U.S. Soccer Team Ties Jamaica in Cup Qualifier

Brian Ching and Cobi Jones, a pair of substitutes, saved the United States men’s soccer team against Jamaica on Wednesday night at Kingston, Jamaica.

With the island nation ready to celebrate its first victory over the Americans, Jones sent a crossing pass into the penalty box in the 89th minute. Landon Donovan settled the ball and sent the ball to Ching, who scored to give the U.S. a 1-1 tie.

Until then in the World Cup regional semifinal qualifying game, Jamaica was delivering an emphatic message: Stay out of our office.

But the Americans have never lost to the Jamaicans, and at Kingston’s National Stadium, known as “The Office,” they have produced four ties in qualifiers.

The U.S., which played poorly early, came alive after falling behind on Ian Goodison’s goal in the 49th minute.

In three previous qualifiers at National Stadium, the teams played 0-0 ties. This time, the Jamaicans got off to a strong start with several dangerous penetrations.

But they couldn’t finish in the first half, mainly because of sloppy passing and the outstanding work of Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Pope and Carlos Bocanegra on the U.S. backline.

The Americans weren’t any more precise, and their penchant for overpassing continually hurt them in the opening half. Claudio Reyna had the best chance after a creative series of passes, but his left-footed drive from inside the penalty area went wide.

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Kyle Martino scored from 22 yards two minutes into injury time to give the Columbus Crew a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Wizards in an MLS game at Columbus, Ohio. The goal extended Columbus’ unbeaten streak to a franchise-high eight games.

Tennis

Second-seeded Lleyton Hewitt moved into the quarterfinals of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic at Washington with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Alejandro Falla.

Hewitt will play seventh-seeded Cyril Saulnier, who advanced with a 6-3, 7-6 (2) win over Gilles Elseneer.

Fourth-seeded Robby Ginepri advanced with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Harel Levy. Ginepri next plays Raemon Slutier, who beat sixth-seeded Alberto Martin, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 7-6 (2).

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Alexandra Stevenson and Ashley Harkleroad were among eight women given U.S. Open wild cards. Stevenson, 23, is a former top-20 player now ranked 142nd. Harkleroad, 20, is ranked No. 93.

Martina Navratilova, who played singles at the French Open and Wimbledon, did not ask for a wild card, the U.S. Tennis Assn. said. Navratilova, 47, has said she would retire at the end of the season.

Golf

NCAA champion Ryan Moore and Spencer Levin were among 32 golfers who advanced with match-play victories at the U.S. Amateur at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

Moore, who played at Nevada Las Vegas, also won the U.S. Amateur Public Links and the Western Amateur this year. He defeated Clint Deibert of Doylestown, Pa., 4 and 2.

Levin, from Elk Grove, Calif., was the low amateur at the U.S. Open, tying for 13th. He beat Mike Lane of Citrus Heights, Calif., 3 and 1.

Miscellany

The Sparks added free-agent forward Monique Coker to the roster. The 6-foot-1 Coker was the final player cut before the regular season. The team also put Raffaella Masciadri and Laura Macchi on the suspended list. They have returned to Italy to fulfill contractual obligations with their respective Italian League teams. They are expected to return in September.

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The NHL’s Colorado Avalanche signed former San Jose captain Vincent Damphousse to a one-year, $2-million deal.

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Greg Bergeron, who guided El Camino College to the semifinal round of the state community college baseball tournament last season, has been hired as an assistant by UC Irvine.