SOCCER

LALAS: BECKHAM STAR QUALITY A BURDEN FOR GALAXY

With David Beckham’s arrival in California less than 72 hours away, LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas has admitted signing the former England captain has had an adverse effect on the club.

“I think it’s fair to say that this is an environment, and situation that none of our players have gone through.

“It has had an adverse affect on us, but we need to get used to the situation, and want people who can enjoy this kind of pressure.”

The former American international acknowledged some of the players in the squad are not good enough, and the team is not coping with the pressure that Beckham will bring to the American club.

“We are struggling to find the right collection of players that will fit into this environment and excel,” he added.

“The organization will be making more changes and bringing in moreexperience. Weneedplayers that want to seek out the pressure this club entails.”

The Daily Telegraph

TENNIS

THANKS TO WIMBLEDON TITLE, VENUS WILLIAMS BACK IN TOP 20

Venus Williams moved back into the Top 20 in the rankings for the first time in a year yesterday, rising to no. 17 thanks to her fourth Wimbledon singles title.

Runner-up Marion Bartoli moved from no. 19 to a careerhigh no. 11, while Amelie Mauresmo, whose title defense ended in the fourth round, dropped from no. 4 to no. 6.

Williams entered the tournament at no. 31 and became the lowest-ranked women’s champion at the All England Club. In 2006, she was upset in the third round at Wimbledon and fell from no. 12 to no. 23.

Williams also won Wimbledon in 2000, 2001, and 2005; she was ranked no. 1 in 2002.

Justine Henin stayed at no. 1 despite losing to Bartoli in the semifinals, and was followed by no. 2 Maria Sharapova and no. 3 Jelena Jankovic.

BASKETBALL

MAN AWARDED $260,000 IN SUIT AGAINST IVERSON

A federal jury awarded $260,000 yesterday to one of two men who sued NBA star Allen Iverson after they said they were beaten by his entourage at a Washington nightclub in 2005.

The jury’s decision against Iverson and his bodyguard, Jason Kane, covers bar patron Marlin Godfrey’s medical bills and pain and suffering. But the jury chose not to award punitive damages, which could have significantly raised the damage award.

Godfrey and another patron, David Anthony Kittrell, sued the Denver Nuggets guard for $20 million, saying they were beaten by his entourage in July 2005. The attacks, they said, followed their refusal to vacate the Eyebar club’s VIP section for Iverson.

Iverson testified last week that he didn’t see the fight, and was whisked out of the club before the brawl became serious. He said the two men suing him were merely trying to cash in on his fame and fortune. Iverson’s 90-minute testimony was the only court appearance he made during the case.

The nine-member jury in U.S. District Court deliberated for about 13 hours over three days before reaching its verdict.

HAWKS SIGN FIRST-ROUND PICKS HORFORD AND LAW

The Atlanta Hawks signed firstround draft picks Al Horford and Acie Law to multi-year contracts yesterday, clearing the way for the two to play in the summer league this month in Salt Lake City.

The signings came only hours before the first workout at the team’s camp for rookies and free agents.

Horford, the no. 3 pick in the first round, will earn $3.121 million as a rookie and $3.35 million in his second year. The first two years are guaranteed, and the Hawks have options for the third and fourth seasons.

Law, the no. 11 pick, is guaranteed salaries of $1.605 million as a rookie and $1.726 million is his second year.

Associated Press