US advances
Survives bites, tops El Salvador 2-0
PHILADELPHIA — Skirmishing for position at the goal line ahead of a corner kick, Jozy Altidore could not believe what occurred: El Salvador defender Henry Romero bit the back of his left shoulder, then twisted his nipple.
Altidore maintained his composure — just — and then made light of the incident.
"My girl's mad at me," the American forward said. "She's mad at me. She's mad at Romero, 'cause she's like: 'Only I can bite you, only I can grab your nipples.'"
Amid the biting, twisting and talking, the U.S. advanced to a CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal against Costa Rica with a 2-0 win on goals by Omar Gonzalez in the 41st minute and Eric Lichaj in first-half stoppage time.
But the ugly match, interrupted by 45 fouls, will be remembered for the mark on Altidore's shoulder left by the teeth of the 25-yearold defender. Gonzalez said after the game he was bitten on the back of his left shoulder, by Darwin Cerin in the 81st minute.
"I was a bit shocked," Gonzalez said.
U.S. coach Bruce Arena said he wasn't surprised.
"There's a history of that in our sport," he said. Uruguay's Luis Suarez was given a four-month suspension for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.
A furious Altidore shoved Romero, then grimaced and fell to the ground but remained in the game.