Soccer
Roundup: Germany needs breaks after draw with Latvia

By The Associated Press

DUSAN VRANIC / AP Midfielder Michael Ballack of Germany reacts after a draw with Latvia yesterday.

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PORTO, Portugal — Latvia produced one of the biggest surprises in European Championship history yesterday by playing to a 0-0 tie against three-time champion Germany.

The draw leaves the Germans with two points from two matches — and in danger of being eliminated in the first round for the second straight time.

In yesterday's other Group D match, substitute Vladimir Smicer scored in the 88th minute to give the Czech Republic a 3-2 victory over the Netherlands, making the Czechs the first team in Euro 2004 to secure a berth in the quarterfinals.

The Czech Republic has six points, leading Group D opponents Germany (two points), the Netherlands (one) and Latvia (one). A win is worth three points; a tie is worth one.

Germany plays Wednesday against the Czech Republic. If the Netherlands-Latvia match Wednesday ends in anything other than a draw, Germany must defeat the Czech Republic in order to avoid elimination.

Major League Soccer

At Fire 1, Earthquakes 1

Brian Ching, a former Seattle Sounders standout, scored in the 66th minute to give San Jose (4-3-4) a tie with Chicago (4-3-5).
 

At Rapids 1, Burn 1

Jason Kreis of Dallas (4-4-3) scored his 88th MLS goal to tie Roy Lassiter's league record. Chris Henderson, who is from Everett, scored for Colorado (2-3-6).

At MetroStars 2, Galaxy 1

Mike Magee scored on a header with a minute left in regulation, leading New York-New Jersey (4-3-4) over Los Angeles (6-4-3).

At D.C. United 3, Crew 1

Alecko Eskandarian scored twice as D.C. United (4-5-4) defeated Columbus (4-4-3).

Wizards 3, at Revolution 1

Matt Taylor contributed two goals as Kansas City (6-4-3) beat New England (2-7-3).

Note

• The United States takes a three-goal lead into today's second leg of its total-goals World Cup qualifying series against host Grenada.

The U.S. team is favored to advance to the semifinal round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, which starts in August.