It was a good performance for the domestic players against El Salvador as they won 2-1 thanks to Sacha Kljestan's goal one minute into stoppage time to win it. The US started hot in early in the 1st half getting out on the break in the first ten minutes. Conor Casey was caught offside twice spoiling clever through balls from the midfield, which was the strength of the team in the first half. Beckerman won nearly every ball, Kljestan delivered with a couple of good runs but failed to finish two good chances, and the wingers Robbie Rogers and Ben Davis had good pace and some good crosses.
Bob Bradley decided to go with the pair of Conor Casey and Robbie Findley up top, and half of the two showed up. Findley had tremendous pace and was able to get behind the El Salvador defense a couple of times. Casey however, was slow and drifted in attack being caught offside early in the half.
The first half didn't provide much of a test for the US defense and the backline went almost unnoticed, except for Heath Pearce. Who got up in the attack well, challenging the Salvadorian backline with some nifty footwork.
The US failed to finish a couple of good chances, most notably Sacha Kljestan received two open looks at goal, each time trying quick one timers that didn't really test the keeper.
The second half started with Brain Ching replacing Conor Casey, and they immediatley started testing the El Salvador defense. Ching came out very well and provided what the US wanted from Casey, someone who could win balls in the air.
Although the US was dominating early in the second half, El Salvador stole a goal in the 59th minute. As Brad Evans' header failed to reach Rimando in time and Rudy Corrales finished.
Eight minutes later Robbie Findley picked up an injury had to be replaced by Jeff Cunningham. It was disappointing for Findley as he was playing fairly well and should of scored just before getting hurt.
The US picked the pace right up again and were going desperately going for the equalizer. Brian Ching lead the charge and he unleashed a barrage of headers towards Miguel Montes goal, being denied each effort. Until the 74th minute, when a Heath Pearce ball found the head of Ching, and the Hawaiian placed it near post into the net.
The US appeared to not be satisfied with the 1-1 score and pushed for a second. This time it was Robbie Rogers who appeared as though he would score. He got behind the defense after his pass intended for Ching was deflected right back into his path to the goal. With Brian Ching square, Rogers decided to shoot, and his left footed shot missed wide left.
Minutes later Rogers had another attempt, doing much better this time, but his shot struck the post and went out of play. Roger's night was finished after that as he was subbed of for Geoff Cameron in the 86th minute.
It appeared the US was done, but El Salvador lost focus in their own half and Sacha Kljestan stole the ball from a Salvadorian defender. A quick one two with Brian Ching,put Sacha behind the defense and he finished it with class giving the US a 2-1 advantage.
Although the final score was close the US dominated possession, and appeared much more dangerous than El Salvador. Overall it was a good performance from the US, and the final score could of been 4-1. Several players stepped up and had good performances for the yanks, notably Heath Pearce and Brian Ching.
More to come tomorrow...
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