David Beckham might not be fond of farewell
David Beckham will reject the chance to make one final appearance for England, a person familiar with the former captain’s plans said Thursday.
Coach Fabio Capello said Wednesday that the 35-year-old Beckham was too old to continue playing competitively for England, but offered him an opportunity to say farewell to fans in an exhibition.
Beckham, who is recovering from an Achilles’ tendon injury that denied him a trip to a fourth World Cup, has played 115 times for England, second to goalkeeper Peter Shilton on the country’s all-time appearance list.
And the Galaxy midfielder has said repeatedly that he wouldn’t retire from England duty while still playing soccer.
“It would seem strange to say you are not retiring, then to signal your retirement in a benefit match,” the person familiar with Beckham’s plans told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because Beckham has yet to announce his plans. “It’s not going to happen.”
Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy will have surgery for an arm injury he sustained Saturday against Toronto FC and is expected to miss the rest of the MLS season.
FOOTBALL
Roethlisberger changes bio
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger lists his birthplace in his biography as the fictitious and the incorrectly spelled Corey Rawson, Ohio. There is no such community, although he did attend Cory-Rawson School in Rawson, Ohio, before his junior high days.
Roethlisberger apparently made the change because he was displeased with unflattering comments made about him by some residents of hometown Findlay, Ohio, following a March incident in which he was accused of sexual assault.
Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 28-yard field goal with 53 seconds left to give the New England Patriots a 27-24 win over the New Orleans Saints in an exhibition at Foxborough, Mass.
In other exhibitions:
The Baltimore Ravens held Carolina without a touchdown in a 17-12 victory over the visiting Panthers. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco completed eight of 12 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.
The Oakland Raiders got two touchdowns and a field goal in the final 4:58 to defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 17-9, in Arlington, Texas.
Steelers outside linebacker Andre Frazier will miss the season after being placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury.
ETC.
Lakers add draft picks to roster
The Lakers added second-round picks Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter to their roster.
Ebanks, the 43rd overall pick from West Virginia, signed a two-year deal, which is not guaranteed. He will earn a salary of about $473,604, which is the minimum rookies can sign for, if he makes the roster. If he stays with the Lakers, his second-year salary would be $762,195.
Caracter, the No. 58 pick from Texas El Paso, agreed to a two-year, $1.1-million deal that probably will be partially guaranteed, a Lakers spokesman said. Both players are forwards.
— Broderick Turner
Dean Demopoulos, Marc Iavaroni and Robert Pack will work as assistants for new Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro.
Third-seeded Roger Federer advanced to the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup tennis tournament in Toronto with a 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over Michael Llodra of France.
Top-seeded Rafael Nadal of Spain, second-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia and fourth-seeded Andy Murray of Britain also posted victories to move on to the final eight.
Top-seeded Jelena Jankovic and second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki were knocked out in third-round upsets at the Cincinnati Women’s Open in Mason, Ohio.
