Soccer Roundup | Venezuela has difficulty playing role of Copa host

BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela — When President Hugo Chavez brought the Copa America to Venezuela for the first time, his government sought to showcase the oldest international soccer tournament as a smoothly organized success.

But as the South American championship enters its final week, complaints are surfacing of ticket shortages, unfinished stadiums and other organizational headaches.

Some fans have complained that it has been impossible to buy tickets without going to pricey resellers, even when stadiums are half empty, leading the opposition to accuse the government of hoarding tickets to give to supporters.

Caracas has been at the center of recent protests over Chavez's refusal to renew the license of an opposition-aligned television channel.

And despite a government ban on protests in or near stadiums, politics has spilled into the stadiums. Chavez was heckled at the inaugural game, and in most matches chants of "This government is going to fall" and "Freedom, freedom" can be heard.

The government has denied holding back tickets. But one opposition party filed a complaint Friday with the government's Indecu consumer-protection agency against De Lujo Promociones, accusing the private concession handling ticket sales of providing a local soccer club 42,000 tickets to today's quarterfinal in Maturin between Paraguay and Mexico.

Some stadiums resemble dust-filled construction sites.

In Saturday's quarterfinal matches, Uruguay eliminated Venezuela 4-1 and Brazil routed Chile 6-1.

Major League Soccer

At Crew 2, Real Salt Lake 0

Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored on a penalty kick, helping Columbus extend its unbeaten streak to six matches with a victory over Real Salt Lake.

Eddie Gaven scored in the 80th minute. The Crew has four wins and two ties in its past six matches.

Chivas USA 1, at Revolution 1

Midfielder Andy Dorman's sixth goal of the season helped New England salvage a tie with Chivas USA.

Claudio Suarez scored in the fourth minute.

Toronto FC 1, at Fire 1

Maurice Edu scored in the 78th minute for Toronto FC to offset a penalty-kick goal in the 70th minute by Chicago's Chad Barrett.

Wizards 2, at Galaxy 2

Cobi Jones scored twice in the second half to give Los Angeles a draw with Kansas City.