The USMNT fell behind early and was unable to recover in a 4-0 loss to Argentina in the Copa Centenario semifinals. Ezequiel Lavezzi headed in Argentina’s opening goal in the 3rd minute. Lionel Messi became Argentina’s all-time top scorer by converting a free kick in the 32nd. USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann made a change at halftime, bringing on Christian Pulisic, but the USMNT was down 3-0 when Gonzalo Higuian scored in the 50th minute. Higuian scored again in the 86th minute. Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero kept the clean sheet without having to make a save.
Klinsmann also subbed on Steve Birnbaum for Kyle Beckerman in the 60th and Darlington Nagbe for Clint Dempsey in the 78th. Argentina coach Gerardo Martino had to make an injury substitution in the 67th minute after Lavezzi backed into the advertising board, flipping over and injuring his arm. According to reports, Lavezzi was later diagnosed with a dislocated and fractured elbow that will require surgery.
The USMNT has a game left to play in the Copa Centenario, traveling to Phoenix for the 3rd-place match on June 25. Argentina advances to the Copa Centenario final on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.
— GAME REPORT —
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Argentina
Date: June 21, 2016
Competition: 2016 Copa America Centenario – Semifinals
Venue: NRG Stadium; Houston, Texas
Kickoff: 8 p.m. CT
Attendance: 70,858 (sellout)
Weather: 80 degrees; Partly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 0 0
ECU 2 2 4
ARG – Ezequiel Lavezzi (Lionel Messi) 3rd minute
ARG – Lionel Messi 32
ARG – Gonzalo Higuain 50
ARG – Gonzalo Higuain (Lionel Messi) 86
Lineups:
USA: 1-Brad Guzan; 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 20-Geoff Cameron, 6-John Brooks, 23-Fabian Johnson; 19-Graham Zusi, 4-Michael Bradley (capt.), 15-Kyle Beckerman (3-Steve Birnbaum, 60), 9-Gyasi Zardes; 8-Clint Dempsey (10-Darlington Nagbe, 78), 18-Chris Wondolowski (17-Christian Pulisic, 46)
Subs not used: 5-Matt Besler, 12-Tim Howard, 14-Michael Orozco, 16-Perry Kitchen, 21-Edgar Castillo, 22-Ethan Horvath
Not available: 7-Bobby Wood, 11-Alejandro Bedoya , 13-Jermaine Jones
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
ARG: 1-Sergio Romero; 16-Marcos Rojo (15-Victor Cuesta, 84), 13-Ramiro Funes-Mori, 17-Nicolas Otamendi, 4-Gabriel Mercado; 8-Augusto Fernandez (6-Lucas Biglia, 59), 14-Javier Mascherano, 19-Ever Banega; 22-Ezequiel Lavezzi (18-Erik Lamela, 67), 9-Gonzalo Higuain, 10-Lionel Messi (capt.)
Subs not used: 2-Jonathan Maidana, 3-Facundo Roncaglia, 5-Matias Kranevitter, 7-Angel Di Maria, 11-Sergio Aguero, 12-Nahuel Guzman, 21-Javier Pastore, 23-Mariano Andujar
Not Available: 20-Nicolas Gaitan
Head Coach: Gerardo Martino
Stats Summary: USA / ARG
Shots: 0 / 14
Shots on Goal: 0 / 9
Saves: 5 / 0
Corner Kicks: 1 / 4
Fouls: 12 / 7
Offside: 2 / 9
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Chris Wondolowski (caution) 31st minute
Officials:
Referee: Enrique Caceres (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldivar (PAR)
4th Official: Roddy Zambrano (ECU)
