Hangzhou, China – Coping with Brazil’s finesse is worry enough – the tricky feints, bicycle kicks and showy backheel passes.
The South Americans can also be downright rough, which is a flip side for the United States to deal with in Thursday’s Women’s World Cup semifinal.
“They’re not going to let us hold on to the ball very long,” American forward Heather O’Reilly said. “We’ll get it stripped or get our legs taken from under us. We need to keep the ball moving and bring our technical game, or else we’re going to pay for it.”
Coach Greg Ryan was more direct.
The United States defeated Brazil 2-0 three months ago in New York, and Ryan said the South Americans’ main tactic was fouling, “chopping our players down to break up the game’s rhythm.”
“I expect this game to be very physical,” Ryan said. “Our girls will be prepared for it, but it was a very dirty game in June.”
Marta, FIFA player of the year in 2006, and Cristiane might be the best striker duo in women’s soccer. They are supported by a cast of others up front for Brazil – Formiga, Daniela and Maycon – and a street-soccer culture back home that breeds brash moves and flashy goals.
Undefeated in 51 games and seeking its third title to go with World Cups in 1991 and 1999, the U.S. team is a slight favorite to reach Sunday’s final in Shanghai against defending champion Germany or Norway. They play today’s semifinal.
NBA
Williamson to retire after 12 seasons
Corliss Williamson is set to retire from the NBA and become an assistant coach at Arkansas Baptist College, the school’s athletic director said. Williamson averaged 9.1 points in 68 games last season with the Sacramento Kings. He has played 12 pro seasons.
Former Milwaukee Bucks assistant Mike Sanders was hired to replace Dell Curry, who stepped down as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Bobcats.
Curry changed his mind three months after accepting the position, saying he was concerned about the time commitment of the job. Instead, Curry will work in community relations for the team and have more time to attend the basketball games of his two sons.
Point guard Brian Chase, ranked among the Big East leaders in 3-point percentage during his college career at Virginia Tech, signed with the Miami Heat.
NHL
McAmmond suffers concussion
Senators center Dean McAmmond left Ottawa’s 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers with a concussion after he was sent to the ice by a flying body check by prospect Steve Downie.
McAmmond had lost possession of the puck early and skated behind the Philadelphia net when he was checked hard by Downie at 2:39 of the second period. Downie’s feet left the ice before the violent collision.
McAmmond did not move his hands or his feet while he was fully strapped onto the stretcher and taken off the ice. A team spokesman confirmed McAmmond had suffered a concussion and subsequently moved his extremities. The center was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen is recovering from open heart surgery and is expected to be released from a Cleveland hospital within days.Numminen, 39, said he could return to the Sabres by December. He had surgery last week to repair a faulty valve.
The Detroit Red Wings assigned former University of Denver goaltender Adam Berkhoel to Grand Rapids (Mich.) of the American Hockey League.
FOOTNOTES
England to host consecutive Opens
The British Open will be played at Royal St. George’s in 2011 and Royal Lytham & St. Annes in 2012, the first time golf’s oldest championship will be held in England in consecutive years.
Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Ore., will host the Davis Cup final between the United States and defending champion Russia from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. It’s the first Davis Cup final in the United States since the country won the 1992 championship by defeating Switzerland in Fort Worth, Texas.
In the stands for that matchup? A 10-year-old Andy Roddick. He is expected to join fellow top-10 player James Blake in singles against Russia, with the top-ranked doubles pairing of Bob and Mike Bryan completing the U.S. team.
Japan ended a 13-game losing streak at the Rugby World Cup in France, holding Canada to a 12-12 tie, while Romania twice rallied to beat Portugal 14-10. The United States (0-2) plays Samoa (0-3) today.
