U.S. fans show support for Davies

The crowd at RFK Stadium in Washington erupted when the game-clock hit 8:01, the start of the ninth minute, when chanting U.S. supporters set off smoke bombs and raised their "9" signs in unison.

The synchronized tribute was for Charlie Davies, the U.S. soccer player who wears No. 9 and who was in serious but stable condition at a nearby hospital following Tuesday's deadly car accident. Fans from all over the country orchestrated the tribute on the Internet, using Twitter, Facebook and discussion forums.

It was a tender moment for the U.S. in a thrilling 2-2 tie Wednesday against Costa Rica in the final World Cup qualifier. The Americans, who already clinched a World Cup berth, trailed early and watched defender Oguchi Onyewu go out because of a torn patella tendon, but Jonathan Bornstein headed in the equalizer in the final minute of stoppage time to cap a fitting salute.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley expressed confidence that Onyewu would recover in time for next year's World Cup.

• Argentina survived a shaky qualifying World Cup campaign to earn South America's final automatic berth, and Honduras, Switzerland and Slovakia also earned spots in the 32-nation field.

• Jamaica defender Orane Simpson was fatally stabbed in the violence-wracked Kingston slum where he was raised, police said.

CYCLING

The 2010 Tour de France will recreate the first crossing of the Pyrenees 100 years ago with four stages in the daunting mountains that form the border between France and Spain.

In 1910, Tour riders climbed the four legendary Pyrenean passes -- Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet and Aubisque. The Tourmalet, one of the toughest climbs in cycling, will be scaled twice.

The 2,234-mile race will start July 3 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

AUTO RACING

After 60 years of racing, months of speculation and a final, spirited discussion among voters, the five men named as the first inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame -- Bill France Sr., Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Jr. and Junior Johnson -- came as no surprise.

The sport's founding father and his son (the Frances), the sport's all-time winningest driver and seven-time champion (Petty), another seven-time champion (Earnhardt) and one of the most successful driver/owners ever (Johnson) will be inducted on May 23, 2010, in Charlotte, N.C.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Binghamton coach Kevin Broadus has been placed on an indefinite paid leave of absence.

The move comes after the announcement that Broadus admitted having contact with prospective recruits that violated NCAA regulations. Assistant coach Mark Macon will take over in the interim.

The Bearcats went 23-9 last season and won the America East regular season and tournament titles. They lost to Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Wooden turns 99

Former UCLA coach and Hall of Famer John Wooden celebrated his 99th birthday on Wednesday. Wooden is confined to a wheelchair after a series of minor health setbacks in recent years.

AROUND THE HORN

NBA: Cavaliers forward LeBron James stayed home with flu-like symptoms for Cleveland's final home exhibition game against Washington. ... Miami's Dwyane Wade missed his second consecutive preseason game because of a strained muscle in his left rib cage.

Gymnastics: Americans Rebecca Bross and Ana Porgras were 1-2 in qualifying at their first world gymnastics championships. Bross finished with 57.4 points, a mere one-tenth ahead of Porgras, in London.

Taekwondo: American Steven Lopez won the welterweight gold medal in the WTF World Taekwondo Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, to become the first five-time world champion.

Tennis: Reigning U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina retired from the Shanghai Masters because of a wrist injury. ... Czech Ivo Minar has been banned for eight months after testing positive for a banned substance. The sample, which was taken after a Davis Cup match on July 11, contained the banned stimulant methylhexanamine.

College volleyball: St. Benedict ended St. Thomas' 36-match winning streak in the MIAC with a 30-28, 25-27, 25-21, 26-24 victory.

FROM NEWS SERVICES