Argentina too much for US in Copa America opener |
Argentine midfielder Lionel Messi, forward Hernan Crespo and defender Javier Zanetti greet teammate Juan Roman Riquelme in celebration after breaking a 1-1 with the United States. Crespo had two goals himself and Argentina won 4-1.
MARACAIBO, Venezuela (AP) — Missing most of its top players, the United States was trampled in its Copa America opener. Hernan Crespo scored twice, Pablo Aimar and Carlos Tevez added late goals and Argentina routed a youthful United States team 4-1 Thursday night in South America's championship.
Eddie Johnson put the U.S. ahead with a penalty kick in the ninth minute, but Crespo scored in the 11th and 64th minutes for fifth-ranked Argentina, which increasingly outplayed the Americans as the game progressed. Aimar connected in the 78th minute and Tevez scored in the 85th, just after entering the game.
The loss was the first for the United States since a 2-1 defeat to Ghana on June 22 last year in Germany, which eliminated the Americans from the World Cup. They had been 10-0-1 under Bob Bradley, who coached his first road game since replacing Bruce Arena as coach late last year.
Kasey Keller made his 101st international appearance, moving ahead of Tony Meola for the record among U.S. goalkeepers, but he was overwhelmed in the second half as his defense tired.
On Tuesday, the U.S. team plays Paraguay, which routed Colombia 5-0 in the opener of the doubleheader. The Colombians face Argentina.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Argentina | Eddie Johnson | Copa America | Lionel Messi | Hernan Crespo | Carlos Tevez | Benny Feilhaber | Javier Zanetti | Roberto Abbondanzieri
The United States shocked Argentina 3-0 in the first round of the 1995 Copa America in Uruguay, but the Albiceleste already was assured of advancing and left many regulars out of its starting lineup.
This time, with former Argentine great Diego Maradona looking on in a national team jersey, Argentina fielded a full-strength lineup filled with stars from the world's top clubs.
Defender Jonathan Bornstein and midfielder Benny Feilhaber were the only holdovers from the U.S. starting lineup Sunday, when the Americans beat Mexico 2-1 in Chicago to win their second straight CONCACAF Gold Cup. Instead, the 13th-ranked Americans fielded a youthful side that included six starters with 10 international appearances or fewer.
Among them was Marvell Wynne, son of the former major league baseball player, who had his national team debut. Herculez Gomez, who replaced Taylor Twellman in the 69th minute, also made his first appearance for the national team.
Feilhaber, who had a spectacular winning goal against Mexico, created the play that led to the opening goal. Feilhaber split the defense with a pass half the length of the field in the seventh minute, and Johnson ran onto the ball for a breakaway on goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.
Johnson was knocked down from behind by Gabriel Milito, and Chilean referee Carlos Candia didn't hesitate to call the penalty. Johnson slotted the ball to the right post, with Abbondanzieri breaking the other way, for his 11th goal in 27 international appearances.
Argentina didn't waste any time in getting the equalizer. Juan Roman Riquelme took a free kick from about 35 yards out. The ball bounced through the defense and Gabriel Heinze got to it ahead of Keller. The ball went to Crespo, who put it in the open net.
Argentina didn't have another good scoring chance until the 43rd minute, when Keller leaped and with his right hand tipped Juan Sebastian Veron's blistering right-footed shot from about 20 yards off the crossbar.
Crespo scored his second goal off a pass from Messi, speeding unmarked into the penalty area and beating Keller from 8 yards. Aimar scored on a header from 12 yards off a cross from Heinze, who bent the ball back from near the corner. Tevez then collected a through ball from Riquelme on a failed offside trap, touched it ahead to himself and slotted the ball just inside the post to Keller's right.
Argentina too much for US in Copa America opener - USATODAY.com 
Looking forward to next years European Championship. How far do you think Greece will get this time, after winning the last championship? Busy times for you Adler, since they play Germany, right?
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