England’s Gascoigne Won’t Play in MLS

English midfielder Paul Gascoigne will not be joining Major League Soccer after all.

D.C. United, the MLS club that had been pursuing the 35-year-old former World Cup star, Thursday announced that contract talks with Gascoigne and his agent had ended and that the player known worldwide simply as “Gazza” is no longer a part of its plans.

Gascoigne, a free agent, had trained twice with the team in the last week.

The decision not to go forward was said to be mutual.

U.S. Team at the White House

Coach Bruce Arena and 11 members of the United States team that reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup will meet President Bush at the White House today for a ceremony marking the team’s achievement.

Chicago Fire midfielder Chris Armas, who was injured shortly before the World Cup and did not make the trip to Korea/Japan ‘02, will be among those attending the event.

Americans Win in England

Midfielder Brian Carroll scored two goals and Edson Buddle and Alecko Eskandarian each scored one as the U.S. under-23 national team defeated the under-21 team of Bolton Wanderers, 4-1, Thursday in the opening game of its four-game tour of England.

Olimpia Wins South American Title

Two teams that are celebrating their centenary--Real Madrid of Spain and Olimpia of Paraguay--will play each other in the Intercontinental Cup Final on Dec. 3 in Yokohama, Japan.

Olimpia advanced to the annual match between the champions of Europe and South America by coming from behind Wednesday night to defeat Sao Caetano of Brazil, 4-2, on penalty kicks, and thereby claim the Copa Libertadores for the third time.

Juninho Denied Work Permit

Winning the World Cup apparently is not enough to get Brazil midfielder Juninho a work permit to play in England.

The British government denied him the required permit after he had been acquired by Middlesbrough from Atletico Madrid for $9.33 million.

The government requires foreign players to have played in 75% of their country’s matches over the previous two years to be eligible for a work permit.

Middlesbrough is appealing the decision.

Under the regulations, only two of Brazil’s world champions would be eligible to play in England: Roberto Carlos and Rivaldo.

Hertha Berlin Wins Cup

Two goals by Brazilian midfielder Marcelinho and one apiece by Alex Alves and Roberto Pinto gave Hertha Berlin a 4-1 victory over Schalke 04 on Thursday in the final of the German League Cup.