Solo back for U.S. in shutout victory

Four months ago, Hope Solo was kicked off the U.S. women’s soccer team for criticizing the coach.

On Wednesday, the goalie was not only back on the squad but she played the entire game as the Americans beat Canada, 4-0, in a warmup at Guangzhou, China, for the Olympic qualifiers this spring.

Solo, who made two saves, was thrilled to be playing in the Four Nation Tournament in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. But she had reservations about coming back.

“I was scared. I was frightened. I didn’t know what it would be like with the team,” the 26-year-old told the Associated Press afterward. “But everyone has shown so much determination to move on.”

The trouble began last September in the World Cup semifinals in China. Solo was a starter for much of 2007 and was playing well in the tournament. But her coach, Greg Ryan, made a decision to use veteran Briana Scurry for a match with Brazil, which handily beat the Americans, 4-0.

After the defeat, Solo ripped into Ryan, saying he made a mistake by switching goalies and that she would have made the saves -- comments that got her dismissed from the team.

Solo also found it easier to get a fresh start because Ryan’s contract wasn’t renewed and he was replaced by the U.S.’s first foreign coach, former Swedish star Pia Sundhage.

BASEBALL

Cardinals comfortable with acquiring Glaus

New St. Louis Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak said he was “comfortable” with baseball’s investigation into allegations of newly acquired third baseman Troy Glaus’ use of steroids.

“Our understanding and how it was explained to us is they did a thorough investigation,” Mozeliak said. “He cooperated fully. At the end of the day, they felt there was not enough to warrant any disciplinary action. With that said, it made us very comfortable with the direction we were going.”

Major League Baseball said it found insufficient evidence to discipline him.

St. Louis obtained Glaus on Monday for Scott Rolen.

Also, Cardinals outfielder Juan Encarnacion’s left eye injury is expected to sideline him this season and perhaps for good. He was standing in the on-deck circle Aug. 31 when a foul ball struck him, crushing his eye socket and damaging his optic nerve.

Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane was surprised when shortstop Miguel Tejada was mentioned in the Mitchell Report in connection with steroid usage but has no regrets about acquiring the star shortstop.

“You can’t look back,” McLane said. “You have to move forward.”

Tejada was acquired from Baltimore on Dec. 12, one day before the Mitchell Report was released.

Right-hander Jon Lieber, a 20-game winner for the Chicago Cubs in 2001, rejoined the team by agreeing to a $3.5-million, one-year contract.

Lieber, a 37-year-old who spent the last three seasons in Philadelphia, underwent surgery for a ruptured tendon in his foot last year.

Left-hander Nate Robertson, 30, and the Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $21.25-million, three-year contract.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Assistant McMackin named coach at Hawaii

Greg McMackin was hired as Hawaii’s coach, earning a promotion from defensive coordinator.

He replaces June Jones, who left for Southern Methodist. McMackin, 58, agreed to a five-year deal that will pay him $1.1 million annually, making him the highest-paid coach in school history. McMackin’s last head coaching position was at Oregon Tech from 1986 to 1989.

Former Texas quarterback Major Applewhite is rejoining the Longhorns as an assistant coach, leaving his job as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama.

Penn State defensive tackle Chris Baker and linebacker Navorro Bowman were ordered to stand trial this spring in Bellefonte, Pa., on refiled felony assault charges in a campus fight last year.

Baker, 20, and Bowman, 19, were suspended the last two games because of their trouble.

MISCELLANY

Vazquez, Marquez set for third fight

Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez will fight for the third time in a year March 1 when they meet again for the World Boxing Council super-bantamweight title at the Home Depot Center in Carson, promoters announced.

Vazquez (42-4, 31 knockouts) regained his belt from Marquez (37-4, 33 KOs) in August by technical knockout in the sixth round. It was preceded by Marquez’s seventh-round victory in March at Home Depot Center, when Vazquez retired because of a shattered nose.

-- Lance Pugmire

Toxicology results show former major leaguer Jim Leyritz’s blood-alcohol levels were nearly twice the legal limit the day he was involved in a fatal crash in December in Florida.

Leyritz, initially charged with DUI manslaughter and DUI property damage after the crash, will now face an additional manslaughter charge, according to a Fort Lauderdale Police Department news release.