Paraguay National Soccer Team
Paraguay midfielder Fanny Godoy (10) works against U.S. midfielder Kristie Mewis (22) during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Paraguay vs USA 9/16/2021

Sep. 16, 2021 09:50 PM EDT

U.S. midfielder Catrina Macario (19) and Paraguay midfielder Fanny Godoy (10) vie for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Carli Lloyd scores 5 goals, US women rout Paraguay 9-0

Sep. 16, 2021 09:48 PM EDT

Chile's Pablo Galdames, left, and Argentina's Lionel Messi leave the field after a tie at the end of a Copa America soccer match at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, June 14, 2021. The match enede 1-1.(AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Messi's Argentina draws 1-1 with Chile at Copa America

By Marcelo Sousa Jun. 14, 2021 07:37 PM EDT

Brazil's Lucas Paqueta, center, celebrates after scoring his side's 2nd goal against Paraguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Firmino out and Paquetá in for Brazil's Copa America opener

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 12, 2021 07:01 PM EDT

Brazil's Neymar reacts during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Paraguay at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Brazil vs Paraguay 6/8/2021

Jun. 09, 2021 12:32 AM EDT

Players of Brazil celebrate their side's opening goal scored by teammate Neymar during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Paraguay at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Brazil squad agrees to play in Copa America despite concerns

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 09, 2021 12:30 AM EDT

Brazil's coach Tite looks on prior a qualifying soccer match against Ecuador for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Copa America drama eclipses World Cup qualifiers

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 06, 2021 07:25 PM EDT

Brazil's Neymar, right, celebrates with Brazil's Lucas Paqueta after scoring his side's second goal on a penalty kick against Ecuador during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazil wins World Cup qualifier amid drama off the pitch

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 04, 2021 11:15 PM EDT

Uruguay's Luis Suarez gestures toward Paraguay's coach Eduardo Berizzo at the end of a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (Mariana Greif/Pool via AP)
Paraguay vs Uruguay 6/3/2021

Jun. 03, 2021 11:46 PM EDT

Argentina's Lionel Messi wears a jersey with the number and image of late soccer star Diego Maradona prior to a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying soccer match against Chile in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (Juan Mabromata, Pool via AP)
Argentina draws after 7-month halt of World Cup qualifiers

Debora Rey Jun. 03, 2021 11:43 PM EDT

FILE - This May 13, 2014 file photo shows Maracana stadium behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil will host Copa America for the second consecutive time after Colombia and Argentina were stripped of hosting rights for the tournament, according to the South American soccer body CONMEBOL on Monday, May 31, 2021, hours after it ruled out Argentina amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country. Colombia was removed as co-host on May 20 as street protests against President Iván Duque rocked the nation. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)
Brazil players debate whether or not to play Copa America

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 03, 2021 10:37 PM EDT

FILE - This May 13, 2014 file photo shows Maracana stadium behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil will host Copa America for the second consecutive time after Colombia and Argentina were stripped of hosting rights for the tournament, according to the South American soccer body CONMEBOL on Monday, May 31, 2021, hours after it ruled out Argentina amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country. Colombia was removed as co-host on May 20 as street protests against President Iván Duque rocked the nation. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)
Maracanã to host Copa America final: Brazil-Venezuela open

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 03, 2021 12:26 AM EDT

PSG's Neymar reacts at the end of the French League One soccer match between Brest and Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade Francis-Le Ble stadium in Brest, France, Sunday, May 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
South America restarts World Cup qualifying amid COVID rise

By Debora Rey Jun. 01, 2021 03:05 PM EDT

FILE - San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell (44) plays against Real Salt Lake during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Kissimmee, Fla., in this Monday, July 27, 2020, file photo. Clark is being talked about as a potential breakout star for the upcoming Major League Soccer season. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
West welcomes Austin FC; Sounders among top teams

By Anne M. Peterson Apr. 13, 2021 04:43 PM EDT

Conmebol's President Alejandro Dominguez speaks during a re- inauguration ceremony at the headquarters of the South American Football Confederation, known by its acronym CONMEBOL, in Luque, Paraguay, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Qatar and Australia pull out of Copa America

By Mauricio Savarese Feb. 23, 2021 02:08 PM EST

Argentina's Lionel Messi stands on the field during a qualifying soccer match against Paraguay for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020.(Marcelo Endelli, Pool via AP)
Argentina match to go ahead in Peru in WCup qualifying

By Mauricio Savarese Nov. 16, 2020 12:46 PM EST

Colombia's Duvan Zapata, right, celebrates scoring his side's first goal with teammate Juan Cuadrado during a qualifying soccer match against Venezuela for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Barranquilla, Colombia, Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. (Gabriel Aponte/Pool via AP)
Brazil, Colombia outclass rivals, lead World Cup qualifiers

By Mauricio Savarese Oct. 09, 2020 10:55 PM EDT

Uruguay's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring from the penalty point the opening goal during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Chile at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (Raul Martinez/Pool via AP)
Argentina, Uruguay win in long-awaited World Cup qualifiers

By Mauricio Savarese Oct. 08, 2020 11:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 13, 2017 file photo, Juan Angel Napout, of Paraguay, arrives to federal court in the Brooklyn borough of New York. A federal judge denied a request by the former head of South American soccer to be given compassionate release from prison because of the new coronavirus pandemic but reserved judgment Friday, April 10, 2020, on his request for release on bail pending his appeal. U.S. District Judge Pamela K. Chen in Brooklyn said Juan Ángel Napout had not exhausted his administrative remedies with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in seeking compassionate release.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Ex-soccer boss Napout denied compassionate prison release

By Ronald Blum Apr. 10, 2020 01:42 PM EDT