U.S. soccer to tab Bradley

The U.S. Soccer Federation called a news conference for today to announce that interim coach Bob Bradley will become the permanent coach, a federation official said yesterday while speaking on condition of anonymity because of a directive the matter not be discussed with reporters.

"He's done a really good job. I think he's earned it. He deserves it," U.S. star forward Landon Donovan said.

Bruce Arena, hired after the Americans finished last at the 1998 World Cup, was told after last year's tournament he wouldn't be brought back for another four-year cycle. After the withdrawal of Juergen Klinsmann, Bradley was hired on an interim basis Dec. 8.

Since then, the Americans have gone 3-0-1 in exhibition games.

More soccer

American midfielder Da-Marcus Beasley is leaving Manchester City and heading back to Dutch league champion PSV Eindhoven. Beasley scored four goals this season while on loan to Manchester, but that wasn't enough to convince City to buy him from PSV.

Yachting

American entry BMW Oracle Racing rallied to beat Italian boat Luna Rossa yesterday to even its best-of-nine Louis Vuitton Cup semifinal series after two flights off the coast of Valencia, Spain. In the other semifinal, Emirates Team New Zealand defeated Desafio Espanol to win by 40 seconds and lead the series, 2-0. The finalists meet in the June 1-11 Louis Vuitton Cup with the winner advancing to sail against defending champion Alinghi in the America's Cup from June 23-July 4.

Colleges

The Mid-Continent Conference, whose member schools reach from Southern Utah to Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, is changing its name to The Summit League. "The Summit League provides a mental image to reach the top, both academically and athletically," commissioner Tom Douple said in a statement.

Penn State named Mark Bodenschatz associate athletic director of facilities and operations. Bodenschatz replaces Herb Schmidt, who retired in December. Bodenschatz is a native of Greensburg and has worked in Penn State's office of the physical plant since 1990.

Tennis

Serena Williams overcame a slow start and a balky left thigh to beat Michaella Krajicek, 6-4, 6-1, yesterday in the second round of the Italian Open in Rome. Williams improved to 17-2 this year.

Skiing

Jean Saubert, who earned a silver medal in the giant slalom and a bronze in the slalom at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria in 1964, died Monday of breast cancer in Bigfork, Mont. She was 65.

College basketball

Bob Starkey, who led the LSU women's team to the Final Four as an interim head coach after Pokey Chatman's abrupt resignation in March, has been promoted to associate head coach by new coach Van Chancellor. Starkey was not interested in the head coaching job.

Elsewhere

Former ABA and NBA player Marvin Barnes, 54, was arrested early yesterday in Johnston, R.I., and charged with cocaine possession. Police said they found a bag of cocaine inside an SUV that Barnes was driving.