Todd Smith NY

Brazilian legend Pele once called soccer the “beautiful game” and at its best it showcases the very pinnacle of human endeavor as nations and communities are united in the common goal of supporting their teams and heroes.

Maria Sharapova stays on course for her first tournament victory since returning to the WTA Tour with a battling three-sets victory over Alisa Kleybanova in the Toray Pan Pacific Open on Wednesday.

Back in the mid-zeroes, I remember reading a lot of stories about a buildup of trash in the Pacific Ocean so massive that it had formed a floating island of waste the size of Texas. Its colorful nickname was the Great Eastern Garbage Patch, and what was even more mind-boggling than the purported scale was that pretty much the only places you could dig up any substantial info about it were in minor oceanographic and environmental publications. You also couldn’t find a photo of it to save your life. It was like Garbage Brigadoon.

Manny Pacquiao is aiming to deliver a knockout blow to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the U.S. courts after filing a lawsuit against the American and his connections over claims he used performance-enhancing drugs.

Chelsea have been rocked by a leg injury to England left-back Ashley Cole, which threatens to keep him out of action for weeks.

Italy’s Francesca Schiavone claimed the second title of her WTA Tour career with a straight sets victory over Olga Govortsova of Belarus in Sunday’s Kremlin Cup final in Moscow.

Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni has completed his six-month loan move to AS Roma in Serie A.

Jesus Navas scores the opener and Renato heads a second half winner as Sevilla end Real Madrid’s perfect start to the Spanish season with a 2-1 home victory which boosts their own title chances.

Ross McGowan fought off a determined challenge from Mikko Ilonen of Finland to claim his maiden European Tour victory at the Madrid Masters on Sunday.

After three failed efforts by troopers to meet with him in the aftermath of his November 27 auto accident, golfer Tiger Woods met with the Florida Highway Patrol five days later — after they’d closed the case and decided to cite him for careless driving.

Holders Barcelona must overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey last-16 clash with Sevilla after a shock 2-1 loss in the home tie on Tuesday night.

NEW YORK — Even when he caught a ball behind his back, Cliff Lee merely shrugged.

Manchester United and Arsenal both claim easy victories on Wednesday to remain in touch with Chelsea at the top of the English Premier League.

Retief Goosen will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Portugal Masters after the two-time major winner shot his second successive round of eight-under-par 64 in Vilamoura.

Francisco and Astrid Ramos returned to Argentina from Haiti the morning of January 12, just hours before the devastating earthquake hit.

Gary Megson is relieved of his duties as Bolton manager with immediate effect — the English Premier League club confirm.

Kamui Kobayashi has been handed one of the two drives with the newly-formed Sauber team for the 2010 Formula One season.

Andy Murray will need to beat Fernando Verdasco on Thursday to reach the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals after going down 3-6 6-3 6-1 to Roger Federer in Tuesday’s blockbuster Group A clash at London’s O2 Arena.

English Premier League bottom side Portsmouth have denied being formally served with a winding up petition by the Inland Revenue — in a statement released by the club.

Italy’s Francesca Schiavone claimed the second title of her WTA Tour career with a straight sets victory over Olga Govortsova of Belarus in Sunday’s Kremlin Cup final in Moscow.

Champions Barcelona bounce back from a dismal week to return to the top of the Spanish league with a 6-1 crushing of Real Zaragoza at the Nou Camp.

England spin bowler Graeme Swann takes a five-wicket haul to help his side beat hosts South Africa by an innings and 98 runs on the fifth day of the second Test in Durban.

In the wake of the earthquake in Haiti, George Clooney and other celebrities are signing on for a telethon to aid the devastated island nation.

England striker Wayne Rooney scores his 100th English Premier League goal to help Manchester United keep their title hopes alive with a stunning 3-1 win at rivals Arsenal.

Spanish international striker Fernando Torres scores an injury-time winner to give Liverpool a 1-0 Premier League victory at Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Colombia lost one of its best-known independent magazines this month when the parent company of Cambio suddenly announced it was ceasing publication.

Francisco and Astrid Ramos returned to Argentina from Haiti the morning of January 12, just hours before the devastating earthquake hit.

Nevada boxing officials are trying to end the dope test impasse threatening the fight between Manny Pacquiao (right) and Floyd Mayweather, but their demand for immediate urine tests may not solve the problem.

Frank Lampard scores the winner from the penalty spot as Chelsea move three points clear of Manchester United at the top of the English Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over bottom side Portsmouth.

China’s Li Na took down No. 4 seed Caroline Wozniacki at the Australian Open, following compatriot Zheng Jie into the quarterfinals — the first time Chinese women have made it this far in the season’s first Grand Slam.