Soccer around the globe

QUAKES ARE BACK

Jonah Freedman of cnnsi.com is reporting that MLS commisioner Don Garber will announce at his annual All-Star press conference today that San Jose will be awarded an MLS expansion franchise beginning in the 2008 season.

San Jose had a franchise for 10 years before the team moved to Houston after the 2005 season. Ever since, the league has talked about putting an expansion team back in the Bay Area.

Oakland A's owner Lew Wolff heads up the ownership group that is prepared to bring the San Jose Earthquakes back to MLS.

GOTTA BE THE SHOES

The Celtic soccer team traveled from Scotland to America this week to start training for the MLS All-Star Game. The players' shoes? They showed up a little late.

The start of their workout Tuesday was delayed by about 45 minutes while the team waited for the shoes to reach the practice field. Baggage handlers at Denver International Airport couldn't locate them when the team arrived Monday night.

"You Americans go through this much?" midfielder Scott Brown joked as Celtic FC waited for practice to begin. "We'd like to get on with this."

For good reason. Temperatures were in the 90s and climbing — not exactly what the Scottish Premier League champions are used to back home.

"There's no sun in Europe whatsoever. I've been everywhere in Europe this summer and there is no sun at this time of year," Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said. "I wake up this morning and it's 100 degrees."

Celtic FC plays the MLS All-Stars on Thursday.

LANDMARK DEAL

New York-based sports, media and entertainment company SCP Worldwide finalized a multi-faceted partnership with Real Madrid. The announcement was made Tuesday by Dave Checketts, chairman, SCP Worldwide. Checketts recently finalized the agreement with Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon.

The agreement is the most advanced rollout plan for a European Club and marks the 30-time Spanish league champions first major brand initiative in the United States.

The partnership includes the creation of elite soccer academies and camps, broadcasting rights to Real Madrid television content and management of the team's United States "Friendlies" tour.

More information can be found at realmadridamerica.com.

DEAL FALLS THROUGH