Bradley replaces Dempsey as U.S. captain

Michael Bradley will be the U.S. men’s soccer team captain for the CONCACAF Gold Cup instead of Clint Dempsey.

Dempsey took over as the American captain from Carlos Bocanegra two years ago. He was suspended for three games by Major League Soccer for a confrontation with a referee June 16 in Seattle’s fourth-round loss to Portland in the U.S. Open Cup, when he grabbed a notebook from the official and tore it after a teammate was given a red card. He also was suspended for six U.S. Open Cup matches.

“For the time being we thought it’s the best thing to give the captaincy to Michael Bradley and let Clint focus on what he’s all about,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said in comments on the U.S. Soccer Federation’s website.

The Americans play Guatemala in an exhibition tonight at Nashville and open the defense of their Gold Cup title against Honduras on Tuesday, at Frisco, Texas, when Bradley could make his 100th international appearance.

Briarcrest basketball standout Micah Thomas — a potential recruiting target for the University of Memphis — will play his senior season at Huntington Prep in West Virginia.

Saints coach John Harrington confirmed the move to The Commercial Appeal on Thursday.

A 6-7 wing, Thomas was named Mr. Basketball in Division 2-AA last season after leading the Saints to the state semifinals. He averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 assists while shooting 49

Braden Thornberry’s mother arrived from work in time for her son to par the 18th hole Thursday in the final round of the 35th annual Bubba Conlee National Junior Golf Tournament. She missed an adventurous 17 holes.

Twelve holes into his final round at Quail Ridge Golf Club in Bartlett, Braden Thornberry was 6 over par on the day, having lost a five-shot lead after birdieing his first two holes. For the second consecutive year, it looked as if he would come up just short.

“I kind of felt sick,” Veronica Thornberry said, of looking up her son’s score online before her arrival. “I was disappointed for him. I didn’t know what was wrong. It didn’t look like his normal scorecard.”

However, Braden, a recent DeSoto Central graduate, overcame his struggles. He birdied Nos. 13 and 17 and eagled No. 15 to win the Bubba Conlee at by three strokes, finishing at 2-under 208. The title is Thornberry’s second at