U.S. to host 2016 Copa America soccer tourney
MIAMI — The United States will host the centenary Copa America in 2016 despite the original deals for the competition featuring in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) indictments against soccer officials in the region.
The decision paves the way for the biggest official international tournament in the U.S. since the 1994 World Cup and could see top players such as Argentine Lionel Messi and Brazilian Neymar in action at NFL stadiums.
Confirmation of the June 3-26 event was announced in a joint statement on Friday from CONCACAF, the soccer confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean and CONMEBOL, the South American confederation.
A U.S. Soccer statement also said the tournament would go ahead in “venues across the United States”.
The move was made possible by the two confederations reclaiming the broadcast and sponsor rights for the competition from Datisa, a marketing firm that featured in the DOJ indictments.
‘Original Blue’ Roberts dies at 75
Jimmy Roberts, a five-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens and the first player taken by the St. Louis Blues in the 1967 NHL expansion draft, died of cancer Friday. He was 75.
Roberts, a defenseman, led the Blues to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the franchise’s first three seasons.
“The St. Louis Blues and the Blues Alumni organization are deeply saddened by the passing of the original Blue Jimmy Roberts,” the team said in a statement.
“Jimmy was the franchise’s first-ever draft pick and was instrumental in building the foundation of Blues hockey as a player and upholding its tradition as an alumnus.
“His tireless contributions to St. Louis, the Blues and the game of hockey as a whole will forever live as an example for future generations to follow. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Judy, and their two daughters.”
Roberts won the Stanley Cup five times (1965, 1966, 1973, 1976, 1977) with the Canadiens, and on three occasions was selected an NHL All-Star (1965, 1969, 1970).
Roberts played in 1,159 NHL games, including 447 with the Blues, before retiring in St. Louis at the conclusion of 1977-78. He spent 15 seasons in the NHL with the Canadiens and Blues.
Popovich to follow Krzyzewski as U.S. coach
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will succeed Mike Krzyzewski as head coach of the U.S. men’s basketball team after the 2016 Olympics.
USA Basketball announced on Friday that Popovich, who has led the Spurs to five NBA titles, will take over starting with 2017 training camp and lead the Americans into the 2019 Basketball World Cup in China and 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, assuming U.S. qualification.
Krzyzewski, who is Duke’s head coach, is planning to step down after the Rio 2016 Games. Coach K led the USA to Olympic gold medals in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London.
Popovich, 66, was the choice of USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo. Krzyzewski will stay on as a special adviser to Colangelo for the 2017-2020 period.
Popovich was a U.S. assistant in the 2002 world championships and 2004 Olympics. Popovich owns a 1,022-470 all-time regular-season coaching record. He has been the NBA’s Coach of the Year three times (2003, 2012, 2014).
Krzyzewski, who won his fifth NCAA national title with Duke in April, also won the 2010 world championship and the 2014 World Cup. He has a 75-1 record since he was hired by Colangelo in 2005.
Sore back sidelines James
Cleveland forward LeBron James remains idle due to a sore back and there are doubts he will be ready when the Cavaliers open the NBA season on Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls.
James has not practiced since Oct. 13, when he received an anti-inflammatory injection in his back but the four-time MVP remains hopeful he will be on the court for the opener despite the fact he has not been cleared by the team’s medical staff.
“If everything goes right,” James told reporters in reference to whether he will play. “We feel like we’re progressing really well and if we can continue to do that, then I’m optimistic that I’ll be able to go.”
Cleveland trimmed its roster to 16 by waiving forward Austin Daye, guard/forward D.J. Stephens, guard Dionte Christmas and forward Jack Cooley.