DENVER, Colorado, March 20 (Reuters) – A flop in the Premier League, American striker Eddie Johnson has rebuilt his career back home and hopes his second chance could take him all the way to the World Cup finals in Brazil next year.

The former Fulham forward has become a regular part of Juergen Klinsmann’s U.S. national team and is in the squad for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica in Denver.

DENVER, Colorado, March 19 (Reuters) – United States defender Carlos Bocanegra, left out of the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, has backed coach Juergen Klinsmann after reports of discontent within the dressing room.

The U.S. lost 2-1 to Honduras in their opening game of the final qualifying round in the CONCACAF region and face what Klinsmann has called a “must-win” game against Costa Rica in Denver on Friday before a trip to Mexico next week.

DENVER, Colorado, March 19 (Reuters) – United States defender Carlos Bocanegra, left out of the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, has backed coach Juergen Klinsmann after reports of discontent within the dressing room.

The U.S. lost 2-1 to Honduras in their opening game of the final qualifying round in the CONCACAF region and face what Klinsmann has called a “must-win” game against Costa Rica in Denver on Friday before a trip to Mexico next week.

March 18 (Reuters) – United States head coach Juergen Klinsmann’s plans for World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico have been ravaged by injuries, leaving the German to call in several inexperienced players for the crucial games.

The U.S., who lost to Honduras in their opening game, face Costa Rica in Denver on Friday and Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on March 26 as they battle for a place in next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

MIAMI (Reuters) – The Miami Heat are one win away from becoming just the fourth team in the history of the NBA to enjoy 20 straight victories in a single season and try as they might, they just can’t quite hide the fact that it really is great fun beating all comers.

A comfortable 98-81 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday made it win number 19 and after a ‘red-eye’ overnight flight to Philadelphia, the defending champions will be back in action again, taking on the 76ers for number 20.

MIAMI (Reuters) – He made 27 birdies on his way to a two-stroke win in the WGC-Cadillac Championship on Sunday and needed just 100 putts in 72 holes as he clinched his second victory of the young year.

Yes, it looks like Tiger Woods is well on the way back.

And if there is any doubt about Woods being close to returning to the pinnacle of the game, a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in two weeks would send the 14-times major winner back to number one in the world rankings.

MIAMI, March 10 (Reuters) – Steve Stricker could be forgiven for regretting he helped Tiger Woods with his putting before the WGC-Cadillac Championship, but after losing to him by two shots on Sunday, Stricker said he simply did what golfing buddies do.

Woods had been unhappy with his putting at the Honda Classic last week, complaining of his inability to find the touch he had displayed in his January victory at Torrey Pines. But a 45-minute session with leading putter Stricker put that right.

MIAMI, March 10 (Reuters) – Steve Stricker could be forgiven for regretting he helped Tiger Woods with his putting before the WGC-Cadillac Championship, but after losing to him by two shots on Sunday, Stricker said he simply did what golfing buddies do.

Woods had been unhappy with his putting at the Honda Classic last week, complaining of his inability to find the touch he had displayed in his January victory at Torrey Pines. But a 45-minute session with leading putter Stricker put that right.

MIAMI (Reuters) – Tiger Woods sent out a Masters warning shot with his second win of the year, a convincing two-stroke victory at the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral on Sunday.

Composed throughout and deadly on the greens, Woods posted a one-under-par 71 for a winning total of 19 under par, with fellow-American Steve Stricker runner-up after shooting 68 in the final round.

MIAMI, March 10 (Reuters) – Tiger Woods won his second tournament of the year in convincing fashion with a two-stroke victory at the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral, closing with a one-under-par 71 in the final round on Sunday.

World number two Woods finished with a 19-under-par total for the tournament, with fellow-American Steve Stricker runner-up on 271 after shooting 68 on Sunday.