SOCCER

U.S. rallies for a 4-3 exhibition victory to extend winning streak to 12

Trailing 2-0 at halftime, their record winning streak in jeopardy, the Americans never panicked.

There was no need to, not with Jozy Altidore on their team.

Altidore led an impressive comeback Wednesday, scoring a hat trick and adding an assist on the other goal as the U.S. rallied to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-3 in an exhibition in Sarajevo and extend its record winning streak to 12 games. It was the first come-from-behind win on European soil for the Americans.

“We came in (at halftime) and said, ‘Listen we can beat this team,’ ” said Altidore, who has scored in five straight games, a first for a U.S. player. “We came in and said, ‘We have more weapons, we’re just as confident as they are. We just have to put more passes together and be more confident.’ And you saw that in the second half.”

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The 12-game winning streak is the longest in the world right now, and three shy of the record set by Spain in 2009. The win over 13th-ranked Bosnia was the second over a top-15 team during the run, following a 4-3 victory over No. 2 Germany on June 2 that started the streak.

BASKETBALL

NBA: Forward Elias Harris agreed to a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Harris spent the past four years at Gonzaga and was undrafted.

The Pacers hired Popeye Jones as an assistant coach.

• The Wizards signed veteran forward Al Harrington.

• The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to terms on a five-year deal with restricted free-agent center Nikola Pekovic, who posted career highs with 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in 62 games last season for the Wolves.

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TENNIS

USTA: The United States Tennis Association said a retractable roof will be constructed over Arthur Ashe Stadium, the main venue for the U.S. Open.

The USTA said it will reveal design plans for a makeover of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at a news conference Thursday.

The plans call for a roof on Ashe Stadium, along with two new stadiums.

WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN: Serena Williams overcame what she described as one of her worst sets before beating qualifier Eugenie Bouchard of Canada 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in her opening match at Mason, Ohio.

Older sister Venus Williams lost her second match, falling to Russia’s Elena Vesnina, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.

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No. 1 Novak Djokovic had a ragged first set while beating Juan Monaco, 7-5, 6-2.

In a night match, fourth-seeded Rafael Nadal beat German qualifier Benjamin Becker 6-2, 6-2, running his streak to 11 straight wins on hard courts.

HOCKEY

NHL: A person familiar with the negotiations said Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris will add the New Jersey Devils and the lease to their arena to his portfolio Thursday.

TRACK & FIELD

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Robert Heffernan pulled away in the last 10 kilometers to win the gold medal in the 50-kilometer walk at Moscow, giving Ireland its first men’s world championship title in 30 years.

 


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