Vazquez scores for youthful US lineup in 2-1 loss to Serbia
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brandon Vazquez scored to steer a U.S. lineup with seven starters making their worldwide debuts, however the People misplaced 2-1 to Serbia on Wednesday night time of their first match for the reason that World Cup.
Veljko Simic scored the go-ahead purpose within the opening minute of the second half for Serbia, which gave debuts to 14 gamers. Eight People in all debuted throughout a full of life pleasant that felt like spring coaching at BMO Stadium close to downtown Los Angeles.
The American crew is in transition with interim head coach Anthony Hudson running the show whereas U.S. Soccer Federation determines the way forward for coach Gregg Berhalter, whose contract expired on the finish of final 12 months. Hudson is utilizing the crew’s annual January camp and the accompanying exhibitions to offer expertise to a brand new crop of prospects after the U.S. was eradicated within the spherical of 16 on the World Cup in Qatar.
The U.S. makes use of children and MLS gamers in its winter camp, which falls exterior a FIFA worldwide window. The present group has 11 gamers getting their first callup and simply 5 members of the World Cup roster.
Hudson’s inexperienced group placed on an thrilling efficiency with rather more motion and attacking aptitude than regular in these annual January exhibitions, however the U.S. crew has gained simply considered one of its final eight matches, with 4 attracts and three losses.
The U.S. hosts Colombia on Saturday.
Luka Ilic scored late within the first half for Serbia, which fielded a beginning lineup with eight debuting gamers and simply 15 mixed worldwide appearances. LA Galaxy ahead Dejan Joveljic led a bunch that includes not one of the starters from the crew’s final World Cup match towards Switzerland.
Goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina was among the many most U.S. starters making debuts since 9 towards Guatemala on Jan. 10, 1988. Slonina at 18 years, 8 months, 8 days grew to become the youngest U.S. goalkeeper, breaking a mark that Tony Meola set at 19 years, 3 months, 18 days towards Ecuador on June 7, 1988.
Additionally debuting had been defenders Julian Gressel and Jalen Neal, midfielders Aidan Morris and Alan Soñora, and ahead Alex Zendejas plus second-half sub DeJuan Jones.
U.S. captain Walker Zimmerman made his thirty eighth worldwide look, whereas the opposite 21 gamers on the sphere mixed to begin the sport had solely 28 mixed video games of worldwide expertise. Paul Arriola got here on late as an alternative after being dropped late from the U.S. World Cup roster.
The U.S. went forward when Vazquez rose to go residence a fantastic cross from Gressel, his former teammate. Vazquez, a San Diego native who may play for the U.S. or Mexico, grew to become the 59th participant to attain in his U.S. debut.
Vazquez scored 18 targets for Cincinnati final season, tied for probably the most by an American in Main League Soccer. Berhalter claimed the U.S. did not have time to combine him into its roster earlier than the World Cup.
Gressel, a 29-year-old German fullback who gained U.S. citizenship final 12 months, grew to become the oldest participant to make his first look for the American crew since Chris Pontius in January 2017.
Slonina, a Chelsea prospect from Chicagoland, made a handful of spectacular saves.
However after Ilic evened it for Serbia on a brief free kick within the forty third minute, Simic capitalized on a turnover by Neal to place Serbia forward within the forty sixth.
San Jose ahead Cade Cowell performed a formidable recreation down the left aspect in his second U.S. look. The 19-year-old rang two photographs off the posts within the second half together with a 3rd spectacular strike that went simply large.
Alejandro Zendejas made his U.S. senior team debut after spending the earlier six years as a Mexican worldwide. The Membership América ahead, a teammate of Christian Pulisic on the 2015 Below-17 crew, rejoined the U.S. program however nonetheless hasn’t determined the place he’ll play in the long run.
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