Inter Milan

History Founded in 1908 as the Football Club Internazionale Milano, Inter Milan has a history rife with controversy. The founding members of the club were unhappy with the absence of international players on the AC Milan team, so Inter Milan was formed as a club open to all foreigners. Inter Milan's nickname is the Nerazzurri, which is tied to the team's black and blue colors. The team has captured 18 Serie A titles, four Supercoppa Italiana crowns, and three UEFA League and UEFA Europa Cup championships.

SUNDAY'S TELEVISION HIGHLIGHTS NASCAR Sprint Cup: Aaron's 499 45, 5Noon MLB Orioles@Boston MASN, 131:30 Yankees@Kansas City TBS2 Dodgers@Cubs WGN-A2:10 Philadelphia@Washington ESPN8 Orioles@Boston (T) MASN11:30 NBA play. Chicago@Philadelphia: Gm. 4 2, 71 Miami@New York: Gm. 4 2, 73:30 Atlanta@Boston: Gm. 4 TNT7 Lakers@Denver: Gm. 4 TNT9:30 PGA European Open de Espana GOLF7:30 a.m. Wells Fargo Champ.: final rd. GOLF1 Wells Fargo Champ.: final rd. 93 Wells Fargo Champ.: final rd. 134:30 Champions Insperity Champ.

There were no tantalizing bicycle kicks like last year, and the "beautiful game" was a little ragged at times, but Baltimore's exposure to international soccer still produced its share of memorable moments Saturday night. Much of the meaningful action unfolded in the first half at M&T Bank Stadium, where a modest crowd announced at 36,569 saw two early scuffles, one suspect red card and one spectacular goal. Throw in an own goal by Manchester City in the second half, and European champion Inter Milan dominated for a 3-0 victory in the preseason friendly.

A century ago, a crack English soccer team called the Pilgrims landed here, challenged Baltimore's best and offered a two-foot, $15,000 silver chalice to any club that could defeat it. Three local teams tried — and were crushed by a combined score of 38-0. The Brits kept the trophy, but the city struck it rich. Humbled by the outcome, Baltimore's soccer buffs — a melange of college-educated men and blue-collar immigrants — rallied to drum up interest, organize leagues and build playing fields, some of which are still in use. On Saturday, another of England's finest teams will hit town, and the seeds sown from those one-sided games long ago will be on display.

How does hosting a World Cup sound to you, Baltimore? Sound like a pretty good idea? Bring a lot of visitors to the city? Generate a lot of ka-ching for hotels, bars and restaurants? Then where were you Saturday night, when a crowd of just 36,569 showed up at M&T Bank Stadium for the big soccer friendly between Manchester City and Inter Milan? Understand this isn't to say a crowd that size is anything to sneeze at. Forty thousand is fine for, like, a big dog show.

Manchester City had to make a managerial change for Saturday night's game. Instead of Manchester City head coach Roberto Mancini , the team was managed by assistant coach Brian Kidd , who was a standout player with Manchester United. Mancini, a former star player for Sampdoria, left the team to return to Italy because of his father's health problems. Mancini was manager of Inter Milan from 2004 to 2008, including the record-breaking season in 2006-07 when Inter Milan totaled 97 points, an Italian League record and, until 2009-10, a European record.

TELEVISION HIGHLIGHTS MLB Atlanta@Mets MLB 1 M. bask. Duke@Virginia (T) CSN Noon Vanderbilt@Florida ESPN 7 Villanova@Cincinnati ESPN2 7 St. John's@Syracuse MASN 7 South Florida@DePaul ESPNU 7:30 Miami@North Carolina 54, 20 8 ...