earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and

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 Gabriel Gabigol Barbosa, Gabriel Jesus and Luan.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 throughout 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 defense, while 22-year-old Douglas Santos, who has played for small clubs in Spain and Italy but is now at Atletico Mineiro, is solid on the left flank.There used to be concern about the goalkeeper, Weverton, who was added to the team just before the tournament after selected starter Fernando Prass was dropped because of 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 Africa 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. Cheap New Orleans Saints Jerseys . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Clearance NFL Jerseys . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. http://www.clearancejerseys.com/?tag=cheap-dallas-cowboys-jerseys . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Clearance China Jerseys .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. Jerseys NFL Cheap . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. EASTON, Pa. -- Nick Shafnisky threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as Patriot League champion Lehigh defeated rival Lafayette 45-21 on Saturday for its ninth-straight win.Sophomore Dominick Bragalone ran for 110 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries to surpass 1,000 yards (1,106), making him only the second Mountain Hawks player with two 1,000 yard seasons.It was the 152nd meeting in college footballs most-played and longest continuous rivalry, played with World Series champion manager Joe Maddon (Lafayette Class of 1976) in attendance. Lafayette leads the series, wwhich dates to 1884, 78-69-5, but Lehigh is 33 of 52 since a 6-6 tie in the 100th meeting.ddddddddddddLehigh (9-2, 6-0) led 31-7 at the half as Shafnisky and Bragalone had rushing touchdowns and Shafnisky opened the scoring with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Troy Pelletier and a 15-yarder to Casey Gatlin.Drew Reed and Blake Searfoss combined to complete 36 of 54 passes for 398 yards with Reed throwing for two touchdowns for the Leopards (2-9, 1-5). ' ' '