SOCCER: Top MLS prospect Zachary Herold of Toronto FC has ended his soccer career at 17 because of a heart condition. His condition causes abnormal thickening of a part of the heart muscle. Strenuous exercise carries the risk of a potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm.
The problem was flagged in a preseason exam. Herold was selected in the second round, 24th overall, in the January MLS draft.
Michael Ballack, captain of the German soccer team, will miss the World Cup because of torn ligaments in his right ankle, a serious blow to the three-time champions less than a month before the tournament.
The Chelsea midfielder was hurt during his club's 1-0 FA Cup final win over Portsmouth on Saturday. The German soccer federation said Ballack, 33, won't be able to train for at least eight weeks.
The injury probably robs Ballack of his final chance to win the World Cup after reaching the 2002 final and the 2006 semifinals.
NFL: The Minnesota Vikings signed seventh-round draft pick Ryan D'Imperio, who played linebacker at Rutgers and graduated from Washington Township High. . . . Offensive lineman Cory Procter, who started 13 games in five seasons for Dallas, has been released by Cowboys. . . . Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson, who has five years left on an eight-year contract worth $60 million that included a $15 million in guarantees, indicated he wants a new contract. He skipped the Texans' first voluntary practice of the off-season, and no one is sure when he'll join the team. . . . The Cleveland Browns added Leigh Tiffin, Alabama's all-American kicker last season.
Rowan's baseball team earned an at-large bid to the Division III tournament. The Profs will play Widener in the first round on Wednesday at Waterfront Park in Trenton.
