Outmanned U.S. Routed By Argentina

Argentina 4, United States 1

Hernan Crespo scored twice, Pablo Aimar and Carlos Tevez added late goals and Argentina routed a youthful United States team missing most of its top players, 4-1, last night in the Copa America opener for both teams in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Eddie Johnson put the United States ahead with a penalty kick in the ninth minute, but Crespo scored in the 11th and 64th minutes for fifth-ranked Argentina, which increasingly outplayed the Americans as the game progressed. Aimar connected in the 78th minute and Tevez scored in the 85th, just after entering the game.

The loss was the first for the United States since a 2-1 defeat to Ghana on June 22 last year in Germany, which eliminated the Americans from the World Cup. They had been 10-0-1 under Bob Bradley, who coached his first road game since replacing Bruce Arena as coach late last year.

Kasey Keller made his 101st international appearance, moving ahead of Tony Meola for the record among U.S. goalkeepers, but he was overwhelmed in the second half as his defense tired.

On Tuesday, the U.S. team plays Paraguay, which routed Colombia, 5-0, in the opener of the doubleheader. The Colombians face Argentina.

Argentina fielded a lineup filled with stars from the world's top clubs. Defender Jonathan Bornstein and midfielder Benny Feilhaber were the only holdovers from the U.S. starting lineup Sunday, when the Americans beat Mexico, 2-1, in Chicago to win their second straight CONCACAF Gold Cup. Instead, the 13th-ranked Americans fielded a youthful side that included six starters with 10 or fewer international appearances.

Feilhaber created the play that led to the opening goal, splitting the defense with a pass half the length of the field in the seventh minute. Johnson ran onto the ball for a breakaway on goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

Johnson was knocked down from behind by Gabriel Milito, and slotted his penalty kick to the right post, with Abbondanzieri breaking the other way.

· PARAGUAY 5, COLOMBIA 0: Roque Santa Cruz scored Paraguay's first three goals, leading a rout of Colombia. Santa Cruz put Paraguay ahead when he chipped over Colombia goalkeeper Miguel Calero in the 30th minute.