The United States beat South Africa 1-0 on Wednesday in Cape Town to win the 2010 Mandela Challenge Cup.
The United States got a late goal from a new player to take the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup 1-0 on Wednesday at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium. US coach Bob Bradley gave debuts to Teal Bunbury, Juan Agudelo, Mix Diskerud, and Gale Agbossoumonde with goalkeeper Brad Guzan wearing the captain’s armband. It was Agudelo who was the difference maker, scoring in the 84th minute.
Using a modified squad, Bradley shifted to a 351 formation with Robbie Findley starting as the loan forward. Bradley shifted the lineup at the half, bringing on Bunbury and later Agudelo. With the game bogged down and Guzan rarely threatened, Agudelo connected with a pass in the South African penalty area from Diskerud and scored from just inside the six-yard box to give the USA the win.
“I’m speechless, I don’t know what to say,” Agudelo told ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap. “As soon as I saw the ball went in, I didn’t believe it. I thought it was going to get called back like an offside or something. I truly didn’t believe it. So many people here watching me and I scored the goal? It’s an amazing feeling.”
— GAME REPORT —
Match-up: USA vs. South Africa
Date: November 17, 2010
Competition: Nelson Mandela Challenge
Venue: Green Point Stadium – Cape Town, South Africa
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET
Attendance: 52,000
Weather: 68 degrees, clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 1 1
RSA 0 0 0
Scoring:
USA – Juan Agudelo (Mikkel Diskerud) 85th minute
Lineups:
USA: 18-Brad Guzan (capt.);13-Eric Lichaj, 21-Clarence Goodson (22-Gale Agbossoumonde, 87), 5-Tim Ream (6-Nat Borchers, 67), 12-Jonathan Bornstein (2-Jonathan Spector, 46); 15-Logan Pause, 16-Brian Carroll; 8-Robbie Rogers (17-Juan Agudelo, 61), 11-Eddie Gaven, 7-Alejandro Bedoya (14-Mikkel Diskerud, 79); 20-Robbie Findley (9-Teal Bunbury, 46)
Subs not used: 23-Dominic Cervi
Head Coach: Bob Bradley
RSA: 16-Itumeleng Khune; 5-Anele Ngongca (2-Siboniso Gaxa, 79), 3-Tsepo Mansilela, 23-Morgan Gould, 21-Siyabonga Sangweni, 13-Kagisho Dikgacoi (15-Andile Jali, 60), 18-Thanduyise Khuboni (9-Matthew Pattison, 88), 10-Stephen Pienaar (capt.) (7-Daylon Claasen, 79), 8-Siphiwe Tshabalala, 19-Davide Somma (20-Sthembiso Ngcobo, 60), 17-Bernard Parker
Subs not used: 1-Moeneeb Josephs, 4-Keegan Ritchie, 12-Reneilwe Letsholonyane, 24-Kermit Erasmus, 14-Bevan Fransman, 11-Teko Modise
Head Coach: Pitso Mosimane
Stats Summary: USA / RSA
Shots 5 / 8
Shots on Goal 4 / 4
Saves 4 / 3
Corner Kicks 1 / 11
Fouls 11 / 9
Offside 0 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Eric Lichaj (caution) 33rd minute
Officials:
Referee: Sylvester Kirwa (KEN)
First Asst.: John Ngururi (KEN)
Second Asst.: Peter Kieveini (KEN)
Fourth Official: Faiek Daniels (RSA)
