Professional Sports

The Atlanta Silverbacks fell, 5-1, to Seattle Sounders FC Wednesday night at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., ending their 2012 U.S. Open Cup run in the third round.

The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday that cornerback Asher Allen has retired from football, a curious decision for a 24-year-old who was about to enter only his fourth NFL season.

The Atlanta Braves have optioned rookie shortstop Tyler Pastornicky to Triple-A Gwinnett, announcing the move following Wednesday night's 10-7 win over St. Louis.

The Gwinnett Braves saw their five-game winning streak snapped as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs won 6-3 on Wednesday night at Coolray Field.

Freddie Freeman homered and drove in three runs, wearing his new glasses, to help the Atlanta Braves recover after blowing a five-run lead and beat the St. Louis Cardinals 10-7 on Wednesday night.

Neymar converted a penalty kick and assisted on goals by defenders Thiago Silva and Marcelo as Brazil took advantage of a sloppy American backline to beat the United States 4-1 in an exhibition game Wednesday night.

Mired in an eight-game losing streak, the Atlanta Braves decided to shake things up before Tuesday night's game against St. Louis.

Yohan Flande threw 7 scoreless, three-hit innings to lead the Gwinnett Braves to a 4-0 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Tuesday night at Coolray Field.

Dan Uggla hit a three-run homer, Michael Bourn also went deep and the Atlanta Braves snapped their longest losing streak in more than two years, holding off the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 Tuesday night after an eight-game skid.

Asante Samuel was impossible to ignore during the Atlanta Falcons' first full-squad practice this offseason on Tuesday.