U.S. Soccer settles for a late draw against Peru
EAST HARTFORD – The U.S. Men's National Team took on Peru at the University of Connecticut Tuesday, faltering late to settle for a 1-1 draw in the friendly.
Interim manager Dave Sarachan opted to make nine changes to the lineup that lost 4-2 to Columbia last week, including putting Brad Guzan back in goal. The veteran keeper had one more appearance then the rest of the starting XI combined. With youth being the name of the game, you'd expect some errors. But the inexperienced side almost broke through first in the 15th minute. Jonathan Amon, one of three international debutants for the U.S., put a lofted through pass just out of the reach of Tim Weah who was unmarked in the Peru box.
For the rest of the first half, the inexperience showed through. The midfielders gave the ball away far too often. Fortunately the center-half pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Aaron Long bailed them out every time. The duo guided the U.S. into halftime still scoreless.
The Americans came out of the break strong, winning a free kick early in the second half just wide of the 18-yard box. Kellyn Acosta took the kick, pulling a pass back to Josh Sargent, who after a deflection found the back of the net. The 48th minute goal was Sargent's second for the National Team.
The U.S. dropped off visibly about 20 minutes later, playing much more defensively. Peru’s Andy Polo nearly found the tying goal. He crashing a 30-yard screamer off the underside of the bar in the 75th minute. Raul Ruidiaz was unable to finish the favorable rebound, too.
In an attempt to see the game out, Sarachan subbed in the veteran DeAndre Yedlin to try and sure up the defense. The swap had the opposite effect. Yedlin switched off mentally in the 86th minute, crowding the center of the box and allowing Edison Flores to sneak onto the back post, tapping in the late equalizer.
The U.S. was unable to find any more momentum, settling for a draw against the South American side.
The Americans won’t be home again this year, with trips to England and Italy looming in the next international break.