Sports briefs

SOCCEROchocinco tries out for Kansas City team

Switching from football to soccer won't be easy for Chad Ochocinco, if it happens at all. Locked out of his day job, Ochocinco opened a four-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City and by the end of his first day with the Major League Soccer team the star receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals was panting for breath. "Exactly what I expected," the six-time Pro Bowler said. Ochocinco plans to go through with the tryout, and, if possible, join the MLS team. The spotlight-hungry player insisted he was motivated by love for a sport that was actually his first choice until his grandmother persuaded him to focus on football after the 10th grade. "I would play for free," he said.

Kansas City coach Peter Vermes said: "You can see he's very coachable. I wouldn't try to make any determinations at this point."

GOLFWoods sees himself as 'Corey Pavin' of his group

Tiger Woods will spend the first two days of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, Fla., with Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland, both of whom are on the A-list of big hitters in golf. Woods has never seen Woodland, who won last week at Innisbrook. "I'll be the Corey Pavin of my group," Woods said on the eve of the first round. "Those guys will be bombing it way out there past me. It's a new game now."

COLLEGESAnderson returning to Arkansas

Mike Anderson is returning to Arkansas to become the school's basketball coach. Anderson leaves Missouri after five seasons to return to the school where he was an assistant to Nolan Richardson for 17 seasons.

FOOTBALLMarty Schottenheimer to coach in UFL

Marty Schottenheimer, who is sixth on the National Football League's all-time coaching wins list, will now coach in the United Football League. Schottenheimer, 67, was named coach and general manager of the Virginia Destroyers, the UFL's new franchise. Schottenheimer has not coached since being fired by the San Diego Chargers after a 14-2 season in 2006.

TENNIS

Clijsters won't go to event in Japan

Kim Clijsters is planning to avoid Japan over radiation fears. Clijsters told Belgian media on Tuesday that she wouldn't go to the WTA tournament in Tokyo in September nor to one in Beijing the following month. The WTA released a statement from Clijsters: "Most importantly, my thoughts and sympathies are with the people in Japan. It's heart-wrenching to see what they're going through right now." -- AP