WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: U.S. rallies to beat Paraguay, 3-1, in opener

• by Soccer America , Nov 29, 2003

The United States got second-half goals from Eddie Johnson, Mike Magee and Bobby Convey to beat Paraguay, 3-1, Saturday in the opening game of the World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates.

For 45 minutes, it was all one-sided in Abu Dhabi. Paraguay got an early goal from Julio Dos Santos on a free kick and kept up the pressure on Thomas Rongen's Americans.

But the second half was a different story as the Paraguayans sat back and paid the price. The momentum changed in the 53rd minute when Johnson scored on a cross from Santino Quaranta. The Americans took the lead in the 68th minute when Johnson's shot from the right side was deflected by Paraguay goalie Antony Silva into Magee's path. Magee ran the ball into the open goal.

Convey added the insurance goal with a long-footed rocket in the 80th minute.

The game was played amid tight security at Abu Dhabi's Al-Nahyan Stadium.

The United States faces Germany Tuesday in Abu Dhabi (TV: East feed, Galavision, live 8:30 am, ET; West feed, Galavision, delay, 8:30 am PT). Germany fell to South Korea, 2-0, in the second game of Saturday's Group F doubleheader.

USA-PARAGUAY SUMMARY:

Nov. 29 in Abu Dhabi

USA 3 Paraguay 1. Goals: E.Johnson 53, Magee 68, Convey 80; Dos Santos 5.

USA -- Cronin; Klaas, Marshall, Cochrane, Whitbread, Mapp (Moor, 74), Clark (Stone 80), Convey, Quaranta, Magee (Cameron, 90), E.Johnson.

Paraguay -- Silva, Velazquez, Mareco, Martinez, Diaz, Barreto, Dos Santos, Caceres (B.Lopez, 72), Valdez (Romero, 74), Avalos, D.Lopez (Benitez, 88).

Referee: Shamsul Maidin (Singapore).

Att.: 3,500.