Dein erstes Forum » ns and give Army extra chances to get its cloc

ZURICH -- North America became a stronger favorite to host an expanded World Cup in 2026 after FIFA essentially barred European countries from bidding on Friday.The FIFA Council agreed that UEFA and Asian confederation members should not bid again so soon after Russia hosts the 2018 World Cup and Qatar has the 2022 tournament.That has changed the landscape (of the 2026 contest) a little bit, said U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati, a FIFA Council member.FIFA said Europe would be put on standby only if none of the received bids fulfill the strict technical and financial requirements.Thats unlikely if the United States bids as expected, either alone or with Canada and Mexico.FIFA favors co-hosting among regional neighbors, and a three-way bid could be more popular if the tournament grows to 40 or 48 teams.A decision will be made on whether to expand the tournament on Jan. 9-10 when the FIFA Council next meets in Zurich.FIFA has targeted 2020 for its member federations to choose the 2026 host.FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was elected this year after promising voters a 40-team World Cup, would not declare North America as the most likely host region.It is still too early to say that, Infantino said. We hope we have many bidders and we can choose ... who the best bidder is.Still, the North American regional body CONCACAF has long been seen as the natural host for 2026 and its claim got stronger Friday. The United States was the last country in the region to stage the tournament in 1994.The answer is `Sure, it would be silly to say anything but that, Gulati said of a contest that could also include bids from Africa and South America.CONCACAF lost out when a hosting rotation system approved during Sepp Blatters presidency was abandoned before its scheduled turn in 2018 came around.Back then, FIFA preferred to block continents from two World Cup bidding contests after hosting, but when statutes were updated in recent reforms the rule said only one tournament had to be skipped.Gulati said the new clarity in bidding would encourage an entry from the United States.We now know some of the rules, said Gulati, FIFAs top American official. We will look at it. We have great relationships with Canada and Mexico. We also have a country with 320 million people that has hosted a World Cup and with a lot of terrific stadiums and great infrastructure.A U.S.-hosted World Cup would likely set attendance records -- in 1994 there were 3.59 million total fans and an average of 69,000 per match.Infantino said Friday that a bigger World Cup -- potentially of 48 teams and 80 matches with an opening playoff round -- would be for sporting reasons, not a financial or political decision.Still, he foresaw more revenue from FIFAs current $5 billion per tournament, which could help increase the funding he promised to FIFA members.Whatever additional costs there will be, will be largely outweighed by additional revenues, obviously. Which means we are in a comfortable position, Infantino said.Other decisions Friday:- FIFAs 2017 congress will be held in Manama, Bahrain -- the home city of FIFA vice president Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain -- on May 11. The original venue of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pulled out citing problems with issuing visas to delegates.- The rebranded FIFA annual awards ceremony, formerly known as the Ballon dOr, will still be held in Zurich on Jan. 9. FIFA had explored a move to London.- The dates of CONCACAFs Gold Cup tournament in 2017 have been modified. It will kick off two days earlier, end four days earlier and be played July 7-26. Vapormax Plus Pánská . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Vapormax Boty Cz . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. http://www.vapormaxlevne.cz/ . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. Vapormax Flyknit Pánská . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Vapormax Flyknit Dámské . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Army coach Jeff Monken and Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson have spent three years building their programs toward bowl eligibility.Their teams meet Saturday with the host Demon Deacons a win away from qualifying for a bowl, while the Black Knights are having one of their best seasons in years to put them at least within reach of that same goal.After two straight 3-9 seasons, Wake Forest (5-2) can become bowl eligible for the first time since 2011. And Army (4-3) has already matched its best season win total since last having a winning season and bowl trip in 2010.With both coaches in their third year, Clawson sees parallels in each programs growth.I speak from experience: when youre in your third year, the kids understand the offense and the defense, Clawson said. So theyve had the same offensive system for three years and the same defensive system for three years. Theyre not playing a lot of guys theyve recruited that have bought in, and now theyre more multiple on both sides of the ball.So theyre not only doing what they do better, theyre doing more things that make them hard to prepare for.The Demon Deacons are coming off a bye week following a loss at Florida State, while the Black Knights have lost three of four since a 3-0 start. Still, Army has reached four wins before November for just the second time since a 10-win season 20 years ago.Army is coming off a 35-18 home loss to North Texas that included the Black Knights committing seven turnovers.Show me a team that isnt down after a loss and Ill show you a bunch of losers, Monken said. When you care and you lose, its going to hurt, and it should hurt. Hopefully it will tick them off, and well come back and play better. When thats the case, then you know you have guys that care.---Some other things to know about Saturdays Army-Wake Forest game:HINTONS STATUS: Its unclear whether mobile Wake Forest quarterback Kendall Hinton will return aftter a four-game absence due to a knee injury.ddddddddddddClawson said the sophomore is making progress but hasnt looked fully ready at times during practice. Hintons mobility would certainly help loosen things up for the offense, though junior John Wolford has 28 career starts.NATIONALLY RANKED: Army ranks second nationally in rushing offense (357.6 yards) and leads the country in possession time at roughly 36 minutes per game, led by Andy Davidson (615 yards rushing, seven touchdowns) and Ahmad Bradshaw (494 yards, four TDs). And that ball-control offense is a big reason why the Black Knights also rank third in total defense (255.9) and 10th in scoring defense (17 points).TURNOVER MARGIN: Turnovers could be a big factor. Armys seven turnovers led to 21 points in last weeks loss to North Texas, and the Black Knights are tied for 76th nationally in turnover margin. Wake Forest is tied for 18th and has had two turnover-free games this season. With an up-and-down offense, Wake Forest cant afford to lose possessions and give Army extra chances to get its clock-eating offense in a rhythm.SERIES SUCCESS: Wake Forest has beaten Army in four straight seasons, winning each of the past two by three-point margins since Clawson and Monken had taken over their respective programs. We just havent been able to find a way to beat them, Monken said.BOWL MENTALITY: Clawson said the team talked in the preseason about the realistic goal of becoming bowl eligible, but he said the coaches wouldnt bring it up this week. Senior defensive lineman Josh Banks said the players know the program could make a big step by reaching six wins, but added: By far we want to win more than six games.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap---More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' 'mes Madison (0-2) with 20 points shooting 4 of 7 from the floor and was 11 of 12 at the free-throw line.ddddddddddddKoulechovs 3 was part of a 12-0 run that gave Rice its biggest lead at 75-59 with 9:46 left to go.In the first half, Jacksons two free throws gave Rice a 27-26 lead it never gave up. Evans 3 with eight seconds to play before halftime put Rice on top 46-40. ' ' '