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Three-Goal Salvo Gives Denmark 3-1 Win Over USA
Leading going into halftime, the United States were quickly undone by Denmark who knocked in three just after the break.
Nov 18, 2009 4:29:15 PM
The United States put in a convincing first half performance, going up 1-0, but weren’t able to hold the lead in the second as three quick goals by the Danes put them ahead 3-1.
Goals barely 10 minutes apart as the second half opened gave thorough control of the match to Denmark who didn’t slow at all in the remaining half an hour or so and were able to take a positive result from the rainy match.
First Half
The match got off to a rampant start as the home side seemed to come right at the North American visitors.
Able to slip behind the USA defense in the first minute was Danish striker Jesper Gronkjaer. In on net inside the area, the veteran Copenhagen player was only able to blast the ball over the net. He really should have done better with the chance.
It didn’t take long for the Bob Bradley’s men to get back in the game and over the next few minutes as the match churned on the away side were able to get some of the possession. Benny Feilhaber, who plays his club football at the very same stadium where the match was played, had the best chance of the early going for the United States.
Blasting on net was the midfielder who saw his shot get deflected away by Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen for a corner. A good, quick start to the match, for sure.
Denmark began to impose their will on the U.S. on a chilly day in Aarhus. Some neat passing and lengthy spells on the ball helped to slow the United States down a bit. Rarely outworked, Bradley’s men kept at it and things began to open up past the 20 minute mark.
The breakthrough came in the 26th minute and it was MLS Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham who was able to fire the USA ahead. A very rare mistake by the usually dependable keeper Sorensen, who plays his club football at Stoke, saw what should have been an easy pass out to his full-back turn into a goal for the USA.
Slipping the ball too far to his defender, Sorensen’s pass was intercepted by Cunningham. The FC Dallas striker cut in towards the edge of the area and fired in the ball into the near corner with his left for a 1-0 U.S. lead. It was his first ever goal for the USMNT.
After the goal, little was created by either side as they worked things up and down the pitch. Denmark began to get back into the game they way they had earlier in the half, but nothing substantial was created as the teams went into the break separated by only a goal.
Second Half
The second stanza started the way the first half did with Denmark putting on all the pressure. The only difference was that in this half, the Danes converted their chances.
Barely a minute in, the U.S. defense was caught out by a great ball over the top by Simon Kjaer. At the end of it was Johan Absalonsen who run through the visiting backline and latched on to the ball in the box. A nice walk around move was what it would take to get by Guzan who had nice chance on the lethal finish by Absalonsen.
Not sitting back after their first goal, the Danes continued to push up the field, with Absalonsen being the catalyst for the second half improvement. As quickly as the game-tying goal came, the go-ahead goal appeared to happen even faster for the home team.
Able to slip the ball down the left to Absalonsen, the Danes were streaking up the field with the U.S. defense caught on the back foot. The goal scorer was able to slide the ball all the way across the area on the turf and saw it finally reach the foot of Soren Rieks who had a tap in at the far post. Lovely team goal by Denmark, marked at the 52nd minute.
But unfortunately for the U.S., two wasn’t enough for Denmark, they wanted three. Three minutes after their second, the Danes struck again as Rieks was able to chip the ball by a very lackadaisical USA defense to Martin Bernburg, who showed lethal finishing after taking a quick touch and firing on the half volley by Guzan at the far post. Three goals in just over 10 minutes for Denmark.
Denmark continued to dominate the possession in the middle of the second half, despite the United States bringing on three fresh players, one of whom being Edgar Castillo.
When the USMNT were able to get the ball, they had trouble keeping it as the second half was riddled with unnecessary turnovers and errant passes. Denmark really came at the United States and the pressure seemed a bit too much.
Absalonsen was at it again in the 73 minute as some stagnant ball movement in the middle of the pitch resulted in the super sub having a shot from nearly 30 yards out. Well directed and powerful, his effort went just wide of the left stick.
Much of the last 15 minutes or so was knock-and-chase stuff with neither side really forcing their hand on the opposition goal. Denmark had put in their three goals and were happy to just slow down the United States the rest of the way.
The second half started 1-0 United States and ended 3-1 Denmark. USMNT head coach Bob Bradley was able to evaluate some of his players and despite the loss should be pleased with some of their performances.
January will be the next time the team meets for a scheduled camp.
Shane Evans, Goal.com
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love their dedicated page on Goal.com!
Goals barely 10 minutes apart as the second half opened gave thorough control of the match to Denmark who didn’t slow at all in the remaining half an hour or so and were able to take a positive result from the rainy match.
First Half
The match got off to a rampant start as the home side seemed to come right at the North American visitors.
Able to slip behind the USA defense in the first minute was Danish striker Jesper Gronkjaer. In on net inside the area, the veteran Copenhagen player was only able to blast the ball over the net. He really should have done better with the chance.
It didn’t take long for the Bob Bradley’s men to get back in the game and over the next few minutes as the match churned on the away side were able to get some of the possession. Benny Feilhaber, who plays his club football at the very same stadium where the match was played, had the best chance of the early going for the United States.
Blasting on net was the midfielder who saw his shot get deflected away by Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen for a corner. A good, quick start to the match, for sure.
Denmark began to impose their will on the U.S. on a chilly day in Aarhus. Some neat passing and lengthy spells on the ball helped to slow the United States down a bit. Rarely outworked, Bradley’s men kept at it and things began to open up past the 20 minute mark.
The breakthrough came in the 26th minute and it was MLS Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham who was able to fire the USA ahead. A very rare mistake by the usually dependable keeper Sorensen, who plays his club football at Stoke, saw what should have been an easy pass out to his full-back turn into a goal for the USA.
Slipping the ball too far to his defender, Sorensen’s pass was intercepted by Cunningham. The FC Dallas striker cut in towards the edge of the area and fired in the ball into the near corner with his left for a 1-0 U.S. lead. It was his first ever goal for the USMNT.
After the goal, little was created by either side as they worked things up and down the pitch. Denmark began to get back into the game they way they had earlier in the half, but nothing substantial was created as the teams went into the break separated by only a goal.
Second Half
The second stanza started the way the first half did with Denmark putting on all the pressure. The only difference was that in this half, the Danes converted their chances.
Barely a minute in, the U.S. defense was caught out by a great ball over the top by Simon Kjaer. At the end of it was Johan Absalonsen who run through the visiting backline and latched on to the ball in the box. A nice walk around move was what it would take to get by Guzan who had nice chance on the lethal finish by Absalonsen.
Not sitting back after their first goal, the Danes continued to push up the field, with Absalonsen being the catalyst for the second half improvement. As quickly as the game-tying goal came, the go-ahead goal appeared to happen even faster for the home team.
Able to slip the ball down the left to Absalonsen, the Danes were streaking up the field with the U.S. defense caught on the back foot. The goal scorer was able to slide the ball all the way across the area on the turf and saw it finally reach the foot of Soren Rieks who had a tap in at the far post. Lovely team goal by Denmark, marked at the 52nd minute.
But unfortunately for the U.S., two wasn’t enough for Denmark, they wanted three. Three minutes after their second, the Danes struck again as Rieks was able to chip the ball by a very lackadaisical USA defense to Martin Bernburg, who showed lethal finishing after taking a quick touch and firing on the half volley by Guzan at the far post. Three goals in just over 10 minutes for Denmark.
Denmark continued to dominate the possession in the middle of the second half, despite the United States bringing on three fresh players, one of whom being Edgar Castillo.
When the USMNT were able to get the ball, they had trouble keeping it as the second half was riddled with unnecessary turnovers and errant passes. Denmark really came at the United States and the pressure seemed a bit too much.
Absalonsen was at it again in the 73 minute as some stagnant ball movement in the middle of the pitch resulted in the super sub having a shot from nearly 30 yards out. Well directed and powerful, his effort went just wide of the left stick.
Much of the last 15 minutes or so was knock-and-chase stuff with neither side really forcing their hand on the opposition goal. Denmark had put in their three goals and were happy to just slow down the United States the rest of the way.
The second half started 1-0 United States and ended 3-1 Denmark. USMNT head coach Bob Bradley was able to evaluate some of his players and despite the loss should be pleased with some of their performances.
January will be the next time the team meets for a scheduled camp.
Shane Evans, Goal.com
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love their dedicated page on Goal.com!
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