The USMNT returned to action on Tuesday, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in Leiria. In a game that served as a fundraiser for victims of the recent forest fires in the region, it was the visitors taking advantage early. Weston McKennie opened the scoring in the 21st minute with CJ Sapong assisting. McKennie and Tyler Adams made their debuts with the full USMNT as starters.
With the USMNT producing chances, Portugal got an unlikely equalizer. A shot from distance initially looked like an easy save for USMNT goalkeeper Ethan Horvath turned into a 31st minute equalizer.
As expected, USMNT interim coach Dave Sarachan made use of his bench. He subbed on Bill Hamid for Horvath at halftime in a pre-planned move. Sarachan also gave Cameron Carter-Vickers his first cap with the senior squad, bringing him on for John Brooks at halftime.
For Portugal, whatever plans they had for this game faced disruption early. Regular starter Pepe had to sub out in the 10th minute with an injury. The USMNT also had injury issues with Josh Sargent not dressing due to a muscle pull and Alejandro Bedoya on the bench rather than the starting lineup with an injury issue. Bedoya subbed on for McKennie in the 84th minute.
A glimpse into the future 👀@WMckennie becomes 3rd youngest #USMNT player to score in his first cap! pic.twitter.com/If9MSLv47R
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) November 14, 2017
-- GAME REPORT --
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Portugal
Date: Nov. 14, 2017
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa; Leiria, Portugal
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local)
Attendance: 19,017
Weather: 45 degrees; partly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
POR 1 0 1
USA – Weston McKennie (CJ Sapong) 21st minute
POR – Vitorino Antunes (Bruno Fernandes) 31
Lineups:
USA: 1-Ethan Horvath (12-Bill Hamid, 46); 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 3-Matt Miazga, 6-John Brooks (16-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 46), 15-Eric Lichaj (21-Jorge Villafaña, 59); 19-Danny Williams; 4-Tyler Adams, 8-Weston McKennie (11-Alejandro Bedoya, 84), 23-Kellyn Acosta, 17-Juan Agudelo (20-Lynden Gooch, 59); 18-CJ Sapong (14-Dom Dwyer, 77)
Subs not used: 22-Jesse Gonzalez, 5-Tim Ream, 7-Kelyn Rowe
Head coach: Dave Sarachan
POR: 22-António Pimparel; 2-Nelson Semedo, 3-Pepe (4-Luis Neto, 10), 24-Ricardo Ferreira, 5-Vitorino Antunes; 8-Bruno Fernandes (10-João Eduardo, 46), 13-Danilo Pereira (6-Ruben Neves, 62); 14-Manuel Fernandes, 17-Bruma (11-Bernardo Silva, 62), 18-Gelson Martins (19-Gonçalo Paciência, 46); 7-Gonçalo Guedes (16-Marcos Lopes, 81)
Subs not used: 1-José Sá, 9-André Silva, 12-Anthony Lopes, 15-Idgar Ié, 20-Kevin Rodrigues, 21-Ricardo Pereira, 23-João Cancelo
Head coach: Fernando Santos
Stats Summary: USA / POR
Shots: 9 / 13
Shots on Goal: 5 / 6
Saves: 5 / 4
Corner Kicks: 4 / 8
Fouls: 20 / 18
Offside: 0 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
None
Officials:
Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Stuart Burt (ENG)
4th Official: Andre Marriner (ENG)
