Pros

Poor Finishing From US Leads to Loss Against Paraguay By Sean Donahue
July 2, 2007
The United States essentially ended all chances of advancing in the 2007 Copa America with a 3-1 loss to Paraguay Monday. Despite seemingly having the lion's share of the chances, the U.S. was unable to convert after Ricardo Clark scored the tying goal.

The decision leaves the U.S. at the bottom of group C, needing a huge victory in its final match against Colombia to even have the slightest chance of advancing as one of the two best third place teams.

The U.S. came close to taking the lead in the 10th minute after a perfect cross from Ben Olsen found a wide-open Sacha Kljestan just a few feet from goal. Kljestan somehow sent his header well wide of the net.

Edgar Barreto gave Paraguay the lead in the 30th minute after getting on the end of a perfect through ball from Roque Santa Cruz that split the U.S. defense. Alone in on goal, Barreto chipped the ball over Keller for the 1-0 lead.

The U.S. tied it in the 41st minute when New England Revolution forward Taylor Twellman left a perfect lay-off for Ricardo Clark at the top of the box. Clark put a powerful shot low to the near post that beat the dive of goalkeeper Justo Villar to tie it.

Paraguay was forced to make a change in the 55th minute when Villar strained his groin. Aldo Bobadilla took over in goal.

Immediately after the change Paraguay took back the lead against the run of play when Oscar Cardoza received a poor back pass by the U.S. and was in alone on goal before firing past a flatfooted U.S. keeper Kasey Keller to make the score 2-1 and leave Paraguay in the lead for good. Paraguay nearly added to its total in the 67th minute when Santa Cruz got free down the right side and sent in a low shot that Keller tipped wide of goal.

Twellman had a chance in the 69th minute when Eddie Johnson headed down a cross from Drew Moor to Twellman in the box. Twellman's left-footed shot lacked the power to beat Bobadilla.

Substitute Justin Mapp made a great run down the left flank in the 75th minute, but after getting into the box his shot went high of the target.

Keller came up big in the 78th minute, denying a shot from Salvador Cabanas. Keller was out of position after trying to stop Cabanas initial shot that was blocked by Jimmy Conrad.

Clark had a great shot in the 83rd minute after Johnson sent the ball back to him at the corner of the box. Clark's shot to the upper right corner was denied by a great save from Bobadilla. A few seconds later, Moor sent an open header from just a few feet out right at Bobadilla. Two minutes from the end of regulation a nice cross from Bornstein on the left flank ended up at Johnson, but his header was well saved by Bobadilla.

In stoppage time, Cabanas finished off a free kick at the top of the box into the far side of the net. Keller got a hand to it, but could not keep it out.

The Americans’ final group match is on Thursday against Colombia, although the result will likely be meaningless for both sides.