PHILADELPHIA — Protecting a lead after Clint Dempsey’s first-half goal, the United States’ Copa America planning was suddenly upended. ADVERTISING PHILADELPHIA — Protecting a lead after Clint Dempsey’s first-half goal, the United States’ Copa America planning was suddenly upended. DeAndre
PHILADELPHIA — Protecting a lead after Clint Dempsey’s first-half goal, the United States’ Copa America planning was suddenly upended.
DeAndre Yedlin got a pair of yellow cards 57 seconds apart just into the second half for two rash tackles, forcing the U.S. to play a man short against Paraguay for what turned out to be 49 fretful minutes.
Defenders held the back line, goalkeeper Brad Guzan made an outstanding double save in the 82nd minute and the U.S. held on for a 1-0 victory Saturday night to reach the Copa America quarterfinals.
“We stuck together,” defender Geoff Cameron said. “Everybody sacrificed.”
Hosting a special expanded 100th anniversary edition of South America’s championship, the Americans (2-1) won Group A on goal difference over Colombia (2-1), which was upset 3-2 by already eliminated Costa Rica. By finishing first, the Americans may avoid a quarterfinal matchup with Brazil.
The U.S. plays Thursday night at Seattle, most likely against Ecuador or Peru, with the matchup to be determined by Sunday’s Group B finals.
“I think that we could possibly do something special here,” Dempsey said.
Violence mars England’s 1-1 draw with Russia at Euro
MARSEILLE, France — Russia fans stormed a section of England supporters inside the stadium moments after Saturday’s 1-1 draw between the countries at the European Championship on another day of violence and rioting in the southern French city of Marseille.
England and Russia fans clashed throughout the day at the Old Port district and briefly outside the nearby Stade Velodrome before the match. Police in the Mediterranean port city fired tear gas and water cannons at fighting supporters in a largely unsuccessful attempt to rein in trouble that authorities said left at least five people injured.
The clashes continued moments after the final whistle, when a large group of Russian fans in one of the stands behind the goal advanced on England supporters in the neighboring area, throwing objects and breaking through a line of stewards. England fans — including young children — fled for the exits in panic, with some having to vault railings to escape.
UEFA will open disciplinary proceedings over the violence in Marseille, with Russia facing the stronger sanctions from European soccer’s governing body after the incidents inside the stadium.
“The FA is very disappointed by the terrible scenes that we saw there and of course condemns such behavior,” said FA spokesman Mark Whittle, adding that the body was calling on French authorities “to identify those involved in the troubles and deal with them appropriately and quickly.”
Vasily Berezutsky scored Russia’s equalizer with a looping header in the second minute of injury time, canceling out Eric Dier’s goal from a free kick in the 73rd.
