The opening round of Europa League qualifying continued on Thursday with 44 games.
At Heming, Denmark:
Paul Onuachu scored the only goal of the match as FC Midtjylland took the opening match of their series with FK Suduva Marijampole 1-0 at home.
At Edinburgh, Scotland:
Prince Buaben (PK-28') and Andrei Kalimullin (OG-36') produced the scoring that carried Heart of Midlothian to a 2-1 series-opening home victory over Infonet Tallinn. Jevgeni Harin scored for the visiting Estonian club in the 21st minute.
At Rhyl, Wales:
The opening match between Connah's Quay Nomads and visiting Stabaek ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
At Ventspils, Latvia:
Girts Karlsons scored twice (5', 37') as Ventspils blanked visiting Vikingur Gota 2-0 in match one of their two-game series.
At Belfast, Northern Ireland:
Sean Maguire's successful penalty kick in the 63rd minute carried Cork City to a 1-0 game-one road victory over Linfield FC.
At Tallinn, Estonia:
Pavel Marin's goal in the 65th minute lifted Levadia Tallinn to a series-opening 1-1 home draw with HB. Rokur av Flotum Jespersen scored for the Faroese club in the 21st minute.
At Klaipeda, Lithuania:
Alfredo Morelos scored twice (53', 85') as HJK Helsinki found themselves on the cusp of advancing to the second qualifying round after their 2-0 series-opening road win over Atlantas.
At Gothenburg, Sweden:
Tobias Hysen scored twice during a two-minute period in the final quarter-hour (79', 81') as IFK Gothenburg destroyed visiting Llandudno Town 5-0 in their series opener.
At Reykjavik, Iceland:
Palmi Rafn Palmason (40') and Holmbert Fridjonsson (PK-78) produced the scores that carried KR Reykjavik to a series-opening 2-1 home win over Glenavon. Simon Kelly scored for the Lurgan Boys in the 14th minute.
At Dublin, Ireland:
Jarkko Lahdenmaki (27') and Janne Saksela (74') each scored once as RoPS upended Shamrock Rovers 2-0 on the road in game one.
At Reykjavik, Iceland:
Kamil Wilczek scored twice (47', 54') as Brondby dominated Valur 4-1 in their series-opening match on the road.
At Aberdeen, Scotland:
Shay Logan (68'), Niall McGinn (90'+3), and Adam Rooney (PK-90'+8) each produced a goal in Aberdeen's series-opening 3-1 victory over visiting Fola Esch.
At Vilnius, Lithuania:
Nerijus Valskis (69') and David Arshakyan (78') each scored once as Trakai overcame visiting Nomme Kalju 2-1 in game one. Hidetoshi Wakui's penalty kick in the sixth minute kept the Estonian club in the series.
At Minsk, Belarus:
Artem Bykov scored twice (18', 81') as Dinamo Minsk topped visiting Spartaks Jurmala 2-1 in match one. Daniils Ulimbasevs kept the Latvian club alive with his goal in the 79th minute.
At Kopavogur, Iceland:
Mindaugas Grigaravicius scored the winning goal in the 41st minute as Jelgava of Latvia knocked off Breidablik 3-2 on the road in their series opener.
At Toftir, Faroe Islands:
Artem Starhorodskyi converted a pair of penalty kicks (45'+1, 84') in Shakhtyor Soligorsk's 2-0 series-opening road blanking of NSI Runavik.
At Stockholm, Sweden:
Amin Affane (27') and Nils-Eric Johansson (52') each scored once as AIK Solna blanked visiting Bala Town 2-0 in match one.
At Differdange, Luxembourg:
Ross Lavery's equalizer in the 89th minute lifted Cliftonville to a series-opening 1-1 road draw with Differdange 03. Omar Er Rafik scored for the hosts in the 38th minute.
At Skien, Norway:
Thomas Grogaard (63') and Olivier Occean (86') each delivered a goal as Odds BK blanked visiting IFK Mariehamm 2-0 in their series opener.
At Domzale, Slovenia:
Kenan Horic scored the winning goal in the 26th minute as NK Domzale defeated visiting Lusitanos 3-1 in game one.
At Petrovac, Montenegro:
Dejan Meleg's goal in the sixth minute carried FK Vojvodina to series-opening 1-1 road draw with FK Bojelj. Dejan Denic scored for the Montenegrin club in the fifth minute.
At Larnaca, Cyprus:
Ivan Trickovski scored twice (22', 34') as AEK Larnaca dominated visiting Folgore 3-0 in match one.
At Gori, Georgia:
Iraki Modebadze scored the only goal of Dila Gori's series-opening 1-0 home win over FC Shirak in the 36th minute.
At Siroki Brijeg, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Ivan Baraban's equalizer in the 45th minute enabled NK Siroki Brijeg to salvage a series-opening 1-1 home draw with Birkirkara. Cain Attard scored in the 15th minute for the Maltese club.
At Felcsut, Hungary:
Robert Feczesin scored twice in the final minutes (88' 90'+4) as Viedoton dominated visiting Zaria Balti 3-0.
At Andorra la Vella, Andorra:
Mirko Maric scored twice as NK Lokomotiva topped UE Santa Coloma 3-1 in their series opener.
At Gibraltar:
Pedro Carrion (32') and Felix Lopez (39') each scored twice as Europa FC blanked visiting Pyunik of Armenia 2-0 in the opening match of their two-game series.
At Belgrade, Serbia:
Igor Matic scored twice (PK-49', 68') as Cukaricki dominated visiting Ordabasy 3-0 in their series opener.
At Chisinau, Moldova:
Dimitri Tatanashvili scored the only goal of the match in the 40th minute as Chikura Sachkhere registered a series-opening 1-0 road win over Zimbru Chisinau.
At Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Sloboda Tuzla and visiting Beitar Jerusalem battled to a series-opening 0-0 stalemate.
At Elbasan, Albania:
Milos Radanovic's successfully-converted 71st-minute penalty kick lifted Rudar Pljevlja to a series-opening 1-1 road draw with Kukesi. Lucas Rangel scored for the Albanian club in the 32nd minute.
At Paola, Malta:
Rahman Hajiyev (14') and Ruslan Qurbanov (PK-83') each scored once as Neftci Baku blanked Balzan 2-0 on the road in game one.
At Sankt Polten, Austria:
Tomas Kona's equalizer in the 73rd minute lifted Spartak Myjava to a series-opening 1-1 road draw with Admira Wacker Modling. Eldis Bajrami scored for the Austrian club in the 34th minute.
At Stara Zagora, Bulgaria:
Radnik Bijeljina held hosts Beroe Stara Zagora to a series-opening 0-0 deadlock.
At Serravale, San Marino:
Peter Szkaly (5', 83') and Tibor Tisza (34', 49') each scored twice (once in each half) as Debreceni VSC destroyed La Fiorita 5-0 on the road in game one.
At Vaduz, Liechtenstein:
Moreno Costanzo scored twice (38', 45'+2) as FC Vaduz defeated visiting Sileks of Macedonia 3-1 in game one.
At Netanya, Israel:
Nosa Igiebor scored twice (13', 69') in Maccabi Tel Aviv's 3-0 series-opening domination of visiting ND Gorica.
At Baku, Azerbaijan:
Theo Lewis Weeks produced a natural hat trick (30', 69', 72') in Gabala's series-opening 5-1 demolition of visiting Samtredia.
At Durres, Albania:
Andrey Arshavin scored the only goal of Kairat's 1-0 series-opening victory on the road over Teuta Durres in the 70th minute.
At Trnava, Slovakia:
Robert Tambe scored twice (7', 83') as Spartak Trnava dominated visiting Hibernians 3-0 in game one.
At Yerevan, Armenia:
Matt Derbyshire's goal in the 26th minute proved to be all the scoring in Omonia's series-opening 1-0 road win over Benants.
At Skopje, Macedonia:
Besart Ibrahimi (41') and Stenio Junior (68') each scored once as Shkendija blanked visiting Cracovia in their series opener 2-0.
At Sofia, Bulgaria:
Serder Serderov scored the lone goal of the match as Slavia Sofia defeated visiting Zaglebie Lubin 1-0 in game one.
At Aktobe, Kazakhstan:
Didar Zhalmukan's successful penalty kick in the 44th minute carried Aktobe to a series-opening 1-1 draw with visiting MTK Budapest. Sandor Torghelle scored in the 30th minute for the Hungarian club.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Euro 2016: Portugal Takes Out Poland In PK Thriller
At Marseille, France:
In the lone Thursday quarterfinal-round contest in the European Championship, after a 1-1 draw at the regulation, which was followed by thirty scoreless overtime minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Renato Sanches (who scored in the 33rd minute of regulation, which was by this celebration pictured above), Joao Moutinho, Nani, and Ricardo Quaresma all converted their spot kicks as Portugal defeated Poland 5-3 in the penalty-kick shootout. Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio made the big save of the shootout as he saved Jakub Blaszczykowski's spot kick.
AFP/Getty Images photo by Bertrand Langlois
In the lone Thursday quarterfinal-round contest in the European Championship, after a 1-1 draw at the regulation, which was followed by thirty scoreless overtime minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Renato Sanches (who scored in the 33rd minute of regulation, which was by this celebration pictured above), Joao Moutinho, Nani, and Ricardo Quaresma all converted their spot kicks as Portugal defeated Poland 5-3 in the penalty-kick shootout. Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio made the big save of the shootout as he saved Jakub Blaszczykowski's spot kick.
AFP/Getty Images photo by Bertrand Langlois
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
REDS CAPTURE CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP AND 2017-18 CCL BERTH
At Vancouver, British Columbia:
In dramatic fashion on Wednesday, Will Johnson scored the series-winning goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time as Toronto FC, despite dropping a 2-1 game-two road decision to the Vancouver Whitecaps, won the Amway Canadian Championship and Canada's lone 2017-18 CONCACAF Champions League group-stage berth on away goals with the aggregate count at 2-2.
In dramatic fashion on Wednesday, Will Johnson scored the series-winning goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time as Toronto FC, despite dropping a 2-1 game-two road decision to the Vancouver Whitecaps, won the Amway Canadian Championship and Canada's lone 2017-18 CONCACAF Champions League group-stage berth on away goals with the aggregate count at 2-2.
CAF Champions League: Wednesday Wins For Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Casablanca
Two games were contested in the CAF Champions League's group stage on Wednesday.
GROUP A:
At Rabat, Morocco:
Walif El Karti (13') and David Owino (OG-51') each scored once as Wydad Casablanca blanked visiting ZESCO United 2-0.
Group A Standings:
1. Wydad Casablanca (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. ASEC Mimosas (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. ZESCO United (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Al-Ahly (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
GROUP B:
At Pretoria, South African:
Wayne Arendse scored the winning goal in the 77th minute as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated visiting Enyimba 2-1.
Group B Standings:
1. Mamelodi Sundowns (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Zamalek (GP: 1; GD: 1; PTS: 3)
3. Enyimba International FC (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
4.d-ES Setif (GP: 0; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
d-Disqualified from tournament
GROUP A:
At Rabat, Morocco:
Walif El Karti (13') and David Owino (OG-51') each scored once as Wydad Casablanca blanked visiting ZESCO United 2-0.
Group A Standings:
1. Wydad Casablanca (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. ASEC Mimosas (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. ZESCO United (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Al-Ahly (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
GROUP B:
At Pretoria, South African:
Wayne Arendse scored the winning goal in the 77th minute as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated visiting Enyimba 2-1.
Group B Standings:
1. Mamelodi Sundowns (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Zamalek (GP: 1; GD: 1; PTS: 3)
3. Enyimba International FC (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
4.d-ES Setif (GP: 0; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
d-Disqualified from tournament
US Open Cup
The Round of 16 of the US Open Cup concluded on Wednesday with six games.
All clubs are from Major League Soccer except for the New York Cosmos and Fort Lauderdale Strikers, both of the second-division North American Soccer League.
At Chester, Pennsylvania:
Chris Pontius scored twice (55', 60') as the Philadelphia Union came from behind to upend the visiting New York Red Bulls.
At Houston:
Mauro Manotas scored twice (7', 85') as the Houston Dynamo defeated visiting Sporting Kansas City 3-1, ousting the defending champs from the tournament.
At Queens, New York:
Teal Bunbury scored twice (43', 83') as the New England Revolution defeated the New York Cosmos 3-2 on the road.
At Orlando, Florida:
PC (a.k.a. Victor Pagliari Giro) scored the winning goal in the 120th minute as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) will be the lone non-MLS club to reach the quarterfinal round after their 2-1 overtime road win over Orlando City.
At Frisco, Texas:
Maximiliano Urruti scored the winning goal in the 96th minute as FC Dallas defeated the visiting Colorado Rockies 2-1 in overtime.
At Portland, Oregon:
Raul Mendiola's goal in the fifth minute held up as the Los Angeles Galaxy knocked off the Portland Timbers 1-0 on the road.
Here are the match-ups for the quarterfinal round, set for July 19-20 with the hosts listed :
At Bridgeview, Illinois:
Chicago Fire vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
At Foxborough, Massachusetts:
New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union
At Houston:
Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas
At Carson, California:
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC
All clubs are from Major League Soccer except for the New York Cosmos and Fort Lauderdale Strikers, both of the second-division North American Soccer League.
At Chester, Pennsylvania:
Chris Pontius scored twice (55', 60') as the Philadelphia Union came from behind to upend the visiting New York Red Bulls.
At Houston:
Mauro Manotas scored twice (7', 85') as the Houston Dynamo defeated visiting Sporting Kansas City 3-1, ousting the defending champs from the tournament.
At Queens, New York:
Teal Bunbury scored twice (43', 83') as the New England Revolution defeated the New York Cosmos 3-2 on the road.
At Orlando, Florida:
PC (a.k.a. Victor Pagliari Giro) scored the winning goal in the 120th minute as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) will be the lone non-MLS club to reach the quarterfinal round after their 2-1 overtime road win over Orlando City.
At Frisco, Texas:
Maximiliano Urruti scored the winning goal in the 96th minute as FC Dallas defeated the visiting Colorado Rockies 2-1 in overtime.
At Portland, Oregon:
Raul Mendiola's goal in the fifth minute held up as the Los Angeles Galaxy knocked off the Portland Timbers 1-0 on the road.
Here are the match-ups for the quarterfinal round, set for July 19-20 with the hosts listed :
At Bridgeview, Illinois:
Chicago Fire vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
At Foxborough, Massachusetts:
New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union
At Houston:
Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas
At Carson, California:
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
CAF Champions League: ASEC Mimosas Knock Off Al-Ahly In Egypt
At Alexandria, Egypt:
In the lone Tuesday CAF Champions League group-stage contest, Armand Niamke scored the winning goal in the 80th minute as ASEC Mimosas knocked off Al-Ahly 2-1 on the road.
In the lone Tuesday CAF Champions League group-stage contest, Armand Niamke scored the winning goal in the 80th minute as ASEC Mimosas knocked off Al-Ahly 2-1 on the road.
US Open Cup: Fire, Sounders Advance To Quarterfinals
Two games were contested on Tuesday as the US Open Cup Tournament's Round of 16 commenced.
At Bridgeview, Illinois:
David Accam scored twice (7', 29') in the first half-four as the Chicago Fire defeated the visiting Columbus Crew 2-1 in a battle of MLS clubs.
At Sandy, Utah:
After a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation, which was followed by 30 scoreless overtime minutes, Herculez Gomez, Jordan Morris, Zach Scott, and Erik Friberg each converted a spot kick as the Seattle Sounders ousted Real Salt Lake 4-2 in the penalty-kick shootout on the road.
At Bridgeview, Illinois:
David Accam scored twice (7', 29') in the first half-four as the Chicago Fire defeated the visiting Columbus Crew 2-1 in a battle of MLS clubs.
At Sandy, Utah:
After a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation, which was followed by 30 scoreless overtime minutes, Herculez Gomez, Jordan Morris, Zach Scott, and Erik Friberg each converted a spot kick as the Seattle Sounders ousted Real Salt Lake 4-2 in the penalty-kick shootout on the road.
Europa League: The Road To Solna (In Sweden, That Is) Begins
The opening round of qualifying for the 2016-17 Europa League opened on Tuesday with four contests.
At Dublin, Ireland:
Chris Fagan scored the only goal of the match in the tenth minute as St. Patrick's Athletic took their series opener with Jeunesse Esch 1-0 at home.
At Skopje, Macedonia:
Eljif Elmas' equalizer in the 80th minute enabled Rabotnicki to salvage a series-opening 1-1 home draw with Buducnost Podgorica. Velizar Janketic scored for the Montenegrin club in the 36th minute.
At Elbasan, Albania:
Slovan Bratislava gained a series-opening 0-0 road stalemate with Partizani Tirana.
At Baku, Azerbaijan:
Moldova's Dacia Chisinau gained a series-opening 0-0 road deadlock with Kapaz PFK.
At Dublin, Ireland:
Chris Fagan scored the only goal of the match in the tenth minute as St. Patrick's Athletic took their series opener with Jeunesse Esch 1-0 at home.
At Skopje, Macedonia:
Eljif Elmas' equalizer in the 80th minute enabled Rabotnicki to salvage a series-opening 1-1 home draw with Buducnost Podgorica. Velizar Janketic scored for the Montenegrin club in the 36th minute.
At Elbasan, Albania:
Slovan Bratislava gained a series-opening 0-0 road stalemate with Partizani Tirana.
At Baku, Azerbaijan:
Moldova's Dacia Chisinau gained a series-opening 0-0 road deadlock with Kapaz PFK.
UEFA Champions League: The Road To Cardiff Begins
The opening round of qualifying for the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League commenced on Tuesday with the opening game of each of four two-game series.
At Tallinn, Estonia:
Rauno Alliku (35') and Rauno Sappinen (49') each scored a goal as FC Flora Tallinn took the opening game of their two-match series with Lincoln Red Imps 2-1. Joseph Chipolina kept the club from Gibraltar alive in the series with his road goal in the 57th minute.
At Oswestry, England:
Scott Quigley (13') and Jamie Mullan (40') each scored once as The New Saints took their series opener with Tre Penne 2-1. The Sammarinese club stayed alive thanks to Stefano Fraternali's 16th-minute tally.
At Paola, Malta:
Federico Falcone scored the only match of Valletta's 1-0 series-opening win over visiting B36 Torshavn in the 69th minute.
At Andorra la Vella, Andorra:
Alashkert FC from Armenia held hosts FC Santa Coloma to a 0-0 game-one stalemate.
At Tallinn, Estonia:
Rauno Alliku (35') and Rauno Sappinen (49') each scored a goal as FC Flora Tallinn took the opening game of their two-match series with Lincoln Red Imps 2-1. Joseph Chipolina kept the club from Gibraltar alive in the series with his road goal in the 57th minute.
At Oswestry, England:
Scott Quigley (13') and Jamie Mullan (40') each scored once as The New Saints took their series opener with Tre Penne 2-1. The Sammarinese club stayed alive thanks to Stefano Fraternali's 16th-minute tally.
At Paola, Malta:
Federico Falcone scored the only match of Valletta's 1-0 series-opening win over visiting B36 Torshavn in the 69th minute.
At Andorra la Vella, Andorra:
Alashkert FC from Armenia held hosts FC Santa Coloma to a 0-0 game-one stalemate.
Monday, June 27, 2016
CAF Champions League: ES Setif DQed
On Thursday last, Africa's soccer confederation ruled that due to a pitch invasion in their Group B home match against South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns (originally a 2-0 win for the guests), ES Setif were disqualified from the CAF Champions League. That match was annulled and the results were wiped clean.
Revised Group B Standings:
1. Zamalek (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Mamelodi Sundowns (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
3. Enyimba International FC (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. d-ES Setif (GP: 0; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
d-Disqualified from tournament
Revised Group B Standings:
1. Zamalek (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Mamelodi Sundowns (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
3. Enyimba International FC (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. d-ES Setif (GP: 0; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
d-Disqualified from tournament
Euro 2016: Azzuri Oust Two-Time Defending Champs; Three Lions Stunned By Iceland (Roy Hodgson Quits As England Boss)
The European Championship's Round of 16 concluded on Monday with two games contested in France.
At Paris:
Giorgio Chiellini (33') and Graziano Pelle (90'+1, that's him, wearing number nine, celebrating) each scored a goal as Italy ousted defending two-time continental champions Spain 2-0.
Associated Press photo
At Nice:
Ragnar Sigurdsson (6') and Kolbeinn Sigborsson (18') each scored a goal as Iceland, in their first-ever major tournament, shocked England 2-1. After the match, Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson resigned.
Here's Iceland's Aron Gunnarsson celebrating after his country's historic victory.
EPA photo by Sebastien Nogier
Here are the matchups for the quarterfinal round:
Thursday, at Marseille:
Poland vs. Portugal
Friday, at Villeneuve d'Ascq:
Wales vs. Belgium
Saturday, at Bordeaux:
Germany vs. Italy
Sunday, at Saint-Denis:
France vs. Iceland
All games are set to start at 12:00 PM Pacific Time
At Paris:
Giorgio Chiellini (33') and Graziano Pelle (90'+1, that's him, wearing number nine, celebrating) each scored a goal as Italy ousted defending two-time continental champions Spain 2-0.
Associated Press photo
At Nice:
Ragnar Sigurdsson (6') and Kolbeinn Sigborsson (18') each scored a goal as Iceland, in their first-ever major tournament, shocked England 2-1. After the match, Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson resigned.
Here's Iceland's Aron Gunnarsson celebrating after his country's historic victory.
EPA photo by Sebastien Nogier
Here are the matchups for the quarterfinal round:
Thursday, at Marseille:
Poland vs. Portugal
Friday, at Villeneuve d'Ascq:
Wales vs. Belgium
Saturday, at Bordeaux:
Germany vs. Italy
Sunday, at Saint-Denis:
France vs. Iceland
All games are set to start at 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Sunday, June 26, 2016
DEJA VU: CHILE KNOCK OFF ARGENTINA ON PKs, REPEAT AS COPA AMERICA CHAMPS
At East Rutherford, New Jersey:
In front of the largest crowd ever to attend a soccer match in New Jersey (82,026 at MetLife Stadium), following 120 scoreless minutes (during which both squads were reduced to ten men each due to first-half red-card ejections), Nicolas Castillo, Charles Aranguiz, Jean Beausejour, and Francisco Silva converted their spot kicks as Chile, in a rematch of last year's final, knocked off Argentina 4-2 in the penalty-kick shootout to win their second straight Copa America championship on Sunday. During the shootout, Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo saved Luis Biglia's spot kick while Lionel Messi's attempt missed the goal altogether.
Leo the Lion's reaction after his PK miss says it all.
Photo from USA Today website
In front of the largest crowd ever to attend a soccer match in New Jersey (82,026 at MetLife Stadium), following 120 scoreless minutes (during which both squads were reduced to ten men each due to first-half red-card ejections), Nicolas Castillo, Charles Aranguiz, Jean Beausejour, and Francisco Silva converted their spot kicks as Chile, in a rematch of last year's final, knocked off Argentina 4-2 in the penalty-kick shootout to win their second straight Copa America championship on Sunday. During the shootout, Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo saved Luis Biglia's spot kick while Lionel Messi's attempt missed the goal altogether.
Leo the Lion's reaction after his PK miss says it all.
Photo from USA Today website
MLS: Timbers Wipe Out Two-Goal Deficit, Upend Dynamo At Home
At Portland, Oregon:
In the lone Sunday Major League Soccer contest, Diego Valeri converted a pair of penalty kicks (82', 90'+1) as the Portland Timbers came back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to knock off the visiting Houston Dynamo 3-2. Lucas Melano started the Timbers' comeback at 64 minutes.
MLS STANDINGS:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Philadelphia (GP: 17; GD: +4; PTS: 26)
2. New York City FC (GP: 17; GD: -4; PTS: 24)
3. New York Red Bulls (GP: 17; GD: +5; PTS: 23)
4. Montreal (GP: 15; GD: +2; PTS: 21)
5. DC United (GP: 16; GD: 0; PTS: 20)
6. Orlando City SC (GP: 15; GD: +3; PTS: 20)
7. Toronto FC (GP: 15; GD: -1; PTS: 15)
8. New England (GP: 16; GD: -7; PTS: 19)
9. Columbus (GP: 15; GD: -3; PTS: 16)
10. Chicago (GP: 14; GD: -6; PTS: 11)
NOTES: With DC United and Orlando City level on points (20), DC have more wins than the Lions (5-4); with Toronto FC and New England level on points (19), the Reds have more wins than the Revolution (5-4).
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Colorado (GP: 16; GD: +8; PTS: 32)
2. FC Dallas (GP: 18; GD: +2; PTS: 31)
3. Real Salt Lake (GP: 16; GD: +1; PTS: 27)
4. Vancouver (GP: 17; GD: -2; PTS: 24)
5. Portland (GP: 17; GD: -1; PTS: 23)
6. Los Angeles (GP: 16; GD: +10; PTS: 23)
7. Kansas City (GP: 18; GD: -2; PTS: 22)
8. San Jose (GP: 16; GD: 0; PTS: 22)
9. Seattle (GP: 15; GD: -6; PTS: 16)
10. Houston (GP: 16; GD: -3; PTS: 14)
NOTES: With Portland and Los Angeles level on points (23), the Timbers have more wins than the Galaxy (6-5); with Sporting Kansas City and San Jose level on points (22), Sporting have more wins than the Earthquakes (6-5).
In the lone Sunday Major League Soccer contest, Diego Valeri converted a pair of penalty kicks (82', 90'+1) as the Portland Timbers came back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to knock off the visiting Houston Dynamo 3-2. Lucas Melano started the Timbers' comeback at 64 minutes.
MLS STANDINGS:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Philadelphia (GP: 17; GD: +4; PTS: 26)
2. New York City FC (GP: 17; GD: -4; PTS: 24)
3. New York Red Bulls (GP: 17; GD: +5; PTS: 23)
4. Montreal (GP: 15; GD: +2; PTS: 21)
5. DC United (GP: 16; GD: 0; PTS: 20)
6. Orlando City SC (GP: 15; GD: +3; PTS: 20)
7. Toronto FC (GP: 15; GD: -1; PTS: 15)
8. New England (GP: 16; GD: -7; PTS: 19)
9. Columbus (GP: 15; GD: -3; PTS: 16)
10. Chicago (GP: 14; GD: -6; PTS: 11)
NOTES: With DC United and Orlando City level on points (20), DC have more wins than the Lions (5-4); with Toronto FC and New England level on points (19), the Reds have more wins than the Revolution (5-4).
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Colorado (GP: 16; GD: +8; PTS: 32)
2. FC Dallas (GP: 18; GD: +2; PTS: 31)
3. Real Salt Lake (GP: 16; GD: +1; PTS: 27)
4. Vancouver (GP: 17; GD: -2; PTS: 24)
5. Portland (GP: 17; GD: -1; PTS: 23)
6. Los Angeles (GP: 16; GD: +10; PTS: 23)
7. Kansas City (GP: 18; GD: -2; PTS: 22)
8. San Jose (GP: 16; GD: 0; PTS: 22)
9. Seattle (GP: 15; GD: -6; PTS: 16)
10. Houston (GP: 16; GD: -3; PTS: 14)
NOTES: With Portland and Los Angeles level on points (23), the Timbers have more wins than the Galaxy (6-5); with Sporting Kansas City and San Jose level on points (22), Sporting have more wins than the Earthquakes (6-5).
Euro 2016: Les Blues. Germany, Belgium Advance To Quarterfinals
The European Championship continued on Sunday in France with three more games.
At Lyon:
Antoine Griezmann (shwon here) scored twice (58'm 61') during a three-minute span in the second half as France came from behind to upend the Republic of Ireland 2-1.
Getty Images photo
At Villeneuve-d'Ascq:
Jerome Boateng (8), Mario Gomez (43'), Julian Draxler (63') each scored once as Germany dominated Slovakia 3-0. Here are the defending World Cup champs celebrating their victory that propelled them into the quarterfinal round.
AFP/Getty Images photo by Patrik Stollarz
At Toulouse:
Toby Alderweireld (10'), Michy Batshuayi (78'), Eden Hazard (80', that's him celebrating after scoring), and Yannick Carrasco (90'+1) each scored once as Belgium broke open a tight game with three goals in the final quarter-hour and demolished Hungary 4-0.
Associated Press photo by Petr David Josek
At Lyon:
Antoine Griezmann (shwon here) scored twice (58'm 61') during a three-minute span in the second half as France came from behind to upend the Republic of Ireland 2-1.
Getty Images photo
At Villeneuve-d'Ascq:
Jerome Boateng (8), Mario Gomez (43'), Julian Draxler (63') each scored once as Germany dominated Slovakia 3-0. Here are the defending World Cup champs celebrating their victory that propelled them into the quarterfinal round.
AFP/Getty Images photo by Patrik Stollarz
At Toulouse:
Toby Alderweireld (10'), Michy Batshuayi (78'), Eden Hazard (80', that's him celebrating after scoring), and Yannick Carrasco (90'+1) each scored once as Belgium broke open a tight game with three goals in the final quarter-hour and demolished Hungary 4-0.
Associated Press photo by Petr David Josek
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Copa America: Team USA Falls To Colombia In Third-Place Game
At Glendale, Arizona:
In Saturday's third-place game in the Copa America tournament, Carlos Bacca's goal in the 31st minute carried Colombia to a 1-0 victory over the United States.
In Saturday's third-place game in the Copa America tournament, Carlos Bacca's goal in the 31st minute carried Colombia to a 1-0 victory over the United States.
MLS: Citizens, DCU, Caps, Lions, Hoops Gather Saturday Wins On Three-Draw Saturday
Eight games were contested in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
At Seattle:
Frank Lampard (38') and Ronald Matarrita (87') delivered the goals as New York City blanked the Seattle Sounders 2-0 on the road.
At Washington:
Lamar Neagle (20') and Sean Franklin (27') each scored once as DC United blanked the visiting New England Revolution 2-0.
At Chester, Pennsylvania:
Christian Bolanos scored the winning goal in the 84th minute as the Vancouver Whitecaps knocked off the Philadelphia Union 3-2 on the road.
At Montreal:
Dom Dwyer scored twice (21', 59') as Sporting Kansas City gained a 2-2 road draw with the Montreal Impact. Lucas Ontivero (16') and Ignacio Piatti (59') each tallied once for the Impact.
At Columbus, Ohio:
Ola Kamara's equalizer in the third minute of second-half stoppage time lifted the Columbus Crew to a 1-1 home draw with the New York Red Bulls, whose goal came courtesy of Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 52nd minute.
At Orlando, Florida:
Kaka's successfully-converted penalty kick in the tenth minute of second half stoppage time carried Orlando City to a 3-2 home triumph over Toronto FC.
At Frisco, Texas:
Kellyn Acosta (18') and Fabian Castillo (58') produced the scoring as FC Dallas blanked visiting Real Salt Lake 2-0.
At Palo Alto, California:
In the latest edition of the California Classico, Chad Barrett's equalizer in the 90th minute lifted the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 draw with the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy. Giovani dos Santos scored for the guests in minute #69.
At Seattle:
Frank Lampard (38') and Ronald Matarrita (87') delivered the goals as New York City blanked the Seattle Sounders 2-0 on the road.
At Washington:
Lamar Neagle (20') and Sean Franklin (27') each scored once as DC United blanked the visiting New England Revolution 2-0.
At Chester, Pennsylvania:
Christian Bolanos scored the winning goal in the 84th minute as the Vancouver Whitecaps knocked off the Philadelphia Union 3-2 on the road.
At Montreal:
Dom Dwyer scored twice (21', 59') as Sporting Kansas City gained a 2-2 road draw with the Montreal Impact. Lucas Ontivero (16') and Ignacio Piatti (59') each tallied once for the Impact.
At Columbus, Ohio:
Ola Kamara's equalizer in the third minute of second-half stoppage time lifted the Columbus Crew to a 1-1 home draw with the New York Red Bulls, whose goal came courtesy of Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 52nd minute.
At Orlando, Florida:
Kaka's successfully-converted penalty kick in the tenth minute of second half stoppage time carried Orlando City to a 3-2 home triumph over Toronto FC.
At Frisco, Texas:
Kellyn Acosta (18') and Fabian Castillo (58') produced the scoring as FC Dallas blanked visiting Real Salt Lake 2-0.
At Palo Alto, California:
In the latest edition of the California Classico, Chad Barrett's equalizer in the 90th minute lifted the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 draw with the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy. Giovani dos Santos scored for the guests in minute #69.
Euro 2016: Poland, Wales, Portugal Advance To Quarterfinals
The knockout stage of the European Championship commenced on Saturday with three Round-of-16 contests in France.
At Saint-Etienne:
Following a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation, followed by 30 minutes of scoreless overtime, Robert Lewandowski, Arkadiusz Milik, Kamil Glik, Jakub Blaszczykowski (who scored in the 39th minute during regulation), and Grzegorz Krychowiak (who converted the deciding kick---which was followed by the above celebration) all converted their spot kicks as Poland took out Switzerland 5-4 in the penalty-kick shootout to advance to the quarterfinal round.
Associated Press poll by Darko Bandic
At Paris:
Gareth McAuley's own goal in the 75th minute enabled Wales to defeat Northern Ireland 1-0. Here's Wales' Gareth Bale with the ball.
EPA photo by Georgi Licovski
At Lens:
Ricardo Quaresma (seen here celebrating) scored the game's only goal in the 117th minute as Portugal defeated Croatia 1-0 in overtime.
Getty Images photo by Clive Mason
At Saint-Etienne:
Following a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation, followed by 30 minutes of scoreless overtime, Robert Lewandowski, Arkadiusz Milik, Kamil Glik, Jakub Blaszczykowski (who scored in the 39th minute during regulation), and Grzegorz Krychowiak (who converted the deciding kick---which was followed by the above celebration) all converted their spot kicks as Poland took out Switzerland 5-4 in the penalty-kick shootout to advance to the quarterfinal round.Associated Press poll by Darko Bandic
At Paris:
Gareth McAuley's own goal in the 75th minute enabled Wales to defeat Northern Ireland 1-0. Here's Wales' Gareth Bale with the ball.
EPA photo by Georgi Licovski
At Lens:
Ricardo Quaresma (seen here celebrating) scored the game's only goal in the 117th minute as Portugal defeated Croatia 1-0 in overtime.
Getty Images photo by Clive Mason
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
MLS: Wednesday Wins For Philly, RSL; Goose Eggs For Galaxy, Rapids
Three contests took place in Major League Soccer on Wednesday.
At Chester, Pennsylvania:
Roland Alberg delivered a natural hat trick (11', 45'+2, 56') as the Philadelphia Union held off the visiting Chicago Fire 4-3
At Sandy, Utah:
Yura Movsisyan (65') and Jordan Allen (87') each scored a goal in the final half-hour as Real Salt Lake came from behind to upend the visiting New York Red Bulls 2-1.
At Carson, California:
The Los Angeles Galaxy and visiting Colorado Rapids battled to a 0-0 stalemate.
MLS STANDINGS:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Philadelphia (GP: 16; GD: +5; PTS: 26)
2. New York Red Bulls (GP: 16; GD: +5; PTS: 22)
3. New York City FC (GP: 16; GD: -6; PTS: 21)
4. Montreal (GP: 14; GD: +2; PTS: 20)
5. Toronto FC (GP: 14; GD: 0; PTS: 19)
6. New England (GP: 15; GD: -5; PTS: 19)
7. DC United (GP: 15; GD: -2; PTS: 17)
8. Orlando City SC (GP: 14; GD: +2; PTS: 17)
9. Columbus (GP: 14; GD: -3; PTS: 15)
10. Chicago (GP: 14; GD: -6; PTS: 11)
NOTES: With Toronto FC and New England level on points (19), the Reds have more wins than the Revolution (5-4); with DC United and Orlando City level on points (17), DC have more wins than the Lions (4-3).
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Colorado (GP: 16; GD: +8; PTS: 32)
2. FC Dallas (GP: 17; GD: 0; PTS: 28)
3. Real Salt Lake (GP: 15; GD: +3; PTS: 27)
4. Los Angeles (GP: 15; GD: +10; PTS: 22)
5. Kansas City (GP: 17; GD: -2; PTS: 21)
6. Vancouver (GP: 16; GD: -3; PTS: 21)
7. San Jose (GP: 15; GD: 0; PTS: 21)
8. Portland (GP: 16; GD: -2; PTS: 20)
9. Seattle (GP: 14; GD: -4; PTS: 16)
10. Houston (GP: 15; GD: -2; PTS: 14)
NOTES: With Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver, and San Jose all level on points (21), SKC and the Whitecaps each have six wins, compared to the Earthquakes' five; Vancouver has the superior goal differential vis-a-viv Kansas City (-2 to -3).
At Chester, Pennsylvania:
Roland Alberg delivered a natural hat trick (11', 45'+2, 56') as the Philadelphia Union held off the visiting Chicago Fire 4-3
At Sandy, Utah:
Yura Movsisyan (65') and Jordan Allen (87') each scored a goal in the final half-hour as Real Salt Lake came from behind to upend the visiting New York Red Bulls 2-1.
At Carson, California:
The Los Angeles Galaxy and visiting Colorado Rapids battled to a 0-0 stalemate.
MLS STANDINGS:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Philadelphia (GP: 16; GD: +5; PTS: 26)
2. New York Red Bulls (GP: 16; GD: +5; PTS: 22)
3. New York City FC (GP: 16; GD: -6; PTS: 21)
4. Montreal (GP: 14; GD: +2; PTS: 20)
5. Toronto FC (GP: 14; GD: 0; PTS: 19)
6. New England (GP: 15; GD: -5; PTS: 19)
7. DC United (GP: 15; GD: -2; PTS: 17)
8. Orlando City SC (GP: 14; GD: +2; PTS: 17)
9. Columbus (GP: 14; GD: -3; PTS: 15)
10. Chicago (GP: 14; GD: -6; PTS: 11)
NOTES: With Toronto FC and New England level on points (19), the Reds have more wins than the Revolution (5-4); with DC United and Orlando City level on points (17), DC have more wins than the Lions (4-3).
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Colorado (GP: 16; GD: +8; PTS: 32)
2. FC Dallas (GP: 17; GD: 0; PTS: 28)
3. Real Salt Lake (GP: 15; GD: +3; PTS: 27)
4. Los Angeles (GP: 15; GD: +10; PTS: 22)
5. Kansas City (GP: 17; GD: -2; PTS: 21)
6. Vancouver (GP: 16; GD: -3; PTS: 21)
7. San Jose (GP: 15; GD: 0; PTS: 21)
8. Portland (GP: 16; GD: -2; PTS: 20)
9. Seattle (GP: 14; GD: -4; PTS: 16)
10. Houston (GP: 15; GD: -2; PTS: 14)
NOTES: With Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver, and San Jose all level on points (21), SKC and the Whitecaps each have six wins, compared to the Earthquakes' five; Vancouver has the superior goal differential vis-a-viv Kansas City (-2 to -3).
Copa America: It's A Rematch Of The 2015 Final
At Chicago:
Charles Aranguiz (7') and Jose Fuenzalida (11') delivered the goals in the first quarter-hour on Wednesday as Chile blanked Colombia 2-0 in a Copa America semifinal contest.
Severe weather in the Chicago area delayed the opening of the second half by more than two hours.
Chile will face Argentina in Sunday's final at East Rutherford, New York (5:00 PM Pacific Time, Fox Sports One). It is a rematch of last year's final in which the Chileans won in the penalty-kick shootout and earned the South American berth in next year's Confederations Cup.
At for the Colombians, they will face the United States in Saturday's third-place playoff at Glendale, Arizona (5:00 PM Pacific Time, FX).
Both games can be seen in Spanish on Univision and the Univision Deportes Network.
Charles Aranguiz (7') and Jose Fuenzalida (11') delivered the goals in the first quarter-hour on Wednesday as Chile blanked Colombia 2-0 in a Copa America semifinal contest.
Severe weather in the Chicago area delayed the opening of the second half by more than two hours.
Chile will face Argentina in Sunday's final at East Rutherford, New York (5:00 PM Pacific Time, Fox Sports One). It is a rematch of last year's final in which the Chileans won in the penalty-kick shootout and earned the South American berth in next year's Confederations Cup.
At for the Colombians, they will face the United States in Saturday's third-place playoff at Glendale, Arizona (5:00 PM Pacific Time, FX).
Both games can be seen in Spanish on Univision and the Univision Deportes Network.
Euro 2016: Belgians Send Zlatan Into International Retirement; Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Portugal, Hungary Advance To Knockout Stage
Four games were contested on Wednesday in France as group-stage play in the European Championship concluded.
GROUP E:
At Villeneuve-d'Ascq:
Robbie Brady (that him [center] celebrating with James McClean [left] and Stephen Ward [right] after his tally) scored the only goal of the match as the Republic of Ireland locked up a berth in the Round of 16 by knocking off Italy (who had already advanced) 1-0.
AMA/Getty Images photo by Matthew Ashton
At Nice:
Radja Nainggolan (that's him [left] celebrating with teammates) scored the only goal of the match in the 84th minute as Belgium punched their ticket to the knockout stage with a 1-0 over Sweden. With his earlier announcements that he would retire from the Swedish national team following this tournament as well as his decision not to take up in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, this match turned out to be Zlatan Ibrahimovic's swan song with now-eliminated Sweden.
Associated Press photo
Final Group E Standings:
1. Italy (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Belgium (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3. Republic of Ireland (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
4. Sweden (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
Italy, Belgium, and the Republic of Ireland advanced to the knockout stage.
GROUP F:
At Saint-Denis:
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (18', see the celebration here) and Arnor Ingvi Traustason (90'+4) each scored once as Iceland racked up their first-ever victory in a major tournament by defeating Austria 2-1 and thus advanced to the knockout stage.
AFP/Getty Images photo by Franck (Don't Call Me Barney)Fife
At Lyon:
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice (50', 62', that's him celebrating with teammates after scoring one of his goals) and Nani once (42') as Portugal gained a 3-3 draw with Hungary which saw both teams advance to the knockout stage. Balazs Dzsudzsak scored twice (47', 55') and Zoltan Gera once (19') for the Magical Magyars, who finished atop Group F.
AFP/Getty Images photo by Francisco Leong
FINAL GROUP F STANDINGS:
1. Hungary (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 5)
2. Iceland (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Portugal (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Austria (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
Hungary, Iceland, and Portugal advanced to the knockout stage.
Match-ups for the Round of 16:
Saturday:
At Saint-Etienne:
Switzerland vs. Poland
At Paris:
Wales vs. Northern Ireland
At Lens:
Croatia vs. Portugal
Sunday:
At Lyon:
France vs. Republic of Ireland
At Villeneuve-d'Ascq:
Germany vs. Slovakia
At Toulouse:
Hungary vs. Belgium
Next Monday:
At Saint-Denis:
Italy vs. Spain
At Nice:
England vs. Iceland
GROUP E:
At Villeneuve-d'Ascq:
Robbie Brady (that him [center] celebrating with James McClean [left] and Stephen Ward [right] after his tally) scored the only goal of the match as the Republic of Ireland locked up a berth in the Round of 16 by knocking off Italy (who had already advanced) 1-0.
AMA/Getty Images photo by Matthew Ashton
At Nice:
Radja Nainggolan (that's him [left] celebrating with teammates) scored the only goal of the match in the 84th minute as Belgium punched their ticket to the knockout stage with a 1-0 over Sweden. With his earlier announcements that he would retire from the Swedish national team following this tournament as well as his decision not to take up in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, this match turned out to be Zlatan Ibrahimovic's swan song with now-eliminated Sweden.
Associated Press photo
Final Group E Standings:
1. Italy (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Belgium (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3. Republic of Ireland (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
4. Sweden (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
Italy, Belgium, and the Republic of Ireland advanced to the knockout stage.
GROUP F:
At Saint-Denis:
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (18', see the celebration here) and Arnor Ingvi Traustason (90'+4) each scored once as Iceland racked up their first-ever victory in a major tournament by defeating Austria 2-1 and thus advanced to the knockout stage.
AFP/Getty Images photo by Franck (Don't Call Me Barney)Fife
At Lyon:
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice (50', 62', that's him celebrating with teammates after scoring one of his goals) and Nani once (42') as Portugal gained a 3-3 draw with Hungary which saw both teams advance to the knockout stage. Balazs Dzsudzsak scored twice (47', 55') and Zoltan Gera once (19') for the Magical Magyars, who finished atop Group F.
AFP/Getty Images photo by Francisco Leong
FINAL GROUP F STANDINGS:
1. Hungary (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 5)
2. Iceland (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Portugal (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Austria (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
Hungary, Iceland, and Portugal advanced to the knockout stage.
Match-ups for the Round of 16:
Saturday:
At Saint-Etienne:
Switzerland vs. Poland
At Paris:
Wales vs. Northern Ireland
At Lens:
Croatia vs. Portugal
Sunday:
At Lyon:
France vs. Republic of Ireland
At Villeneuve-d'Ascq:
Germany vs. Slovakia
At Toulouse:
Hungary vs. Belgium
Next Monday:
At Saint-Denis:
Italy vs. Spain
At Nice:
England vs. Iceland
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