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United States 2-1 El Salvador: Two Late Goals Lift Americans
The U.S. got second-half goals from Brian Ching and Sacha Kljestan in their 2-1 win over El Salvador.
Feb 24, 2010 9:45:00 PM
It took a monumental effort led by second-half substitute Brian Ching, but the United States overcame a pesky El Salvador side and beat the Central Americans 2-1 in Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
Ching scored a goal and set up Sacha Kljestan for the match winner in stoppage time as the Americans won their first game of 2010.
El Salvador surprised the U.S. with an early goal in the second half as Rudis Corrales put the visitors ahead, and some spectucular goalkeeping by Miguel Montes had the U.S. on the ropes but Ching and Kljestan helped the U.S. avoid further embarrassment.
First Half
U.S. manager Bob Bradley gave the starting nod to Conor Casey and Robbie Findley up top boosted by Kljestan and Robbie Rogers in the midfield. Brad Davis, who set up the lone goal in the United States' 3-1 loss to Honduras last month, also got a start.
However, the lineup did not produce much offense in the first half. Kljestan had two looks on goal but Montes turned him away twice.
The match had a bit of a frantic pace despite a steady rain and a wet surface. El Salvador, however, managed just some weak shots, one by Chivas USA's Osael Romero that did little to threaten U.S. 'keeper Nick Rimando. The U.S. midfield was able to neutralize El Salvador's midfielders and made it difficult for the blue-clad visitors to move the ball around much.
Kljestan set up the Americans' last strong chance of the first half. In the 40th minute, Kljestan took a feed from Davis but again could not beat Montes.
Second Half
Ching replaced Casey to start the second half, and his presence was felt almost immediately. Ching was a force for the Salvadoran defenders to deal with. Eddie Gaven stepped onto the field in place of Davis and tried to distinguish himself immediately as well.
However, it was El Salvador who struck first.
A long ball over the top of the defense and into the USA box turned tragic when Brad Evans somehow headed the ball right into the path of Rudis Corrales, who was able to slot calmly past an onrushing Nick Rimando.
Jeff Cunningham replaced Findley in the 68th minute, but was not much better than his Real Salt Lake counterpart.
After the goal, the Americans increased their pressure on El Salvador's defense. Rogers had an opportunity to pull the Americans even but instead of finding an open teammate inside the box, Rogers chose to shoot the ball and sailed it over the goal.
The U.S. finally got their goal, however, as Montes made a mistake that led to the equalizer. Heath Pearce whipped a cross to the front of the goal and Ching hit a header on goal. The ball hit Montes in the hands, but still went into the back of the net as the goalkeeper appeared surprised by the pace of Ching's shot.
The goal helped the U.S. gain more confidence, but Montes was once again back to making saves. Ching tried to beat Montes from about 15 yards but Montes dived and pushed the ball away.
Rogers found the ball once more in the 81st minute and tested El Salvador's defense. Rogers beat Montes but his shot rattled off the woodwork and bounced harmlessly away. Gaven had a look on goal from about 18 yards out but wasted his attempt, hitting a soft shot towards goal.
Kljestan, though, stole the match-winner from El Salvador's defense. Kljestan took a ball away from Marvin Gonzalez some 35 yards out and raced towards the goal. He slipped the ball to Ching, who sent it right back to Kljestan. The Chivas USA midfielder took one touch and buried his attempt past Montes. Kljestan, who had not scored for the United States in more than one year, raced back to the bench and jumped into a group of teammates waiting for him on the sidelines.
The U.S. closed out the match and picked up the victory over a gritty, but ultimately fruitless El Salvador side.
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Ching scored a goal and set up Sacha Kljestan for the match winner in stoppage time as the Americans won their first game of 2010.
El Salvador surprised the U.S. with an early goal in the second half as Rudis Corrales put the visitors ahead, and some spectucular goalkeeping by Miguel Montes had the U.S. on the ropes but Ching and Kljestan helped the U.S. avoid further embarrassment.
First Half
U.S. manager Bob Bradley gave the starting nod to Conor Casey and Robbie Findley up top boosted by Kljestan and Robbie Rogers in the midfield. Brad Davis, who set up the lone goal in the United States' 3-1 loss to Honduras last month, also got a start.
However, the lineup did not produce much offense in the first half. Kljestan had two looks on goal but Montes turned him away twice.
The match had a bit of a frantic pace despite a steady rain and a wet surface. El Salvador, however, managed just some weak shots, one by Chivas USA's Osael Romero that did little to threaten U.S. 'keeper Nick Rimando. The U.S. midfield was able to neutralize El Salvador's midfielders and made it difficult for the blue-clad visitors to move the ball around much.
Kljestan set up the Americans' last strong chance of the first half. In the 40th minute, Kljestan took a feed from Davis but again could not beat Montes.
Second Half
Ching replaced Casey to start the second half, and his presence was felt almost immediately. Ching was a force for the Salvadoran defenders to deal with. Eddie Gaven stepped onto the field in place of Davis and tried to distinguish himself immediately as well.
However, it was El Salvador who struck first.
A long ball over the top of the defense and into the USA box turned tragic when Brad Evans somehow headed the ball right into the path of Rudis Corrales, who was able to slot calmly past an onrushing Nick Rimando.
Jeff Cunningham replaced Findley in the 68th minute, but was not much better than his Real Salt Lake counterpart.
After the goal, the Americans increased their pressure on El Salvador's defense. Rogers had an opportunity to pull the Americans even but instead of finding an open teammate inside the box, Rogers chose to shoot the ball and sailed it over the goal.
The U.S. finally got their goal, however, as Montes made a mistake that led to the equalizer. Heath Pearce whipped a cross to the front of the goal and Ching hit a header on goal. The ball hit Montes in the hands, but still went into the back of the net as the goalkeeper appeared surprised by the pace of Ching's shot.
The goal helped the U.S. gain more confidence, but Montes was once again back to making saves. Ching tried to beat Montes from about 15 yards but Montes dived and pushed the ball away.
Rogers found the ball once more in the 81st minute and tested El Salvador's defense. Rogers beat Montes but his shot rattled off the woodwork and bounced harmlessly away. Gaven had a look on goal from about 18 yards out but wasted his attempt, hitting a soft shot towards goal.
Kljestan, though, stole the match-winner from El Salvador's defense. Kljestan took a ball away from Marvin Gonzalez some 35 yards out and raced towards the goal. He slipped the ball to Ching, who sent it right back to Kljestan. The Chivas USA midfielder took one touch and buried his attempt past Montes. Kljestan, who had not scored for the United States in more than one year, raced back to the bench and jumped into a group of teammates waiting for him on the sidelines.
The U.S. closed out the match and picked up the victory over a gritty, but ultimately fruitless El Salvador side.
Goal.com
For the latest news and updates from Goal.com, follow our Twitter account!
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