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USA Defeats Sweden 3-2 With Kljestan Hat Trick
Perhaps his trial at Celtic inspired Sacha Kljestan, because the midfielder scored a brilliant freekick goal against Sweden, then followed that up with an assured penalty kick and a precise finish of a Brian Ching pass to ensure the American victory against Sweden.
Jan 24, 2009 11:59:35 PM
If the Sweden/US friendly was a chance for young players to impress before the FIFA qualifying campaign opened, midfielder Sacha Kljestan answered the call in resounding fashion, scoring all the goals in a 3-2 U.S. win.
Despite being one of the most experienced U.S. national team players to take the field against Sweden, Kljestan had yet to score an international goal. That changed quickly.
In a match in with both squads fielded mostly domestic players who were able to attend a non-FIFA date friendly match, the game started with early jitters from both sides.
Despite Sweden's impressive touch on the ball and careful passes, the U.S. players were able to use their athleticism to their advantage in the first half.
It was clear that Sweden had no answer to the sheer speed of Marvell Wynne, for example, who used his notable pace to catch forwards who slipped past him.
The speed of Bornstein on the opposite side also snuffed out a few Sweden chances. The center of the backline stayed nicely organized by Danny Califf's direction.
The U.S. staked an early advantage when Brian Ching earned a free kick about thirty yards out. Kljestan stepped up to the kick and curled a stunner home in the 17th minute.
That's how things remained until five minutes before half, when Wynne charged into the box and was brought down by a Swedish defender. Again, Kljestan stepped up to take the set piece and scored.
Sweden continued to utilize the flanks to instigate their attacks, relying on the crossing of Andreas Dahl and Samuel Holmen.
At halftime USA head coach Bob Bradley withdrew the largely ineffective Charlie Davies, who plays his club ball for Hammarby IF in Sweden, for Kenny Cooper. Then, on the hour mark, Chris Rolfe replaced Chicago Fire teammate John Thorrington.
The lineup changes had the opposite effect than intended when Sweden halved the deficit on the 73rd minute mark. Substitute Alexander Farnerud curled in a teasing cross over the USA defense and Daniel Nannskog popped up to head in Sweden's opener.
The USA hit back immediately. From the restart, Brian Ching collected a ball in the box and laid off smartly for the on-rushing Kljestan. The Chivas USA star side-footed home from close range to complete his hattrick and put the USA firmly in pole position to win.
As the game was a friendly, each team was given six substitutions. Bradley made use of all of his available changes, and the rest of the game was a bit more disjointed. The USA continued to hold onto the greater possession, but could not further the lead. Cooper in particular squandered some excellent opportunities.
In the 89th, Sweden hit again. The goal was remarkably similar to their opener. Farnerud again curled a ball in, but this time Mikael Dahlberg got his head on the end. The USA backline will not be pleased with letting two similar and defendable shots in.
The game ended 3-2 in favor of the home side, but both coaches will be demanding improvement in the coming days as they each face Mexico, Sweden on January 28th and the USA in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying on February 6th.
Sacha Kljestan, however, has done his chances all the favors in the world.
USA: Troy Perkins; Marvell Wynne, Danny Califf (capt.), Michael Parkhurst (Ugo Ihemelu, 82), Jonathan Bornstein (Chris Wingert, 79); John Thorrington (Chris Rolfe, 61), Ricardo Clark, Sacha Kljestan, Robbie Rogers (Brian Carroll, 69); Charlie Davies (Kenny Cooper, 46), Brian Ching (Eddie Gaven, 77)
Subs not used: 18-Jon Busch
Head Coach: Bob Bradley
SWE: Johan Dahlin, Markus Jonsson, Marcus Lindberg, Max von Schlebrügge, Adam Johansson; Andreas Dahl (Rasmus Elm, 62), Daniel Andersson (capt.) (Martin Ericsson, 71), Gustav Svensson, Samuel Holmén (Alexander Farnerud, 62); Mikael Dahlberg, Daniel Nannskog
Subs not used: John Alvbåge, Patrik Anttonen, Rasmus Bengtsson, Mattias Bjärsmyr, , Andreas Johannson, Andreas Landgren, Denni Avdic
Head Coach: Lars Lagerbäck
Discuss the U.S. team in the new Goal.com forums!
--Andrea Canales and Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
Despite being one of the most experienced U.S. national team players to take the field against Sweden, Kljestan had yet to score an international goal. That changed quickly.
In a match in with both squads fielded mostly domestic players who were able to attend a non-FIFA date friendly match, the game started with early jitters from both sides.
Despite Sweden's impressive touch on the ball and careful passes, the U.S. players were able to use their athleticism to their advantage in the first half.
It was clear that Sweden had no answer to the sheer speed of Marvell Wynne, for example, who used his notable pace to catch forwards who slipped past him.
The speed of Bornstein on the opposite side also snuffed out a few Sweden chances. The center of the backline stayed nicely organized by Danny Califf's direction.
The U.S. staked an early advantage when Brian Ching earned a free kick about thirty yards out. Kljestan stepped up to the kick and curled a stunner home in the 17th minute.
That's how things remained until five minutes before half, when Wynne charged into the box and was brought down by a Swedish defender. Again, Kljestan stepped up to take the set piece and scored.
Sweden continued to utilize the flanks to instigate their attacks, relying on the crossing of Andreas Dahl and Samuel Holmen.
At halftime USA head coach Bob Bradley withdrew the largely ineffective Charlie Davies, who plays his club ball for Hammarby IF in Sweden, for Kenny Cooper. Then, on the hour mark, Chris Rolfe replaced Chicago Fire teammate John Thorrington.
The lineup changes had the opposite effect than intended when Sweden halved the deficit on the 73rd minute mark. Substitute Alexander Farnerud curled in a teasing cross over the USA defense and Daniel Nannskog popped up to head in Sweden's opener.
The USA hit back immediately. From the restart, Brian Ching collected a ball in the box and laid off smartly for the on-rushing Kljestan. The Chivas USA star side-footed home from close range to complete his hattrick and put the USA firmly in pole position to win.
As the game was a friendly, each team was given six substitutions. Bradley made use of all of his available changes, and the rest of the game was a bit more disjointed. The USA continued to hold onto the greater possession, but could not further the lead. Cooper in particular squandered some excellent opportunities.
In the 89th, Sweden hit again. The goal was remarkably similar to their opener. Farnerud again curled a ball in, but this time Mikael Dahlberg got his head on the end. The USA backline will not be pleased with letting two similar and defendable shots in.
The game ended 3-2 in favor of the home side, but both coaches will be demanding improvement in the coming days as they each face Mexico, Sweden on January 28th and the USA in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying on February 6th.
Sacha Kljestan, however, has done his chances all the favors in the world.
USA: Troy Perkins; Marvell Wynne, Danny Califf (capt.), Michael Parkhurst (Ugo Ihemelu, 82), Jonathan Bornstein (Chris Wingert, 79); John Thorrington (Chris Rolfe, 61), Ricardo Clark, Sacha Kljestan, Robbie Rogers (Brian Carroll, 69); Charlie Davies (Kenny Cooper, 46), Brian Ching (Eddie Gaven, 77)
Subs not used: 18-Jon Busch
Head Coach: Bob Bradley
SWE: Johan Dahlin, Markus Jonsson, Marcus Lindberg, Max von Schlebrügge, Adam Johansson; Andreas Dahl (Rasmus Elm, 62), Daniel Andersson (capt.) (Martin Ericsson, 71), Gustav Svensson, Samuel Holmén (Alexander Farnerud, 62); Mikael Dahlberg, Daniel Nannskog
Subs not used: John Alvbåge, Patrik Anttonen, Rasmus Bengtsson, Mattias Bjärsmyr, , Andreas Johannson, Andreas Landgren, Denni Avdic
Head Coach: Lars Lagerbäck
Discuss the U.S. team in the new Goal.com forums!
--Andrea Canales and Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
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