The United States came back three times to beat Sweden, 4-3, on Monday in a Group A matchup at the hockey world championships in Cologne, Germany. Former Boston College star Johnny Gaudreau scored twice, ex-Boston University standout Clayton Keller had his fourth goal in two games, J.T. Compher scored the winner, and Jimmy Howard stopped 39 shots as the Americans won their second straight following a surprise opening loss to Germany on Friday. The Americans moved 2 points behind group leader Russia, which defeated Germany, 6-3, in Cologne . . . Canada stayed unbeaten in three Group B games by shutting out Belarus, 6-0, in Paris. Nathan MacKinnon notched two goals, giving him a tourney-best five. Also in Paris, the Czech Republic rallied from a 3-0 first-period deficit to beat Finland, 4-3, in a shootout.
BASEBALL
Taillon has surgery for testicular cancer
Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon underwent surgery for suspected testicular cancer. The 26-year-old righthander alerted the team’s medical staff of an abnormality over the weekend. The recommended treatment plan for Taillon is pending further testing. Taillon was placed on the 10-day disabled list last week with what the team said was groin discomfort . . . Matt Harvey is scheduled to rejoin the Mets’ rotation Friday in Milwaukee after serving a three-day suspension for not showing up at Citi Field for a game over the weekend . . . The Cubs put outfielder Jason Heyward on the 10-day DL with a sore knuckle on his right hand, and traded outfielder Matt Szczur to the Padres for minor league righthander Justin Hancock . . . Former NL MVP Ryan Howard was released from his minor league contract by the Braves after the DH/first baseman struggled at Triple A Gwinnett, hitting .184 in 11 games. Atlanta also acquired utility player Danny Santana from the Twins for reliever Kevin Chapman and cash.
SOCCER
Revolution reacquire Koffie on loan
The Revolution brought back Gershon Koffie, acquiring the midfielder on loan from Sweden’s Hammarby IF. Koffie, 25, will be added to the Revolution roster upon the receipt of his P-1 visa. The Ghana native made 22 appearances and 19 starts for New England last season, registering four assists . . . The United States men’s team will play its home World Cup qualifier against Panama in Orlando Oct 6. The game, the next to last for the Americans in the final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, will be the US team’s first competitive match in Orlando. The Americans will play their last qualifier four days later at Trinidad and Tobago.
FIFA optimistic of North America’s bid for 2026 World Cup
An accelerated process to hand North America the 2026 World Cup is set to be approved by soccer leaders this week, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino hoping for a ‘‘bulletproof’’ process to avoid past voting scandals. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are seeking an unchallenged path to cohosting rights for the 2026 showpiece, if FIFA’s technical requirements are met by next year ‘‘It’s an interesting, original proposal and we will discuss it tomorrow at the council and present the recommendation to the congress,’’ Infantino told the Associated Press in Bahrain at the start of a week of FIFA meetings. There is expected to be no opposition to fast-tracking the plans at either the council or the congress, where FIFA’s entire 211-strong leadership has the final say. The current plans give the United States 60 games, including every fixture from the quarterfinals, while Canada and Mexico will have 10 each. There is a possibility the U.S. emerges as the solo host if its neighbors are considered unsuitable by the FIFA Congress in June 2018 . . . Chelsea midfielder and France international N'Golo Kanté was voted 2017 Footballer of the Year by soccer writers. The Premier League star topped the poll of journalists just weeks after being voted Player of the Year by his fellow professionals . . . The Dutch soccer association scheduled an announcement for Tuesday to name its new national team coach amid widespread reports that Dick Advocaat will be appointed for his third stint in charge. Dutch media, citing Advocaat’s agent, reported Monday that the Royal Netherlands Football Association and Advocaat have reached an agreement for him to replace Danny Blind, who was fired in March.
FOOTBALL
Jets receiver Anderson arrested
Authorities in Miami said Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson has been charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of justice after sparring with officials who asked him to leave a music festival Sunday evening. A Miami Police Department arrest report says Anderson, 23, refused an order by a police lieutenant to sit on the ground and pushed the officer and other officials at the Rolling Loud festival. A hearing is scheduled for May 15. Anderson caught 42 passes for 587 yards last season. In a statement, the Jets said they’re ‘‘aware of the situation’’ but have no comment . . . According to multiple reports, Saints center Max Unger suffered an unspecified foot injury and it’s unknown whether Unger will be ready for the start of the regular season . . . Veteran linebacker Dan Skuta signed a one-year contract with the Bears. Skuta, 31, was released by the Jaguars last month . . . Former UConn offensive lineman Richard Levy signed a three-year deal with the 49ers after a tryout at the team’s rookie minicamp. Levy (6 feet 6 inches, 316 pounds) started every game for the Huskies over the last three seasons . . . CBS is making another change to its cast for the ‘‘NFL Today’’ show on Sundays, replacing Bart Scott with Nate Burleson. Burleson, an NFL wide receiver for 11 seasons who retired after the 2013 season, is the second newcomer to the program, with Phil Simms moving from the broadcast booth to the studio. That switch was announced last month . . . ESPN announced a multiyear agreement with Tim Tebow, who will continue as an analyst on the SEC Network. Tebow has worked as a studio analyst for the SEC Network since its 2014 debut. He will remain part of ‘‘SEC Nation,’’ the network’s traveling Saturday pregame show. The 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and former NFL player is currently playing minor league baseball in the New York Mets organization . . . Arkansas running back Rawleigh Williams, the third-leading rusher in the SEC last season, announced his decision to walk away from football after suffering the second neck injury of his college career last week during the team’s final spring practice.
TENNIS
Kerber will regain to world No. 1
Top-seeded Angelique Kerber defeated Katerina Siniakova, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5, to advance to the third round of the Madrid Open and regain the world No. 1 ranking. Second-seeded Karolina Pliskova, ranked third in the world, lost to Anastasija Sevastova, 6-3, 6-3, ending her hopes of reaching No. 1 this week. That meant Kerber was guaranteed to retake the top ranking from Serena Williams next week. Eugenie Bouchard sent a message to Maria Sharapova by defeating the Russian, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, in the second round. Bouchard was one of the more outspoken players against Sharapova’s return to tennis following a doping ban, calling Sharapova a cheater and saying she should have been banned for life from the sport after testing positive for meldonium at last year’s Australian Open. The players casually shook hands at the net after Monday’s match without exchanging any words. Bouchard next faces Kerber.
Rafael Nadal’s debut at the Madrid Open was pushed back a day because of an ear infection. The fifth-ranked Nadal, who had a bye in the first round, will face Fabio Fognini on Wednesday.
MISCELLANY
IOC to inspect LA and Paris this week
Los Angeles and Paris, both already seen as winning options for the 2024 Games, await their Olympic inspectors this week. The cities will host three-day visits by an International Olympic Committee panel, whose chairman has no doubt about their hosting credentials. ‘‘I think today at least you can already say, either way, we will have fantastic Olympic Games,’’ IOC evaluation commission chairman Patrick Baumann told the Associated Press. IOC president Thomas Bach seems so sure of the candidates’ qualities that he asked his four vice presidents for advice on also bringing the 2028 Olympics into play, rewarding both cities with hosting duties. That guidance is due in July, so Baumann’s 13-member group will press on with scheduled work in Los Angeles starting Wednesday, then in Paris from Sunday . . . An hourlong memorial service for US bobsledder Steven Holcomb will be held Thursday evening in Lake Placid, N.Y. Holcomb, 37, died unexpectedly on Saturday at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid. No determination of the cause of death will come until toxicology tests are completed.
The Nashville Predators signed forward Emil Pettersson of the Swedish Hockey League to a two-year, entry-level contract. Pettersson, 23, was a sixth-round pick by the Predators in 2013.
