Match Report
Diskerud, Johannsson Rating In U.S. Win Over Azerbaijan
The U.S. nationwide workforce began sluggish however completed sturdy in opposition to Azerbaijan, scoring two second-half objectives to win the primary of three Ship-Off Collection friendlies forward of the 2014 World Cup.
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BY
Jon Arnold
Posted
Might 28, 2014
12:08 AM
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SAN FRANCISCO—America nationwide workforce’s World Cup send-off marketing campaign began with a victory because the Crimson, White, and Blue beat Azerbaijan 2-0 right here Tuesday evening.
The decisive play got here off a Brad Davis free kick within the seventy fifth minute, which Combine Diskerud bought his head on amid a cluster of gamers. Michael Bradley bought onto the ball and rifled in an try that was saved off the road by Azerbaijan defender Elvin Yunuszade, however the rebound fell to Diskerud. His shot caromed off goalkeeper Kamran Aghayev and into the online for the primary objective in a match that till then had produced little pleasure.
Aron Johannsson made it a two-goal lead six minutes later when he was left completely alone within the very heart of the field and headed in Brad Davis’ nook as if it was a coaching drill.
CLICK TO TELL US YOUR U.S. PLAYER RATINGSThe substitutions’ attacking contributions have been welcome sights for U.S. supporters after a match by which the house aspect struggled to seek out any consistency to greatest a defensive-minded Azerbaijan aspect.
Clint Dempsey was a late scratch from the beginning lineup with groin soreness, an affliction a U.S. Soccer spokesman mentioned was merely precautionary, however his efficiency was missed. Fortunately for the U.S., all indicators from the workforce point out the Seattle Sounders attacker might be again for the following match.
“No, it’s not serious at all. He had a little bit of a pain yesterday already in training, and he told me about it,” Klinsmann mentioned at his information convention after the match. The supervisor mentioned he elected to relaxation Dempsey after being informed by his employees that the knock could be absolutely healed after two or three days of relaxation.
Dempsey was changed within the beginning XI by Chris Wondolowski, who had a golden alternative to attain early when Graham Zusi’s fourth-minute free kick discovered the San Jose Earthquakes ahead on their lonesome, however the header was saved by goalkeeper Kamran Aghayev.
“Wondo was a bit unlucky and could’ve done that right at the beginning, but overall tricky with the conditions as you saw,” Klinsmann mentioned.
Bradley was the beneficiary of a chance in his superior function within the fifteenth minute when Fabian Johnson might Jozy Altidore who laid the ball off for Bradley. Bradley went broad and the ultimately earned a nook.
The U.S. took the ensuing nook brief and have been in a position to get Wondo one other free header from an Alejandro Bedoya, however his try was denied by a spectacular cease from Aghayev.
The remainder of the primary half half and far of the second performed out with Berti Vogts’ aspect content material to take a seat again and defend, however the Individuals couldn’t break by the Milli protection for a tally. The problem got here within the second consecutive match Klinsmann has deployed a 4-4-2 formation with Bradley enjoying on the prime of a diamond midfield. Jermaine Jones went all 90 minutes within the holding function and was largely spectacular, maybe assuaging fears that he gained’t be capable to keep disciplined when he’s wanted in entrance of the protection.
Bradley mentioned the workforce is not fearful in regards to the particular outcomes however understands there are nonetheless inquiries to be answered.
“Continued fitness, continued work on the relationships and the understanding on the field,” he mentioned after the match. “Obviously, defensively how organized can we be? How difficult can we make it on the other team? And when we have the ball, how sharp can can we be and how good are we when we have chances to score goals?”
The Stars and Stripes may have a chance to reply these questions once they face Turkey on June 1 at Crimson Bull Area earlier than a ultimate pleasant in opposition to Nigeria in Jacksonville.
What did you consider the match? Inspired? Discouraged? Anticipate to see modifications in opposition to Turkey this weekend? Pontificate beneath.
