The USMNT opened the 2014 World Cup Send-Off Series with a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Mix Diskerud scored for the USMNT shortly after subbing into the game. Diskerud took advantage of a Michael Bradley rebound for the opening goal in the 75th minute. Fellow second-half substitute Aron Johannsson made it 2-0 USMNT heading in a Brad Davis cross in the 81st minute.
With Clint Dempsey unavailable due to groin issues, USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann inserted Chris Wondolowski into the starting lineup just before game time. Dempsey participated in pregame warm-ups, but Facing an Azerbaijan squad playing a defensive game, the USMNT spent most of the game pressing on the attack. That didn’t translate into clear chances, with the USMNT searching for opportunities against committed defending from Azerbaijan.
USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann used all six of his substitutes. Klinsmann brought on three players at halftime (Brad Davis for Graham Zusi, Timmy Chandler for DaMarcus Beasley, and Omar Gonzalez for Geoff Cameron) and used two subs in the 61st minute bringing in Johannsson for Chris Wondolowski and Andre Yedlin for Fabian Johnson. He brought on Diskerud for Alejandro Bedoya in the 71st minute.
The USMNT moves to Harrison, New Jersey for the second friendly of the Send-Off Series against Turkey on June 1 (2pm ET – ESPN2).
— GAME REPORT —
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Azerbaijan, powered by Yingli Solar
Date: May 27, 2014
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Candlestick Park; San Francisco, Calif.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT
Attendance: 24,688
Weather: 66 degrees, partly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 2 2
AZE 0 0 0
USA – Mix Diskerud 75th minute
USA – Aron Johannsson (Brad Davis) 81
Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard (capt.); 23-Fabian Johnson (2-DeAndre Yedlin, 62), 20-Geoff Cameron (3-Omar Gonzalez, 46), 5-Matt Besler, 7-DaMarcus Beasley (21-Timmy Chandler, 46); 19-Graham Zusi (14-Brad Davis, 46), 13-Jermaine Jones, 4-Michael Bradley, 11-Alejandro Bedoya (10-Mix Diskerud, 71); 17-Jozy Altidore, 18-Chris Wondolowski (9-Aron Johannsson, 62)
Subs Not Used: 6-John Brooks, 8-Clint Dempsey, 12-Brad Guzan, 15-Kyle Beckerman, 16-Julian Green, 22-Nick Rimando
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
AZE: 1-Kamran Aghayev, 3-Rasim Ramaldanov, 4-Mahir Shukurov (capt.) (25-Ilkin Girtimov, 46), 7-Vagif Javadov (13-Dmitrij Nazarov, 60), 8-Gara Garayev, 10-Rufat Dadashov (28-Pardis Fardjad-Azad, 66), 11-Rauf Aliyev, 15-Ruslan Abishov (2-Badavi Guseynov, 46), 20-Ufuk Budak, 24-Abdulla Abasiyev (18-Maksim Medvedev, 71), 29-Elvin Yunuszade
Subs Not Used: 5-Shahriyar Aliyev, 9-Jihan Ozkara, 12-Emil Balayev, 14-Rashad Sadigov, 23-Salahat Aghayev
Head Coach: Berti Vogts
Stats Summary: USA / AZE
Shots: 14 / 7
Shots on Goal: 7 / 2
Saves: 2 / 5
Corner Kicks: 11 / 6
Fouls: 9 / 16
Offside: 1 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
None
Officials:
Referee: Henry Bejarano (CRC)
Assistant Referee 1: Warner Castro (CRC)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Fernandez (CRC)
Fourth Official: Armando Castro (HON)
