Giovanni Trapattoni has been handed some good news in the familiar form of a goalscoring return to action by his skipper Robbie Keane.

While much of the attention ahead of today’s MLS Cup final (kick-off 9.30pm Irish time) has focused on David Beckham’s farewell to America, Irish eyes will on Ireland captain Robbie Keane.

With the focus almost exclusively surrounding David Beckham’s Major League Soccer farewell, the competition’s showpiece occasion has been comprehensively overshadowed this week.

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has dismissed suggestions he is set to make a short-term move to the A-League.

ROBBIE KEANE has turned down a request from LA Galaxy to withdraw from tonight’s’ game and return early to his club in preparation for Sunday’s MLS Cup final against Houston Dynamo in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES Galaxy captain Landon Donovan believes Robbie Keane will slot effortlessly into his new side and go on to become a star in the MLS.

Robbie Keane last night revealed David Beckham had played a part in his move to Major League Soccer as he completed his transfer from Tottenham to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Former England captain David Beckham will skipper the Los Angeles Galaxy this weekend when they visit Real Salt Lake.

David Beckham would consider a return to the Barclays Premier League - despite having said he would never play for an English side other than Manchester United.

Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena is ready to ask England boss Fabio Capello not to include David Beckham in his squad for this summer’s friendly against the Netherlands.

David Beckham is set to return to Los Angeles Galaxy next month after head coach Bruce Arena revealed AC Milan failed to produce an "acceptable offer" before yesterday's deadline.

David Beckham is expected to learn today whether his future lies in Italy or the United States.

Los Angeles Galaxy coach and general manager Bruce Arena has voiced his displeasure over rumours suggesting David Beckham’s loan deal at AC Milan could be made permanent.

Amy Winehouse’s husband Blake Fielder-Civil has been voted Britain’s top Anti-Icon.

Former Liverpool and Scotland defender Steve Nicol has confirmed his interest in succeeding Bruce Arena as USA national team coach.

The UK's largest operator of horseracing fixtures blamed the distraction of the World Cup for a dip in form at its racecourse division today.

A heartbroken Michael Essien slammed German referee Markus Merk for a “ridiculous” early booking which will keep the Chelsea star out of Ghana’s second-round clash with Brazil.

AN ANALOGY by US striker Eddie Johnson — comparing the World Cup to war — has been exaggerated, US coach Bruce Arena insisted last night.

FIFA may close the roofs of the stadia in Frankfurt and Gelsenkirchen if there is bright sunshine for future games in an attempt to make TV pictures look more attractive.

United States coach Bruce Arena insists teenage forward Freddy Adu “needs time” before moving to the Premiership.

Scotland 1 USA 1

Significant progress has been made following the latest “highly-constructive talks” with the key players in the ongoing stalls dispute in the UK.

Some progress appears to have been made today in the controversy surrounding the new Steriline starting stalls which are in use at 17 of Britain’s 35 racecourses.

The United States will be without captain Claudio Reyna for the World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador and Panama.

Frankie Dettori rides in Rome on Sunday before going on holiday to Dubai having reached a century of winners in Britain for the 10th time in his career on Rendezvous Point at Lingfield on Thursday.

FRANKIE DETTORI reached a century of winners for the 10th time in his career when booting home newcomer Rendezvous Point in the opening race at Lingfield yesterday.

GERMANY believe they are heading for their fourth world title, driven by the fear of being branded back home as the generation that could not win the World Cup.

By Peter Gibson

By Paul Walker, Jeonju, South Korea

United States coach Bruce Arena described it as a ‘‘great day for US soccer’’ after his side reached the last eight of the World Cup for the first time in 72 years.

Striker Cobi Jones insists it is not enough for the United States to just play the best teams in the world - now they want to beat them.

Striker Cobi Jones insists it is not enough for the United States to just play the best teams in the world - now they want to beat them.

Striker Cobi Jones insists it is not enough for the United States to just play the best teams in the world - now they want to beat them.

Striker Cobi Jones insists it is not enough for the United States to just play the best teams in the world - now they want to beat them.

Mexican ace Rafael Marquez could become one of the most expensive transfers once these World Cup Finals are over - so he needs to be a confident young man.

Miracle worker Guus Hiddink insists he’s unmoved by the red wave of expectation that has reached fever pitch in this normally sedate host nation.

VICTORIOUS coach Bruce Arena hailed the USA’s brilliant victory over Portugal as the best result in the country’s history - better even than that famous defeat of England in the 1950 World Cup.

Coach Bruce Arena saluted an ‘‘outstanding’’ performance after his unfancied side stunned World Cup dark horses Portugal with a 3-2 win in Suwon.

The United States get their World Cup under way against Portugal with coach Bruce Arena admitting he has searched in vain for his opponents' Achilles heel.

Kasey Keller’s elbow injury will not rule him out of the USA’s opening match against Portugal in Suwon on Wednesday.

Consider the most notable American players of the past decade and perhaps Alexi Lalas and Cobi Jones come to mind.

Lingfield Park’s new race, which could figure as Johannesburg’s prep-run for the Kentucky Derby, will be called the Foster’s - International Trial Stakes.