Brown scores on header, Union ties KC
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Brian Brown scored on a header two minutes after entering the game to help the Philadelphia Union tie Kansas City 1-1 on Friday night, ending Sporting’s winning streak at four-games.
Brown scored off Raymon Gaddis’ cross in the 71st minute for Philadelphia (5-8-9).
Graham Zusi scored for Kansas City (11-5-6) in the 54th minute. Toni intercepted a failed clearance, fed the ball into the box and Zusi slotted it home. Zusi narrowly missed a goal in the following minute when his attempt went inches wide.
Kansas City’s goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum made two saves in the closing minutes of the first half. He dove to block Vincent Nogueira’s free kick from the edge of the penalty area in the 41st minute and stayed low on Sheanon Williams’ unmarked attempt on the final play of the half.
Russia takes in Crimean clubs
MOSCOW — Football clubs from the Crimea region annexed by Russia will play in the Russian leagues this season.
The Russian Football Union says in a statement that clubs from the cities of Simferopol, Sevastopol and Yalta will play in the second division south, a third-tier Russian league.
Since Russia annexed the peninsula in February, it has registered five new clubs there. The Sevastopol teams will use a stadium occupied by now-defunct Ukrainian Premier League team FC Sevastopol last season.
Ukrainian Football Federation spokesman Pavel Ternovoi told The Associated Press that Russia had no right to administer football on what Ukraine considers its territory, and called on FIFA and UEFA to “take corresponding decisions” in response.
Russian organizers of the 2018 World Cup have said Crimea could host teams’ training bases during the tournament.
Travel ban for Sierra Leone players over Ebola
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — The Sierra Leone team has been banned from traveling to the Seychelles for an African Cup of Nations qualifier because of fears over the deadly Ebola virus.
Players and officials were barred from boarding a plane Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya, that would have taken them to the Seychelles capital of Victoria for Saturday’s game.
The BBC reported that Seychelles immigration authorities decided not to allow the Sierra Leone party to travel to the Indian Ocean island because of Ebola. The virus has killed more than 700 people in the West African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria.
The BBC also said Seychelles forfeited Saturday’s game and a place in next year’s African Cup as a result. The Seychelles Football Federation could not immediately be reached for comment.
Malaga signs Mexico goalkeeper Ochoa
MADRID — The Spanish club Malaga has signed Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to a three-year contract after his standout performance at the World Cup.
Ochoa’s goalkeeping, including a string of stellar saves in a 0-0 draw with host Brazil, helped Mexico reach the round of 16 at this summer’s World Cup.
The 29-year-old Ochoa played for French club AC Ajaccio for the past three seasons but was a free agent. He calls playing in the Spanish league “a dream come true.”
He will replace Willy Caballero, who left for Manchester City this offseason.
By wire sources