In brief: Chiefs knock off Thunderbirds

Mitch Holmberg notched a hat trick to power the Spokane Chiefs to a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds in the preseason Everett Tournament in Everett, Wash., on Sunday.

Seattle took a 1-0 lead just 1:10 into the match.

Spokane pulled even at 19:02 of the first on a goal by rookie Jackson Playfair.

Holmberg’s first two goals came in the second period – the first on a power play at 2:10 and the second at 12:27 to put the Chiefs up 4-1.

Collin Valcourt found the net in between Homberg’s goals.

Riley Sheen scored at 18:22 to pull Seattle within 4-2.

Todd Fiddler, who also had two assists on the night, scored at 9:39 of the third to push the Chiefs’ lead to 5-2.

After Mitch Elliot found the net for Seattle to make it 5-3 at 13:57, Holmberg capped off his hat trick with an empty-netter with 30 seconds remaining.

Brazilians name WC ball ‘Brazuca’

Soccer: FIFA says Brazilians have decided to name the 2014 World Cup ball “Brazuca,” an informal word often used to describe national pride in the South American country.

FIFA says more than one million people voted to select the ball’s name, with 70 percent picking the term.

Soccer’s governing body says the name “symbolizes emotion, pride and goodwill to all,” mirroring Brazil’s “approach to football.”

“Brazuca” is also often used as the nickname given to Brazilians living outside the country, including the hundreds of footballers playing abroad.

The Brazuca likely will be the first World Cup ball equipped with goal-line technology, which will be introduced by FIFA at the seven-team Club World Cup in Japan in December. FIFA’s goal is to have the mechanism fully tested ahead of next year’s Confederations Cup, which will also take place in Brazil.

Associated Press