Klinsmann starts same lineup for 3rd straight game

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann left his lineup unchanged Saturday night for the Copa America matchup against Paraguay, likely the first time since the team started in 1916 that it used the same 11 starters in three straight games.

With the Americans playing their third game in nine days, Brad Guzan was in goal, with DeAndre Yedlin at right back, Geoff Cameron and John Brooks in central defense, Fabian Johnson at left back, Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones in the midfield, and Gyasi Zardes, Clint Dempsey and Bobby Wood in the attack.

The U.S. Soccer Federation said the same lineup had not been used in three consecutive games since at least 1991, and it was not likely it occurred before then.

The U.S. (1-1) would advance with a win and most likely with a draw. It could only fail to advance with a tie if Costa Rica defeats Colombia by six or more goals in a match played later Saturday. The U.S. would be eliminated with a loss.

Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz made four changes, inserting right back Fabian Balbuena, midfielders Víctor Ayala and Derlis Gonzalez, and forward Antonio Sanabria. They replaced defenders Robert Piris, Bruno Valdez, Edgar Benitez and midfielder Oscar Romero, suspended after receiving a red card against Colombia.

The rest of Paraguay's lineup had Justo Villar in goal, Gustavo Gomez and Paulo Da Silva in central defense, Miguel Samudio at left back, Celso Ortiz and Miguel Almiron in midfield and Dario Lezcano at forward.