EDMONTON -- An inability to put chances away has once again come back to haunt Canadas mens soccer team. Jairo Arrieta scored on a first-half penalty shot as Costa Rica beat Canada 1-0 in an exhibition match Tuesday. The penalty was Costa Ricas only quality opportunity of the half. Canada had the bulk of possession in the game in front of 8,110 fans at Commonwealth Stadium, but couldnt finish its chances. "If we had hit the target on the occasions that we had free headers it could have been 4-1 tonight," said interim head coach Colin Miller. "I dont think theres anything to be negative about at all other than result, which is not what we wanted." Costa Rica was awarded the penalty after midfielder Samuel Piette swiped for a ball in the Canadian 18-yard box but took out Arrieta instead. Arrieta then converted the kick by putting it just past the outstretched hands of Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, who dived to his right to try to stop the penalty. Canada now heads into Julys Gold Cup tournament without a win in five games in 2013. Admittedly, all of the games have come against higher ranked opponents and mostly with players that seldom feature for their club teams, let alone the national team. The best result Canada has been able to muster this year was a scoreless draw against the United States back in January. "Its something to consider," said midfielder Julian de Guzman, who served as captain. "Going into a tournament thats our biggest moment this year and we havent gotten a win for the year yet. So Im sure theres a little big of concern there but at the same time were in the middle of rebuilding and there are a lot of new faces and a lot of inexperienced players." The initial roster of 35 players for the Gold Cup is due on Friday before it will be trimmed down to 23 in time for July. That squad is likely be feature more veteran players than were on had Tuesday. Canada nearly responded two minutes after conceding the penalty. Defender Nik Ledgerwood started a scoring chance as he swung in a low cross from the right side. Midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran was first to the ball but his shot from just inside the 18-yard box was too high. Randy Edwini-Bonsu made a few eye-catching runs in the first half, showing off his blazing speed. In the 26th minute he blazed around the Costa Rican back line and was alone on goal but had a bad-angle shot saved by Costa Rica goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton who had raced off his line. Edwini-Bonsu, an Edmonton native, was relishing the rare opportunity to play at home as Canada was playing their first game in Albertas capital since 2008--well before Edwini-Bonsu was on the national team radar. "Last time we played here was so long ago," said Edwini-Bonsu, who played for German second division side Eintracht Braunschweig this past season. "I thought Edmonton deserved it and thankfully Im from here so it worked out perfect." Canada had a few more opportunities just before halftime, but both a Doneil Henry header on a corner kick and an Andre Hainault header on a Kyle Bekker free kick both missed wide. Canada nearly went down another goal in the second half. Osvaldo Rodriguezs header in the 54th minute looped into the net, but the goal was called back for a foul as Rodriguez shoved Ledgerwood to win the ball. Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute when Christopher Meneses and Ledgerwood scuffled near the corner in the Canadian end. Meneses clearly shoved Ledgerwood in the face, which is an automatic red card, but it was not immediately clear what Ledgerwood did to merit the second sending off. Richard Dent Womens Jersey . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Gale Sayers Bears Jersey . 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What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. BAGSHOT, England -- The Los Angeles Rams have allowed more than 400 total yards twice this season and won both games.Thats why theyre not concerned by any potential challenge posed at Twickenham Stadium in southwest London on Sunday by New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.He does some great things for their offense, and we definitely have our work cut out for us with him, but were ready for that challenge, strong safety T.J. McDonald said. Were going to go out there and execute the plan.Beckham is expected to play despite missing time at practice this week with a hip injury. Hes listed as probable on the injury report.That injury, sustained in the first half of the Giants 27-23 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, didnt seem to hamper him. He finished with 222 yards on eight catches, including a 75-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter and the deciding 66-yard touchdown reception with 1:24 remaining.Beckham was back in the spotlight for his performance and the antics of his elaborate touchdown celebrations.The Rams know Beckham well, having engaged in a brawl on the Giants sideline during a game in December 2014. The melee involved nearly 20 players after Alec Ogletree hit Beckham out of bounds and drove him into the ground. Three Giants and one Ram were ejected.Youve got to protect yourself at all times, Beckham said Friday when asked if hed be on the lookout for late hits. You dont need stuff like that to happen, like what happened last time.It shouldnt be a big issue. ... I always say: `Stay ready so you dont have to get ready.Players insisted all week the incident is irrelevant, and defensive backs downplayed any desire to get an edge by baiting Beckham.Obviously, Ive seen the (antics) and everything, but thats not really my game, Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines said. I like to keep my own head out there and worry about what I need to do to make some plays for this defense.Los Angeles coach Jeff Fisher praised Beckham, saying he has a chance to go down as one of the all-time best.After surpassing 100 receiving yards in a game eight times last year, hes done that once this season -- against the Washington Redskins in Week 3 -- and didnt score a touchdown until the Giants loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 5.The Rams (3-3), who entered the week with the 16th-ranked pass defense at 246.2 yards per game, have allowed three players to gain more than 100 receiving yards this season. Only the Detroit Lions Golden Tate, who had 165 yards and a touchdown last Sunday, emerged with a victory.Los Angeles again will be without cornerback Trumaine Johnson, who has been declared out because of a high ankle sprain that also kept him from facing Detroit. Gaines and Troy Hill, who last week became the fourth starting tandem the Rams used this season, figure to continue in those roles.One of those former starters, Coty Sensabaugh, was released on Oct. 8 and later picked up by the Giants.Theyve all grown because we have a next-man-up philosophy, defensive coordinator Gregg Willams said. We have to be able to step up and do yoour job in this league.ddddddddddddhe Giants (3-3) signed kicker Robbie Gould after Josh Brown was not allowed to travel with the team to London on Thursday. The NFL is reopening its investigation into a 2015 domestic abuse complaint made by Browns former wife after police released journal entries and emails in which the place-kicker admitted repeatedly verbally and physically abusing her.This week should be the return of defensive end Robert Quinn, who missed the last two games with what he said was a freak shoulder injury. Hes considered questionable.Quinn, who has averaged nearly a sack a game over the past four seasons but has just two in four games, could help the defense put more pressure on Giants quarterback Eli Manning. If Manning has less time to throw, he has less time to get the ball to Beckham and other wide receivers, which could lighten the burden on the Rams secondary.I think guys are just ready to get our blood back going ... because were definitely a little disappointed about our last couple performances, Quinn said. I think guys are just a little antsy and, like I said, ready to prove that were a lot better than we showed these last two weeks.DUKES HOME: The Giants have made the Duke of Northumberlands ancestral home their base of operations for their three-day stay in London. The 200-acre (80-hectare) Syon Park in suburban southwest London features extensive gardens along the banks of the Thames, a castle-style residence with statue-lined halls and gilded ceilings, a spa hotel, a trout fishery and, until Sunday, a makeshift football field. ... Several Giants showed they know little about London, mostly failing in a team video to identify Big Ben, the London Eye, Abbey Road and Tower Bridge. All managed to recognize Twickenham Stadium as the place theyre playing -- except Rashad Jennings, who called it Wembley.LAST TIME IN LONDON: The Giants last played here in the first NFL game on Oct. 28, 2007, a 13-10 victory against the winless Miami Dolphins. It wasnt pretty as New York prevailed amid rain, mud, seven fumbles and a chorus of boos. The NFL overseas project survived that wretched start to achieve nearly a decade straight of sold-out successes at Wembley Stadium, the home of English soccer. The game Sunday will be the 16th in London, the second of three this season. Its the first held at Twickenham Stadium, home of Englands rugby team.Game notes DT Michael Brockers (thigh) has also been ruled out, while LG Jamon Brown (hand) and WR Nelson Spruce (calf) are considered doubtful. ... Cornerback Dwayne Gratz is expected to play in his fifth game in London and second this season. Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012, he was cut and claimed off waivers by the Rams on Oct. 11. I havent been the tour guide, he said. I should be. Ive got a lot of experience here.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
