The USMNT picked up its second 2014 World Cup Send-Off Series shutout with a 2-1 win over Turkey at Red Bull Arena. The USMNT overcame some early issues to produce a quality opening goal. USMNT midfielder Michael Bradley found Fabian Johnson with a perfectly timed pass to open the scoring in the 26th minute. Clint Dempsey made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute taking advantage of a Turkey defensive miscue. Turkey pulled a goal back in the 89th minute from the penalty spot after a handball in the box.
USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann subbing in goalkeeper Brad Guzan for Tim Howard and made two more switches at halftime (Kyle Beckerman for Jermaine Jones and John Brooks for Matt Besler). Klinsmann eventually used all six of his substitutions, bringing on DeAndre Yedlin for Fabian Johnson and Julian Green for Brad Davis in the 64th minute and Mix Diskerud for Graham Zusi in the 69th minute.
Prior to the Turkey friendly, Klinsmann said, “I think Turkey is an unpredictable team. They have a lot of individual skills and good players that can make a difference in half a second, as Honduras experienced, and before that Ireland, and many other teams before that. We need games that really keep us on our toes, especially for our back line, that really challenges them not to lose concentration and focus even for one moment.”
That certainly proved true in the first-half for the USMNT. However, over time the USMNT took control of the game, dictating the pace, and seeing the better opportunities. USMNT striker Jozy Altidore had several near misses while also contributing defensively.
Next up for the USMNT is a training stint in Jacksonville, Florida. They conclude the 2014 World Cup Send-Off Series with a friendly against Nigeria on Saturday at Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium on Saturday (6pm ET – ESPN).
— GAME REPORT —
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Turkey
Date: June 1, 2014
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Red Bull Arena; Harrison, New Jersey
Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET
Attendance: 26,762 (sellout)
Weather: 74 degrees, sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 1 2
TUR 0 1 1
USA – Fabian Johnson (Michael Bradley) 26th minute
USA – Clint Dempsey 52
TUR – Selcuk Inan (penalty) 90
Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard (12-Brad Guzan, 46); 23-Fabian Johnson (2-DeAndre Yedlin, 64), 20-Geoff Cameron, 5-Matt Besler (6-John Brooks, 46), 21-Timmy Chandler; 19-Graham Zusi (10-Mix Diskerud, 69), 13-Jermaine Jones (15-Kyle Beckerman, 46), 4-Michael Bradley, 14-Brad Davis (16-Julian Green, 64); 17-Jozy Altidore, 8-Clint Dempsey (capt.)
Subs Not Used: 3-Omar Gonzalez, 7-DaMarcus Beasley, 9-Aron Johannsson, 11-Alejandro Bedoya, 18-Chris Wondolowski, 22-Nick Rimando
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
TUR: 12-Onur Recep Kivrak; 2-Hakan Kadir Balta (4-Ugur Demirok, 83), 24-Osman Tarik Camdal (17-Mustafa Pektemek, 46), 3-Ishak Dogan (26-Ahmet Ilhan Ozek, 46), 7-Gokhan Gonul, 8-Selcuk Inan, 9-Mevlut Erdinc (19-Bilal Kisa, 80), 10-Nuri Sahin (capt.) (5-Hakan Calhanoglu, 70), 15-Oguzhan Ozyakup (20-Olcan Adin, 67), 16-Ozan Tufan, 18-Caner Erkin
Subs Not Used: 1-Tolga Zengin, 11-Olcay Sahan, 13-Adem Buyuk, 21-Omer Toprak, 22-Aydin Karabulut, 23-Volkan Babacan, 25-Turgut Dogun Sahin
Head Coach: Fatih Terim
Stats Summary: USA / TUR
Shots: 8 / 20
Shots on Goal: 6 / 12
Saves: 11 / 3
Corner Kicks: 4 / 8
Fouls: 20 / 12
Offside: 2 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
None
Officials:
Referee: Slim Jedidi (TUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Anouar Hmila (TUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Yamen Melloulchi (TUN)
Fourth Official: Nasrallah Jaouadi (TUN)
