SOCCER NEWS

• Beckham, Galaxy prep for New Zealand match 12/3/2008, 9:07 p.m. CST
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — David Beckham is hoping his stint with AC Milan will help extend his career and lead to another appearance with the English national team.

• Scotland considering joint bid for Euro 2016 12/3/2008, 4:58 a.m. CST
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — The Scottish Football Association confirmed Wednesday that it has held talks with Wales and Northern Ireland over the possibility of co-hosting the 2016 European Championship.

• US goalie Brad Friedel sets record 11/29/2008, 4:07 p.m. CST
LONDON (AP) — U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel set a record with his 167th consecutive Premier League appearance Saturday in Aston Villa's 0-0 tie with Fulham.

• Liverpool, Inter, Atletico qualify for last 16 11/26/2008, 4:33 p.m. CST
LONDON (AP) — Five-time winner Liverpool, Italian champion Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid joined 10 other qualifiers for the last knockout phase of the Champions League on Wednesday. Chelsea still has work to do in the final round of games after a 1-1 tie with Bordeaux.

• Arsenal hires MLS exec Gazidis as its new CEO 11/26/2008, 8:39 a.m. CST
LONDON (AP) — Major League Soccer's deputy commissioner is leaving to become the chief executive of Arsenal, one of the top teams in the English Premier League.

• Mexican football club owner faces drug charges 11/25/2008, 4:44 p.m. CST
MEXICO CITY (AP) — A judge charged the alleged owner of third-division Mexican football club Mapaches and four other team members with drug trafficking.

• FIFA suspends Peru from international football 11/25/2008, 6:06 a.m. CST
ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) — FIFA has suspended Peru from international football because the government is feuding with the national federation.

• Crew beats Red Bulls 3-1 in MLS Cup 11/23/2008, 5:11 p.m. CST
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Guillermo Barros Schelotto led Columbus to victory in the MLS Cup on Sunday, capping his MVP season with three assists in the Crew's 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.

• Friedel frustrates Man U as Villa draws 0-0 11/22/2008, 4:35 p.m. CST
LONDON (AP) — American goalkeeper Brad Friedel equaled the Premier League's consecutive appearance record Saturday, making another stellar performance for Aston Villa and frustrating defending champion Manchester United in a 0-0 draw.

• US vs Mexico for 2010 World Cup qualifying 11/22/2008, 3:29 p.m. CST
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — The United States will open the final round of regional qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup at home against Mexico and finish its run against Costa Rica.

• Blatter gives Peruvian federation ultimatum 11/21/2008, 12:55 p.m. CST
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — FIFA president Joseph Blatter on Friday gave Peru an ultimatum to solve a dispute between the government and the Peruvian Football Federation or face suspension from all international competition.

• 2010 WCup organizers concerned about meltdown 11/21/2008, 6:30 a.m. CST
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — South African organizers of the 2010 World Cup expressed concern Friday about the effect the global financial crisis will have on the tournament, which is already running well over budget.