United States Ties China in Tournament

Without penalty kicks to solve the problem this time, the United States women’s national team played host China to a 0-0 tie in the Four Nations tournament Sunday at Shenzhen.

The U.S. is 1-0-1 in the round-robin event and is in first place on goal differential after a 3-0 victory over Sweden on Friday. Sweden defeated Canada, 3-1, in its second game Sunday.

“To play China in China and get a point is a good result for us,” U.S. Coach April Heinrichs said. “We play a very high energy, attacking style.... It’s difficult for an American team to play with that same energy two games in a row.”

The U.S. and China played to a scoreless tie after regulation and overtime in the 1999 Women’s World Cup final. The Americans won on Brandi Chastain’s penalty kick.

To win this tournament, the U.S. probably needs a victory over Canada on Tuesday and hopes that China does not defeat Sweden by a wide margin.

Kirovski to Galaxy?

Jovan Kirovski, an Escondido native who has been playing in Europe for the last 11 years, has signed with Major League Soccer and will play for the Galaxy, according to ESPN.com.

Kirovski, who was recently released by Birmingham City of the English Premier League after spending the last two seasons mostly as a substitute, would join Carlos Ruiz as the team’s top scoring threats.

During his career, Kirovski, 27, has made 59 appearances for the U.S. national team and has scored nine goals.

Another overseas player said to be coming to MLS, according to ESPN.com, is defender Cory Gibbs, who had been playing with FC St. Pauli in Germany.

Gibbs, who played seven games for the U.S. national team in 2003, would be allocated to the Dallas Burn, which had the worst record in MLS last season.

Thornton to Portugal

Goalkeeper Zack Thornton, who led the Chicago Fire to the MLS Cup title in 1998, signed a deal to play for Portugal’s Benifica, a 30-time league champion.

Thornton’s deal is for six months and he becomes the fourth U.S. goalie to play in a prominent European league. Tim Howard (Manchester United), Brad Friedel (Blackburn) and Kasey Keller (Tottenham) all play in England.

Mathis Scores

Clint Mathis became the latest American to score in his debut for a top European club.

Mathis followed U.S. national teammate Brian McBride’s lead by getting a goal to help lead Hannover 96 to a 3-2 victory over Hamburger SV in the German Bundesliga.

McBride scored the winning goal Saturday to lead Fulham to a 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the English Premier League.

Mathis’ goal came in the 27th minute but the former MetroStar player left the field after 80 minutes and was hobbling slightly. Mathis had not played in a game since October.

African Nations Cup

Titi Camara scored a goal six minutes from time to lead Guinea to a 1-1 tie against Tunisia and a spot in the quarterfinals of the African Nations Cup.

Guinea finished second in Group A behind host Tunisia, which got its goal from Slim Benachour and still clinched the top spot with the tie.

Guinea’s tie eliminated Rwanda, which beat Congo, 1-0, on a goal by Abel Said.

Times wire services contributed to this report.