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A group of 22 replacement players from minor-league soccer teams began training Monday in Carson, Calif., for possible use by the United States in a World Cup qualifier at Trinidad and Tobago on Feb. 9. They would play unless an agreement is reached with the national team's union by Feb. 1.
The U.S. Soccer Federation and the union, which represents all players who have been at a camp with the national team or played for it, have been without an agreement since December 2002 and at are odds over pay.
U.S. coach Bruce Arena wouldn't identify the players. USSF spokesman Jim Moorhouse said more than 20 from Major League Soccer were invited to camp but none accepted.
Wie gets spot in major
Michelle Wie accepted an invitation to play in the LPGA Championship June 9-12 at Bulle Rock, Md., making it likely the 15-year-old will compete in all four women's majors. The tournament expanded from 144 to 150 players this year, offering one of those additional spots to a "leading amateur" for the first time.
ARENA FOOTBALLStorm signs All-American
The Tampa Bay Storm signed rookie lineman DeMarco McNeil and waived fullback/linebacker T.J. Turner . McNeil, 6 feet 1, 310 pounds, was a second-team All-America defensive tackle at Auburn and spent the 2004 preseason with the Philadelphia Eagles. ... Orlando extended coach Jay Gruden 's contract through 2008. The former Storm quarterback and younger brother of Bucs coach Jon Gruden has a 53-30 record and two championships in five seasons with the Predators. Terms were not disclosed.
COLLEGESUSF player picked in MLS
Former USF midfielder Christian Jimenez was selected in the second round of the Major League Soccer draft (14th overall) by Club Deportivo Chivas, an expansion team that will play in Los Angeles. Jimenez played just the 2004 season for the Bulls and was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team after scoring three goals with four assists in 17 games..
TRACK AND FIELD: Florida State senior pole vaulter Lacy Janson and redshirt sophomore shot putter Garrett Johnson were named ACC co-performers of the week after reaching marks at the Florida Intercollegiate meet in Gainesville to automatically qualify for the NCAA Indoor National Championships. Janson vaulted 13 feet, 91/4 inches, and Johnson had an FSU and Stephen C. O'Connell Center record throw of 66-83/4.
VOLLEYBALL: The Emporia State women's coach who unsuccessfully sued the school for gender discrimination retired after leading the team for 17 seasons. In August, a federal jury unanimously rejected Maxine Mehus ' claim that the university violated federal law by paying her less than the school's basketball coaches, even though they have similar responsibilities.
ET CETERAYACHTING: John Coumantaros piloted Bambakou to a quarter-length victory over world champion Jim Richardson 's Barking Mad to lead the Farr 40 class in the first race at the Key West 2005 regatta.
HORSES: Eclipse Award finalist Ken Ramsey was suspended for a week and fined $25,000 by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority for trying to pay another owner to scratch a horse from a Dec. 31 race at Turfway Park in Florence so Ramsey's horse could run.