Adu Is Featured in Lancaster
Freddy Adu, the 13-year-old Ghanaian-born sensation who plays for the U.S. under-17 national team, will be part of an American roster that will play two games this weekend at the Lancaster Soccer Center.
The three-team friendly tournament also will feature Mexico and Costa Rica with squads playing in a round-robin format starting Saturday. All three teams have qualified for the FIFA under-17 world championship in August in Finland.
In addition to Adu, who will turn 14 on June 2, the U.S. also will feature Guillermo “Memo” Gonzalez, a first-round pick of the Galaxy from Paramount.
The schedule has Mexico-Costa Rica on Saturday at 5 p.m.; U.S.-Mexico on Sunday at 2 p.m.; and U.S.-Costa Rica on Monday at 10 a.m.
All games will be played on Field 34 on the east side of the complex. Admission is $2. Information: www.lancastersoccercenter.com.
Beckham Injured
David Beckham, the Manchester United midfielder rumored in a possible move to Real Madrid, suffered a broken thumb Thursday in England’s 2-1 victory over South Africa in an international friendly at Durban, South Africa.
Beckham, who assisted on England’s first goal 36 seconds into the game, fell on his right arm in the first half after being slide-tackled by South Africa’s Thabang Molefe. He returned for the second half with his wrist and hand bandaged but was substituted in the 50th minute and taken to a hospital for X-rays.
Beckham already was scheduled to sit out England’s Euro 2004 qualifier on June 11 against Slovakia because of a suspension.
Howard Draws Interest
Tim Howard, the Major League Soccer goalkeeper of the year for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars the last two seasons, reportedly has received an offer to play for Manchester United.
“It’s a decent offer,” a league source told the New York Daily News. “It’s a starting point.”
MetroStar spokesman Nick Di Benedetto confirmed Manchester United’s interest in purchasing Howard’s contract. United is apparently looking to replace French international Fabien Barthez.
Howard leads the league with a 0.49 goals-against average and has three shutouts.
Copa Libertadores
Boca Juniors of Argentina and Santos of Brazil picked up key first-leg quarterfinal results Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores, Latin America’s top club competition.
Boca Juniors went on the road to Calama, Chile, and defeated Cobreloa, 2-1, on goals by Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Later, Boca Juniors goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri stopped an 82nd-minute penalty kick by Fernando Martel to preserve the victory.
Santos, meanwhile, disappointed a Mexico City crowd of 95,000 when Diego scored in the 76th minute for a 2-2 tie against Cruz Azul. Francisco Palencia scored both goals for the home team.
Gremio of Brazil tied visiting Independiente Medellin of Colombia, 2-2.
Earlier this week, River Plate of Argentina defeated visiting America de Cali of Colombia, 2-1, in another first-leg quarterfinal.
Quick Passes
Tore Andre Flo, who had not scored for Norway’s national team in three years seven months, finally broke the streak in a 2-0 victory over Finland in a friendly at Oslo.... AC Milan forward Jon Dahl Tomasson had shoulder surgery and will sit out next week’s European Champions Cup final against Juventus as well as two Euro 2004 qualifiers for Denmark on June 7 and 11 against Norway and Luxembourg.... Troy Dayak of the San Jose Earthquakes will sit out six to eight weeks after surgery for a hernia and a left knee operation.... D.C. United midfielder Marco Etcheverry will sit out three weeks after surgery on his left knee.
