Wambach powers U.S. past Germany, 3-0
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Abby Wambach scored two goals and assisted on another to guide the United States to a 4-0 victory over Germany in an international friendly yesterday in Cleveland.
Heather O'Reilly and Kristine Lilly also scored for the U.S., ranked No. 1 according to the FIFA rankings and winners of the past two Olympic gold medals. Second-ranked Germany is the two-time defending World Cup champions.
"This is great, this is perfect and look at the pitch too, I can even play here," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. "This is all fantastic."
Wambach scored a goal off of a penalty kick in the 29th minute and O'Reilly netted her goal in the 35th minute.
"Cleveland brought a great crowd," said Wambach, who is third on the U.S. all-time international goals scored list with 107, trailing Mia Hamm (158) and Lilly (130). "I'm really happy we scored four goals against a great team."
Lilly's goal came in the 62nd minute off of an assist from Wambach.
"This was a great win for us," Lilly said. "I was happy (when I scored). It felt really good. That was a great ball by Abby."
Lilly is the oldest U.S. player to score a goal at the age of 38.
"Kristine and I have a great relationship," Wambach said. "She is a legend for this team. She's 38 years old and she scores a goal against Germany. Come on, that's amazing."
INTER WINS CHAMPIONS
Inter Milan won the European soccer title for the first time in 45 years, beating Bayern Munich, 2-0, last night in Madrid on a pair of goals by Diego Milito in the first Champions League final played on a weekend.
Milito scored in the 35th and 70th minutes at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to give Inter its third European title, following back-to-back wins in 1964-65.
"This is a joy I've never experienced," said Milito, who finished the season with 30 goals.
Jose Mourinho became the third coach to win the European title with two clubs following a championship with FC Porto in 2004.
BOXING
TOUGH WIN FOR KENNEDY
Teon Kennedy won a unanimous decision over Jose Angel Beranza last night at Atlantic City, N.J., in his first match since an opponent collapsed in the ring and later died.
The 23-year-old Kennedy (15-0-1), a super bantamweight contender from Philadelphia, matched Beranza (32-18-2) punch for punch most of the way, and the crowd at Bally's Atlantic City was on its feet by the end.
Kennedy stopped Francisco Rodriguez in the 10th round last November in Philadelphia, and Rodriguez collapsed in the ring after the fight. He died two days later from brain injuries.
YONNHY RETAINS TITLE
Yonnhy Perez retained his IBF bantamweight title in an entertaining majority draw against Abner Mares last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Two judges scored the fight 114-114, while a third favored Mares 115-113. The punch stats also were remarkably even, leaving both fighters proclaiming victory and expressing interest in a rematch.
"I won this fight," Perez (20-0-1) said through a translator. "It was not a draw. I'm willing to fight a rematch, but it's up to my promoters. He's a good fighter, but he never hurt me."
Mares is also 20-0-1.
MARQUEZ GETS EVEN
Rafael Marquez stopped Israel Vazquez midway through the third round last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, evening their epic rivalry at two fights apiece.
More than 26 months after Vazquez claimed the fighters' third meeting, Marquez (39-5, 35 KOs) made short work of his rival by cutting Vazquez (44-5) near both eyes in the opening rounds, leaving the former 122-pound champion blinking back blood.
CYCLING
LANDIS ATTENDS RACE
Floyd Landis emerged at the Tour of California time trial yesterday and hung out in a sponsor's tent days after accusing Lance Armstrong of doping.
Landis didn't speak to waiting reporters. He was in the tent of Dr. Brent Kay, his longtime sponsor.
Tony Martin of Germany and HTC-Columbia won the windy seventh stage, a 21-mile individual time trial, in 41 minutes, 41 seconds. Teammate Michael Rogers of Australia finished second, but retained the overall lead by 9 seconds heading into today's finale on a hilly circuit course in Thousand Oaks, Calif.