CONCACAF game likely for Rose Bowl
The winner of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final between Mexico and Jamaica on Sunday will play the U.S. in an Oct. 9 playoff to determine the region’s entrant in the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia. The Rose Bowl is the probable site.
If Mexico beats Jamaica, the U.S. probably would oppose a game at the Rose Bowl, where it hasn’t beaten Mexico in 21 years. The last U.S.-Mexico game there, the 2011 Gold Cup final, drew an overwhelmingly pro-Mexican crowd of more than 93,000 fans. But another big crowd would mean a big payday for CONCACAF.
The Panamanian Football Federation has demanded the removal of CONCACAF’s referee selection panel after describing the officiating in the Gold Cup semifinal loss to Mexico as “insulting and embarrassing.” The FPF, in a statement Thursday, also accused the match officials of favoring Mexico “in a vulgar and shameless way.” Mexico won in overtime, 2-1, scoring on two penalty kicks.
U.S. prosecutors in New York have asked Paraguay to extradite 86-year-old Nicolas Leoz, the former president of South America’s soccer confederation and one of those charged in a corruption scandal being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department. Leozis being held under house arrest in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion.
Two albatross twos were recorded on the same hole on a memorable opening day at the Senior British Open at Sunningdale, England, where defending champion Bernhard Langer finished in an eight-way tie for the lead at fiveunder-par 65. The double eagles at the par-five, 492-yard opening hole were by England’s Barry Lane and American Steve Jones.
Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo shot a bogey-free, eight-under 64 to take the first-round lead in the Canadian Open at Oakville. Jason Day, coming off a tie for fourth in the British Open, shot a 68.
Lizette Salas, Katherine Kirk and Dori Carter shared the firstround lead in the Meijer LPGA Classic at 64 at Belmont, Mich.
Watchdog groups criticized the human rights records of China and Kazakhstan on Thursday, just over a week before the IOC decides on whether to award the 2022 Winter Olympics to Beijing or Almaty. Oslo is the other candidate. . . . Toronto Mayor John Tory says Canada’s largest city will make a decision “very quickly” on whether to bid for the 2024 Olympics.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Lou Lamoriello as general manager.
The Sacramento Kings signed veteran forward Caron Butler toa two-year deal. . . . The Cleveland Cavaliers traded second-round pick Rakeem Christmas to the Indiana Pacers for a second-round selection in 2019.
Sparks center Jantel Lavender, Tulsa guard Riquna Williams and San Antonio guard Kayla McBride have been named as injury replacements to the Western Conference team for Saturday’s WNBA All-Star game in Connecticut. . . . WNBA owners approved a plan to move the Tulsa Shock to the Dallas-Fort Worth area next season.
Braxton Miller will switch from quarterback to wide receiver for Ohio State.