In Brief

SOCCER

Young U.S. players make debut in 0-0 draw against Colombia

Eric Lichaj, 21, and Brek Shea, 20, made their U.S. national team debuts. Coach Bob Bradley experimented with another new formation.

The post-World Cup Americans are a work in progress, finishing the home portion of their 2010 schedule with a dull 0-0 draw against Colombia on Tuesday at Chester, Pa.

"It's a game that in the first half, we didn't find a good rhythm," said Bradley, who changed five starters from Saturday's 2-2 tie against Poland in Chicago. "We're not playing forward fast enough ... As we go forward, as we work on playing some different ways, we have to work on our movement."

The U.S. is 4-5-4 this year, in danger of its first losing record since 1997. The Americans complete play Nov. 17, when they go to South Africa for an exhibition against Bafana Bafana in Cape Town.

"It's just about bringing some energy," said Lichaj, who made his Aston Villa debut in August.

"I was excited more than anything," said Shea, a midfielder with FC Dallas. "We struggled a bit. I was a bit nervous. I feel the next time I get to play in a match, I definitely will be more comfortable.''

PRO BASKETBALL

Heat get scare when James leaves game with leg cramps

CSKA Moscow provided one scare, then LeBron James gave Miami another.

The Heat survived both.

James scored 22 points in 26 minutes before leaving with leg cramps in the third quarter, Chris Bosh added 17 points and eight rebounds, and the Heat overcame an early 10-point deficit to beat the Euroleague powerhouse 96-85 in an exhibition at Miami.

"I'm fine," said James, who will travel with the Heat to New Orleans but is not expected to play today -- which the two-time reigning Most Valuable Player revealed was the Heat's plan before the cramping issue. "I can be ready the next game if I needed to play."

Also: Sacramento Kings center Samuel Dalembert could be out for six weeks with a strained left groin muscle, probably forcing him to miss his first regular-season game in five years.

The Milwaukee Bucks said rookie guard Darington Hobson has undergone successful surgery on his left hip.

The team said the second-round draft pick will undergo a similar procedure on his right hip later this year and is expected to miss the entire season.

The 6-foot-7-inch junior was selected 37th overall out of New Mexico this year.

MISCELLANEOUS

McDowell, Kaymer joining Woods at Chevron Challenge

Tiger Woods will join two major champions and at least a dozen players from both Ryder Cup teams in his Chevron World Challenge in December at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Woods' foundation announced the 16 players who qualified from the world ranking, a group that starts with Woods and goes down to Sean O'Hair at No. 28. The field includes U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell and PGA champion Martin Kaymer.

The tournament is scheduled for Dec. 2 to 5.

Lee Westwood, who could replace Woods at No. 1 in the world next month, will be competing in Sun City, South Africa. Woods has not played his tournament since winning in 2007.

Also: Former NASCAR driver Shane Hmiel is showing positive signs as he recovers from a crash last weekend in an Indiana sprint car race. The U.S. Auto Club said that the 30-year-old Hmiel remains in critical but stable condition at an Indianapolis hospital with fractures in his neck and back, but doesn't appear to have any head trauma. Doctors said they are encouraged because he has been able to move both arms.

Hmiel, who won the 2004 NASCAR truck race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was injured Saturday night during qualifying for the USAC's Silver Crown race at Terre Haute Action Track.

Hmiel was banned for life from NASCAR in 2006 after failing three drug tests.

The UNLV men's golf team finished fifth after a final-round 14-over-par 294 at the 12-team Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate at Birmingham, Ala. The Rebels' 54-hole total of 26-over 866 was 37 shots behind winner Auburn.

Junior Derek Ernst was the top placer for the Rebels, finishing in a 10th-place tie with a 2-over 212. UNLV freshman Blake Biddle tied for 21st at 7-over 217.

The UNLV women's golf team is tied for fourth place after two rounds of the Dale McNamara Invitational at Tulsa, Okla. The Rebels are tied with Texas, 16 shots behind leader Oklahoma.

UNLV's Therese Koelbaek is tied for fifth, three shots off the lead after a 2-over 74.

Wladimir Klitschko will defend his IBF heavyweight title against Dereck Chisora of Britain in Germany on Dec. 11.