Briefs | Soccer: Landon Donovan says David Beckham is a bad teammate

Soccer

Donovan criticizes Beckham in book: David Beckham has become a bad teammate on the Los Angeles Galaxy, according to Landon Donovan.

"All that we care about at a minimum is that he committed himself to us," Donovan was quoted as saying in an excerpt of Grant Wahl's "The Beckham Experiment," scheduled for publication July 14. "As time has gone on, that has not proven to be the case in many ways — on the field, off the field.

"Does the fact that he earns that much money come into it? Yeah. If someone's paying you more than anybody in the league, more than double anybody in the league, the least we expect is that you show up to every game, whether you're suspended or not. Show up and train hard. Show up and play hard."

Beckham joined the Galaxy in July 2007 from Real Madrid and has a $6.5 million average annual income, twice the $2.94 million Cuauhtemoc Blanco earns from the Chicago Fire. Donovan was fifth at $900,000.

Beckham, 34, was loaned to AC Milan last winter and the midfielder is to rejoin Los Angeles for its July 16 match at the New York Red Bulls.

Former Romanian captain was informer: A former captain of Romania's national team said he was an informer for the country's secret police during the regime of the late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

The admission by Gheorghe "Gica" Popescu came three days after he denied the allegations, calling a newspaper report that he was an informant a "big lie."

Auto racing

Mayfield not driving at Daytona: Jeremy Mayfield missed the deadline to enter this weekend's race in Daytona Beach, Fla., after successfully fighting NASCAR to get back behind the wheel following a failed random drug test.

His only hope for participating in Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway is as a relief driver, a change NASCAR must approve.

Greg Biffle from Vancouver, Wash., and Sam Hornish Jr. wrecked during Thursday's practice. Neither driver was injured. Biffle's crew unloaded a backup car and started getting it ready for today's qualifying session.

Source: Power to race in Toronto: Australian driver Will Power will rejoin Penske Racing for the July 12 Indy-car event in Toronto. Power will drive five races for Penske.

Boxing

More evidence points to Arguello death a suicide: Investigators in Managua, Nicaragua, have released new evidence that points to suicide in the death of former boxing champion and Managua mayor Alexis Arguello.

He died at his home of a single gunshot to the chest early Wednesday. Traces of gunpowder were found on the 57-year-old Arguello's hands, suggesting he shot himself. There were no other signs of violence in the room where he was found.

NHL

Recchi agrees to deal with Bruins: Mark Recchi, 41, the NHL's sixth-leading active goal scorer, signed a one-year deal to return to the Boston Bruins.

There were numerous other signings during the second day of the NHL's free-agency period, including the Chicago Blackhawks signing John Madden to a one-year deal, adding a veteran center who has spent his entire 10-year career with the New Jersey Devils.

The Atlanta Thrashers signed free-agent forward Nik Antropov to a four-year, $16 million contract, setting up a reunion with Ilya Kovalchuk. They played together in Russia during the NHL lockout.

College basketball

Holy Cross names men's coach: Former Notre Dame assistant Sean Kearney is the new men's coach at Holy Cross, succeeding Ralph Willard, who resigned last month after 10 seasons to become Rick Pitino's associate head coach at Louisville.

Canadian football

Player fined for TD tribute to Michael Jackson: The Canadian Football League fined Toronto Argonauts receiver Arland Bruce for "excessive actions" during his tribute to Michael Jackson after scoring a touchdown.

Bruce removed his helmet, shoulder pads and uniform top, then laid down in the end zone. Bruce said he was honoring the memory of Jackson by pretending to be buried.

Track and field

Dibaba pulls out of Bislett Games: Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba pulled out of a highly anticipated duel against fellow Ethiopian Meseret Defar in the women's 5,000 meters at the Bislett Games in Oslo due to a leg injury.

International basketball

U.S. opens with win at under-19 worlds: The United States started its bid for its first world junior title in 18 years with a 106-55 win over Iran on the opening day of the FIBA under-19 world championships in Auckland, New Zealand.

International baseball

Report: Top prospect defects from Cuba: A top Cuban pitching prospect with a 100 mph fastball has defected from the national team while playing in a tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

ESPN The Magazine reports that several unidentified sources confirmed that Aroldis Chapman, 21, walked out of his hotel room and did not return.

Seattle Times news services