Soccer

BOSTON (AP) — Benfica coach Filipa Patão has been hired as the new head coach of the National Women's Soccer League club Boston Legacy.

NEW YORK (AP) — Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer for the third straight year with total annual compensation of $20,446,667, greater than the entire payroll of 21 teams.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi remains Major League Soccer's highest-paid player this season at $20,446,667 (all figures in U.S. dollars), according to figures released Wednesday by the MLS Players Association.

TORONTO — Canadian midfielder Sarah Stratigakis tells a familiar story in signing with AFC Toronto "I'm very excited. Finally, to have a chance to play professionally in Canada," said the 26-year-old from Woodbridge, Ont.

MIAMI (AP) — FIFA has opened a disciplinary case at the Club World Cup after Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger claimed he was racially abused by Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral.

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Brighton soccer club’s billionaire owner Tony Bloom invested in Heart of Midlothian of the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday, aiming to revive another unheralded team.

BERLIN (AP) — The German soccer federation has been convicted of tax evasion related to its successful 2006 World Cup bid.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr is without a coach after Stefano Pioli left Wednesday, with the Italian expected to return home to Fiorentina.

Spain’s star-packed squad is bidding to follow up on its World Cup success with a first triumph at the Women’s European Championship.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Liam Delap scored his first goal for Chelsea and Enzo Fernández has two assists in a 3-0 win over Esperance on Tuesday night that helped clinch a round-of-16 berth in the Club World Cup.