National briefs: U.S. falls to Sweden

Wolfsburg, Germany — The Americans can’t do things the easy way.

Needing only a tie to avoid Brazil in the quarterfinals, the U.S. fell, 2-1, to Sweden on Wednesday night, the team’s fourth loss since November and first ever in group play at the World Cup.

Lisa Dahlkvist converted a penalty and Nilla Fischer scored on a free kick for Sweden, which won Group C and will play Australia on Sunday in Augsburg. Abby Wambach got the U.S. back in the game in the 67th minute with her first goal of the tournament, but as they have all year the Americans squandered too many other chances and now must face Brazil on Sunday in Dresden.

Brazil was the runner-up to the Americans at the last two Olympics and to Germany at the 2007 World Cup, and is led by five-time FIFA player of the year Marta.

MLS

Sporting KC, Colorado tie

Kansas City, Kan. — Graham Zusi scored off a rebound in the second half to help Sporting Kansas City salvage a 1-1 tie against the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night and extend its unbeaten streak to nine matches.

Kansas City (5-6-6) has not lost in its last four home games.

College Basketball

Stanford extends Dawkins

Stanford, Calif. — Stanford men’s basketball coach Johnny Dawkins signed a two-year contract extension that takes him through the 2015-16 season with the Cardinal.