CAMPINAS, Brazil -- Cristiano Ronaldo again wore a brace on his troublesome left knee Friday, triggering a new wave of questions over his health as his Portugal team held its final World Cup training session before departing for a crucial game against the United States. The reigning world player of the year took part in some light workouts with the first team, followed by stretching. He was smiling and appeared at ease at practice at the team base in Campinas, northwest of Sao Paulo, as he took part in a playful game of keep away from teammates. The team was set to leave later in the day for Manaus for its matchup with the U.S. on Sunday. Portugal was humiliated in a 4-0 defeat by Germany in their opener. Another loss and the fourth-ranked team in the world could be eliminated even before its final Group G game against Ghana. Ronaldo has been hampered by tendinitis and a muscle injury since before the tournament, creating plenty of speculation about how he would perform in Brazil. He was doubtful to play before the Germany game, but declared himself fit and went on to produce a subdued performance that only added to the usual drama and scrutiny surrounding the player. Team officials dismissed reports suggesting that Ronaldo could be risking his health by playing, saying they were tired of having to deny every rumour about a player many consider to be the worlds best. They noted, however, that he often plays with a brace and said hes healthy and would play against the U.S. Teammate Helder Postiga also expressed frustration over the media circus around Ronaldo. "I have already answered so many questions about Cristiano Ronaldo. Actually we speak about him every day. If I am sick of it, imagine how he is feeling," Postiga said. "If he is available enough to train with us thats probably because he is feeling well. Hes been training with us all these days and as usual he always gives his best. Hes just fine." Ronaldo has been one of the best players in the world for about a decade, and last year he even passed Lionel Messi by ending the Argentina forwards streak of winning the FIFA Ballon dOr. He has also excelled on the world stage, helping Portugal reach the 2004 European Championship final and the 2006 World Cup semifinals. The team also advanced out of the group stage at both Euro 2008 and the last World Cup, and then reached the semifinals at Euro 2012. Although he is Portugals all-time record scorer with 49 goals in 111 appearances, Ronaldo scored just twice in the last two World Cups. Alex Goligoski Jersey . Smith, who raised eyebrows at the CFL combine in March with his ability on both sides of the ball, confirmed in a statement he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol prior to auditioning for league officials. Lawson Crouse Jersey . In a pregame tribute commemorating his final contest at Coors Field on Wednesday night, Helton caught the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter with his wife, younger daughter and good friend Peyton Manning watching from the field. http://www.officialcoyotesfanstore.com/a...coyotes-jersey/. Spezza scored a power-play goal with 5 minutes left and Stephane Da Costa had the other two goals to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. Christian Fischer Coyotes Jersey . MacLean clocked 8:24.91 seconds, eclipsing the previous mark of 8:27.59 set by Brittany Reimer of Victoria at the 2005 FINA World Championships in Montreal. MacLean and Tabitha Baumann of Ottawa -- second in 8:32.37 -- both went under the qualifying standard to be nominated to the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific teams. Christian Dvorak Jersey . LOUIS -- The Tampa Bay Rays have placed right-handed pitcher Joel Peralta on the 15-day disabled list with an undisclosed illness. INDIANAPOLIS -- Daniel Adongo is finally starting to feel comfortable with the Colts. Thats good: The Kenyan rugby star is about to play his first football game -- ever -- when Indianapolis faces Cincinnati on Sunday in a showdown of division leaders. Adongo has figured out the lingo and nuances of the sport, learned the proper way to put on pads and a helmet, and knows his place in the Colts locker room. Theres still more work to do, but the newly minted linebacker will get to show the whole football world how far hes come in four months. He will be primarily on special teams, but playing football for the first time in the NFL in a game with playoff implications? "I am excited," Adongo said Wednesday, one day after being promoted from Indys practice squad to the active roster. "As I said before and Ill reiterate it, my excitement is being subdued by the fact I have a task, an obligation and a duty to perform whats being asked from me for the coaches and my teammates." It was late July when general manager Ryan Grigson decided to take the plunge after a yearlong quest to find an overseas player who could help his team. Grigson gambled on Adongo, a Kenyan native and world-class rugby player who was big, fast and had a penchant for hitting. Adongo, surprised initially by the invite, made the flight to Atlanta, then hopped on a connecting plane to Indy and worked out at the Colts headquarters during a rookie mini-camp. Within hours, the Colts signed Adongo to a contract and two days later, the 6-foot-5, 257-pound football novice stood out when he reported to training camp in a pair of short shorts and soccer-style shirt. Back then, of course, some wondered if Adongo could cut it in the worlds best football league. There are few doubters left. "It was a stretch," NFL sacks leader Robert Mathis said when asked about his initial thoughts of Adongo succeeding. "I think hes made everyone believe." By some accounts, Adongo has become a major headache for the Colts offensive line in practice. And now that hes up to 270 pounds, he could create problems for opponents, too, if he gets into the game as a pass-rusher at Cincinnati (8-4). The Colts (8-4) are being patient, though. Rather than pushing Adongo into preseason games, they kept their secret under wraps as he got acclimated. Adongo started the season on the practice squad. But with Adongo showing steady progresss in practice and Mario Harvey, a key special teams player for Indy, going on season-ending injured reserve with a torn meniscus Tuesday, the Colts decided to give Adongo a chance.dddddddddddd Coach Chuck Pagano said he expects the rookie to play primarily on special teams and hes confident Adongo will make a difference. "The guy is a smart guy. We know from a physical standpoint hes very, very athletic. He can run. Hes big. Hes strong. Hes a tireless worker. Hes been a great pro," Pagano said. "Even though he hasnt played, hes picked up a ton. Our veteran guys, guys like Robert (Mathis) and the rest of the guys in the defensive room, have been tremendous working with him and mentoring him and bringing him along and helping his development to this point." One thing the Colts do know is that Adongo can hit. He began his athletic career playing for the Kenya Harlequins junior rugby team. Eventually, he wound up on the countrys U-18 and U-19 rugby squads. In 2006, scouts from the University of South Africa spotted Adongo during a tournament and a year later, he was attending the school. Then it was off to the prestigious Sharks Academy, and last year he competed in the Varsity Cup for the University of Pretoria. This year, he was playing for the Southern Kings of Super 15 Rugby when the Colts got in touch. Now, just a few months later, Adongos teammates believe hes ready. "Hes taken the language, the lingo, digested it and regurgitated that to the point now where he asks questions and we have to go back and look it (the language) up," Mathis said, smiling. "The last few months, Ive seen it every day in practice, whether its a spin move, a bull rush or whatever, and thats when you knew he was getting better." All he has to do now is prove he can play on game day. "Im still just getting comfortable with my movements in pads, and that type of stuff," he said. "Im not happy where Im at right now." Notes: Pagano said right guard Jeff Linkenbach would not play Sunday because of a partially torn quad muscle. He did not name a replacement but said the Colts would take a look at former starter Mike McGlynn, backup Joe Reitz and left guard Hugh Thornton. ... Starting cornerback Greg Toler, who has missed five straight games with a groin injury, did return to the practice field Wednesday. He is considered day-to-day. ' ' '