Reuters — Major League Soccer is aiming to break into the American sports mainstream with a series of high-profile signings as the league looks beyond the ''Beckham effect'' and seeks to capture the enthusiasm generated by the World Cup. (Sports)

Reuters — Shannon Briggs is looking forward to ending the career of WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko after announcing on Thursday that he will fight the Ukranian on October 16. (Sports)

Reuters — The Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping former All-Star Scott Podsednik will help beef up their thin outfield. (Sports)

Reuters — The Orlando Magic, hoping to return to the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons, gave coach Stan Van Gundy a contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2012-13 season, the Magic said. (Sports)

Reuters — Top seeds Samantha Stosur and Elena Dementieva made solid starts to their Stanford Classic campaigns with contrasting second-round victories on Wednesday. (Sports)

Reuters — Former NBA All Star guard Stephon Marbury has rejected a move to the Miami Heat to re-sign with China's Shanxi Zhongyu. (Sports)

Reuters — Third-seeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis had low expectations for this week's LA Open but gave himself a welcome boost by beating American wildcard Ryan Sweeting 3-6 6-2 6-3 in the second round on Wednesday. (Sports)

Reuters — The 16th X Games starts in Los Angeles on Thursday and the latest incarnation of the four-day gathering will once again feature athletes who have forged a lucrative career out of alternative street sports. (Sports)

Reuters — David Beckham could be back in training by the end of August, his LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said on Wednesday. (Sports)

Reuters — Chinese officials insist tough new eligibility rules will put a stop to the type of ''age cheat'' scandal that saw a gymnast stripped of her Olympic medal. (Sports)