Quakes narrow GM hunt

The Earthquakes have trimmed their list of finalists in the search for a new general manager, president Dave Kaval said Friday.

The executive said one more round of interviews with three finalists will be held Dec. 19 before the Major League Soccer team begins negotiations for the hire. Kaval added that Chris Leitch, a former Earthquakes player who has served as interim general manager since John Doyle’s firing in August, also remains a candidate.

Executives interviewed five finalists Wednesday. That leaves Lee Congerton, a former Sunderland sporting director, and unidentified candidates from Mexico and South America.

The Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC will make history on Saturday night in the MLS Cup final. The previous 20 years of MLS championship matches featured at least one team that was an original from when the league began in 1996. This is the first time two expansion teams are meeting in the championship and ensures at least one soccer hotbed market walks away with a first MLS title.

NFL

The NFL will stage four regular-season games in London next year. Teams and venues for the four games will be announced on Tuesday. The NFL started playing regular-season games in London in 2007, and has recently played three games per season in the British capital. The NFL also could play an international series game in Mexico again next year after the Raiders-Texans matchup in Azteca Stadium was a success in November.

Quarterback Trevor Siemian (sprained foot) is on track to return to the Denver Broncos’ starting lineup Sunday at Tennessee barring a setback.

Panthers All-Pro middle linebacker Luke Kuechly will play against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday if he’s cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol. He has missed the last two games.

Golf

Harris English and Matt Kuchar shot a 6-under 66 in windy modified alternate shot play to take the secondround lead in the Franklin Templeton Shootout. They won in 2013 in their first start together and finished second the last two years.

College basketball

Marcus Foster and Khyri Thomas scored 16 points apiece, and 10th-ranked Creighton led by 37 points at halftime on its way to a 113-58 win over Longwood.

Boxing

Challenger John Molina failed to make weight for his 140-pound fight against unified champion Terence “Bud” Crawford, meaning Molina won’t be able to fight for a title Saturday night at CenturyLink Center. If Molina upsets Crawford, the WBO and WBC junior welterweight titles would become vacant.