OLYMPICS ROUNDUP

soccer

U.S. women open campaign with win over New Zealand

belo horizonte, brazil

Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan scored a goal in each half as the U.S. women’s soccer team defeated New Zealand 2-0 in its debut at the Rio Games on Wednesday, getting off to a solid start in its attempt to win a fourth straight Olympic gold medal.

Lloyd put the Americans ahead with a header in the ninth minute and Morgan added to the lead with a low shot from inside the area less than a minute into the second half at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte.

The U.S. dominated from the start to earn the convincing victory and remain unbeaten in 2016, with 14 shutouts and only one draw in 16 games.

Near the end of the game, many of the nearly 10,000 fans at the stadium chanted “Zika, Zika” at goalkeeper Hope Solo, who before coming to the Olympics upset some Brazilians by tweeting a photo of herself wearing a hat with mosquito netting in a reference to the virus. The chants were repeated after the final whistle.

The Americans are trying to become the first team to win the Olympics after succeeding at the World Cup. The Olympic tournament is the first major competition for the U.S. since the retirement of key players such as Abby Wambach and Lauren Holiday following last year’s world title in Canada.

The revamped Americans next play France on Saturday, again at the Mineirao.

Sweden defeats South Africa in front of sparse crowd

rio de janeiro

The first Olympics in Brazil are underway — aptly with a game of soccer in the sport’s spiritual home. Just not a very memorable one.

Sweden’s women beat South Africa 1-0 in a drab group-stage game Wednesday in front of a sparse crowd of only a couple of thousand spectators in Rio de Janeiro. It was settled by veteran defender Nilla Fischer opening her third Olympics by scoring in the 75th minute.

The Olympic Stadium was far fuller and more boisterous later in the day when the hosts were in action. Brazil’s women began their quest for a first Olympic soccer title against China, a day before the men’s team opens against South Africa in Brasilia.

Organizers will be hoping the 14 soccer games being played over Wednesday and Thursday will see excitement build ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium.

opening ceremony

Pele invited to light Olympic flame

rio de janeiro

Three-time World Cup champion Pele says he was invited to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, but sponsorship deals could stop him from performing the prestigious task.

Pele, 75, said he has a commitment to a sponsor that would make him travel on Friday, the day of the Opening Ceremony.

“I need to solve the travel issue. It is an international commitment with an English company. But I would love to (light the cauldron),” Pele said. “If I manage to change (the travel plans), I would like to have the honor to light it.”

Staff/wire reports