Stadium status still in limbo

The still-unfinished stadium that will host the opening game of the World Cup on June 12 held its first official match on Sunday, getting off to a shaky start after delays and deadly accidents marred its construction.

Pele pens song to spark support for home team

Soccer legend Pele has written a song to cheer on his native Brazil in the World Cup as it prepares to host the June 12-July 13 tournament.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Rangers romp over Price-less Canadiens

Montreal's star goalie yanked in embarrassing 7-2 loss to New York

La Russa joins Diamondbacks

Tony La Russa has never missed the managing part of baseball since retiring in 2011. He did miss the competition and, most particularly, the winning.

Chrome-plated Triple Crown bid

It gets even harder from here on out for California Chrome.

Wenger's Gunners on target

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is encouraging his players to use Saturday's 3-2 FA Cup final victory over Hull City as a springboard to further success in the years ahead.

Kickoff times taking heat

Brazil's soccer players' association Fenapaf is set to launch legal action against FIFA in a bid to shift lunchtime kickoffs during the World Cup.

Barcelona's dynasty is history

There was no denying something bigger than Barcelona's Spanish league title defense came to an end on Saturday.

Hull hurdle awaits Arsenal

Arsenal has a gilt-edged opportunity to end its increasingly burdensome nine-year trophy drought on Saturday when the underachieving English giant meets Hull City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

ETO'o reacts to 'fool' Mourinho

Chelsea's Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o on Thursday branded manager Jose Mourinho "a fool" after the Portuguese coach called his age into question.

The referee who refused to be bought

China's professional soccer is haunted by a past rife with corruption, and the greatest specter of all is hei shao - loosely translated as "black whistlers" - which fans frequently chant during games.