U.S. forward Brian Ching will miss today's World Cup qualifier against Honduras because of a strained hamstring.

Ching, a Kamehameha Schools alum from Hale'iwa, aggravated the injury this week and missed Wednesday's 3-1 loss at Costa Rica. He was replaced on the roster yesterday by Colorado forward Conor Casey.

While a crowd of more than 50,000 is expected for the match in Chicago, it is expected to be mostly pro-Honduran. The U.S. team is 2-1-1 in the final round of North and Central American and Caribbean qualifying. It trails Costa Rica, which is 3-1. Honduras is third at 1-1-1.

The top three nations in the six-team group qualify for next year's tournament in South Africa, and the No. 4 team goes to a playoff.

TENNIS

NADAL PULLS OUT OF QUEEN'S CLUB EVENT

Rafael Nadal withdrew yesterday from next week's grass-court tournament at Queen's Club because of knee trouble but hopes to defend his title at Wimbledon.

The top-ranked Spaniard is "struggling with ongoing knee problems and has been advised to rest by doctors," tournament organizers said in a statement.

"I have been having some problems in the past months with my knees, that's no secret, that did not allow me to compete always at 100 percent," Nadal said.

Wimbledon starts June 22.

On Sunday, Nadal lost in the fourth round of the French Open to Sweden's Robin Soderling. It was the first loss at Roland Garros for the four-time French Open champion.

ELSEWHERE

College Football: Fordham will award football scholarships next year for the first time since 1954, hoping to compete with the top schools in its division. Fordham is a member of the Patriot League, which does not offer football scholarships. From 2010 through at least 2012, the Rams will play the conference's schedule but will not be eligible for its automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs. Fordham will still be able to earn an at-large bid.

Auto Racing: NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Tony Stewart will start from the pole for the Pocono 500 after rain washed out qualifying at Pocono Raceway (Pa.) yesterday. Jeff Gordon will start second in tomorrow's 500-mile race, followed by Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman.

College Basketball: Dwayne Collins has withdrawn his name from the upcoming NBA Draft and says he will return to the University of Miami for his senior year. The 6-foot-8 Collins averaged 10.6 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds last season.

Soccer: Juventus hired Ciro Ferrara as its coach yesterday after he guided the Italian league power for the last two games of the season. Ferrara signed a two-year contract. He filled in at the end of the Serie A season when Claudio Ranieri was fired.