ESPN RISE Athletes of the Week

Ohio soccer goalie Ryan Grimme and Colorado volleyball player Morgan Broekhuis are this week's ESPN RISE National Athletes of the Week

Favorites assume the upper hand

In the first leg of the European World Cup playoffs, the favorites took control of their own destinies.

Three members of the Blues relax with a soccer ball before game vs. the Sharks

Ronaldo key to Portugal's fate

Portugal will face an extremely dangerous Bosnia-Herzegovina in the playoffs. Compounding its problem is that star Cristiano Ronaldo is doubtful with an injured ankle.

Injury blows will force Bradley to reshape U.S.

With the U.S. suffering a couple of devastating losses, Bob Bradley will be forced to remodel his lineup in the next few months, writes Jeff Carlisle.

Dutton, Adams receive honors

A high scoring soccer player and elite cross country runner are honored this week

Kenya head for Nigeria without their coach

The Kenya soccer team left for Nigeria on Thursday for a World Cup qualifier without German coach Antoine Hey because of a dispute over his unpaid salary.

Soccer Did You Know

Soccer Did You Know

...Germany, on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. Munich won the match 5-2. (AP Photo/Christof Stache) NO MOBILE USE UNTIL 2 HOURS AFTER THE MATCH, WEBSITE USERS ARE OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH DFL-RESTRICTIONS, SEE...

...and Hertha BSC Berlin in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) NO MOBILE USE UNTIL 2 HOURS AFTER THE MATCH, WEBSITE USERS ARE OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH DFL-RESTRICTIONS, SEE...

...and Hertha BSC Berlin in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) NO MOBILE USE UNTIL 2 HOURS AFTER THE MATCH, WEBSITE USERS ARE OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH DFL-RESTRICTIONS, SEE...

...in the stadium in Munich, southern Germany, on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Christof Stache) NO MOBILE USE UNTIL 2 HOURS AFTER THE MATCH, WEBSITE USERS ARE OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH DFL-RESTRICTIONS, SEE...

...and Hertha BSC Berlin in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) NO MOBILE USE UNTIL 2 HOURS AFTER THE MATCH, WEBSITE USERS ARE OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH DFL-RESTRICTIONS, SEE...

...in the stadium in Munich, southern Germany, on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Christof Stache) NO MOBILE USE UNTIL 2 HOURS AFTER THE MATCH, WEBSITE USERS ARE OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH DFL-RESTRICTIONS, SEE...

...Germany, on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. Munich won the match 5-2. (AP Photo/Christof Stache) NO MOBILE USE UNTIL 2 HOURS AFTER THE MATCH, WEBSITE USERS ARE OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH DFL-RESTRICTIONS, SEE...