Brazil's Coach Quits After World Cup Debacle

The coach of Brazil's national soccer team, Carlos Alberto Parreira, listens to a question during a press conference after a training session in Weggis, central Switzerland, in this June 1 2006 photo. Parreira quit as coach of Brazil on Wednesday, July 19, 2006, three weeks after the team was stunned 1-0 by France and eliminated in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. (Sigi Tischler - AP)

Carlos Alberto Parreira quit as coach of Brazil yesterday, three weeks after his team was eliminated by France in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

Parreira wants to rest and spend time with his family after four years at the helm of the five-time World Cup champions, the Brazil Soccer Confederation (CBF) said.

Parreira will "no longer have a professional link with the Brazilian Soccer Confederation," the CBF said.

Parreira guided Brazil to its fourth Cup title in 1994. His team was laden with all-stars this year, making it a favorite to win the World Cup.

But the team looked lethargic in its early wins against Croatia, Australia, Japan and Ghana. In the quarterfinal against France, Thierry Henry scored the lone goal and sent Brazil home. . . .

Bob Gansler , the longest-tenured coach in Major League Soccer history, has been fired by the Kansas City Wizards. Assistant coach Brian Bliss , who played his last professional season in Kansas City and played under Gansler at the 1990 World Cup, was named interim coach. . . .

Chris Henderson and Jerrod Laventure scored to lead the New York Red Bulls past the host Columbus Crew, 2-0.

· COLLEGES: Two former Montana State athletes pleaded not guilty to charges they murdered a suspected drug dealer and covered up evidence of the crime.

Former basketball player Branden Miller and former football player John LeBrum are charged with murder, kidnapping and tampering with evidence. Their bail was continued at $1 million each. Miller and LeBrum, both 22, are charged in the June 23 shooting death of Jason Wright , 26, whose body was found in a Montana State agronomy field.

· TENNIS: Mariano Zabaleta ousted top-seeded Gaston Gaudio from the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, Germany, with a 6-4, 6-0 victory. Zabaleta will face Luis Horna , who defeated Albert Portas , 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. . . .

Top-seeded Flavia Pennetta and Michaella Krajicek lost at the clay-court Palermo (Italy) International.

Julia Schruff of Germany beat Pennetta, 6-1, 7-5, in the first round and French qualifier Aravane Rezai knocked out the 17-year-old Krajicek, 6-4, 6-3, to reach the quarterfinals. . . .

Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo of Spain upset second-seeded Paul Henri Mathieu , 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals at the Priority Telecom Open in Amersfoort, Netherlands.

· COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Maryland reserve linebacker Jermaine Lemons will miss the season after tearing two ligaments in his right knee during an offseason conditioning drill. Lemons will have reconstructive surgery today, a team spokesman said. The junior played in every game last season, making two starts and finishing with 18 tackles.

· PRO FOOTBALL: Seattle Seahawks right tackle Sean Locklear has reached an agreement with prosecutors on a charge of assaulting his girlfriend last January. Locklear will perform community service for two years.

· PRO BASKETBALL: Former Georgetown center Othella Harrington agreed to a three-year, $8 million contract with the Charlotte Bobcats, according to agent David Bauman . Harrington has been with four teams during a 10-year NBA career.

-- From News Services and Staff Reports