Thursday Kicks: Chivas USA's Kennedy out for season & more

*For the second consecutive season, Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who has made six starts this season mostly in place of an injured Zach Thornton, is out for the season after sustaining an arm injury last Saturday against Toronto, club officials said today.

He will undergo surgery Friday for a "tear of the long head tendon of his left biceps." He suffered the injury in the 62nd minute, but played the rest of the game.

Kennedy also suffered a season-ending injury last year, although that came in preseason.

The 28-year-old out of Fullerton has been restricted to just 14 starts in three seasons. His injuries have come just as he seemed ready to establish himself as the first choice goalkeeper ahead of Thornton.

Pool goalkeeper Kevin Guppy, a Cal State Northridge product, who was backing up Kennedy, will now back up Thornton.

The veteran has returned to full training in the last few days after being out with an injury himself.

*Meanwhile, the Associated Press is reporting that a "person familiar with David Beckham's plans says the former England captain will reject the chance to play in one final match for his country."

That person told The Associated Press that "it would seem strange to say you are not retiring then to signal your retirement in a benefit match."

England Coach Fabio Capello announced Wednesday that the 35-year-old Beckham was too old to continue playing competitively for England, but offered him one last appearance in an exhibition match.

*The groups and venues for the 2010 CONCACAF Women's World Cup qualifying tournament, set for Oct. 28-Nov. 8 in Cancún and Playa del Carmen, Mexico, were announced today after the draw was held at CONCACAF headquarters in New York.

The U.S. was drawn into Group B along with Costa Rica, Haiti and Guatemala. Group A features Mexico, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana.

The eight-team competition, formerly known as the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, will send both finalists to the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. The tournament's third-place finisher will face the fifth place team from Europe in a home-and-home and series for a World Cup spot.

The 16-team 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup tournament will be held in nine German cities from June 26-July 17.

The United States has won all four CONCACAF Women's World Cup qualifying tournaments in which it has competed

The match dates and times for the Women's World Cup Qualifying will be announced at a later date.