n, his second as a regular in the lineup. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil will look for inspiration from playing at the historic Maracana Stadium when it faces Honduras in the semifinals of the mens Olympic soccer tournament on Wednesday.The decisive game will mark the debut of many of Brazils youngsters at the famed venue, which is expected to be packed with nearly 70,000 fans hopeful of seeing Brazil stay on track for its first soccer gold medal.We know about the importance of Maracana in the history of Brazilian football, Brazil defender Marquinhos said. We grew up hearing stories about the stadium. For everything that has happened there, its a special place for us. To be playing a semifinal and a final at the Maracana is like a dream to everyone who is here.The Maracana is Brazils most famous football stadium, having hosted two World Cup finals -- 1950 and 2014 -- and being home to some of the nations most important moments in club competitions.Brazil coach Rogerio Micale, who will be making his coaching debut at the Maracana, took the time to walk onto the pitch of the empty venue after his pre-match press conference on Monday.Its a great pleasure to be in a stadium like the Maracana, which represents so much to Brazilian football, Micale said. It will be a privilege for me and for my team to play such an important match at a stage like this.The stadium was home to the opening ceremony at the Rio Games, and will also host the closing ceremony. The first Olympic soccer match at the Maracana will be the womens semifinal between Brazil and Sweden on Tuesday.I used to pass by the Maracana when I was just a fan and dreamed of one day playing there, said Brazil midfielder Renato Augusto, a Rio de Janeiro native.Brazil didnt play at the Maracana at the World Cup in 2014 but it won the Confederations Cup at the venue the year before, in a final against Spain. If it beats Honduras, it will be back at the stadium for Saturdays final.Led by Neymar and promising youngsters Gabriel Jesus and Gabigol, Brazil is playing in its third-straight Olympic semifinal, and seventh overall. It lost to Lionel Messis Argentina in 2008 in Beijing, and made it to the final in 2012 in London but lost the gold to Mexico. Brazil has three silver medals and two bronze. The gold is the only significant trophy the five-time World Cup champions havent won in soccer.Honduras reached the semifinals for the first time after eliminating two-time Olympic champion Argentina in the group stage and getting past South Korea in the quarterfinals.An Olympic semifinal to be played in a stadium with 80,000 people is a motivation for everyone. The world will be watching our game. Our players have to motivate with it and feel that they have to give their best in the field, Honduras coach Jorge Luis Pinto said. I am thinking a lot about Neymar and how I can control him. Im looking for that player to mark him.Neymar struggled when Brazil opened with consecutive scoreless draws against South Africa and Iraq, but he and the rest of the team are coming off convincing wins against Denmark and Colombia.In the other semifinal, which will be played in Sao Paulo later Wednesday, 1996 Olympic champion Nigeria will face Germany, which is playing in the Olympics for the first time since 1998, when U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann was on the team. Germany has the competitions best attack with 19 goals. It eliminated Portugal in the quarterfinals.Nigeria almost didnt make it to Brazil in time for its opening game because of a trip mix-up, but it finished first in its group before eliminating Denmark in the quarterfinals. In addition to the gold in Atlanta, Nigeria also won the silver in Beijing in 2008.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoni Grant Fuhr Jersey . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Jean-Francois Jacques Jersey . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. http://www.hockeyoilersshop.com/mark-fayne-jersey/ . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Darnell Nurse Jersey . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Leon Draisaitl Jersey .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Tim Williams scored 19 points and New Mexico rolled to an 83-43 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday night.The Golden Lions (1-11) missed their first 13 shots and New Mexico (7-4) forced nine turnovers and led 16-0 before Arkansas-Pine Bluffs first bucket by Trent Steen at the 8:34 mark. He finished with 11 points before fouling out with seven minutes remaining.The game was sloppy throughout, with the teams combining for 44 turnovers. However only New Mexico took advantage, turning them innto 24 total points.ddddddddddddDane Kuiper had 14 points for the Lobos and Connor MacDougall added 10, all from the foul line.Ghiavonnii Robinson led the Lions with 12, but only went 4-for-14 from the field.Arkansas-Pine Bluffs shooting was off all night, finishing 15 of 57, including a dreadful 3-24 in the first half.New Mexico particularly dominated at the foul line, making 37 of 49. ' ' '