Page 23 - ARUBA TODAY

A23
SPORTS Thursday 13 sepTember 2018

Canada’s Michael Woods celebrates after winning the 17th
stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race between Getxo and
Balcon de Vizcaya, northern Spain, Wednesday, Sept.12, 2018.
Associated Press
Yates loses time in

Vuelta; Woods earns

emotional stage win United States players celebrate after midfielder Tyler Adams scored a goal against Mexico during
an international friendly match Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The United States won
1-0.
Associated Press
BALCON DE BIZKAIA, Spain the finish line. I tried to stay
(AP) — Simon Yates lost a calm, I tried to think of my Tyler Adams scores 1st goal to
few seconds of his Spanish family and to think of my
Vuelta lead on Wednes- little Hunter as an inspira-
day, while Michael Woods tion.” give U.S. 1-0 win over Mexico
of Canada earned an This was the first stage win
emotional victory on a dif- at a Grand Tour race for By TERESA M. WALKER Gonzalez, who played his after Zaldivar took down
ficult mountain stage. the rider from team Educa- AP Sports Writer first match for El Tri at age U.S. captain Wil Trapp in
Woods outlasted the field tion First-Drapac. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — 28. the 67th minute, and the
in a 157-kilometer (97.5- Yates’ gap to Alejandro The Americans is testing “He’s a winner this kid, U.S. immediately surged in
mile) 17th stage that fin- Valverde was cut from 33 young players to get the and I think I’ve been re- its attack.
ished with a tough climb seconds to 25 seconds af- United States back to the ally pleased in terms of his The U.S. now has three wins,
up Balcon de Bizkaia in ter a solid climb by the vet- World Cup in 2022. Tyler growth with the ball in tight two losses and three draws
Basque Country, and then eran Spaniard. Adams, Antonee Robin- spots,” U.S. interim coach under Sarachan, who took
dedicated the win to his Enric Mas also had a good son and goalkeeper Zack Dave Sarachan said. “We over last October after
stillborn son, who died this run and moved up to third Steffen are giving glimpses know that he can run and Bruce Arena quit when the
year when his wife was 37 place overall, 1 minute, 22 they might be able to help. cover ground and win Americans failed to qualify
weeks pregnant. seconds behind Yates. Adams scored his first in- tackles and compete. But for the World Cup. New
The Canadian rider crossed “There’s still a lot of racing to ternational goal, four min- at the next level now can general manager Earnie
the line five seconds in front come, hard stages ahead. utes after Angel Zaldivar you do the next part? And Stewart plans to announce
of Dylan Teuns and 10 sec- The gaps are still small be- was ejected for a studs- that’s have a presence a permanent coach later
onds ahead of David de la hind me,” Yates said. “No- up tackle, and the United with the ball and picking this year.
Cruz. body really attacked in the States rebounded from a your spots so it just keeps The Americans had two
“It’s a special moment for climb. There’s no shame poor first half for a 1-0 victo- getting better.” losses and a tie in their
me. I was very moved on in losing a few seconds to ry over Mexico on Tuesday The left-footed Robinson, previous three matches
the finish line,” the 31-year- Valverde and Mas in such night, the Americans’ first burned by Douglas Costa against Mexico, including
old Woods said. “My coach a finale. I truly believe An- win over their rival in three with a cross that led to Bra- a home defeat and a road
was in the car and in the dorran stages are much years. zil’s opening goal in a 2-0 draw in World Cup qualify-
final 500 meters (yards) he better for me. Of the stages “We wanted to show our loss Friday, had replaced ing. Sarachan liked how his
told me on the radio to left, this is the one I feared character and pride for right-footed Eric Lichaj at team kept their compo-
think about my family.” most. I know Andorra very the country, and we went left back in the 56th minute. sure.
Woods said that his wife well and I think the climbs out there and battled at “I just saw the defenders “This was a group that
also lost her father a month suit me very well.” times,” Adams said. “May- dropping really deep to- wasn’t going to lose to-
ago. Nairo Quintana struggled be at the beginning the ward the goal so I cut it night, and I couldn’t be
“It’s been a very hard year,” the most, losing more than soccer wasn’t there com- back across so hopefully more proud,” Sarachan
he said. “I was cracked on a minute and dropping out pletely, it got a little chippy someone could get on the said.
of the top 5 in the general at times, but we handled end of it, and thankfully Since opening the World
classification. ourselves well. Tyler did,” Robinson said. Cup with wins over defend-
No changes at the top are Adams, a 19-year-old who “And it was a really great ing champion Germany
expected on Thursday, made his national team finish. and South Korea, Mexico
when riders will face a flat debut last November, Adams called Robinson’s has lost four straight games
186.1-kilometer (115.6-mile) scored after Kellyn Acosta cross good timing with the for the first time since 2001.
stage from Ejea de los Ca- passed to a sprinting An- ball trickling right to him. Losses to Sweden and Bra-
balleros to Lleida in north- tonee Robinson on the left “So watching it was like in zil and the World Cup were
eastern Spain. flank. Robinson crossed for slo-mo, the ball just came followed by an exhibition
The three-week Grand Adams, who one-timed to me and I was able to fin- defeat to Uruguay, with El
Tour race ends Sunday in the ball from the penalty ish it,” Adams said. Tri outscored 10-1 over the
Madrid.q
spot past goalkeeper Hugo Mexico played a man short four matches.q