The Shindigz National Soccer Festival goes international this time around.
For the first time in its history, the Festival welcomes a professional team to town, and not just any professional team. Chivas of Guadalajara, the most successful club in Mexican professional soccer, will be on hand to play Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Aug. 16, and Indiana at 7 p.m. Aug. 18.
One of 10 founding members of the Mexican First Division, Chivas has won 12 league or national First Division titles, seven Campeon de Campeones titles and one InterLiga title. Among its stars are internationally renowned players Chicharito, Carlos Vela, Omar Bravo, Carlos Salcido and Chava.
Schedules and advance tickets are now available online at www.nationalsoccerfestival.com , at the IPFW box office and at area Walgreens and Connolly’s Do it Best Hardware.
AUTO RACING
Stewart teammate grabs victory
Roanoke resident and longtime midget racer Mike Fedorcak reached a milestone Friday night: His first win on dirt. Fedorcak, starting from the outside of the front row, went to the front immediately in the 30-lap feature at U.S. 24 Speedway and never looked back. Fedorcak, 57, is most known for regularly teaming with Tony Stewart for the December indoor Rumble series at Memorial Coliseum’s Expo Center.
BASKETBALL
Hornets hang on to former IU star
New Orleans said it matched the Phoenix Suns’ four-year, $58 million offer to former Indiana star Eric Gordon, keeping the restricted free agent guard with Hornets. Gordon was limited to nine games last season because of a bruised right knee that required minor surgery.
Around the NBA
Boston officially re-signed Kevin Garnett and announced that Brandon Bass and Chris Wilcox re-signed. … Detroit added Ukrainian center Vyacheslav Kravtsov with a multiyear contract. … Charlotte was awarded center Brendan Haywood off waivers from Dallas.
FOOTBALL
Raiders, safety reach 4-year deal
A person familiar with the decision said Oakland and safety Tyvon Branch agreed to a new four-year contract. CBS Sports reported the deal with the Raiders is worth $26.6 million with $17.1 million guaranteed.
SOCCER
City ref chosen for big tourney
Fort Wayne resident Jonathan McCoy, a Big Ten referee, was selected to officiate at the 2012 U.S. Youth National Championships in Rock Hill, S.C. McCoy, a 2008 South Side graduate, is a student at Michigan State and recently received the highest assignment in the 14-state Midwest Region in Saginaw, Mich.
TENNIS
Capriati headlines Hall of Fame class
Jennifer Capriati headlined the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s latest group of inductess in Newport, R.I. Joining Capriati were recently retired player Gustavo Kuerten, master player Manuel Orantes, tennis industry executive Mike Davies and wheelchair champion Randy Snow, who was honored posthumously.
Around the courts
In Newport, R.I., John Isner advanced to the final at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships by beating Harrison 7-6 (4), 6-3. Isner, ranked 11th, will face Lleyton Hewitt, who defeated Rajeev Ram 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the other semifinal match. … In Umag, Croatia, Marin Cilic beat Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-5, 6-2 and will play Marcel Granollers, a 6-2, 6-7 (5) winner over Fernando Verdasco, in the Croatia Open finals. … In Stockholm, David Ferrer claimed a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the Swedish Open and will face Nicolas Almagro, who defeated Jan Hajek 6-4, 6-3, in the finals.
CORRECTION
TinCaps player misidentified
Because of a photographer’s error, the TinCaps’ Tyler Stubblefield was misidentified in a photo on Page 1B of Saturday’s sports section. Stubblefield was covering first base for a throw during Friday’s game.
