SOCCER Reyna's return keys America's victory over Paraguay

Landon Donovan and Earnie Stewart each scored goals in the victory.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- An exhibition game against Paraguay had some meaning for the United States.
Captain Claudio Reyna returned for the first time since knee surgery last fall, and the Americans ended a three-game winless streak with a 2-0 victory Sunday behind goals from Landon Donovan and Earnie Stewart.
"This game was very important for us," Donovan said. "We hadn't won in three games."
The United States was eliminated in the first round of the Confederations Cup in France, going 0-2-1 as the midfield struggled. Neither Reyna nor John O'Brien were on the roster, and offensive creativity was sparse.
"I told the team after the game we were much better -- how we played for each other -- today than in any of the three games we played in France," coach Bruce Arena said.
Nice return
Reyna, who last year became the first American selected for the World Cup All-Star team, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Oct. 26 while playing for Sunderland in England's Premier League.
He received a standing ovation when he replaced Bobby Convey in the 61st minute, his first appearance for the national team since the World Cup quarterfinal loss to Germany on June 21 last year.
"It's been a long road," Reyna said. "Everything went well. It was the first of many more steps to keep improving and getting better. For a first game, it was great."
Goalkeeper Kasey Keller also came back after a long absence.
Keller, the starter for the Americans at the 1998 World Cup and the backup to Brad Friedel at last year's tournament, had not played for the national team since a 2-0 exhibition loss to the Netherlands on May 19 last year.
He improved to 15-0-4 in international play since 1998.
"I treated this as preseason," Keller said. "The guys played very well in front of me. I was happy with their performance."
Title defenseThe U.S. team is preparing to defend its title in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean. The Americans open Saturday against El Salvador in Foxboro, Mass.
Paraguay is getting ready for September's start to South American qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.
DaMarcus Beasley set up Donovan's 10th goal in 39 international appearances.
Beasley dribbled around three defenders and sent a pass from the left side of the penalty area to Donovan, who from 10 yards volleyed it past goalkeeper Justo Villar.
Stewart scored in second-half injury time, his 16th goal in 92 international appearances.
Eddie Lewis' pass in front of the goal was headed out by a defender, and the ball rebounded to Stewart.