Injured Red Wings showing progress

Monday, June 30, 1997 | 11:06 a.m.

More than two weeks after a serious auto accident, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov are beginning to emerge from comas.

Doctors announced Sunday that the men are being upgraded to serious condition. They also cautioned against being overly optimistic, saying the men still faced months of rehabilitation.

"I think that the most important thing in the care of both of these gentlemen, in addition to time, in addition to allowing nature to take its course, in addition to prayers, is taking care of the thousand little things that arise every day," Dr. James Robbins, a trauma surgeon at William Beaumont Hospital, said Sunday.

Konstantinov and Mnatsakanov have been hospitalized since June 13 -- six days after the Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup in 42 years -- when the limousine they were riding in smashed into a tree.

Konstantinov was removed from a ventilator Saturday morning and has been breathing on his own since then, Robbins said. The defenseman is able to open his eyes, sit in a special chair for a few hours a day and is "more wakeful" in the presence of his wife Irina, Robbins said.

Mnatsakanov, who is being weaned from his ventilator, is able to "clearly see and recognize" family members, Zakalik said. "It's a little less clear with Mr. Konstantinov."

U.S., El Salvador tie in soccer

The United States once again showed it can't win World Cup qualifying games on the road, meaning the Americans need to post a win or two at home. "This was a tie with some disappointment," U.S. coach Steve Sampson said after Sunday's 1-1 tie at El Salvador. "We played well enough to win, particularly in the second half.' On a day where the most notable achievement was the absence of fan violence, the United States remained on track to qualify for next summer's World Cup. Roy Lassiter scored for the United States six minutes into the second half, but Raul Diaz Arce tied the score 10 minutes later. The Americans (1-1-3), who have six points, remained third in the six-team final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, with home games left against Costa Rica, El Salvador and Jamaica, and road games at Mexico and Canada. Mexico (3-0-2) leads with 11 points at the round's midpoint, followed by Costa Rica (2-2-1) with seven. The top three nations qualify for next summer's World Cup in France. El Salvador moved into a fourth-place tie with Canada and Jamaica, all at 1-2-2 with five points.

In other soccer news:

* Brazil won its first South American soccer championship since 1989 by beating host Bolivia 3-1 on goals by Edmundo, Ronaldo and Ze Roberto. It was the fifth time overall that Brazil has won the America Cup, but the first time it ever has won it on the road. Its titles in 1919, 1922, 1949 and 1989 all were won at home. Mexico took third place by defeating Peru 1-0 Saturday.

Bailey outruns Christie

Donovan Bailey beat Linford Christie in a 150-meter race outdoors, collecting the winner-take-all prize of $82,500 at Sheffield, England. The world and Olympic champion and world record-holder over 100 meters was timed in 15.01 seconds while running into a headwind. Christie, the 1992 Olympic champion, finished third, behind another Brit, Ian Mackie.

Kings' Richmond seeks trade

Sacramento Kings All-Star and Dream Team shooting guard Mitch Richmond has asked to be traded and has said he will not be at training camp this fall if his request is not honored. Richmond considered a similar course of action before last season, when talks between his representatives and the team failed to result in an adjustment on his contract, which now has two years left. Richmond's salary for the 1996-97 season was $3.6 million. The Kings have spoken with at least two Pacific Division teams -- the Seattle SuperSonics and Los Angeles Lakers -- about a deal, according to league sources.