HARRISON, N.J. — Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber said the league has no intention of accepting transfer offers for the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan.
“He’s become a real soccer hero,” Garber said Thursday. “MLS needs soccer heroes, and we have a great American soccer hero playing for us in L.A., holding the torch for the sport in our country, and that’s very important.”
Donovan was the best U.S. player at the World Cup, scoring three goals to become the American career leader with five. He agreed in December to a four-year contract with MLS that pays him a base salary this year of $2.05 million.
• Thierry Henry, a member of France’s 1998 world championship and 2000 European champion teams, retired from the French national team, then held a news conference to discuss his signing with New York Red Bulls of MLS.
• Roger Levesque scored on a header in the 89th minute as the visiting Seattle Sounders ended a four-game MLS winless skid with a 1-0 win over D.C. United.
Bettencourt is the best
RENO, Nev. — Matt Bettencourt shot a 6-under-par 66 for a one- stroke lead over PGA Tour veteran Chris DiMarco after the first round of the Reno-Tahoe Open.
Will MacKenzie, the 2006 Reno champ, is tied with Craig Bowden another stroke back at 4-under 68. A group of more than a dozen golfers at 3-under 69 includes Steve Elkington, Woody Austin, Mark Hensby and Chad Campbell.
Packers eye Big Ten title game
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers are interested in hosting a potential Big Ten Conference championship game at Lambeau Field.
A team spokesman said the team has made preliminary contact with Big Ten officials to request information on hosting a new conference championship game, which will become possible after Nebraska leaves the Big 12 for the Big Ten in 2011.
Lacrosse sage continues
NEW YORK — A negotiator for an American Indian lacrosse team whose Iroquois-issued passports have been at the heart of an international dispute said the squad made progress in its talks with the United Kingdom.
The Iroquois Nationals defaulted on the first game of the sport’s world championship after the U.K. said they couldn’t enter without American or Canadian passports. The team hopes to make it to a second game scheduled for Saturday.
Footnotes.
North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour said the NCAA is investigating a sports program, reportedly coach Butch Davis‘ football team, at the school regarding possible rules violations.
• ESPN reporter Erin Andrews has sued several hotel chains for negligence and invasion of privacy in connection with the secret videotaping of her by an Illinois man.
• Cappie Pondexter scored 17 points as the New York Liberty beat the Washington Mystics 75-67 in the WNBA.
• The Minnesota Wild signed center Mikko Koivu to a seven-year contract extension.
The Associated Press
