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Reds roll in second half Four-minute span does in Mexico's Club America in 3-1 lossPosted: Sunday July 27, 2003 9:40 PMUpdated: Sunday July 27, 2003 11:49 PM LOS ANGELES (AP) -- After a lackluster first half, Manchester United rolled past Mexico's Club America. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Diego Forlan scored in a four-minute span early in the second half and Forlan scored again in the 79th minute to lead the English Premier League champions to a 3-1 victory Sunday in the second of their four-game U.S. preseason tour. "In the second half, they changed into a Formula One team," America coach Leo Beenhakker said. "They played much faster, much quicker and scored two fantastic goals." Before a crowd announced at 57,365 at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Van Nistelrooy took a header from Forlan, drove toward the goal and beat goalkeeper Jesus Adolfo Rios from the top of the penalty area in the 46th minute. Forlan headed in a cross from Quinton Fortune in the 49th minute and scored in the 79th minute after Manchester United goalkeeper Ricardo punted to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who sent a header to Forlan. Christian Patino scored in the 87th minute for Club America, an 11-time Mexican champion that didn't make the playoffs last season. "I thought the first half was a bit difficult to get rhythm to the game," Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson said. "There were very few moments we penetrated Club America. Maybe, maybe the heat had something to do with that." Ferguson thought his team's play improved in the second half. "It was just a matter of speeding the game up," he said. The Red Devils, preparing for the start of the Premier League season on Aug. 16, opened their tour by defeating Scottish League runner-up Glasgow Celtic 4-0 Tuesday night in Seattle. Next up is a matchup Thursday night with Italian champion Juventus at East Rutherford, N.J. Alvaro Ortiz's apparent goal on a free kick in the 54th minute for Club America was disallowed by American referee Ali Saheli, who ruled that Carlos Infante fouled Juan Sebastian Veron in the defensive wall in front of Ricardo. The Coliseum was awash in a sea of Manchester United red jerseys, interspersed with fans wearing Club America's canary yellow jerseys. Red-white-and-black banners representing some of Manchester United's various fan clubs were draped around various portions of the stadium. Shouts of "Ruud" erupted whenever van Nistelrooy touched the ball. Club America was greeted with confetti and streamers as it players marched onto the field. "I thought the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic," Ferguson said. "The blend of the Mexican and United fans added a competitive element to the match."
Manchester United captain Roy Keane did not play because a thigh
injury.
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