USMNT coach Dave Sarachan reduced his squad from 29 to 20 players to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday night at StubHub Center. The out of window friendly ended 0-0. Sarachan went with veteran players on the wings, starting Jordan Morris and Gyasi Zardes.
The USMNT struggled to establish a point of attack in the first-half. Sarachan made three changes at halftime, swapping goalkeeper Bill Hamid for Zack Steffen and bringing on Paul Arriola and Kelyn Rowe. The USMNT responded to the changes.
In the 51st minute, USMNT captain Will Trapp found Morris in the box. Morris didn’t have the angle on the finish, but it was the strongest look from the USMNT attack. Bosnia and Herzegovina responded immediately, playing a goal kick into a questionable penalty. Luka Menalo appeared to foul Trapp just outside of the Bosnia and Herzegovina box only to be brought down by Walker Zimmerman just inside the box. Penalty given, with Haris Medunjanin hitting the post with the attempt after sending USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen the wrong way.
“Just the hard work that I’ve put in over the years and the people who helped me get here,” USMNT player Ike Opara told FS1 about getting his debut with the senior squad. “I owe them a lot of credit.”
Sarachan used five of his six available substitutions, also bringing on Juan Agudelo and Rubio Rubin. Bosnia and Herzegovina went one better, subbing on University of Omaha sophomore and former USMNT residency player Elvir Ibisevic with their final sub.
— GAME REPORT —
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Date: Jan. 28, 2018
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: StubHub Center; Carson, Calif.
Attendance: 11,161
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. PT
Weather: 72 degrees; Clear skies
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA
BIH
Lineups:
USA: 1-Bill Hamid (12-Zack Steffen, 46); 15-Matt Polster, 21-Walker Zimmerman, 3-Ike Opara, 2-Justin Morrow, 4-Tyler Adams; 9-Gyasi Zardes (20-Paul Arriola, 46), 6-Wil Trapp (capt.) (14-Rubio Rubin, 83), 8-Cristian Roldan (7-Juan Agudelo, 69), 13-Jordan Morris; 17-CJ Sapong (11-Kelyn Rowe, 46)
Subs Not Used: 5-Tim Parker, 16-Russell Canouse, 18-Marky Delgado, 24-Nick Lima
Head coach: Dave Sarachan
BIH: 1-Ibrahim Šehić; 2-Almir Bekić, 5-Marko Mihojević, 6-Daniel Graovac, 7-Darko Todorović; 8-Tomislav Tomić (3-Marijan Ćavar, 46), 10-Haris Medunjanin (capt.)(18-Dino Beširević, 72), 15-Elvis Sarić (13-Nemanja Bilbija, 80); 17-Mersudin Ahmetović (9-Elvir Koljić, 46), 19-Luka Menalo (4-Elvir Ibisević, 83), 20-Goran Zakarić (14-Ognjen Todorović, 68)
Subs Not Used: 11-Stjepan Lončar, 16-Adnan Šećerović, 12-Kenan Pirić
Head coach: Robert Prosinečki
Stats Summary: USA / BIH
Shots: 8 / 12
Shots on Goal: 3 / 2
Saves: 2 / 3
Corner Kicks: 7 / 2
Fouls: 19 / 15
Offside: 2 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Justin Morrow (caution) 32nd minute
BIH – Ognjen Todorović (caution) 70
BIH – Darko Todorović (caution) 75
Officials:
Referee: Hector Martinez (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Melvyn Cruz (HON)
Assistant Referee 2: Walter Lopez (HON)
Fourth Official: Melvin Matamoros (HON)
