Mexico Advances to Quarterfinals
Veteran forward Adolfo Bautista scored and drew a penalty kick as Mexico eliminated Ecuador, 2-1, from the Copa America on Tuesday at Piura, Peru.
Hector Altamarino converted the penalty kick in the 27th minute, Bautista scored his goal in the 42nd, and Agustin Delgado got one goal back for Ecuador in the 71st at Miguel Grau Stadium.
“We have to concentrate more to ensure we put away games like these,” Bautista said. “We had plenty of scoring opportunities but the team relaxed a bit.”
Mexico won Group B with seven points from three games and earned a quarterfinal against either Brazil or Paraguay. Ecuador’s loss advanced Argentina, which later defeated Uruguay, 4-2, in the late match, and will play Peru in the last eight.
Bautista was featured in the highlights of the first half, in which Ecuador failed to pressure Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez. Bautista was tripped by Ecuador goalkeeper Jacinto Espinoza and drew the penalty that Altamarino slotted in off the left post.
Bautista, unmarked and on the run, then took a long pass from Duilio Davino and powered a 20-yard shot past Espinoza for a 2-0 lead.
In Argentina’s victory, Luciano Figueroa scored in the 20th and 89th minutes. Argentina also received goals from Cristian Gonzalez and Roberto Ayala.
Uruguay, with four points, finished as one of the two best third-place teams to advance to the quarterfinals. Uruguay will next play either Colombia, Brazil or Paraguay.
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MLS Expansion
Major League Soccer is expanding to Salt Lake City next season.
A league source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Associated Press that the city will become the 12th MLS team as part of its 2005 expansion.
MLS has also granted an expansion team to Jorge Vergara, who owns the Mexican club Chivas and is supposed to play at the Home Depot Center although no official announcement has been made.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber will make the announcement about Salt Lake City today at a news conference at Rice-Eccles Stadium, where the team is expected to play its first two seasons.
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Quick Passes
Brazil forward Denilson will undergo surgery on his right knee cartilage and will sit out the start of the Spanish league season, news reports said.... England fullback Danny Mills signed a five-year contract with Manchester City of the English Premier League after a free transfer from Leeds.
