Mexico beats Brazil to win 1st Olympic soccer gold

WEMBLEY, England — Mexico is celebrating its first Olympic gold medal in men’s soccer, and Brazil is wondering if it will ever be able to add the title to its long list of triumphs. Oribe Peralta scored only 29 seconds into the Olympic final at …

‘Wonderful young man’ collapses, dies at Robert Morris soccer practice

A Robert Morris University soccer player from the northwest suburbs who collapsed during practice and died was remembered Thursday as “a wonderful kid” who was living his dream and hoping one day to be able to help his mom.

AS Roma wins international soccer friendly at Wrigley Field

Known for its potent offensive attack, Italy’s AS Roma lived up to its reputation by scoring four goals in the first half on its way to a 4-0 victory against Poland’s Zaglebie Lubin in an international friendly Sunday at Wrigley Field. Roma’s first goal came …

Michael Bradley set to make friendly return at Wrigley Field

U.S. national-team midfielder Michael Bradley said that in his more than four years of living in the Chicago area, he never made it to Wrigley Field. So when he takes the field as a member of Italy’s AS Roma on Sunday in an international friendly …

Michael Bradley will be in the spotlight in friendly at Wrigley

AS Roma fans and U.S. soccer fans will have something in common Sunday, when the Italian club plays Poland’s Zaglebie Lubin at Wrigley Field at 2:30 p.m. All eyes will be on midfielder Michael Bradley, 24, who was officially added to Roma’s roster last Sunday …

Young Balotelli comes up big in Italy’s 2-1 win over Germany

WARSAW, Poland — Mario Balotelli flexed his muscles in more ways than one. The 21-year-old striker quieted his of critics by leading Italy to an unexpected spot in the European Championship final, scoring twice in the first half in a 2-1 victory over Germany on …

Mario Balotelli leads Italy past Germany to Euro 2012 final

Mario Balotelli scored twice to give Italy a 2-1 win over Germany on Thursday and an unexpected spot in the European Championship final.

Ronaldo punches Portugal’s ticket to Euro 2012 semis

WARSAW, Poland — All too often, Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo stuns the world with his fine footwork. On Thursday, he used the  determination of a raging bull to make the difference. Ronaldo used his head to score the lone goal against the Czech Republic and …

Ronaldo the key for Portugal

WARSAW — Cristiano Ronaldo now gets the royal, reverential treatment at the European Championship even from some of his opponents. The Czech Republic faces Portugal on Thursday and by now, most are in such awe of the creative talents of the Real Madrid superstar that …

UEFA charges Croatia with racial abuse

WARSAW, Poland — UEFA made its first formal charges of racism at the European Championship on Saturday, opening a case against the Croatian soccer association after receiving reports that fans made monkey chants at Italy forward Mario Balotelli. Croatia is charged with “improper conduct” of …

Here’s the pitch: Soccer at Wrigley

Soccer will return to Wrigley Field for the first time since 1984 when Italy’s AS Roma and Poland’s Zaglebie Lubin play a friendly at  2:30 p.m. July 22. The game will follow the Ron Santo Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y., and other …

Lionel Messi sets European scoring record with 68th goal

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi broke the 39-year record for most goals in a single season in a major European league, scoring for the 68th time with a hat trick on Wednesday to eclipse former Bayern Munich striker Gerd Mueller.

The Barcelona forward set …

Bolton says Muamba critically ill after collapsing

LONDON— Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba was critically ill in a hospital’s heart attack unit Saturday night after collapsing during a match at Tottenham. Muamba fell face-down to the field near the halfway line without any players near him. Medics rushed onto the field with a …

Egypt soccer fans rush field after game, 74 dead

CAIRO (AP) — At least 74 people were killed and hundreds injured after soccer fans rushed the field in the seaside city of Port Said Wednesday following an upset victory by the home team over Egypt’s top club, setting off clashes and a stampede as …

Russia considers lifting stadium beer ban in time for 2018 World Cup

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he’ll reconsider the ban on beer at sports stadiums, as the country prepares to host the football World Cup in 2018. Putin was questioned about the ban Thursday when he and FIFA President Sepp Blatter …