Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Friday 21 July 2017
U.S. survives bites, tops El Salvador 2-0 to advance

By RONALD BLUM The Americans, who start-
AP Sports Writer ed five veterans added for
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Skir- the tournament’s knockout
mishing for position at the phase, overcame a shaky
goal line ahead of a corner defense and poor pass-
kick, Jozy Altidore could ing. They face Costa Rica
not believe what occurred: on Saturday in Arlington,
El Salvador defender Henry Texas.
Romero bit the back of his El Salvador’s 26 fouls dis-
left shoulder, then twisted rupted the U.S.
his nipple. “Our timing wasn’t good.
Altidore maintained his We didn’t deal well with
composure — just — and the physicality. The game
then made light of the inci- had no rhythm with all the
dent. fouls and players falling on
“My girl’s mad at me,” the the ground, but we weren’t
American forward said. good on top of it.” Arena
“She’s mad at me. She’s said. “So it took us, really it
mad at Romero, ‘cause took us 30 minutes to play
she’s like: ‘Only I can bite a little bit, and then we got
you, only I can grab your a little bit more assertive in
nipples.’” different positions on the
Amid the biting, twisting field and capitalized on a
and talking, the U.S. ad- El Salvador’s Derby Carrillo (18) holds Unites States’ Jozy Altidore (27) as he reacts to an incident couple of their mistakes.”
vanced to a CONCACAF with El Salvador’s Henry Romero, lying on the ground, during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal Arena changed all 11 start-
Gold Cup semifinal against soccer match in Philadelphia, Wednesday, July 19, 2017. ers for the second straight
Costa Rica with a 2-0 win on Associated Press game and at 7-0-5 set a
goals by Omar Gonzalez in “I was a bit shocked,” Gon- remained in the game. ute. record for longest unbeat-
the 41st minute and Eric Li- zalez said. “It’s never happened be- “I can’t fault the referee,” en streak at the start of a
chaj in first-half stoppage U.S. coach Bruce Arena fore, but in CONCACAF, Arena said. “Those things U.S. coaching tenure, top-
time. said he wasn’t surprised. it never ceases to amaze are not easy to see on the ping Bob Bradley’s 10-0-1 in
But the ugly match, inter- “There’s a history of that me,” Altidore said. “You field.” 2007.
rupted by 45 fouls, will be in our sport,” he said. Uru- got to keep your cool. ... I CONCACAF’s disciplinary The U.S. improved to 6-0
remembered for the mark guay’s Luis Suarez was giv- shouldn’t be saying these committee has leeway to against El Salvador in the
on Altidore’s shoulder left en a four-month suspension things happen, but they impose punishment. Gold Cup, also winning
by the teeth of the 25-year- for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chi- do.” “These things always hap- quarterfinals 4-0 in 2002 and
old defender. Gonzalez ellini during the 2014 World Canadian referee Drew pen in football,” El Salva- 5-1 in 2013. The Americans
said after the game he was Cup. Fischer, a Major League dor coach Eduardo Lara are 17-1-5 overall against
bitten on the back of his left A furious Altidore shoved Soccer regular, did not pe- said through a translator, the Salvadorians, the only
shoulder, by Darwin Cerin Romero, then grimaced nalize the incident, which although it was unclear he loss an exhibition at San Sal-
in the 81st minute. and fell to the ground but occurred in the 57th min- knew bites had occurred. vador in 1992.q

Blues avoid arbitration, sign Parayko to $27.5M, 5-year deal

By STEPHEN WHYNO Only sharpshooting Russian tration, the contract would
AP Hockey Writer winger Vladimir Tarasen- have been for two years
After hearing development ko is signed longer as the and the Blues could have
coach Tim Taylor sing the Blues have captain Alex worked something out in
praises of a late-blooming Pietrangelo, Jay Bouw- 2019 before he hit unre-
defenseman playing col- meester and Parayko stricted free agency.
lege hockey in Alaska, locked up as their top three Parayko has 13 goals and
Doug Armstrong went to on defense. 55 assists for 68 points in
see for himself. “Colton coming on the 160 games over his first two
The St. Louis Blues’ gen- scene the last couple of NHL seasons. Armstrong
eral manager and Taylor years gives us a real good expects Parayko’s produc-
watched as Colton Pa- right side now obviously tion to increase with more
rayko dominated a game with Alex and Colton for a ice time, especially on the
at Bowling Green, and number of years moving power play with Kevin Shat-
even then Armstrong didn’t forward,” Armstrong said. tenkirk gone.
get his hopes too high. “Nice to have him in the “He’s got an absolute can-
“We were excited, but it’s fold for five years and our non, but he has to be able
one thing to do it at the col- In this Feb. 2, 2017, file photo, St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko captain for at least three to find ways to get the shot
lege level or junior level,” celebrates after scoring during the second period of the team’s more. It’s a good feeling.” off a little bit quicker, with
NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, in St. Louis.
he said. “It’s another one Associated Press Armstrong and the 24-year- a little bit more decep-
to do it with the men in the old restricted free agent tion,” Armstrong said. “We
NHL.” to a $27.5 million, five-year lion against the salary cap and his representatives had think he can do that. ... It’s
Parayko has done it and contract that solidifies him through 2021-22 on a deal arrived at the hearing in To- a great weapon for us to
then some. Just two sea- as a key part of their blue reached just before the ronto when they settled on have Tarasenko’s ability to
sons into his NHL tenure, line for the present and fu- sides were set to go to arbi- the deal. Armstrong said if score from distance and
the Blues have signed him ture. He will count $5.5 mil- tration Thursday. Parayko had gone to arbi- Colton’s also.”q