• Sidney Ponson shoulders load for New York Yankees
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Suffice it to say that no one has ever said this before about Sidney Ponson:

• Shoulder lands New York Yankees' Joba Chamberlain on DL
ARLINGTON, Texas -- One phenom in out, another is coming back.

• Bobby Murcer memorial moves New York Yankees to Oklahoma City
ARLINGTON, Texas -- It just happened that Bobby Murcer's widow, Kay, picked yesterday for a memorial service in Murcer's honor in Oklahoma City. But it happened on a day the Yankees were in Texas, meaning it was an easy 35-minute flight for those who wanted to attend.

• Decision to stick with Pedro Martinez backfires on New York Mets
NEW YORK -- Jerry Manuel had a decision to make. His Mets had fought back from an early two-run deficit and now the score was tied, with his pitcher, Pedro Martinez, coming up to bat in the sixth inning.

• New York Mets' Eddie Kunz gives up first HR
NEW YORK -- Eddie Kunz had no problem remembering the last home run he surrendered. Hey, when you give them up so infrequently, remembering every one of them shouldn't be that hard.

• U.S. women's soccer struggles in stunning loss to Norway
QINHUANGDAO, China -- After coach Pia Sundage and defender Christine Rampone entered the interview room through double glass doors in the basement of the Qinhuangdao Sports Centre, an Olympic volunteer quickly pulled the curtains closed, two panels from each side.

• American dream is right on target for archer Khatuna Lorig
BEIJING -- As she sat in her one-bedroom apartment in Bloomfield, putting her memorization skills to the test, Khatuna Lorig made a promise to learn two new words each day.

• Runner Lopez Lomong to be U.S. flagbearer
BEIJING -- Eight years ago, Lopez Lomong didn't even have a country. Now he'll be carrying the flag for his adopted nation, leading the U.S. Olympic team at opening ceremonies Friday night.

• New York Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka makes return at site of injury
The irony is not lost on Mathias Kiwanuka. In fact, he appreciates it and embraces it as a moment when his mental healing will be complete.

• Three things to watch for in the New York Giants preseason opener
1. The passing game. After a great start to camp, QB Eli Manning has struggled the past few days, but that might be because he's bored of throwing against the same defense in the same drills. It might also be due to the fact that his top five receivers have missed at least some time with injuries. WRs Domenik Hixon and Sinorice Moss will have a chance to prove their worth tonight.

• Brett Favre hasn't left New York Jets' radar yet
It's unclear if coach Eric Mangini will flip a coin, read the tea leaves or seek divine intervention in deciding whether Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens will start at quarterback in tonight's preseason opener in Cleveland, but one shouldn't read anything into whoever it is.

• Brett Favre hasn't left New York Jets' radar yet
It's unclear if coach Eric Mangini will flip a coin, read the tea leaves or seek divine intervention in deciding whether Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens will start at quarterback in tonight's preseason opener in Cleveland, but one shouldn't read anything into whoever it is.

• TRADE BRINGS FAVRE TO JETS
Whatever indecision there might have been for Jets coach Eric Mangini about who would be his starting quarterback doesn't matter anymore.

• Three things to watch for in the New York Jets' preseason opener

• Former Rutgers star Ray Rice stepping up for Ravens debut
WESTMINSTER, Md. -- Late last week, as Ravens training camp plugged along, running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery suddenly found himself quite low on personnel.

• New Jersey Nets' Vince Carter copes well with new role
At another time, in another place, he might have been wounded and melancholic about the turn his professional life has taken.

• New York Red Bulls routed by Barcelona
Xavi Hernandez is not the first name that comes to mind when you think of all the great players on Barcelona, but the guy wasn't named the European Championship's top player for nothing.

• The Star-Ledger's MLS power rankings

• Kyle Flood tackling holes in Scarlet Knights' offensive line
Kyle Flood has faced this sort of coaching challenge before -- though to a much lesser degree most seasons. In 2005, he had to find a starting center, no small thing for an offensive line coach. Other years, it has been plugging in a hole or two after losing a starter.

• Amber Smith continues surge at New Jersey State Women's Amateur
It's looking more like the New Jersey State Women's Amateur just might crown its youngest champion ever this week.