U.S. Soccer, women agree on new pact
The U.S. Soccer Federation and the U.S. women’s players union announced yesterday that a labor deal had been struck to settle an at times contentious dispute in which the players sought equitable wages to their male counterparts.
The collective bargaining agreement runs through 2021, meaning the players will be under contract through the 2019 World Cup in France and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The women will receive raises in base pay and bonuses as well as better provisions for travel and accommodations, including increased per diems. It also gives the players some control of certain licensing and marketing rights.
Specific details about the deal were not disclosed, but it comes as the national team is preparing to play an exhibition match against Russia tonight in Frisco, Texas. The team faces Russia again Sunday in Houston. . . .
Chelsea re-established its position as the hot favorite to win the English Premier League trophy, virtually eliminating Manchester City from the title race with a 2-1 win thanks to two goals from Eden Hazard.
Tottenham was in danger of losing, down a goal in the 88th minute, but Dele Alli tied it and Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen scored in stoppage time to earn a 3-1 win at Swansea to stay seven points behind Chelsea.
Also Liverpool lost more points at home, allowing an 87th minute equalizer by Josh King to give Bouren-mouth a 2-2 draw at Anfield. Earlier, the club was fined $125,000 and banned from signing youth-team players for at least a year after admitting to rule breaches in its attempt to recruit an academy prospect from EPL rival Stoke.
Beast mode back?
Retired running back Marshawn Lynch reportedly visited the Oakland Raiders as he decides whether to come back to the NFL and the team decides whether it wants to acquire the hometown favorite.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider told a Seattle radio station that he has discussed a deal to send Lynch to Oakland with Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie in case Lynch does come out of retirement. . . .
Quarterback David Fales is back with coach Adam Gase after signing with the Miami Dolphins. Fales was a sixthround draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2014 and spent three seasons with them. Gase was their offensive coordinator in 2015.
Fales will compete for a roster spot behind Ryan Tannehill and Matt Moore. ...
The Los Angeles Rams signed former Washington center John Sullivan and former Houston linebacker Carlos Thompson.
Misc.: Venus upset
Laura Siegemund beat Venus Williams 6-4, 6-7 (3), 7-5 to win her second threeset match in three days and move on to the third round at the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, S.C.
Down match point in the second set, Williams broke Siegemund as she served for the match and rallied to easily win the ensuing tie-breaker to set up the decisive third set. Williams had two match points at 5-4, but Siegemund won the final three games to reach the round of 16.
Also, Daria Kasatkina outlasted Monica Puig 6-0, 6-7 (3), 6-2, and Shelby Rogers upset Madison Keys 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. . . .
American No. 1 Jack Sock will play Australia’s Jordan Thompson to open their Davis Cup quarterfinal tomorrow in Brisbane, Australia, followed by Nick Kyrgios’ match against John Isner. ...
Big East freshman of the year Justin Patton of Creighton will declare for the NBA draft and plans to sign with an agent. The 7-footer averaged 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks this year.
Also declaring for the draft yesterday are Arizona freshman guard Kobi Simmons, UCLA freshman forward/center Ike Anigbogu and Kentucky freshman forward Bam Adebayo. ...
A federal appeals court in Philadelphia has upheld the nine-year prison term for former NBA player and University of Connecticut star Tate George for running a real estate Ponzi scheme. . . .
St. Anthony’s, the high school that bears the stamp of Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley Sr. in Jersey City, N.J., will shut its doors in June due to financial problems, the coach and school administrators announced.