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Javier Orozco scored four goals - three in the final 15 minutes - as Mexicos Cruz Azul rallied to defeat Real Salt Lake of the United States 5-4 in the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday.

Mexico international Orozco scored his goal first after just five minutes, but Salt Lake posted three unanswered goals to lead 3-1 late in the second half on a rain-soaked field in Mexico City.

Costa Rican Alvaro Saborio scored two and Fabian Espindola of Argentina added the other.

Orozco went to work with goals in the 75th, 87th and 89th minutes to give the Mexicans a 4-3 lead.

Will Johnson equalized a minute into second-half injury time, only to have Christian Gimenez score two minutes later.

The loss left club teams from the United States winless in 22 matches in Mexico. They have lost 20 and drawn two.

Cruz Azul and Salt Lake both have three points from two matches in Group A.

Javier Orozco scored four goals and Cruz Azul rallied with four goals in the final 15 minutes - three by Orozco - to defeat Real Salt Lake 5-4 on Wednesday on a rain-soaked field in Mexico City.

Mexico international Orozco scored his first after only five minutes. But Salt Lake scored the next three to lead 3-1. Then Orozco went to work with goals in the 75th, 87th and 89th to give the Mexicans a 4-3 lead.

Will Johnson equalized a minute into second-half injury time, only to have Christian Gimenez score the winner three minutes into injury time. Cruz Azul and Salt Lake both have three points from two matches.

Fidel Cesar scored in the 40th minute to lift Panama club Arabe Unido to a 1-0 victory over Canadas Toronto in Group A of the CONCACAF Champions League on Tuesday.

Both teams have three points from the first two matches of group play.

Toronto lost a good chance to rebound in the second half when Nick LaBrocca was shown a red card in the 50th after a collision with Arabe Unido goalkeeper Jose Calderon. Toronto went down to nine men in the 88th when Faud Ibrahim was sent off for his second yellow card.

Cesar scored off a corner from Oscar Londono. The ball landed in the area where Rolan de la Cruz headed on to Cesar, who got the ball in behind defender OBrian White who failed to clear the shot off the line.

Real Salt Lake defeated Arabe Unido 2-1 in the first group match and can take the Group A lead with a win or draw Wednesday at Mexicos Cruz Azul. Toronto defeated Cruz Azul 2-1 in the first match.

CBSSports.com wire reports
Aug. 24, 2010

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico womens soccer player Elizabeth Lambert is back. Shes being kept out of view, but shes back.

After serving a two-game suspension for her role in a widely publicized hair-pulling fracas during a game last fall against BYU, Lambert has been reinstated and is eligible to play as a senior this season.

“Shes doing great. Shes got an unbelievable team behind her,” coach Kit Vela said Tuesday.

Lamberts actions created an Internet sensation - the video was viewed by millions of people worldwide.

The most striking image was Lambert grabbing BYUs Kassidy Shumway by her ponytail and jerking her to the ground, but the game was physical on both sides. Lambert took an elbow to the ribs from a BYU player during a dead ball, responding with an elbow to the back.

Lambert was expected to attend a news conference Tuesday with Vela and New Mexico athletics director Paul Krebs but the person everyone wanted to see was a no-show. The team also changed its regular routine by closing Tuesdays practice.

Krebs and Vela told reporters Lambert wants the focus to be on the team, not on her. A publicist said Lambert might do interviews later in the season.

“Hopefully, everybody understands that,” Krebs said. “The attention, the number of hits, the number of times that video has been played, I think shes just trying to move on, and I think we have an obligation to help her move on.”

Lambert, a defender from Los Angeles, can return to action when the Lobos play Friday at Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Sunday at Marquette.

Vela had nothing to say about the BYU game - “Truly, weve moved on from it. Id rather not go back and rehash it because we have moved on.”

Krebs said Lambert has fulfilled the Mountain Wests two-game suspension, missing season-opening wins over Montana and Nebraska last weekend. She also met several internal requirements, including keeping up her grades, doing community service and staying away from the team until fall workouts.

“She put herself in a difficult place. She made a bad decision. She has acknowledged that. But shes arisen from that situation,” Krebs said.

Vela said she treats her players like family and that it was difficult for the team to see Lambert at the center of an international spectacle.

“The Internet and the media are great resources. The world wouldnt be where we are without it,” Vela said. “But I think when something goes that viral when it was an honest mistake - and I say mistake, she was in the heat of competition - its unfortunate that it can become that negative.”

Video of the fracas also ignited debates about sexism in coverage of womens sports. Some editors and bloggers used phrases like “catfight,” prompting leaders of womens organizations to complain that some fans apparently cant accept women playing rough in sports.

Lambert addressed that issue in a New York Times interview after the episode, the only public comments she has made.

“I definitely feel because I am a female, it did bring about a lot more attention than if a male were to do it,” Lambert said. “Its more expected for men to go out there and be rough. The female, were still looked at as, Oh, we kick the ball around and score a goal.”

Asked to weigh in on the social issue, Vela wanted no part of it.

“Women in sport have come a long way,” she said. “That was one of the things that happened from the situation. Ive got my own personal opinions but Im really not going to comment about that. I just think female athletes have come a long way. Things are going to happen, unfortunately.”

CBSSports.com wire reports
Aug. 23, 2010

RIO DE JANEIRO — World Cup organizers have sought to offer reassurances the 2014 tournament will be unaffected by urban violence after 30 people were held hostage at a luxury tourist hotel following an intense gunfight in Rios streets at the weekend.

The gunfight made headlines across the world, and the Brazilian football federation issued a statement on Monday saying it remained “confident” that local authorities will be able to quell the violence during the monthlong event in 2014.

The federation said it can “assure the sporting community that the host city of Rio de Janeiro will maintain the normalcy necessary during the World Cup.”

Rio will also host the 2016 Olympics.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson says the difference between Barcelonas offer for Javier Mascherano and the Premier League clubs valuation of the Argentina captain is significant, and indicated a transfer may not occur.

Mascherano wants to leave Liverpool and wasnt in the team that lost 3-0 at Manchester City in the Premier League on Monday.

“Javier isnt in the right frame of mind at the moment to play - his head has obviously been turned by the offer from Barcelona,” Hodgson said. “But unfortunately, at the moment, the fee that the club thinks is the correct fee and the fee that is being offered is very far apart. Unless that can be resolved he might be unhappy for a long time to come …

“We have quite a lot of clubs at the moment suffering from players being courted by other clubs and players therefore being unhappy at being required to fulfill their contracts. It has happened to us now. This matter has developed over the last three days.”

Hodgson said he doesnt want Mascherano to be sold.

Liverpool is searching for a new owner to clear its debts, but says it doesnt need to sell its star players to raise funds.

Coach Angel Cappa seems to have turned around River Plate. The latest evidence came Sunday in a 3-2 win over Independiente, which was Rivers third straight victory of the young Apertura tournament.

Rogelio Funes Mori scored two first-half goals and Paulo Ferrari added another in the first half.

River goalkeeper Juan Carrizo scored a freak own-goal in the final minute.

“We struggled a bit in the end, but the most important thing is that we got the three points,” Funes Mori said.

River is level on points with Velez Sarsfield, the only other team with a perfect record in Argentina after three games.

The fast start is good news for River, which is in danger of relegation. Relegation in Argentina is determined by the results over several seasons and River entered the Apertura at the head of the drop zone after two miserable seasons.

Sunday was a bad day for River Plates fierce rival Boca Juniors. Boca fell 2-0 to newly promoted All Boys. Boca has only one point from its first three matches - a tough start for new coach Claudio Borghi.

In Brazil, Deco returned to Brazilian football with Fluminense and nearly scored the winner after coming off the bench in the 75th as a substitute. League-leading Fluminense was held to a 2-2 draw with Vasco da Gama but still kept a two-point edge over Corinthians.

Fluminense has 33 points from 15 rounds.

Corinthinas defeated Sao Paulo 3-0 with two first-half goals by midfielder Elias and another from midfielder Jucilei.

Deco, returning to Brazil after 13 years in Europe, shot over the crossbar in 87th with an attempt that would have been the winning goal.

Brazils 18-year-old striker Neymar scored on Sunday and set up another in Santos 2-0 win over Atletico Mineiro. It was his first game since rejecting a ?35 million bid from Chelsea on Thursday and extending his contract with Santos until 2015.

Neymar is one of the most talked-about players in Brazilian football in recent years. He made his debut in the Brazilian national team earlier this month, scoring a goal in Brazils 2-0 win over the United States in a friendly at New Jersey.

In Mexico, Tigres defeated high-scoring Santos 1-0, the first loss for Santos after four straight victories to stay on 12 points.

Cruz Azul reached 12 points, defeating Jaguares 3-2 in a come-from-behind victory with three goals from Argentine forward Christian Gimenez.

Monterrey inched up to 11 points with a 2-2 draw against Pachuca.

Guadalajara Chivas, which has only played three games - delayed by play in the final of the Copa Libertadores - lost 2-1 to Atlante. Chivas has only four points.

America defeated Queretaro 1-0 on a goal by Argentine midfielder Daniel Montenegro in the 46th. America improved to eight points.

Puebla coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola resigned on Sunday after Pueblas 4-1 loss to Pumas, saying he was upset with the loss and the turmoil surrounding the ownership of the club.

Francisco Bernat, club president, was arrested on Thursday on charges of fraud involving 30 million pesos ($2.3 million). He was released on Saturday after agreeing to sell his 51 percent of the club shares to Ricardo Henaine. Henaine held just over 40 percent and helped bring the fraud charges.

Sanchez Sola, who calls himself a “close friend” of Bernat, said Sunday he could not work for Henaine. Henaine and Bernat have been battling for control of the club for several years.

In Chile, Colo Colo defeated Union Espanola 1-0 to stay one point ahead of Universidad Catolica, which defeated San Luis 4-1. Colo Colo has 47 points and Universidad Catolica 46.

Results after Sunday matches in Brazilian football:

Sunday Games

Guarani 0, Palmeiras 0

Santos 2, Atletico Mineiro 0

Atletico Paranaense 1, Flamengo 0

Internacional 1, Atletico Goianiense 1

Vasco 2, Fluminense 2

Corinthians 3, Sao Paulo 0

Cruzeiro 0, Vitoria 1

Saturday Games

Goias 1, Prudente 2

Ceara 2, Gremio 1

Botafogo 1, Avai 0

Christian Gimenez scored a hat-trick as Cruz Azul came from behind to win 3-2 at Chiapas on Saturday to pull level with Santos at the top of the Mexican Apertura table.

Gimenez scored the games opener from a free kick in the 16th minute, hit a long-range drive in the 63rd and notched the winning goal in the 79th. Jorge Rodriguez equalized in the 30th and Edgar Andrade scored in the 50th to give Chiapas a temporary lead.

Cruz Azul is level on points atop the standings after four wins in five, alongside Santos, which lost 1-0 at UANL Tigres.

Also on Saturday, Monterrey remains unbeaten despite conceding a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw at Pachuca.

Later in the day, Atlas hosted Toluca and Guadalajara visited Atlante.

Gimenez scored his first goals of the tournament against Chiapas - bagging a treble for the first time since the Clausura 2009 tournament when playing for Pachuca against Necaxa.

The Argentine forward opened the scoring with a free kick from outside the area that left Chiapas goalkeeper Jorge Villalpando rooted to the spot.

Cruz Azul missed opportunities to extend the lead, with Alejandro Vela wasting the best chance with a close range effort in the 27th minute.

Rodriguez leveled with a free kick that flew into the top right corner of the goal after half an hour and Chiapas took the lead when Danilinho played a ball through for Andrade to beat Corona early in the second half.

As Jaguares enjoyed its best period of the match, Gimenez received a pass from compatriot Emanuel Villa and equalized for Cruz Azul with a fierce drive.

Gimenez sealed the comeback and snatched his third goal with a low shot after the Chiapas defence failed to clear Velas corner.

Meanwhile, an unmarked Dario Cvitanich headed the opening goal for Pachuca from a free kick in the eighth minute against Monterrey Rayados.

Pablo Marini was making his debut as Pachuca coach following two straight defeats that led to the resignation of Guillermo Rivarola.

Humberto Suazo scored an equalizer with a diagonal drive from an angle that flew in off the post in the 69th minute and Aldo De Nigris put Rayados in front with a back-post header from Osvaldo Martinez cross in the 78th.

In stoppage time, Daniel Arreola scored with a header from a corner that was adjudged to have crossed the line before goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco cleared.

Just before the end of the match, Pachucas Paraguayan midfielder Edgar Benitez collapsed on the pitch. Medics treated the player and he was taken to hospital for studies.

No medical data on his condition has yet been released.

In Monterrey, UANL Tigres upset Santos perfect record with a low free kick from Brazilian midfielder Juninho to earn a 1-0 win.

Santos remains top of the general standings on goal difference ahead of Cruz Azul. Rayados is a point back in third.

On Friday, UAG Estudiantes won 3-2 at home against San Luis.

On Sunday, its Morelia vs. Necaxa, UNAM Pumas vs. Puebla and Queretaro vs. America.

Velez Sarsfields 2-0 win over defending champion Argentinos Juniors on Saturday lifted it to the top of the Argentine Apertura standings.

Leandro Somoza hit the opener from a 71st-minute penalty and Santiago Silva added the second following a corner in the 76th as Velez climbed above Estudiantes and Banfield after three games. Estudiantes and Banfield drew 0-0 on Friday.

“The table says (were the best team),” Somoza said. “Weve got to keep going, we cant be satisfied, weve got to keep advancing.”

Quilmes drew 1-1 with Lanus earlier Saturday, while Godoy Cruz had a 1-0 win against Olimpo and Racing missed the chance to join Velez at the top following a 2-1 loss at home to San Lorenzo.

On Friday, Newells Old Boys had a 2-0 home win against Tigre.

Four other matches on Sunday include River Plate vs. Independiente and All Boys vs. Boca Juniors.

Velez struggled to break down a tight Argentinos defense in the first half at Jose Amalfitani Stadium.

In a match of few chances, Velez went closest when Emiliano Papa shot over in the eighth minute. Victor Zapatas shot was saved by Argentinos goalkeeper Nicolas Navarro in the 16th.

Argentinos striker Nicolas Blandi turned into space in the box in the 40th but his shot went wide.

The match turned when Velez was awarded a penalty for Gonzalo Prosperis raised challenge on Juan Manuel Martinez. Somoza sent Navarro the wrong way from the spot.

Silva connected with a corner at the back post to drive in the second goal.

Argentinos finished with 10 men after Santiago Gentiletti was sent off with just over 10 minutes remaining.

In the early match, Santiago Salcedo equalized for Lanus in the 13th minute after Juan Morales scored a seventh-minute opener for newly promoted Quilmes.

Later in the day, Godoy Cruz got its first win of the tournament after Ariel Rojas followed up a Nicolas Olmedo shot to score the winning goal against Olimpo in the 42nd minute.

Elsewhere, San Lorenzo took the lead against Racing when Guillermo Pereyra curled in a shot from the edge of the area in the 20th minute. Pablo Luguercio pulled Racing level with a low drive from long range that went in off the post in the 56th minute, but Sebastian Balsas scored with a looping header in the 86th to give San Lorenzo the win.