SOCCER

Portugal tops Czech Republic on a late goal to reach European Championship semis

Cristiano Ronaldo scored on a powerful header in the 79th minute, sending Portugal to the European Championship semifinals with a 1-0 victory against the Czech Republic at Warsaw, Poland.

Ronaldo hit the post twice, then finally delivered. He headed a cross by Joao Moutinho straight at the ground and up past the flailing hands of Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Portugal will play Spain or France in the semifinals in Donetsk, Ukraine, on Wednesday. It is one victory from its second European Championship final in eight years.

U.S. MEN: The United States will face rival Mexico on Aug. 15 in Mexico City, the first friendly between the teams on Mexican soil since 1984.

MLS: D.C. United Coach Ben Olsen will lead the MLS All-Stars against Chelsea, the Champions League winner, on July 25 at Chester, Pa.

GOLF

LPGA: Sandra Changkija birdied six of her final eight holes for a career-best 8-under 63 and a three-stroke lead in the suspended first round of the inaugural Manulife Financial LPGA Classic at Waterloo, Ontario.

Play was suspended at 4:20 p.m. because of the threat of lightning and called off for the rest of the day at 6:30 p.m. Seventy-two players were unable to finish the round.

EUROPEAN TOUR: Marcus Fraser of Australia and Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay shot 8-under 64 to share the first-round lead in the BMW International Open at Pulheim, Germany.

TENNIS

UNICEF OPEN: David Ferrer routed Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands 6-0, 6-1 to reach the semifinals at Den Bosch, Netherlands.

The top-seeded Spaniard needed just 43 minutes to advance and next plays Frenchman Benoit Paire, who beat Ito Tatsuma of Japan, 6-3, 7-5.

EASTBOURNE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Marion Bartoli of France beat seventh-seeded Lucie Safarova 6-4, 6-2 to reach the semifinals at Eastbourne, England.

HOCKEY

NHL: The league said the Los Angeles Kings will raise their Stanley Cup championship banner Oct. 12 when they host the New York Rangers in their season opener.

Opening-night matchups Oct. 11 include Boston at Philadelphia and Colorado hosting St. Louis. Detroit will face Toronto in the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Michigan Stadium. The All-Star game is Jan. 27 in Columbus, Ohio.

• Nashville signed forward Brandon Yip to a one-year deal worth $750,000, bringing back a player claimed off waivers in January.

HARNESS RACING

SCARBOROUGH DOWNS: John Beckwith collected his 1,500th career victory by winning the fourth race Thursday night.

Beckwith won with Muzzys Beachnut, finishing in 2 minutes, 12/5 seconds.

The horse is owned and trained by his brother, Tom Beckwith.

— From staff and news reports

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