time World Cup champions have won the silver med | Forum

                                      NEW YORK -- Three sisters whose track and field prowess brought them medals, TV appearances and even a magazine cover are still struggling for something thats eluded them: a home of their own. Morten Andersen Saints Jersey .Tai, Rainn and Brooke Sheppard and their mother still share a bed in a Brooklyn homeless shelter despite an outpouring of attention that began this summer when The Associated Press wrote about how they overcame hardships to qualify and earn medals in the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Houston.Ten-year-old Rainn won the 3,000 meters; Tai, 11, was second in the 80-meter hurdles, and Brooke, 9, was second in the high jump.Many were touched by their plight and wanted to help; a philanthropist bought mother Tonia Handy a plane ticket to watch her girls run at the games and others came forward with tips for her to find a better job. But months later, even as the girls are being honored as Sports Illustrated Kids SportsKids of the Year, Handy is still looking for something better than the minimum-wage job answering phones at a taxi company and that elusive place of their own.I just want a nice mattress, Handy told the AP this week. Can I just have a nice mattress to lay my head and just relax and take a breather before I get up and start this new life?New York Citys Department of Homeless Services says Handy has been working with a case manager since October on a plan to leave the shelter system. Some options didnt work out because of apartments being a long way from Brooklyn or scheduling issues that made Handy miss meetings with potential landlords. Handy says one job she had been offered was in another borough and too long a commute, while another interview didnt result in an offer.But the family appreciates the love theyre receiving, most recently on an appearance of ABCs The View, where host Whoopi Goldberg showed the girls on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Kids issue for December that made it clear they had won and presented the family with $10,000, along with $40,000 for their Brooklyn-based Jeuness Track Club.That money is going to make a really big difference in our lives, Handy said.Brooke said on the show that joining the track club was the best thing that ever happened to her.It makes us more responsible, she said. And it gives us an idea of whats going to happen in the future, like getting a scholarship. Ted Ginn Jr Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Taysom Hill Saints Jersey . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. http://www.saintsrookiestore.com/Saints-Tre-Quan-Smith-Jersey/ .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Despite all the talk at the Olympics about Brazils talented strikers, its the defense thats holding the team together as the host tries to win the soccer gold medal for the first time.Brazil has yet to concede a goal entering Saturdays final against Germany at the Maracana Stadium, helping keep the pressure off an offense led by Neymar and youngsters Gabigol and Gabriel Jesus.We are just doing our part, said defender Marquinhos, who on Wednesday scored a goal in the 6-0 rout of Honduras in the semifinals. We know that if we keep playing well back there and dont concede any goals, the attack will guarantee us the victories.Brazil is the only team with a clean sheet at the Olympic tournament, outscoring opponents 12-0 after five matches. Germany enters the final with 21 goals scored and five against.The entire team has been helping, and thats important, said central defender Rodrigo Caio. The strikers have been coming back when needed. That makes our lives easier. If we can remain scoreless one more game, Im sure we will be able to reach our goal of winning the gold.Rodrigo Caio and Marquinhos are the leaders of the defense. Rodrigo Caio, 23, plays for Brazilian club Sao Paulo but soon will be on his way to Europe. The 22-year-old Marquinhos plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France, where he is often a starter.Gifted right back Zeca, from Brazilian club Santos, where Neymar used to play, helps both on offense and deefense, while 22-year-old Douglas Santos, who has played for small clubs in Spain and Italy, is solid on the left flank. Sheldon Rankins Womens Jersey. There used to be concern about the goalkeeper, Weverton, who was added to the team just before the tournament after regular starter Fernando Prass was dropped due to injury. But the 28-year-old Atletico Paranaense player has been doing well when needed. Despite Brazils comfortable victory Wednesday over Honduras, he made two great saves in the second half to keep the sheet clean.He also excelled in the first two games of the tournament, when the attack failed to score and Brazil was held to scoreless draws against South African and Iraq.We have found a good balance, Brazil coach Rogerio Micale said. We have been doing well both on offense and on defense, and thats key for a team that wants to win a competition. We fully trust our defenders, just like we trust our strikers.Brazil was the main favorite to win the Olympic gold, the only significant trophy it hasnt won in soccer. The five-time World Cup champions have won the silver medal three times and the bronze twice. Brazil lost to Mexico in the final four years ago in London, when Neymar also played.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoni ' ' '