Four former champions are facing stiff tests to reach the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, Latin America's most important club competition. Six first-leg matches are set for this week, followed by the second legs next week, with the survivors advancing to the 32-team group stage. Group play starts next month.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Heather Mitts remembers the feeling walking off the field in Cancun, having been a part of the first and only loss the U.S. women's soccer team has ever suffered in a qualifying match for the World Cup or Olympics.

Arsenal and Penarol may be all but sure of places in the group stage, but El Nacional, Internacional, Real Potosi and Union Espanola will carry just one-goal leads into the seconds legs of their preliminary-round ties on away soil.