REUTERS SPORTS SCHEDULE AT 2 p.m. GMT/9 a.m. ET

Here are the top sports stories and upcoming coverage plans for Reuters text service as of 2 p.m. GMT/9 a.m. ET. For a full schedule of news and events, go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect https://www.reutersconnect.com/planning or on Media Express http://mediaexpress.reuters.com/planning-tools/calendar.

TOP STORIES

SOCCER-UNK-LAG-SCHMID-OBIT/

Former LA Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid dies at 65

Former Los Angeles Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid, the winningest coach in MLS history who was hospitalized at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center three weeks ago in need of a heart transplant, died Tuesday at the age of 65.

BASKETBALL-NBA-LAL-LEBRON/

LeBron gets favorable news on groin injury

LeBron James is listed as day to day with his strained left groin after the results of his MRI exam came back clean, the Los Angeles Lakers announced on Wednesday.

FOOTBALL-NFL-TEN-MARIOTA/

Titans' Mariota misses practice, 'fighting' to play finale

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota missed Wednesday's practice and is day-to-day ahead of a crucial Sunday night finale against the Indianapolis Colts.

UPCOMING

SOCCER-ENGLAND-SOU-WHU/ (PIX)

Soccer - England - Premier League - Southampton v West Ham United

27 Dec 14:45 ET / 19:45 GMT

SOCCER-AFRICA/CHAMPIONS (PIX)

Soccer - African Champions League draw

The draw for the African Champions League group stage will be conducted at the Confederation of African Football's headquarters in Cairo.

28 Dec 07:00 ET / 12:00 GMT

SAILING

SAILING-AUSTRALIA/ (TV)

Sailing - Sydney-Hobart Race - Line Honours

The winning yacht crosses the finishing line to claim the 2018 Sydney-Hobart Race title. The yachts left Sydney Harbour on December 26 and set sail on the 630 nautical-mile (1166 kilometres) journey to the Australian island state of Tasmania.

28 Dec 04:00 ET / 09:00 GMT

CRICKET

CRICKET-TEST-AUS-IND/ (PIX)

Cricket - Australia v India, third test, Melbourne

Australia meet India in the third test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

28 Dec 19:00 ET / 00:00 GMT

CRICKET-TEST-ZAF-PAK/ (PIX)

Cricket - South Africa vs Pakistan, first test, Pretoria

The first test of the three-match series between South Africa and Pakistan is hosted at Centurion Park in Pretoria.

28 Dec 03:00 ET / 08:00 GMT