NEW YORK (AP) — Seattle’s penalty-kicks win over Toronto last weekend drew 3.5 million television viewers, the most for a Major League Soccer final. Seattle’s 5-4 victory following a 0-0 tie Saturday night was seen by 1,411,000 viewers on Fox, the network said Tuesday. That was up 111 percent from the 668,000 that viewed Portland’s 2-1 win over Columbus in last year’s final, televised by ESPN on a Sunday afternoon, and the most U.S. viewers for the MLS final since 1.5 million tuned in for San Jose’s victory over the LA Galaxy in 2001.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Count Richard Sherman among the NFL players who are not fans of having to play on Thursday nights. Sherman expressed his displeasure with the weeknight games on Tuesday, calling them an “absolute poopfest.” Sherman has been vocal in his belief that scheduling Thursday night games clashes with the NFL’s call for improved player safety.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota has suspended 10 players indefinitely from all team activities. The school announced the suspensions on Tuesday night. Defensive backs Ray Buford, KiAnte Hardin, Dior Johnson, Antonio Shenault and Antoine Winfield Jr., running backs Carlton Djam and Kobe McCrary, quarterbacks Seth Green and Mark Williams and defensive lineman Tamarion Johnson were all suspended. Minnesota plays Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27.
SEATTLE (AP) — Thousands of fans are celebrating the Seattle Sounders’ MLS Cup victory over Toronto with a jubilant parade through downtown Seattle. Crowds lined the streets Tuesday chanting “Seattle … Sounders,” waving signs and cheering as a procession of trolley buses carried players and coaches along Fourth Avenue.
CHICAGO (AP) — Tobin Heath has been voted the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Female Player of the Year. The USSF also announced Tuesday that Ashley Sanchez was voted the Young Female Player of the Year. Heath had a career-high six goals and eight assists in 22 games with the U.S. women this season, including two assists in the Olympics. The 28-year-old midfielder also had 10 assists in just 14 appearances for the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League. The mark was a league record.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
