Tobago

A 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago earned the United States its first berth in the World Cup finals in 40 years. But for U.S. soccer, the win had an even greater significance. The loss of potential revenue to the United States Soccer Federation had the U.S. team not qualified would have been at least $6 million to $8 million, said Richard Groff, business manager of the U.S. team and president of the Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association. The trickle-down from that loss could have been devastating for American soccer.

Every day is a tryout. That's how Chris Albright views his bid to make the U.S. squad for next year's soccer World Cup. "It's in the front of my mind at all times," Albright said. The Philadelphia native and Penn Charter graduate is on the U.S. roster for tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago in East Hartford, Conn. These kinds of games are the biggest tryouts, but Albright knows his play for the Los Angeles Galaxy also is a crucial part of the trial. "I have to prove myself," Albright said the other day in a telephone interview.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - Robbie Findley sounded quiet, slightly unsure, as he leaned into the microphone and answered only the questions directly asked of him, and nothing more. Findley's reserve was understandable. He was sitting next to World Cup veterans: goalkeeper Tim Howard and defender Steve Cherundolo. In such company, deference was easy. But given the possible shift in the U.S. team's attacking scheme - presumed starting forward Jozy Altidore sprained his right ankle during Thursday's training - Findley's speedy, attacking game could move him from the bench to the starting lineup.

Balloons lift man across Channel LONDON - In a goofy yet mesmerizing stunt, an American adventurer crossed the English Channel on Friday carried by a bundle of helium balloons, ending a quiet and serene flight by touching down in a French cabbage patch. Jonathan Trappe, 36, of Raleigh, N.C., was strapped in a specially equipped chair below a bright cluster of balloons when he lifted off early Friday from Kent, in southeast England. About five hours later, he lowered himself in France by cutting some of the balloons away.

Brian Ching scored in the first half, and Landon Donovan became the U.S. career points leader when he fed Eddie Johnson for a second-half goal yesterday as the United States advanced to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in Carson, Calif. Donovan collected his 25th assist to go with 30 international goals. With 85 points, he moved one ahead of Eric Wynalda. Colleges Traci Green was named the women's tennis coach at Harvard.

Russia's Tatyana Lysenko, the world recordholder in the women's hammer throw, was banned for 2 years by track and field's governing body for a doping violation. Another Russian hammer thrower, Ekaterina Khoroshikh, received the same ban. Both tested positive for a prohibited hormone blocker during an out-of-competition test in Moscow last May. Lysenko also was stripped of her record throw of 257 feet, 11 inches made a few weeks after the test samples were taken. She still holds the world record at 255-3, set in August 2006.

The U.S. soccer team will be under heavy pressure tomorrow night in a World Cup qualifier against Honduras at Chicago's Soldier Field. After getting blown out, 3-1, by host Costa Rica in a qualifier on Wednesday night, the Americans will need a win tomorrow. Their next qualifier is in August at Mexico, where they're 0-22-1. The No. 14 Americans dropped to 0-7-1 in qualifying in Costa Rica, including 0-7 in San Jose, where they have been outscored, 16-5. The United States is 15-0-1 in qualifying at home since a 3-2 defeat to Honduras at Washington's RFK Stadium in September 2001.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, unable to find a suitable partner to buy their new stadium's naming rights, might call it Steelers Stadium until they land a corporate namesake. "The economy is a little bit of a factor," Steelers president Dan Rooney said. "We had talks recently with a company that was quite interested. " The stadium, which is to open in August, is under construction next door to the site of the now demolished Three Rivers Stadium. The Steelers were hoping to sell the naming rights for about $4 million to $5 million per year, partly to offset the $125 million they are contributing to the $284 million stadium.

Curtis Withers of Charlotte scored 15 points and Terrence Roberts of Syracuse added 14 as the United States rallied from a 13-point deficit to beat Slovenia, 82-79, yesterday in the preliminary round of the men's basketball Under 21 World Championships. The United States (5-0) advanced and will face Canada in tomorrow's quarterfinals, in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Villanova guard Randy Foye will be the flag-bearer for the U.S. delegation at the World University Games in Izmir, Turkey, in tonight's opening ceremonies.

Different paths. Alicia Callejas Sanchez came to the States from El Salvador 21 years ago to find work. Joanna Hazel Dyer came from Trinidad and Tobago three years later to attend what is now Philadelphia Biblical University. A week ago, they stood among 23 others from 19 countries - alphabetically from Belgium to the former Yugoslavia - at the Chester County Courthouse to be sworn in as citizens of the United States of America. January always brings the smallest group, said Penny S. First, "but this was small even for January.