In a game where world superstar Lionel Messi played the full 90, it was the United States with the surprise comeback in front of 78,936 at the New Meadowlands. After sustained pressure throughout the first-half, Argentina finally got on the board when Esteban Cambiasso scored in the 42nd minute. The United States made two changes at the half, giving Timmy Chandler his first cap and bringing on forward Juan Agudelo. It would be Agudelo as the hero for the USA, equalizing in the 59th minute. The United States play Paraguay on Tuesday (8pm ET – FSC).
“Whenever we get the opportunity to play against these great teams there are a lot of challenges, and there are things that now we can set our sights on,” US coach Bob Bradley said. “Argentina was very good with the ball in the first half and found a great rhythm that made it difficult on us, and the goal before halftime changed the thinking. I was very pleased with response from the team in the second half. To come away with a good result against a very good team there are some things to talk about, some things that need to be improved but also some positives.”
— Game Report —
Match: USA vs. Argentina
Date: March 26, 2011
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: New Meadowlands Stadium – East Rutherford, N.J.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Attendance: 78,936
Weather: Clear and windy, 35 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 1 1
ARG 1 0 1
Scoring:
ARG – Esteban Cambiasso 42nd minute
USA – Juan Agudelo (Carlos Bocanegra) 59
Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 2-Jonathan Spector (21-Timmy Chandler, 46), 15-Jay DeMerit, 5-Oguchi Onyewu, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (Capt.), 13-Jermaine Jones (9-Juan Agudelo, 46), 4-Michael Bradley, 7-Maurice Edu, 8-Clint Dempsey, 10-Landon Donovan; 17-Jozy Altidore
Subs not used: 6-Tim Ream, 12-Jonathan Bornstein, 14- Edson Buddle, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 23-Marcus Hahnemann
Head Coach: Bob Bradley
ARG: 1-Mariano Andujar; 8-Javier Zanetti, 4-Nicolas Burdisso, 6-Gabriel Milito; 24-Marco Rojo, 20-Ever Banega, 14-Javier Mascherano (Capt.), 5-Esteban Cambiasso (16-Lucas Biglia, 73); 22-Ezequiel Lavezzi, 10-Lionel Messi, 7-Angel Di Maria
Subs not used: 3-Nicolas Otamendi, 9-Jose Josa, 11-Javier Pastore, 12-Adrian Gabbarini, 15-Marcos Angeleri, 17-Fernando Belluschi, 18-Nicolas Gaitan, 19-Mario Bolatti, 21-Augustin Marchesin, 23-Eduardo Salvio
Head Coach: Sergio Batista
Stats Summary: USA/ARG
Shots 7/13
Shots on goal 4/6
Saves 5/3
Corner Kicks 2/6
Fouls 12/9
Offside 0/1
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Maurice Edu (caution) 35th minute
USA – Timmy Chandler (caution) 48
USA – Landon Donovan (caution) 79
USA – Carlos Bocanegra (caution) 90+1
Officials:
Referee: Roberto Garcia (MEX)
First Asst: Marcos Quintero (MEX)
Second Asst.: Victor Calderon (MEX)
Fourth Official: Edvin Jurisevic (USA)
