State bill would bring United to Prince George's
soccer
D.C. United yesterday took its search for a new home to Maryland, where team officials appeared in Largo with lawmakers who have introduced a bill that would build a new stadium in Prince George's County. The bill, if approved at the State House, would authorize a 24,000-seat stadium at a cost of $180 million to $195 million. United said the project would pay for itself, with the team paying part of the tab and the rest coming from new revenue generated locally by the team and stadium. The team is considering seven stadium sites. United's goal is to break ground in 2009 and complete work in time for the 2012 Major League Soccer season. United has played at Washington-owned RFK Stadium since the team's inception in 1996, but the team says it needs its own modern facility to generate more revenue.
Women's Professional Soccer: : The league completed its contract with members of the U.S. national team. The average salary for players will be about $32,000 a season. The inaugural season begins March 29.
Pebble Beach ends in rain with D. Johnson as winner
golf
Dustin Johnson won the AT&T; Pebble Beach (Calif.) National Pro-Am when rain created a small river through one fairway and flooded greens, forcing officials to cancel the final round. Rain and wind suspended the final round Sunday, and nearly 1 1/2 inches of rain and a forecast for more gloom left the PGA Tour no choice but to declare Johnson, 24, the winner. Johnson (15-under-par 201), who led by four shots after shooting a 67 on Saturday, won for the second time in his past nine starts.
Taylor, all-time top rusher with Jaguars, released
nfl
The Jacksonville Jaguars released Fred Taylor, parting ways with their all-time leading rusher after 11 seasons. Coach Jack Del Rio flew to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to deliver the news to Taylor, who turned 33 last month and was scheduled to make $6 million next season. He had become the second option behind Maurice Jones-Drew, who has scored 40 touchdowns in three seasons. Taylor ranks 16th on the NFL's career rushing list with 11,271 yards, 81 behind John Riggins.
Et cetera:: Broncos defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson was among six players cut. He was set to count $16 million against the team's cap. ... The Bengals placed the franchise tag on kicker Shayne Graham.
Moyer: A-Rod doesn't have 'chance' at Hall
baseball
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer, a former Oriole, said he doesn't believe Alex Rodriguez stands "a chance" of getting into the Hall of Fame after the New York Yankees third baseman admitted he used steroids. "Who in their right mind would vote for anyone who got caught taking that stuff?" said Moyer, Rodriguez's former Seattle Mariners teammate.
Red Sox: : Slugger David Ortiz wants players who test positive for steroids to be suspended from baseball for a year instead of the current 50-game penalty. Taking players to court, though, for cases involving use of the substances before players were subject to penalty is not the way to clean up the game, he said. "I would suggest everybody get tested, not random, everybody," he said. ... Boston agreed to a minor league contract with outfielder-first baseman Brad Wilkerson.
Cardinals: : Slugger Albert Pujols said he will not play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic because of insurance issues. Pujols said in a news conference in Santo Domingo that he is 100 percent healthy. He had elbow surgery in October. ... Outfielder Ryan Ludwick agreed to a one-year, $3.7 million contract.
Astros: : Left-hander Mike Hampton left training camp in Kissimmee, Fla., for Houston to get treatment for an irregular heartbeat. The Astros said the condition was minor and they hoped to have him back in camp Thursday.
Nationals: : Left-hander Odalis Perez missed the first official workout, reportedly because he isn't happy with his contract. The pitcher agreed to a nonguaranteed minor league contract Feb. 5; he would get $850,000 if he makes the major league club.
Twins: : Joe Mauer said his goal is to be ready to play by the start of the regular season. The catcher and reigning American League batting leader had surgery in December to remove a blockage from one of his kidneys.
Suns fire Porter as coach, replace him with Gentry
nba
The Phoenix Suns fired coach Terry Porter yesterday, just four months into his first season with the team barely in playoff contention. Assistant Alvin Gentry was appointed interim coach. Phoenix (28-23) trails the Utah Jazz by one game for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. Gentry, a 20-year coaching veteran in the NBA, promised a return to the fast-paced style that best uses the team's talent, particularly the skills of Steve Nash.
More Suns: : The team suspended guard Jason Richardson for one game without pay after he was arrested in Scottsdale, Ariz., where police said he was driving 55 mph above the limit with his unrestrained 3-year-old son in the car. Phoenix said in a statement that Richardson would miss tonight's home game against the Clippers because of "conduct detrimental to the team." Richardson said he had taken his son to dinner and was on his way home. He was released from jail after a few hours. Police said Richardson's wife responded to the scene of the stop and took custody of the boy.
NBA All-Star Game: : The West's 146-119 victory over the East on Sunday in Phoenix drew a preliminary rating on TNT that was up 6 percent from last year, producing a 4.1 fast national rating and was watched by about 6.86 million viewers, the network said.
8 Terps named to ACC academic football team
et cetera
Maryland led the Atlantic Coast Conference in all-league academic football selections for the second straight year, with eight Terps named to the 40-man team for 2008. Maryland has had a league-best 14 representatives over the past two years.
Maryland players on the 2008 team: punter Travis Baltz, linebacker Rick Costa, kicker Obi Egekeze, tight end Dan Gronkowski, defensive lineman Dean Muhtadi and offensive linemen Phil Costa, Dane Randolph (Wilde Lake) and Edwin Williams.
Cycling: : Lance Armstrong took a spill when he got tangled with a motorcycle and still moved up a spot to fourth in the overall standings at the Tour of California. Two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer became the third leader.