Brazils new generation of stars were held to a goalless draw by Ecuador in their opening 2016 Copa America clash in Pasadena, California, on Saturday. The eight-time winners rested Barcelona forward Neymar, who was watching from the Rose Bowl stands, for the centenary edition of the tournament and they were short of ideas in his absence.David Luiz and Marcelo joined Neymar on the sidelines as they all prepare for the Olympic Games, which start later this summer in Rio. Douglas Costa and Kaka were also missing from Dungas 23-man squad through injury and Ecuador gave the Brazil boss plenty to ponder after a frustrating showing.Brazil began the Group B clash brightly but seemed to be missing their star names, especially in the final third.Chelsea midfielder Willian and Liverpools Philippe Coutinho were providing the main creative threat but they failed to provide a killer touch. Watch highlights of Perus 1-0 win over Haiti and Costa Ricas 0-0 draw with Paraguay. Pictures courtesy of Premier Sports Coutinho let fly from 25 yards but sliced his effort wide on 17 minutes as Ecuador largely restricted Brazil to long-range shots.Ecuador did offer their own threat on the break which was evident when Jefferson Montero led a two-on-one charge before being taken down by Elias, who received a booking on 35 minutes.Enner Valencia fired in a vicious strike from the resulting free-kick but it was well gathered by Brazil keeper Alisson.Antonio Valencia saw a drilled effort from distance deflected wide early in the second half before Ecuador thought they had taken the lead on 66 minutes. Colombia beat USA in Copa opener Cristian Zapata and James Rodriguez on target in Santa Clara Miller Bolanos appeared to keep the ball in play on the byline, with his fierce centre fumbled into the net by Alisson, but the officials ruled it had gone out.Lucas Moura, a replacement for the ineffective Willian, breathed some life into a lacklustre Brazil performance and tried his luck from long range but blazed over the bar on 75 minutes.A first-time left-footed volley from Ecuador midfielder Christian Noboa was also too high as both sides began to press for a late winner.The closest either came to stealing all three points came when Paris Saint-Germain winger Moura glanced a header into the side-netting with five minutes remaining but Brazil had to settle for a draw. Perus Paolo Guerrero (L) celebrates with Christian Cueva after scoring against Haiti Elsewhere in Group B, Paolo Guerreros second-half header got Peru off to a winning start as they beat Haiti 1-0 in Seattle.The former Bayern Munich striker nodded in Edison Flores cross on the hour mark and, in doing so, moved above Teofilo Cubillas as the all-time leading scorer for the national team with 27.Paraguay played out a goalless draw in a feisty Group A clash against Costa Rica in Orlando, Florida.A game of few chances was book-ended by a yellow card after just 15 seconds for Costa Ricas Yeltsin Tejeda and a red card for his team-mate Kendall Waston in added time.Watch Copa America matches live on Premier Sports Also See: USA 0-2 Colombia More Copa America news Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Cheap Mike Scott Jersey . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. http://www.cheapastrosjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-jose-cruz-jr-jersey . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Cheap Andy Pettitte Jersey . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. Cheap Craig Biggio Jersey . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. Since the Rio Olympics, when Feyisa Lilesa made an anti-government gesture during the marathon, he has traveled from country to country out of fear of going home. He worries about the family he left behind in Ethiopia. His young kids ask when they will see him again.That one he just cant answer at the moment.Lilesa became an international figure when he crossed his wrists at the finish line last month in Brazil on his way to a silver medal. The gesture drew global attention to the recent deadly protests in his home region of Oromia.Concerned with what might happen to him should he return to his country, Lilesa spent 2+ extra weeks in Rio before arriving in the U.S. about a week ago on a special skills visa, which allows him to train and compete until January. He hasnt seen his wife, 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter since Aug. 17.If I wouldve taken my medal and went back to Ethiopia, that wouldve been the biggest regret of my life, Lilesa said through a translator in a phone interview with The Associated Press as he begins speaking out in the U.S. I wanted to be a voice for a story that wasnt getting any coverage.The Oromia region has experienced enormous anti-government protests in the past few months. The government is now vowing to take drastic measures to deal with mismanagement, corruption and nepotism. But yet, the government has shown few signs of opening up the political space for opposition.Many social media users have changed their profile pictures with the image of Lilesa crossing his wrists, and many are describing him as a national hero for speaking up and bringing it to the international arena.The crossed-wrists gesture has been widely used by anti-government protesters in recent nationwide demonstrations as a sign of peaceful resistance, and before that by the Muslim community when it revolted against the government. It is meant to symbolize being handcuffed by security forces.Lilesas not alone, either: Fellow Ethiopian Ebisa Ejigu flashed a similar gesture when he won the Quebec City Marathon on Aug. 28. Over the weekend, another Ethiopian, Tamiru Demisse, also made the X sign at the Rio Paralympic Games after capturing silver in the 1,500 meters.That solidarity meant a great deal to Lilesa.It gives me hope -- them following in my footsteps and making a stand by saying, `Enough, said Lilesa, who has no plans to file for political asylum.With about 40 million people, the Oromo are Ethiopias largest ethnic group. Their region has seen anti-government protests since November 2015 that activissts say have left more than 400 dead.ddddddddddddEthiopias government is often accused of silencing dissent, even blocking internet access at times. Recently, video obtained by the AP showed Ethiopian security forces beating, kicking and dragging several protesters during a rare demonstration in the capital.Theres been increased international pressure on Ethiopia and its treatment of protesters. The United States, for one, last week said it has raised grave concerns about what it called the excessive use of force against protesters in Ethiopia, describing the situation there as extremely serious and calling for an independent investigation.What we are asking for is peace, justice and freedom, said Lilesa, whos currently in Washington, D.C., but hoping to train in a city with a higher elevation. If the situation continues as it is, without any change, its going to degenerate into a conflict that could take a very, very bad direction. ... We need peace. We need change.Lilesa said his wifes brother -- a student at Mada Walabu University in Bale -- was arrested in a protest nearly eight months ago. They still dont know his whereabouts.One of my main concerns if she finds out her brother was one of those who were killed is what will she do? How will she feel? he said. Im not there to support her and comfort her.Ethiopias state broadcaster, EBC, did not re-broadcast images of Lilesas gesture when he finished runner-up on Aug. 21. Some people who were watching live and cheering for Lilesa quickly hushed when they saw his gesture.Lilesa said in a follow-up email hes received no backlash from the International Olympic Committee for his gesture.They came and asked me what the gesture was. I explained, Lilesa said. They empathized with my situation.And while the government assures him he will not face prosecution upon his return home and will have a heroic welcome, as a government spokesman recently said, hes wary of it.Usually, what the government says and what the government does are very opposite, Lilesa said. If change comes to Ethiopia, and the regime changes, and people are finally free, I look forward to the day I can go home and meet with my people. Live with my family in peace.---This story has been corrected to show that the spelling of Lilesas first name is Feyisa, not Feysia.---AP Sports Writer Pat Graham reported from Denver and AP Writer Elias Meseret from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ' ' '