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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
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| USA 2-1 Peru - as it happened | USA 2-1 Peru - as it happened |
| (4 months later) | |
| 2.40am BST | |
| 02:40 | |
| Final thoughts | Final thoughts |
| Much better from the USA in the second half, as they cut off the Peru passing lanes, and pushed the ball to their dangerous wide men much more quickly. Peru were dangerous in the first half and made the USA defense creak a little as they pressed late on, but in the end the USA were value for their win as they began the process of erasing the memory of the Gold Cup. Zardes was a menace throughout, Jones played his way into the game in his time on the field, Altidore got his two goals of course, and Ream did well despite being worked by the Peru attack all night. And while one of the World Cup defensive duo (Omar Gonzalez) will want to forget his contribution, the other one (Matt Besler) may have played his way in out of the cold. | Much better from the USA in the second half, as they cut off the Peru passing lanes, and pushed the ball to their dangerous wide men much more quickly. Peru were dangerous in the first half and made the USA defense creak a little as they pressed late on, but in the end the USA were value for their win as they began the process of erasing the memory of the Gold Cup. Zardes was a menace throughout, Jones played his way into the game in his time on the field, Altidore got his two goals of course, and Ream did well despite being worked by the Peru attack all night. And while one of the World Cup defensive duo (Omar Gonzalez) will want to forget his contribution, the other one (Matt Besler) may have played his way in out of the cold. |
| Overall a positive performance from the USA — these were the games they seemed to make a habit of letting slip after the World Cup, and they needed to show some resilience tonight. Thanks for your tweets and emails — sorry I couldn’t use them all. On to Brazil... | Overall a positive performance from the USA — these were the games they seemed to make a habit of letting slip after the World Cup, and they needed to show some resilience tonight. Thanks for your tweets and emails — sorry I couldn’t use them all. On to Brazil... |
| Updated | |
| at 2.44am BST | |
| 2.33am BST | |
| 02:33 | |
| Final score: USA 2-1 Peru | Final score: USA 2-1 Peru |
| Final thoughts in a moment | Final thoughts in a moment |
| 2.33am BST | |
| 02:33 | |
| 90 mins +5: Some confusion as the referee keeps play going well beyond the three minutes for little discernible reason, but he looks like he’s calling time now... | 90 mins +5: Some confusion as the referee keeps play going well beyond the three minutes for little discernible reason, but he looks like he’s calling time now... |
| 2.32am BST | |
| 02:32 | |
| 90 mins +3: Peru really pressing all the way to the whistle as we tick past the allocated three minutes. Hurtado’s cross headed clear by Besler. More crosses. More clearances. And now Cameron pushes the ball out for a throw under pressure from Advincula. | 90 mins +3: Peru really pressing all the way to the whistle as we tick past the allocated three minutes. Hurtado’s cross headed clear by Besler. More crosses. More clearances. And now Cameron pushes the ball out for a throw under pressure from Advincula. |
| 2.30am BST | |
| 02:30 | |
| 90 mins +2: All Peru in the dying moments as Hurtado just about gets the ball past Ream on the right only to foul Williams as he chases the loose ball. The USA will take their time to clear... | 90 mins +2: All Peru in the dying moments as Hurtado just about gets the ball past Ream on the right only to foul Williams as he chases the loose ball. The USA will take their time to clear... |
| 2.27am BST | |
| 02:27 | |
| 90 mins: Johannsson puts Zambrano under pressure on a ball over the top but the defender does well and now Peru can attack again as the clock runs down. Again Advingula whips in an out swinger and again Besler does well to head clear at the near post — he’s doing his reputation no harm in his cameo here. Three minutes added on. | 90 mins: Johannsson puts Zambrano under pressure on a ball over the top but the defender does well and now Peru can attack again as the clock runs down. Again Advingula whips in an out swinger and again Besler does well to head clear at the near post — he’s doing his reputation no harm in his cameo here. Three minutes added on. |
| 2.25am BST | |
| 02:25 | |
| 88 mins: Great recovery from Besler as Peru take a quick free kick and Hurtado has space to drive a dangerous ball through the six yard box, only for Besler to scramble and intercept. Peru pushing for the late equalizer... | 88 mins: Great recovery from Besler as Peru take a quick free kick and Hurtado has space to drive a dangerous ball through the six yard box, only for Besler to scramble and intercept. Peru pushing for the late equalizer... |
| 2.24am BST | |
| 02:24 | |
| 86 mins: Altidore gets a yellow after some blatant shirt-tugging as he tries to retrieve the ball from Hurtado after being boxed out by a gaggle of Peru midfielders. | 86 mins: Altidore gets a yellow after some blatant shirt-tugging as he tries to retrieve the ball from Hurtado after being boxed out by a gaggle of Peru midfielders. |
| Now Yedlin and Diskerud combine down the right in a promising US attack but the latter sees the ball picked off as he tries to switch inside sharply and Peru counter. Good work by Vargas down the left forces a corner off Cameron.. It’s short and headed clear by Zardes to avert the danger. | Now Yedlin and Diskerud combine down the right in a promising US attack but the latter sees the ball picked off as he tries to switch inside sharply and Peru counter. Good work by Vargas down the left forces a corner off Cameron.. It’s short and headed clear by Zardes to avert the danger. |
| 2.21am BST | |
| 02:21 | |
| 84 mins: Ream has to get a foot in again as Hurtado tries to get a cross in past him — Ream’s been mostly solid under pressure tonight. Now Besler has to put a foot in too as a low cross into the box sees him have to hook clear. Then the US relieve some pressure after Flores fouls as he tries to chase down a loose ball. | 84 mins: Ream has to get a foot in again as Hurtado tries to get a cross in past him — Ream’s been mostly solid under pressure tonight. Now Besler has to put a foot in too as a low cross into the box sees him have to hook clear. Then the US relieve some pressure after Flores fouls as he tries to chase down a loose ball. |
| 2.19am BST | |
| 02:19 | |
| 82 mins: Another up and under pass from Diskerud finds Zardes wide left and he battles with Advincula to earn a corner. Peru make a couple of subs — Bulos for Chavez, Bulos for Cueva. In the meantime the corner is cleared rather easily. | 82 mins: Another up and under pass from Diskerud finds Zardes wide left and he battles with Advincula to earn a corner. Peru make a couple of subs — Bulos for Chavez, Bulos for Cueva. In the meantime the corner is cleared rather easily. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.45am BST | |
| 2.17am BST | |
| 02:17 | |
| 80 mins: Back at the other end and Altidore gets clattered some 35 yards out to pick up a free kick. Diskerud chips it cleverly over the defense and Johannsson picks it up, though his momentum drives him away from goal before he can get a shot off. The USA maintain possession but can’t make a clear chance. They’ve done a much better job of pinning Peru back in this half however. 1o minutes to go. Still USA 2-1 Peru. | 80 mins: Back at the other end and Altidore gets clattered some 35 yards out to pick up a free kick. Diskerud chips it cleverly over the defense and Johannsson picks it up, though his momentum drives him away from goal before he can get a shot off. The USA maintain possession but can’t make a clear chance. They’ve done a much better job of pinning Peru back in this half however. 1o minutes to go. Still USA 2-1 Peru. |
| 2.15am BST | |
| 02:15 | |
| 78 mins: Zardes is still full of running and almost gets free on an interception, but Peru regain possession and Farfan races into the box to force Alvarado to concede a corner. It’s played out of the box for Hurtado to drive a low shot that deflects a little on the way through to Guzan, but not in any way that troubles him. | 78 mins: Zardes is still full of running and almost gets free on an interception, but Peru regain possession and Farfan races into the box to force Alvarado to concede a corner. It’s played out of the box for Hurtado to drive a low shot that deflects a little on the way through to Guzan, but not in any way that troubles him. |
| 2.13am BST | |
| 02:13 | |
| 76 mins: Altidore gets it up but not quite down again as the ball floats over the bar. He’d pushed the ball back a couple of yards to try and make the space. | 76 mins: Altidore gets it up but not quite down again as the ball floats over the bar. He’d pushed the ball back a couple of yards to try and make the space. |
| 2.12am BST | |
| 02:12 | |
| 74 mins: Johannsson races free of the last man and into the box only to pull his shot across the keeper and into the path of none in particular. Now Zardes shimmies round his man on the left to set up Johannson again on the edge of the box, and he’s pulled down by Yotun right by the edge of the D. Altidore and Diskerud over it... | 74 mins: Johannsson races free of the last man and into the box only to pull his shot across the keeper and into the path of none in particular. Now Zardes shimmies round his man on the left to set up Johannson again on the edge of the box, and he’s pulled down by Yotun right by the edge of the D. Altidore and Diskerud over it... |
| 2.09am BST | |
| 02:09 | |
| 72 mins: Now Diskerud tries to get in on the act as he sends a swerving shot just wide from distance. More subs. Williams and Johansson in for Jones and Wood. Peru bring on Yotun for Lobaton. | 72 mins: Now Diskerud tries to get in on the act as he sends a swerving shot just wide from distance. More subs. Williams and Johansson in for Jones and Wood. Peru bring on Yotun for Lobaton. |
| 2.07am BST | |
| 02:07 | |
| GOAL! USA 2-1 PERU (ALTIDORE!) | GOAL! USA 2-1 PERU (ALTIDORE!) |
| ...and score. Yedlin gets into the box on the right, checks and cuts the ball back for Altidore. It’s kicked off his toes as he shapes to shoot, but only as far as Zardes, whose own shot pinballs through a forest of Peru legs to be met by Altidore following in to blast home from point blank range. The USA lead! | ...and score. Yedlin gets into the box on the right, checks and cuts the ball back for Altidore. It’s kicked off his toes as he shapes to shoot, but only as far as Zardes, whose own shot pinballs through a forest of Peru legs to be met by Altidore following in to blast home from point blank range. The USA lead! |
| 2.05am BST | |
| 02:05 | |
| 68 mins: Farfan sends a dangerous inswinger into the box and Guzan does brilliantly to make an initial save from a flicked header then to hold on in a fierce goalmouth scramble. USA break... | 68 mins: Farfan sends a dangerous inswinger into the box and Guzan does brilliantly to make an initial save from a flicked header then to hold on in a fierce goalmouth scramble. USA break... |
| 2.03am BST | |
| 02:03 | |
| 66 mins: Game has settled down a little after that flurry of USA pressure in and around the goal. Both teams finding their shape after the substitutions. Now Ream commits a foul wide left and the USA will have a free kick to defend... | 66 mins: Game has settled down a little after that flurry of USA pressure in and around the goal. Both teams finding their shape after the substitutions. Now Ream commits a foul wide left and the USA will have a free kick to defend... |
| 2.02am BST | |
| 02:02 | |
| 64 mins: More subs coming on now — Hurtado and Flores checking in for Peru. Ballon and Carrillo out. Besler is in for Brooks for the USA. | 64 mins: More subs coming on now — Hurtado and Flores checking in for Peru. Ballon and Carrillo out. Besler is in for Brooks for the USA. |
| 2.00am BST | |
| 02:00 | |
| 62 mins: The USA looking sharper now and Diskerud finds Zardes well on the right and his low cross to the edge of the six yard box sees Wood looking to apply the finish. ASCU’s, I think, just does enough to touch it clear off Wood for a goal kick. | 62 mins: The USA looking sharper now and Diskerud finds Zardes well on the right and his low cross to the edge of the six yard box sees Wood looking to apply the finish. ASCU’s, I think, just does enough to touch it clear off Wood for a goal kick. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.45am BST | |
| 1.58am BST | |
| 01:58 | |
| 60 mins: USA continue pressing high up the field after getting that reward, and now Diskerud picks up the ball and feeds Altidore on the right, but he blazes his shot high over the bar. More subs warming up for the USA — which was probably the plan for the hour mark anyway, but it’ll reinforce a buoyant team. | 60 mins: USA continue pressing high up the field after getting that reward, and now Diskerud picks up the ball and feeds Altidore on the right, but he blazes his shot high over the bar. More subs warming up for the USA — which was probably the plan for the hour mark anyway, but it’ll reinforce a buoyant team. |
| 1.56am BST | |
| 01:56 | |
| GOAL USA 1-1 (Altidore!) | GOAL USA 1-1 (Altidore!) |
| Altidore’s penalty is saved but he calmly trots forward and pokes in the rebound. | Altidore’s penalty is saved but he calmly trots forward and pokes in the rebound. |
| 1.55am BST | |
| 01:55 | |
| PENALTY TO USA | PENALTY TO USA |
| USA look like they’re pressing a little more early in the half, which has its risks against this counter-attack. But now...a penalty! Altidore makes a nuisance of himself in the box and Zambrano hauls him down. | USA look like they’re pressing a little more early in the half, which has its risks against this counter-attack. But now...a penalty! Altidore makes a nuisance of himself in the box and Zambrano hauls him down. |
| 1.53am BST | |
| 01:53 | |
| 56 mins: Zardes momentarily finds himself overlapping into the box and for a second the shot is on, but he checks back, loses the ball, and goes for a rather weak looking attempt at winning a penalty. The referee looks distinctly unimpressed. That was poor play in a good position. Immediately Peru counter and Carrillo wriggles his way past Ream again only to be crowded out as he shapes to shoot from a narrow angle. | 56 mins: Zardes momentarily finds himself overlapping into the box and for a second the shot is on, but he checks back, loses the ball, and goes for a rather weak looking attempt at winning a penalty. The referee looks distinctly unimpressed. That was poor play in a good position. Immediately Peru counter and Carrillo wriggles his way past Ream again only to be crowded out as he shapes to shoot from a narrow angle. |
| 1.51am BST | |
| 01:51 | |
| 54 mins: Ream looks like he’s being targeted down the US left, and now he’s grateful for Guzan to dive on the ball and smother another attempted attack. | 54 mins: Ream looks like he’s being targeted down the US left, and now he’s grateful for Guzan to dive on the ball and smother another attempted attack. |
| 1.49am BST | |
| 01:49 | |
| 52 mins: Cueva tormenting Ream a little on the left of the US box, as Peru try to find the killer pass. US creak but survive and get forward. Yedlin’s cross is just behind the support players, but the US keep the momentum going and Zardes earns a corner on the other flank after some good work. Diskerud floats it straight to Gallese though. | 52 mins: Cueva tormenting Ream a little on the left of the US box, as Peru try to find the killer pass. US creak but survive and get forward. Yedlin’s cross is just behind the support players, but the US keep the momentum going and Zardes earns a corner on the other flank after some good work. Diskerud floats it straight to Gallese though. |
| 1.47am BST | |
| 01:47 | |
| 50 mins: USA try some steady build up from the back before Brooks drives a sharp ball forward looking for the run of Diskerud into the left channel. Discard can’t quite get to it but acknowledges the pass. | 50 mins: USA try some steady build up from the back before Brooks drives a sharp ball forward looking for the run of Diskerud into the left channel. Discard can’t quite get to it but acknowledges the pass. |
| Now Peru come forward and Brooks picks up a yellow for fouling Farfan after the Peru forward got him turned in the center circle. | Now Peru come forward and Brooks picks up a yellow for fouling Farfan after the Peru forward got him turned in the center circle. |
| 1.44am BST | |
| 01:44 | |
| 47 mins: Nasty clash of heads early on as Brooks and Chavez go rolling on the turf in the opening moment. Brooks sits up pretty quickly but Chavez is a lot slower to get upright after that aerial collision. No malice from either player, which will doubtless console them as they rub their heads. | 47 mins: Nasty clash of heads early on as Brooks and Chavez go rolling on the turf in the opening moment. Brooks sits up pretty quickly but Chavez is a lot slower to get upright after that aerial collision. No malice from either player, which will doubtless console them as they rub their heads. |
| 1.42am BST | |
| 01:42 | |
| Second half starts | Second half starts |
| Interesting to see how Diskerud does in this half — he’s had an indifferent season for NYCFC and did nothing of note in the Gold Cup. He kicks off the ball to start the second half now — seemed to do that well enough... | Interesting to see how Diskerud does in this half — he’s had an indifferent season for NYCFC and did nothing of note in the Gold Cup. He kicks off the ball to start the second half now — seemed to do that well enough... |
| 1.40am BST | |
| 01:40 | |
| Some US subs | Some US subs |
| Geoff Cameron is starting the second half for Orozco. Looks like Diskerud’s coming in for Bedoya as well. And Alvarado for Gonzalez. So much for no experimentation in this one — though arguably reverting to the Alvarado/Brooks central partnership is an end to an experiment, with the withdrawal of Gonzalez. The USA players are lined up waiting for Peru to come out. No sign of them yet though... | Geoff Cameron is starting the second half for Orozco. Looks like Diskerud’s coming in for Bedoya as well. And Alvarado for Gonzalez. So much for no experimentation in this one — though arguably reverting to the Alvarado/Brooks central partnership is an end to an experiment, with the withdrawal of Gonzalez. The USA players are lined up waiting for Peru to come out. No sign of them yet though... |
| 1.37am BST | |
| 01:37 | |
| Some email analysis | Some email analysis |
| Peter Oh is in the house, with a waitforitwaitforit punchline: | Peter Oh is in the house, with a waitforitwaitforit punchline: |
| “I have to say it’s impressive, and it has grown in stature. I’m talking about Zardes’ hair, not the U.S.’s play in the last 5 minutes of the first half.” | “I have to say it’s impressive, and it has grown in stature. I’m talking about Zardes’ hair, not the U.S.’s play in the last 5 minutes of the first half.” |
| Peter correctly analyzed that any hair-related tweet generally has a 95% chance of being used in any liveblog I write. Zardes, or “Bardes” as the Guardian’s not-in-any-way-annoying blogging spellcheck function likes to call him, is the undisputed king of the “hair risks” game on the US side since the froth went off Yedlin. As a long-time Sunderland fan I can understand why the froth went off Yedlin by the way — it’s a sobering thought lining up in that defense. | Peter correctly analyzed that any hair-related tweet generally has a 95% chance of being used in any liveblog I write. Zardes, or “Bardes” as the Guardian’s not-in-any-way-annoying blogging spellcheck function likes to call him, is the undisputed king of the “hair risks” game on the US side since the froth went off Yedlin. As a long-time Sunderland fan I can understand why the froth went off Yedlin by the way — it’s a sobering thought lining up in that defense. |
| 1.30am BST | |
| 01:30 | |
| Half-time thoughts: | Half-time thoughts: |
| Well Peru, as advertised, were fast, dangerous on the counter and at times played with a hint of swagger in the final third — especially when it became apparent how much space the US defense seemed prepared to concede to them. The goal by Chavez had a touch of fortune about the finish, but the fact he was able to pick up the ball in space on the edge of the D says a lot about the joys of this US defense. Farzan in particular has been tormenting them all evening. | Well Peru, as advertised, were fast, dangerous on the counter and at times played with a hint of swagger in the final third — especially when it became apparent how much space the US defense seemed prepared to concede to them. The goal by Chavez had a touch of fortune about the finish, but the fact he was able to pick up the ball in space on the edge of the D says a lot about the joys of this US defense. Farzan in particular has been tormenting them all evening. |
| Up front Yedlin and Zardes offered flashes of inspiration — with the latter probably the USA’s best player of the night so far. Altidore has put in his usual hardworking shift without having a lot of reward for it, until the USA began to apply pressure late in the half, in the period kickstarted by Jones’ rasping shot. Jones himself has had a mixed performance — you can see what he offers at his best, at least in glimpses, but he’s still got a ways to go to get back to that best after injury. | Up front Yedlin and Zardes offered flashes of inspiration — with the latter probably the USA’s best player of the night so far. Altidore has put in his usual hardworking shift without having a lot of reward for it, until the USA began to apply pressure late in the half, in the period kickstarted by Jones’ rasping shot. Jones himself has had a mixed performance — you can see what he offers at his best, at least in glimpses, but he’s still got a ways to go to get back to that best after injury. |
| As for players who might have played themselves out of contention for Mexico — Omar Gonzalez has some explaining to do on his marking for that goal... | As for players who might have played themselves out of contention for Mexico — Omar Gonzalez has some explaining to do on his marking for that goal... |
| Updated | |
| at 1.31am BST | |
| 1.23am BST | |
| 01:23 | |
| Half-time: USA 0-1 Peru | Half-time: USA 0-1 Peru |
| Half-time thoughts in a moment... | Half-time thoughts in a moment... |
| 1.22am BST | |
| 01:22 | |
| 45 mins: Peru happy to settle on the ball for a moment after that pressure, and they see out the half calmly. | 45 mins: Peru happy to settle on the ball for a moment after that pressure, and they see out the half calmly. |
| 1.22am BST | |
| 01:22 | |
| 44 mins: Real pressure from the USA now, as Altidore rounds the keeper but is forced wide, and can only earn the corner as he battles to make an angle for himself. Bedoya finds the head of Gonzalez but his header goes wide. Might the USA regret not making one of this flurry of chances count? | 44 mins: Real pressure from the USA now, as Altidore rounds the keeper but is forced wide, and can only earn the corner as he battles to make an angle for himself. Bedoya finds the head of Gonzalez but his header goes wide. Might the USA regret not making one of this flurry of chances count? |
| Peru break from Bedoya’s charged down shot now and Farfan drives a dangerous looking ball into the box from the left. It’s cleared, but is a timely reminder of the dangers Peru pose on the counter as the US press for the equalizer. | Peru break from Bedoya’s charged down shot now and Farfan drives a dangerous looking ball into the box from the left. It’s cleared, but is a timely reminder of the dangers Peru pose on the counter as the US press for the equalizer. |
| 1.19am BST | |
| 01:19 | |
| 42 mins: More USA pressure as Zardes races into space wide left, backs up his defender and whips a low shot on goal that is parried by Gallese, clear of the onrushing Altidore. The USA asking more direct questions now. | 42 mins: More USA pressure as Zardes races into space wide left, backs up his defender and whips a low shot on goal that is parried by Gallese, clear of the onrushing Altidore. The USA asking more direct questions now. |
| 1.17am BST | |
| 01:17 | |
| 40 mins: Half-time approaching and finally the US give Gales something to do as Jones, in an advanced position, lets rip from 30 yards and forces the keeper to tip the ball for a corner. | 40 mins: Half-time approaching and finally the US give Gales something to do as Jones, in an advanced position, lets rip from 30 yards and forces the keeper to tip the ball for a corner. |
| It’s cleared but the ball is flicked back into the box by Yedlin, then headed on by Altidore into the path of Brooks, who has the goal in front of him but blazes high over the bar. USA’s best couple of chances right there. Brooks miss was borderline criminal. | It’s cleared but the ball is flicked back into the box by Yedlin, then headed on by Altidore into the path of Brooks, who has the goal in front of him but blazes high over the bar. USA’s best couple of chances right there. Brooks miss was borderline criminal. |
| 1.15am BST | |
| 01:15 | |
| 38 mins: Jones is making some good interceptions but some poor giveaways as well — still easing his way back to match fitness after his long lay off. | 38 mins: Jones is making some good interceptions but some poor giveaways as well — still easing his way back to match fitness after his long lay off. |
| And now Bedoya clips Carrillo in a dangerous spot some 25 yards out. Carrillo takes the free kick himself but can’t get the ball down and his shot flies well over the bar. | And now Bedoya clips Carrillo in a dangerous spot some 25 yards out. Carrillo takes the free kick himself but can’t get the ball down and his shot flies well over the bar. |
| 1.13am BST | |
| 01:13 | |
| 36 mins: Peru looking very confident every time they come forward and Cueva and Farfan put together some menacing passes on the edge of the US box, before another deflection off Gonzalez goes for a corner. | 36 mins: Peru looking very confident every time they come forward and Cueva and Farfan put together some menacing passes on the edge of the US box, before another deflection off Gonzalez goes for a corner. |
| Jones gets up well to head the outswinger clear. | Jones gets up well to head the outswinger clear. |
| A flash of route one from the US now, but Bobby Wood loses the flight of the ball over the top and can’t collect it, let alone get a shot off. | A flash of route one from the US now, but Bobby Wood loses the flight of the ball over the top and can’t collect it, let alone get a shot off. |
| 1.11am BST | |
| 01:11 | |
| 34 mins: A little flicked give and go almost gets Bedoya in in the Peru box, but the ball runs out of danger and now Peru are coming forward again...Ream has to make a decent stretched header to clear when he could have been stranded by the ball over the top. | 34 mins: A little flicked give and go almost gets Bedoya in in the Peru box, but the ball runs out of danger and now Peru are coming forward again...Ream has to make a decent stretched header to clear when he could have been stranded by the ball over the top. |
| 1.09am BST | |
| 01:09 | |
| 32 mins: Altidore (remember him?) is fouled midway inside the Peru half but as the US pack the box, Jones’ free kick can’t clear the first man. | 32 mins: Altidore (remember him?) is fouled midway inside the Peru half but as the US pack the box, Jones’ free kick can’t clear the first man. |
| 1.08am BST | |
| 01:08 | |
| 30 mins: And now Edlin gives up a dangerous free kick near the left corner of the box after another swarming Peru break. Farzan over it — but he can’t get his shot on target. | 30 mins: And now Edlin gives up a dangerous free kick near the left corner of the box after another swarming Peru break. Farzan over it — but he can’t get his shot on target. |
| Zardes, one of the few bright spots for the US so far, picks up a long ball from Gonzalez, but can’t find the cross. Still USA 0-1 Peru | Zardes, one of the few bright spots for the US so far, picks up a long ball from Gonzalez, but can’t find the cross. Still USA 0-1 Peru |
| 1.06am BST | |
| 01:06 | |
| 28 mins: Zardes turn to get a deflection now, but it’s of the variety that kills the threat of his attempted low cross, rather than sending it spinning past Gales, who dives on the ball. Zardes can’t catch a break — in the next move he spins in a dangerous position only to have to evade the referee as the move breaks down. | 28 mins: Zardes turn to get a deflection now, but it’s of the variety that kills the threat of his attempted low cross, rather than sending it spinning past Gales, who dives on the ball. Zardes can’t catch a break — in the next move he spins in a dangerous position only to have to evade the referee as the move breaks down. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.45am BST | |
| 1.03am BST | |
| 01:03 | |
| 26 mins: Peru have a corner now after good work from Advincula down the right. Farzan sends an out swinger some 35 yards out for Vargas to attempt a spectacular training ground volley, with unspectacular results. | 26 mins: Peru have a corner now after good work from Advincula down the right. Farzan sends an out swinger some 35 yards out for Vargas to attempt a spectacular training ground volley, with unspectacular results. |
| 1.02am BST | |
| 01:02 | |
| 24 mins: Rather more concerning for the US was the fact that Chavez got his shot off at all. There was very little pressure in the attacker from the US defenders, who seemed reluctant to close him down. Peru pressing again now, as the lively Farfan looks to double the advantage — most of the play is going through him right now. | 24 mins: Rather more concerning for the US was the fact that Chavez got his shot off at all. There was very little pressure in the attacker from the US defenders, who seemed reluctant to close him down. Peru pressing again now, as the lively Farfan looks to double the advantage — most of the play is going through him right now. |
| 1.00am BST | |
| 01:00 | |
| 22 mins: “TimHowardTimHowardTimHoward” - as certain corners of social media are probably rumbling right now — not that Guzan could have done much about that goal. The deflection was perfectly brutal. | 22 mins: “TimHowardTimHowardTimHoward” - as certain corners of social media are probably rumbling right now — not that Guzan could have done much about that goal. The deflection was perfectly brutal. |
| 12.59am BST | |
| 00:59 | |
| GOAL! USA 0-1 Peru (Chavez!) | GOAL! USA 0-1 Peru (Chavez!) |
| 20 mins: End to end, or at least 18 yard line to 18 yard line, at the moment. Few clear chances. | 20 mins: End to end, or at least 18 yard line to 18 yard line, at the moment. Few clear chances. |
| But suddenly Chavez picks up the ball on the edge of the box and his shot takes a wicked deflection off Gonzalez and loops up and over the flailing Guzan to give Peru the lead! That’s his first international goal. | But suddenly Chavez picks up the ball on the edge of the box and his shot takes a wicked deflection off Gonzalez and loops up and over the flailing Guzan to give Peru the lead! That’s his first international goal. |
| 12.55am BST | |
| 00:55 | |
| 18 mins: The US get the ball down and start passing it around without looking particularly threatening with it. And now Jones has a short pass cut out way too easily by Cueva to start another Peru attack. Peru’s turn to stroke the ball around looking for an opening, but now they too give the ball away in a rather more dangerous fashion. Wood races forward, but hesitates, checks and by the time he shoots it’s a low scuffed shot that dribbles past the far post. | 18 mins: The US get the ball down and start passing it around without looking particularly threatening with it. And now Jones has a short pass cut out way too easily by Cueva to start another Peru attack. Peru’s turn to stroke the ball around looking for an opening, but now they too give the ball away in a rather more dangerous fashion. Wood races forward, but hesitates, checks and by the time he shoots it’s a low scuffed shot that dribbles past the far post. |
| 12.53am BST | |
| 00:53 | |
| 16 mins: Vargas goes sprinting down the left looking to get behind the US lines but he’s rather optimistic in thinking he’ll get to that ball over the top. Peru pressing more now after that early flurry from the USA. | 16 mins: Vargas goes sprinting down the left looking to get behind the US lines but he’s rather optimistic in thinking he’ll get to that ball over the top. Peru pressing more now after that early flurry from the USA. |
| 12.51am BST | |
| 00:51 | |
| 14 mins: Zardes does some more good work down the left as he tries to find an opening, but Orozco’s pass in support of him is cut out and the US have to defend another break. Orozco makes amends by heading the resulting cross from Advingula clear. | 14 mins: Zardes does some more good work down the left as he tries to find an opening, but Orozco’s pass in support of him is cut out and the US have to defend another break. Orozco makes amends by heading the resulting cross from Advingula clear. |
| 12.50am BST | |
| 00:50 | |
| 12 mins: Of course, good starts haven’t really been the USA’s problem over the past year or so — the issue has been late collapses or at least listless second halves. It’s a trend that had improved coming into the Gold Cup, but Klinsmann will want to see some sustained intensity tonight. | 12 mins: Of course, good starts haven’t really been the USA’s problem over the past year or so — the issue has been late collapses or at least listless second halves. It’s a trend that had improved coming into the Gold Cup, but Klinsmann will want to see some sustained intensity tonight. |
| 12.47am BST | |
| 00:47 | |
| 10 mins: Good work by Yedlin as he sprints down the right to pick up the ball, shimmy some space for himself and square back a dangerous cross that briefly looks to be causing problems in the Peru box. Still USA 0-0 Peru after the first ten minutes, but a better touch at either end and we could have had an early goal or two. It’s been lively. | 10 mins: Good work by Yedlin as he sprints down the right to pick up the ball, shimmy some space for himself and square back a dangerous cross that briefly looks to be causing problems in the Peru box. Still USA 0-0 Peru after the first ten minutes, but a better touch at either end and we could have had an early goal or two. It’s been lively. |
| 12.45am BST | |
| 00:45 | |
| 8 mins: Jones steps forward up the middle and tries to play the through ball for Altidore but can’t plait past the first defender and another Peruvian break is momentarily on. Game beginning to settle into a pattern of Peru looking for those fast breaks against US pressure. | 8 mins: Jones steps forward up the middle and tries to play the through ball for Altidore but can’t plait past the first defender and another Peruvian break is momentarily on. Game beginning to settle into a pattern of Peru looking for those fast breaks against US pressure. |
| 12.43am BST | |
| 00:43 | |
| 6 mins: Nice whipped cross from Zardes after Yedlin cut inside to set him up. Gales had to dive and push the ball clear with Altidore lurking. | 6 mins: Nice whipped cross from Zardes after Yedlin cut inside to set him up. Gales had to dive and push the ball clear with Altidore lurking. |
| At the other end Farfan and Carrillo combine on the edge of the box to make space for the shot and to force a first corner for Peru. It’s cleared but almost immediately Guzan has to come out and claim a floated ball back into the box from Farfan. | At the other end Farfan and Carrillo combine on the edge of the box to make space for the shot and to force a first corner for Peru. It’s cleared but almost immediately Guzan has to come out and claim a floated ball back into the box from Farfan. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.46am BST | |
| 12.41am BST | |
| 00:41 | |
| 4 mins: Great atmosphere at RFK, with vocal contingents on both sides. USA settling the better early on and Altidore and Zardes combine down the flanks as they try to find Jones in an advanced position. It doesn’t come off but there’s some urgency about the US here. | 4 mins: Great atmosphere at RFK, with vocal contingents on both sides. USA settling the better early on and Altidore and Zardes combine down the flanks as they try to find Jones in an advanced position. It doesn’t come off but there’s some urgency about the US here. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.46am BST | |
| 12.39am BST | |
| 00:39 | |
| 2 mins: A little scrappy battling up the middle from both teams then Jones tries to find Yedlin with a probing ball forward. He earns a throw deep in Peru territory but the move breaks down immediately. USA get it back forward again and Orozco’s teasing chip cross is flicked away for a corner with Altidore lurking. | 2 mins: A little scrappy battling up the middle from both teams then Jones tries to find Yedlin with a probing ball forward. He earns a throw deep in Peru territory but the move breaks down immediately. USA get it back forward again and Orozco’s teasing chip cross is flicked away for a corner with Altidore lurking. |
| Bedoya trots across to take it but it’s gathered by Gales at the near post. | Bedoya trots across to take it but it’s gathered by Gales at the near post. |
| 12.37am BST | |
| 00:37 | |
| Peep! | Peep! |
| Peru get us underway at RFK. | Peru get us underway at RFK. |
| 12.36am BST | |
| 00:36 | |
| A correction | A correction |
| Jimmy McManners emails: | Jimmy McManners emails: |
| “Hi, Peru’s goalkeeper is Pedro Gallese, not Callese. I only know this as I found out during the Copa America that he is my wife’s nephew.” | “Hi, Peru’s goalkeeper is Pedro Gallese, not Callese. I only know this as I found out during the Copa America that he is my wife’s nephew.” |
| Why, what did I say?...Oh. hopefully that’s tonight’s patent Guardianism out of the way. | Why, what did I say?...Oh. hopefully that’s tonight’s patent Guardianism out of the way. |
| We’re about to kick off. | We’re about to kick off. |
| 12.31am BST | |
| 00:31 | |
| Teams coming out | Teams coming out |
| Get ready for the joy of anthems, and kickoff in a couple of minutes... | Get ready for the joy of anthems, and kickoff in a couple of minutes... |
| 12.24am BST | |
| 00:24 | |
| Tim Howard | Tim Howard |
| You’ll notice this liveblog is headed with a photo of Tim Howard. Well tonight the part of Tim Howard will be played by Brad Guzan. Klinsmann has made it clear that he’s not planning on making any changes in goal despite the end of Howard’s international sabbatical (Landon Donovan might have advised Howard that that would be the case...). | You’ll notice this liveblog is headed with a photo of Tim Howard. Well tonight the part of Tim Howard will be played by Brad Guzan. Klinsmann has made it clear that he’s not planning on making any changes in goal despite the end of Howard’s international sabbatical (Landon Donovan might have advised Howard that that would be the case...). |
| It’s something of a luxury problem for Klinsmann amid his more legitimate headaches, to be juggling two such solid players, though on the popular front he can probably expect to deal with some clamor to start Howard against Mexico if either of the next couple of games sees anything less than top level performances from Guzan. Memories of Howard’s performance against Belgium at the World Cup will make him the casual fan’s favorite in the elimination game against the Mexicans. | It’s something of a luxury problem for Klinsmann amid his more legitimate headaches, to be juggling two such solid players, though on the popular front he can probably expect to deal with some clamor to start Howard against Mexico if either of the next couple of games sees anything less than top level performances from Guzan. Memories of Howard’s performance against Belgium at the World Cup will make him the casual fan’s favorite in the elimination game against the Mexicans. |
| 12.04am BST | |
| 00:04 | |
| Team News | Team News |
| Still waiting for the Peru team here, which I’ll post up in this section as soon as I have it, but the USA’s is out and there are a few surprises: | Still waiting for the Peru team here, which I’ll post up in this section as soon as I have it, but the USA’s is out and there are a few surprises: |
| USA: Guzan; Orozco, Gonzalez, Brooks, Ream; Yedlin, Jones, Bedoya, Zardes; Altidore(C), Wood | USA: Guzan; Orozco, Gonzalez, Brooks, Ream; Yedlin, Jones, Bedoya, Zardes; Altidore(C), Wood |
| So no start for Geoff Cameron after all, with Michael Orozco coming in as right back, while Tim Ream gets the nod at left back. Something of a compromise at center back as well, with Gonzalez and Brooks starting alongside each other — each being one half of the two intermittently consistent center back pairings Klinsmann has switched between over the last couple of years. | So no start for Geoff Cameron after all, with Michael Orozco coming in as right back, while Tim Ream gets the nod at left back. Something of a compromise at center back as well, with Gonzalez and Brooks starting alongside each other — each being one half of the two intermittently consistent center back pairings Klinsmann has switched between over the last couple of years. |
| Sunderland’s DeAndre Yedlin gets a start in a fast looking midfield (if you don’t look to closely at Jermaine Jones whose virtues — and vices — beyond speed are pretty well documented at this point), and it’s a resounding vote of confidence for Jozy Altidore from Klinsmann — he’s named captain up front, starting alongside the hero of the Netherlands and Germany victories in spring, Bobby Wood. | Sunderland’s DeAndre Yedlin gets a start in a fast looking midfield (if you don’t look to closely at Jermaine Jones whose virtues — and vices — beyond speed are pretty well documented at this point), and it’s a resounding vote of confidence for Jozy Altidore from Klinsmann — he’s named captain up front, starting alongside the hero of the Netherlands and Germany victories in spring, Bobby Wood. |
| Hard to believe that that defense is not going to be exposed throughout this evening though. Klinsmann nothing but determined to do things his way... | Hard to believe that that defense is not going to be exposed throughout this evening though. Klinsmann nothing but determined to do things his way... |
| And the Peru line up just came in: | And the Peru line up just came in: |
| Peru: Gallese, Advincula, Zambrano, Ascues, Vargas; Carrillo, Lobaton, Ballon, Cueva, Farfan; Chavez | Peru: Gallese, Advincula, Zambrano, Ascues, Vargas; Carrillo, Lobaton, Ballon, Cueva, Farfan; Chavez |
| Gallese at the back kept three clean sheets in Copa America and that’s a solid looking backbone as well with Bundesliga experience augmenting the domestic players. Daniel Chavez starts in place of Guerrero and look to Jefferson Farfan to cause problems as well, both in terms of his direct goal threat and supply. He’ll be looking at that makeshift US defense and fancying his chances of finding space against them... | Gallese at the back kept three clean sheets in Copa America and that’s a solid looking backbone as well with Bundesliga experience augmenting the domestic players. Daniel Chavez starts in place of Guerrero and look to Jefferson Farfan to cause problems as well, both in terms of his direct goal threat and supply. He’ll be looking at that makeshift US defense and fancying his chances of finding space against them... |
| Updated | |
| at 12.36am BST | |
| 12.00am BST | |
| 00:00 | |
| Peru | Peru |
| It’s all about the attack with Peru. And with the aging Claudio Pizarro out of the squad that would normally mean a lot of focus on one man — Flamengo’s Paolo Guerrero — especially after his four goal exploits at Copa America. Guerrero is the focus of Peru’s attack, but injury will sideline him tonight, so it’s possible that whatever version of a makeshift defense Klinsmann puts out, they may be in for a slightly less torrid time of it than they might have expected. | It’s all about the attack with Peru. And with the aging Claudio Pizarro out of the squad that would normally mean a lot of focus on one man — Flamengo’s Paolo Guerrero — especially after his four goal exploits at Copa America. Guerrero is the focus of Peru’s attack, but injury will sideline him tonight, so it’s possible that whatever version of a makeshift defense Klinsmann puts out, they may be in for a slightly less torrid time of it than they might have expected. |
| Coach Ricardo Gareca may see this as the kind of moment for André Carillo to finally translate his Sporting Lisbon form to the national team. Carillo was a menace all last year in Portugal, but has yet to turn that into regular international goals. With the veteran attackers, Pizarro in particular, on the verge of being phased out, now would be the time for Carillo to really push his credentials as the future of the team. | Coach Ricardo Gareca may see this as the kind of moment for André Carillo to finally translate his Sporting Lisbon form to the national team. Carillo was a menace all last year in Portugal, but has yet to turn that into regular international goals. With the veteran attackers, Pizarro in particular, on the verge of being phased out, now would be the time for Carillo to really push his credentials as the future of the team. |
| 11.55pm BST | |
| 23:55 | |
| USA | USA |
| Time was, there was a debate about whether MLS players were good enough to play for the national team, then it was whether MLS was good enough for all the European-based players flooding back into the league, and now it’s whether players can get out of MLS duty to play for the national team. Jermaine Jones is in the roster — fresh from recovering from injury to stabilize a drifting New England side, who’ll be without him this weekend. But Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, two lightning rods in the Klinsmann-stoked discussion on whether players were selling themselves short by returning to the domestic league, will not be present tonight, as they’ll be representing Seattle and Toronto respectively in another game scheduled against international week. | Time was, there was a debate about whether MLS players were good enough to play for the national team, then it was whether MLS was good enough for all the European-based players flooding back into the league, and now it’s whether players can get out of MLS duty to play for the national team. Jermaine Jones is in the roster — fresh from recovering from injury to stabilize a drifting New England side, who’ll be without him this weekend. But Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, two lightning rods in the Klinsmann-stoked discussion on whether players were selling themselves short by returning to the domestic league, will not be present tonight, as they’ll be representing Seattle and Toronto respectively in another game scheduled against international week. |
| They’ll be coming in to the squad for the Brazil game, but Klinsmann could probably have done with a more familiar line up for both games under the circumstances — especially with injuries to DaMarcus Beasley and Fabian Johnson at the back. | They’ll be coming in to the squad for the Brazil game, but Klinsmann could probably have done with a more familiar line up for both games under the circumstances — especially with injuries to DaMarcus Beasley and Fabian Johnson at the back. |
| Interestingly enough Jozy Altidore, Bradley’s team mate, is here — this after departing from the Gold Cup after the group stage clearly hampered by injury. He has a lot of expectation upon him. Can he deliver tonight? | Interestingly enough Jozy Altidore, Bradley’s team mate, is here — this after departing from the Gold Cup after the group stage clearly hampered by injury. He has a lot of expectation upon him. Can he deliver tonight? |
| Anyway, you want more on the US roster? Have a look at this. I’ll be here. Experimenting with schedules. | Anyway, you want more on the US roster? Have a look at this. I’ll be here. Experimenting with schedules. |
| 11.48pm BST | |
| 23:48 | |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| Evening all, and welcome to the game before the game before The Game. | Evening all, and welcome to the game before the game before The Game. |
| The story so far…The USA are facing Peru in D.C. tonight, before playing Brazil next week, and then looking ahead to that CONCACAF playoff game against Mexico on October 10th, for the right to represent the Federation and all it stands for (insert Jack Warner joke here) at the Confederations Cup in 2017. | The story so far…The USA are facing Peru in D.C. tonight, before playing Brazil next week, and then looking ahead to that CONCACAF playoff game against Mexico on October 10th, for the right to represent the Federation and all it stands for (insert Jack Warner joke here) at the Confederations Cup in 2017. |
| Jürgen Klinsmann, he of the bigger picture than the rest of us could possibly see, has set a lot of store by qualifying for the Confederations Cup as the best possible preparation for the World Cup a year later, and the simplest route to doing so would have been to win the Gold Cup this summer, thus ensuring automatic progression as both 2013 and 2015 champions. | Jürgen Klinsmann, he of the bigger picture than the rest of us could possibly see, has set a lot of store by qualifying for the Confederations Cup as the best possible preparation for the World Cup a year later, and the simplest route to doing so would have been to win the Gold Cup this summer, thus ensuring automatic progression as both 2013 and 2015 champions. |
| But then Jamaica happened, or didn’t happen if you’re Klinsmann — who claimed this week that the US were playing their best game of the tournament during the inconvenient period when Jamaica scored twice against them. The U.S. crashed out at the semi-final stage, lost to Panama in the third place playoff and had to watch Mexico get some incredible refereeing breaks en route to a championship win that turned out to be only the dramatic prelude to Miguel Herrera’s “Peace. Out.” at Philadelphia airport. | But then Jamaica happened, or didn’t happen if you’re Klinsmann — who claimed this week that the US were playing their best game of the tournament during the inconvenient period when Jamaica scored twice against them. The U.S. crashed out at the semi-final stage, lost to Panama in the third place playoff and had to watch Mexico get some incredible refereeing breaks en route to a championship win that turned out to be only the dramatic prelude to Miguel Herrera’s “Peace. Out.” at Philadelphia airport. |
| So that means that instead of his usual post-tournament free form experiments (3-5-2 in C#minor with DeAndre Yedlin on flute), Klinsmann has had to select his players for this pair of games with a very definite goal in mind — and while there are some key absences that mean this isn’t an exact blueprint of what’s to come versus Mexico, it should give us some insight into Klinsmann’s thinking. | So that means that instead of his usual post-tournament free form experiments (3-5-2 in C#minor with DeAndre Yedlin on flute), Klinsmann has had to select his players for this pair of games with a very definite goal in mind — and while there are some key absences that mean this isn’t an exact blueprint of what’s to come versus Mexico, it should give us some insight into Klinsmann’s thinking. |
| And a lot of eyes will be in the defense. After Peru’s exuberant run through the Copa America earlier this summer — where a very credible third place finish was no more than they deserved after facing some dubious refereeing decisions of their own — La Blanquirroja come into tonight’s game full of confidence and knowing that their speedy attack should cause a creaking US defense a lot of problems. | And a lot of eyes will be in the defense. After Peru’s exuberant run through the Copa America earlier this summer — where a very credible third place finish was no more than they deserved after facing some dubious refereeing decisions of their own — La Blanquirroja come into tonight’s game full of confidence and knowing that their speedy attack should cause a creaking US defense a lot of problems. |
| More on that in a moment. I’ll be back with a little more build-up soon. In the meantime send me your tweets and emails to @KidWeil or graham.parker@theguardian.com and keep your eye on the prize. | More on that in a moment. I’ll be back with a little more build-up soon. In the meantime send me your tweets and emails to @KidWeil or graham.parker@theguardian.com and keep your eye on the prize. |
| 11.35pm BST | |
| 23:35 | |
| Graham will be here shortly. In the meantime why not read his lookahead to tonight’s match. | Graham will be here shortly. In the meantime why not read his lookahead to tonight’s match. |
| Just don’t mention the Gold Cup. That was the spirit of Jürgen Klinsmann’s comments to the press this week, in advance of the pair of friendlies with Peru and Brazil that will lead into the Mexico game in October. | Just don’t mention the Gold Cup. That was the spirit of Jürgen Klinsmann’s comments to the press this week, in advance of the pair of friendlies with Peru and Brazil that will lead into the Mexico game in October. |
| That latter game of course, is one the USA did not want to be playing – given that a win in July’s Gold Cup would have confirmed them as Concacaf’s representatives at the Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017. Instead, their slow start in the tournament never quite ignited, Jamaica caught them flat, and Mexico got the benefit of some very dubious refereeing decisions to win the tournament and force the October playoff with 2013 champions USA. | That latter game of course, is one the USA did not want to be playing – given that a win in July’s Gold Cup would have confirmed them as Concacaf’s representatives at the Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017. Instead, their slow start in the tournament never quite ignited, Jamaica caught them flat, and Mexico got the benefit of some very dubious refereeing decisions to win the tournament and force the October playoff with 2013 champions USA. |
| So for all that a Brazil game is always intriguing and Peru’s third-place finish at the Copa America this year suggests they’ll be difficult opponents tonight, these games have been given extra edge by what the selections and performances will tell us about Klinsmann’s thinking for Mexico. | So for all that a Brazil game is always intriguing and Peru’s third-place finish at the Copa America this year suggests they’ll be difficult opponents tonight, these games have been given extra edge by what the selections and performances will tell us about Klinsmann’s thinking for Mexico. |