South America review: International friendlies dominate weekend play

With five of the 10 domestic leagues in South America sitting out this weekend, international friendlies dominated much of the play across the continent.

The biggest stories in South American soccer this weekend involved national teams rather than club teams. Multiple domestic leagues had an off week over the second weekend of September, providing a break for national teams to play international friendlies against other teams in South America and other continents.

Much of the focus in international soccer this weekend centered on the inaugural matches of the UEFA Nations League. But seven of the 10 CONMEBOL members of South America played in international friendlies as well, headlined by Colombia’s comeback 2-1 win over Venezuela in Miami. It was an all-South America affair played between neighboring rivals thousands of miles away at Hard Rock Stadium. All four of the weekend’s friendlies featuring South American sides were played in the United States, after the cancellation of the Japan-Chile friendly in Sapporo.

Venezuela went ahead in the fourth minute as Darwin Machis headed in a cross from Alexander Gonzalez for the opening goal. Colombia generated the bulk of the chances, though, holding 69 percent of possession and producing 18 scoring chances. Six of their shots were on goal, and Colombia finally got their equalizer in the 55th minute from a Radamel Falcao strike. Colombia went ahead in the 90th minute thanks to Yimmi Chara’s close-range goal.

Argentina continued to embrace moving on from the Lionel Messi generation of talent. The Albiceleste secured a 3-0 victory over Guatemala at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on the strength of Gonzalo Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso and Giovanni Simeone goals. They generated 17 scoring chances, put seven on target, and held 61 percent of the possession against an overmatched Guatemala side that mustered only two shots on goal.

Brazil took down the United States 2-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, as Roberto Firmino and Neymar scored for the visitors. Firmino tapped in a Douglas Costa cross past U.S. goalkeeper Zack Steffen in the 11th minute, and Neymar converted a penalty just before halftime. The United States actually generated nearly as many scoring chances, but they were unable to do much with the opportunities.

Uruguay took down Mexico 4-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston, knocking down El Tri thanks to a brace from Luis Suarez and additional goals from Jose Gimenez and Gaston Pereiro. Uruguay’s attack was based around pouncing on mistakes rather than holding the ball, as they forced Mexico to maintain 64 percent of the possession.

In the final CONMEBOL vs. CONCACAF matchup, Ecuador knocked off Jamaica 2-0 at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. Enner Valencia tapped in a 17th-minute penalty and Renato Ibarra added an insurance goal shortly after the intermission in the 49th minute.

A quick look at domestic action around South America

As the Argentine national team were wrapping up their 3-0 win in Los Angeles, the Copa Argentina continued both round of 32 and round of 16 play. The round of 32 is set to conclude with Independiente’s fixture against Brown on Monday, Sept. 10.

While that was wrapping up, some clubs were already getting started on the round of 16. Newell’s Old Boys beat Atletico Tucuman 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in their fixture, making the Rosario side the first to advance to the quarterfinals. Temperley joined Newell’s in the final eight on Sunday with a 2-0 win on the road against Argentinos Juniors.

In Brazil, Internacional, Sao Paulo, Palmeiras and Flamengo all won to remain first through fourth at the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A standings through two dozen matches. With the season nearly two-thirds complete, Internacional and Sao Paulo remain level on 49 points. Palmeiras recently overtook Flamengo for third place, lingering three points behind the leaders. Flamengo remains five behind Internacional and Sao Paulo on 44 points.

The action in Colombia got especially interesting, as Deportivo Cali took down Primera A leaders La Equidad and opened the door for Caldas to take over the top spot in the table with a win on Monday. Deportivo Cali cruised to a 3-0 win over La Equidad as Ezequiel Palomeque, Jhon Mosquera and Macnelly Torres all found the back of the net. Caldas faces Rionegro Aguilas in a Monday evening match to conclude the weekend of matches in Colombia.

Olimpia stayed four points clear of Cerro Porteno in Paraguayan league action as both clubs won over the weekend. Olimpia finished off a 1-0 victory over fourth-place Libertad, while Cerro Porteno won 2-1 on the road at Sportivo Luqueno. Nacional and Deportivo Capiata play on Monday, with Nacional capable of moving past Libertad into fourth place if they take all three points at home.