. Southampton of the Premier League will play first-division Watford in the other semifinal April 13.... Host nation Portugal will play in the first game of Euro 2004 after UEFA, Europe soccer’s governing body, announced it was breaking the tradition of scheduling the reigning champion -- in this case France -- for the first game. France still must qualify.
