miaowang123: season after Washington signed Rafael Sorian

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- The Confederations Cup has the final nearly everyone wanted: A long-awaited matchup between world champion Spain and host Brazil. Nike Zoom Outlet Italia . The most dominant team in recent years and the most successful team of all time will meet on Sunday at the Maracana Stadium to decide the winner of the eight-nation warm-up tournament for next years World Cup. It will be the first time the traditional football nations meet in more than a decade, and the first competitive match between them since Brazils 1-0 win thanks to Socrates goal in the first round of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. "Its the match everyone wanted to happen," Brazilian striker Neymar said. "The entire world wanted it and everybody will be watching it." Brazil hopes a victory will help it regain its status as a global powerhouse after recent struggles, while Spain wants to show that not even the five-time world champions can put a dent in its supremacy. "Brazil is possibly the best team in the history of football and to face them in this situation is something magnificent," Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez said. "Its a special final, a special night. We want to win it." With more than 70,000 Brazilian fans packing the iconic venue, the world and European champions will be put to the test by a reinvigorated Brazil team led by the 21-year-old Neymar and World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. "Spain is a spectacular team but it has weak points just like any other team," Scolari said Saturday. "I dont think they are the favourites. We are capable of winning. This is our home and we need to make them respect us." The hosts will be trying to win their third-straight title in the World Cup warm-up competition, and fourth overall, while Spain will be looking for its fourth major trophy in five years. Spain won the 2010 World Cup along with the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. The team is unbeaten in a world record 29 competitive matches over three years since losing its 2010 World Cup opener to Switzerland. Lifting another trophy on Sunday would be special for the Spaniards. "We are talking about a match against Brazil, the fathers of football, at the Maracana," Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque said. "We are happy to be having this opportunity and we hope we are back here in 2014, too." Brazil won its fifth World Cup title in 2002, but recently its Spain that has been the dominant team in international football, capturing the last two European championships and the 2010 World Cup. Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals in the last two World Cups and hasnt won a significant title since the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. "They are the current world champions, they have to be praised," Brazil captain Thiago Silva said. "But anything can happen in a final and Im certain that Brazil will be fully prepared for the matchup." Spain hasnt lost in 26 matches, since a 1-0 loss against England in London in 2011. Brazil struggled after Scolari returned to the national team, winning only one of its first six matches. But it reaches the final on a five-match winning streak and the passionate support of its fans. "There is no doubt it will be an even match," Brazil right back Daniel Alves said Saturday. "There is mutual respect between these two national teams." Brazil beat Japan, Mexico and Italy in the group stage before edging Uruguay in the semifinals. Spain defeated the Uruguayans in its opener, then routed Tahiti and beat Nigeria before getting past Italy in a penalty shootout in the semifinals. "Its the match everybody has been waiting for," said Brazil assistant coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who led the national team to the 1994 world title. "We all know how good Spain is, but Brazil is going through a sensational moment and is full of confidence." Brazil is also more rested. While the host hasnt played since Wednesday, Spain endured extra time and the shootout in the semifinal against Italy in the heat of Fortaleza on Thursday. Del Bosque has said Spain will not use fatigue as an excuse, and Scolari also downplayed the issue. "They were able to rest all of their starters when they played Tahiti, so basically they had to play one game less than we did," Scolari said. Both coaches will have all of their top players available for the match at the renovated Maracana. Four players who will be in Sundays final were nominated for the Golden Ball award handed to the best players at the Confederations Cup: Brazils Neymar and Paulinho and Spains Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos. Scarpe Zoom Scontate . Notes on P.K. Subban, Dale Weise, Erik Haula, Mikael Granlund, Ilya Bryzgalov and more. Nike Zoom Scontate . Chris Johnson singled with two outs off left-hander Jerry Blevins (1-1), and Schafer pinch ran. With a 2-2 count, Schafer ran on the pitch and Upton dropped a single in front of Bryce Harper. Schafer already was rounding third when Schafer bobbled the ball.WASHINGTON -- Right-handed starter Jordan Zimmermanns $24 million, two-year contract and shortstop Ian esmonds $17.5 million, two-year deal were among a half-dozen agreements reached by the Washington Nationals on Friday to avoid arbitration. Zimmermann and Desmond are two homegrown cornerstones of the Nationals, who essentially bought out both players last two arbitration years. And both deals are worth much more in the second season: Zimmermann will make $7.5 million in 2014, then $16.5 million in 2015; Desmond gets $6.5 million in 2014, then $11 million in 2015. Other players agreeing to contracts with the Nationals, all for just 2014, included former closer Drew Storen, catcher Wilson Ramos and lefties Jerry Blevins and Ross etwiler. Storen got a base salary of $3.45 million, with a chance to earn $1 million in performance bonuses based on the number of games he finishes. Ramos deal is worth $2.095 million, Blevins is worth $1.675 million, and Detwilers is worth $3 million. Two other Nationals players submitted salary arbitration figures: right-handed starter Doug Fister, who was acquired from the Detroit Tigers in a trade this off-season, and right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard. Fister, who made $4,075,000 while going 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA over 208 2-3 inninggs last season, asked that his salary more than double to $8. Nike Zoom Italia. 5 million, while the Nationals offered $5.75 million. Clippard asked for a raise to $6.35 million from $4 million; the team offered $4.45 million. Clippard was 6-3 with a 2.41 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 71 innings in 2013. Zimmermann went 19-9 with a 3.25 ERA over 213 1-3 innings last season for the Nationals, who went 86-76 and finished second in the NL East, failing to reach the playoffs. Desmond hit .280 with 20 homers and 80 RBIs in 2013, along with a career-best .971 fielding percentage. He was an NL All-Star in 2012, when he hit 25 homers and helped Washington win its division. Ramos hit .272 with 16 homers in only 287 at-bats, missing time because of leg injuries. Storen was 4-2 with three saves and a 4.52 ERA in 61 2-3 innings in 2013, when he also was sent to Triple-A Syracuse in July for a brief stint in the minors. He had 43 saves in 2011, missed the first part of 2012 because of right elbow surgery, then switched to a setup role last season after Washington signed Rafael Soriano. Detwiler was 2-7 with a 4.04 ERA in 2013, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. Washington got Blevins from the Oakland Athletics in a trade last month. He was 5-0 with a 3.15 ERA in a career-high 67 games in 2013. Cheap Hoodies From China Discount NFL Shirts Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale China Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Fast Shipping China Jerseys Stitched Jerseys ' ' '