Briefs | Soccer: David Beckham, AC Milan to pay Galaxy to extend loan

Soccer

Beckham expects to play for Galaxy in July: Midfielder David Beckham sounds confident he is fit enough to embark on a virtually year-round, continent-hopping soccer marathon.

Beckham, one of the most famous athletes in the world, will stay with AC Milan through the end of the Italian team's regular season in late May. He will be available for England's two World Cup qualifiers in June before taking time off and rejoining the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer in July. His first match this season with the Galaxy might be July 16 against the New York Red Bulls in East Rutherford, N.J.

"I feel that physically I'm in possibly the best shape of my career," Beckham said.

Beckham, 33, and AC Milan are jointly paying the Galaxy in a "multimillion dollar deal" to extend his loan past today, Galaxy officials said. According to multiple media reports, Beckham paid $3 million.

Beckham has a five-year contract with MLS worth $32.5 million, and he can buy out the final two years and leave in November, after the end of the MLS season. The Galaxy visits Seattle Sounders FC for a May 10 match and the teams play Aug. 15 in Carson, Calif.

Ronaldo connects: Brazilian Ronaldo, 32, scored his first goal since returning to the sport more than a year after knee surgery, sending Corinthians to a 1-1 draw against Palmeiras.

Tennis

Roddick secures victory for U.S. team: American Andy Roddick swept past Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to clinch an opening-round Davis Cup victory for the United States in the best-of-five event. American James Blake topped Marco Chiudinelli 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) to make the final score 4-1 in favor of the United States.

The U.S. team advances to a quarterfinal match against Croatia, which beat Chile 5-0.

Agassi to play Champions Series event: Andre Agassi, 38, who retired from top-level tennis after playing in the 2006 U.S. Open, said he intends to play in a 30-and-older Outback Champions Series event that starts Oct. 8 in Surprise, Ariz.

NBA

Jazz extends winning streak to 11: Deron Williams contributed 25 points and nine assists to help the Utah Jazz beat host Toronto 109-101 for its 11th victory in a row. It is Utah's longest winning streak since an 11-game run in April 1999.

Hawes helps Kings win: Seattle Prep graduate Spencer Hawes, a former Washington Husky, scored 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting and added eight rebounds as Sacramento beat visiting Denver 114-106.

NFL

Arizona signs cornerback McFadden: The Arizona Cardinals signed cornerback Bryant McFadden, 27, to a two-year contract.

McFadden, previously with Pittsburgh, made three tackles in last month's Super Bowl to help the Steelers beat the Cardinals 27-23.

Sports attorney wants review of league's discipline policy: Sports attorney David Cornwell is challenging the league's right to discipline players by proposing to appoint an independent arbitrator to review — and have the power to change — rulings made by the commissioner.

Cornwell, one of the finalists to replace the late Gene Upshaw as the NFL Players Association's executive director, described the league's disciplinary policy as being "draconian" and requiring independent oversight.

Iditarod

Mushers head toward Nome: The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has started, with 67 teams entered in the race from Anchorage to Nome in Alaska. The restart, where the real racing begins, was Sunday in Willow and the next checkpoint is Yentna Station, which is 1,016 miles from Nome.

There was a ceremonial start Saturday in Anchorage. Lance Mackey is seeking his third consecutive victory.

Cycling

Rescuers find cyclist: Australian Yair Kellner, 53, survived four nights in the Alaskan wilderness after getting lost and falling into a stream during the 350-mile Iditarod Trail Invitational.

Kellner said he built snow caves and hunkered down in his sleeping bag. Rescuers on snowmobiles carried Kellner to safety Saturday after he was spotted by a pilot.

Hockey

Tavares sets Ontario Hockey League scoring record: Center John Tavares, 18, of the London Knights scored three goals in a 4-3 victory over the Windsor Spitfires and has a record-setting 215 in his Ontario Hockey League career.

Tavares tied Peter Lee's league record of 213 with his first goal. Lee, taken by Montreal, was the 12th player selected in the 1976 NHL draft.

Track and field

USA Track & Field CEO makes suggestions: The CEO of USA Track & Field recommended paying athletes $15,000 for setting a personal best at the Olympics, along with shortening trials for the Games, as two ways of improving the team's performance after a disappointing effort at last year's Beijing Olympics.

Doug Logan responded to an unflattering 69-page report issued last month by a panel that examined the federation's problems.

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