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Jozy Altidore spurs USA to comeback victory over Peru Jozy Altidore spurs USA to comeback victory over Peru
(35 minutes later)
No sight should thrill USA fans more than that of Jozy Altidore, standing healthy, strong and focused on the field, wearing the captain’s armband at the start of a match. Friday night he was racing across the field at RFK Stadium, simply running over and around Peru in a 2-1 friendly victory that was important for USA to get. No sight should please USA fans more than that of Jozy Altidore, standing healthy, strong and focused on the field, wearing the captain’s armband at the start of a match – and then delivering on his potential. Friday night he was racing across the field at RFK Stadium, simply running over and around Peru in a 2-1 friendly victory that was welcome after a tough summer for Jurgen Klinsmann’s team.
Altidore, who had been slow and ineffective in his brief action in the ill-fated Concacaf Gold Cup looked every bit the player of old, scoring both of the USA goals and coming close to at least one other. His first came in the 59th minute of a game that had been lackluster for the Americans on a hot, sticky night. Altidore, who had been slow and ineffective in his brief action in the ill-fated Gold Cup campaign looked every bit the player of old, scoring both of the USA goals and coming close to at least one other. His first came in the 59th minute of a game that had been lackluster for the Americans on a hot, sticky night.
After being pulled down by weary defender, Altidore was awarded a penalty that he blasted into the hands of keeper Pedro Gallese. When Gallese was unable to handle the shot, Altidore jumped forward and knocked the loose ball into the net. Eight minutes later, he raced in after a shot deflected in front of Peru’s goal and put away the loose ball. For USA – who didn’t have many other scoring opportunities – it wasn’t much. But it was a big step forward. After being pulled down by a weary defender, Altidore was awarded a penalty that he blasted into the hands of keeper Pedro Gallese. When Gallese was unable to hold on to the shot, Altidore jumped forward and knocked the loose ball into the net. Eight minutes later, he raced on to a deflected shot and put USA 2-1 up. For USA – who didn’t have many other scoring opportunities – it wasn’t much. But it was a big step forward.
After more than a month of consternation, USA have to be thrilled with a victory they needed. And coach Jurgen Klinsmann must feel a bit of redemption after enduring weeks of criticism. “I’m very pleased with Jozy coming back,” said Klinsmann. “Scoring two goals is the best medicine ... It’s just great to have him back.”
Altidore too was happy with his performance and said he was getting back to his best. “When you’ve had two injuries like I’ve had in short succession, it’s hard on your body,” he said. “I’m happy that I’m feeling better.”
After more than a month of consternation, USA have to be thrilled with a victory they needed. And Klinsmann must feel a bit of redemption after enduring weeks of criticism.
Following the untidy end to the Gold Cup, Klinsmann seemed happy to be far away from the ugly losses to Jamaica and Panama. With a match the US never wanted against Mexico looming in October to determine who will go to the Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017, they were looking for a friendly landing spot in which to play Peru in a warmup for Mexico.Following the untidy end to the Gold Cup, Klinsmann seemed happy to be far away from the ugly losses to Jamaica and Panama. With a match the US never wanted against Mexico looming in October to determine who will go to the Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017, they were looking for a friendly landing spot in which to play Peru in a warmup for Mexico.
They wound up on Friday night in RFK Stadium, once the gallant home of Washington’s NFL’s team in its glory seasons but now a doomed ,decrepit structure that appears to have last been painted during Nixon’s second term. USA have enjoyed playing in Washington, however, coming into the Peru match with a 7-0-1 record in its last eight games in the DC area. They wound up on Friday night in RFK Stadium, once the gallant home of Washington’s NFL team in its glory seasons but now a doomed, decrepit structure that appears to have last been painted during Nixon’s second term. USA have enjoyed playing in Washington, however, coming into the Peru match with a 7-0-1 record in their last eight games in the DC area.
While Klinsmann has faced heat from US fans bitter about the way the Gold Cup finished, it was nothing like the sweltering, sticky mess that greeted both teams on the banks of the Anacostia River on Friday. Washington in August can be a sweltering place and this year August has stretched into September. A foggy haze sat under the stadium lights. Paper napkins dissolved into white tufts of fuzz upon contact with faces. While Klinsmann has faced heat from US fans bitter about the way the Gold Cup finished, it was nothing like the sweltering, sticky mess that greeted both teams on the banks of the Anacostia River. Washington in August can be a sweltering place and this year August has stretched into September. A foggy haze sat under the stadium lights. Paper napkins dissolved into white tufts of fuzz upon contact with faces.
If Klinsmann wanted to test the fitness of his team as they prepare for the showdown with Mexico this was the ideal setting to do so. Longtime starting goalkeeper Tim Howard came back from his international sabbatical and found his triumphant return landed him not back in the US goal but in a longsleeve white t-shirt and red jersey, seated on a metal bench.If Klinsmann wanted to test the fitness of his team as they prepare for the showdown with Mexico this was the ideal setting to do so. Longtime starting goalkeeper Tim Howard came back from his international sabbatical and found his triumphant return landed him not back in the US goal but in a longsleeve white t-shirt and red jersey, seated on a metal bench.
Many American fans have pined for Howard and those already perturbed with Klinsmann for his constant lineup changes and seeming disdain for MLS would have erupted with joy had he ripped off that white shirt and stalked onto the RFK grass. But the first goal of the match was hardly the fault of keeper Brad Guzan.Many American fans have pined for Howard and those already perturbed with Klinsmann for his constant lineup changes and seeming disdain for MLS would have erupted with joy had he ripped off that white shirt and stalked onto the RFK grass. But the first goal of the match was hardly the fault of keeper Brad Guzan.
It came in the 19th minute when Peru’s Daniel Chavez lined up a long shot. His effort smacked into the back of Omar Gonzalez, flying high into the air and curling dangerously toward the net. Guzan who had crept out of goal, suddenly found himself staring helplessly at the ball curling toward his goal. He leaped, lunging toward the goal, hoping to bat it away. Instead, the ball seemed to taunt him as it floated away from him and dropped into the net. It came in the 19th minute when Peru’s Daniel Chavez lined up a long shot. His effort smacked into the back of Omar Gonzalez, flying high into the air and curling dangerously toward the net. Guzan who had crept out of goal, suddenly found himself staring helplessly at the ball curling toward his goal. He leaped, lunging toward the goal, hoping to bat it away. Instead, the ball seemed to taunt him as it dropped into the net.
Guzan jumped off the grass, frantically clapping his hands and shouting at his teammates before him. But the goal was simply one of those unlucky things that has been happening to USA this summer. And though the Americans were sluggish at times in the first half – especially tentative on defense – the goal was a blemish that kept the score from reflecting the true way the US played. Guzan jumped off the grass, frantically clapping his hands and shouting at his team-mates. But the goal was simply one of those unlucky things that has been happening to USA this summer. And though the Americans were sluggish at times in the first half – especially tentative on defense – the goal was a blemish that kept the score from reflecting the true way the US played.
“What you always want to see is that [the players] are very proud they are representing their nation and they come together as a group,” said Klinsmann. “That’s hard to do when everyone is coming from everywhere.”
Despite the humidity, USA looked fresh and fast in the second half and appeared to wear down Peru’s players. But with the Mexico match looming, nothing looked better than Altidore racing down the field, knocking the ball into the net.Despite the humidity, USA looked fresh and fast in the second half and appeared to wear down Peru’s players. But with the Mexico match looming, nothing looked better than Altidore racing down the field, knocking the ball into the net.