All of the big-boys in CONCACAF are in action Tuesday evening as the United States took on New Zealand, while Mexico and Canada clashed. Here is what has happened so far.
Scorers: Pulisic 69′ ; Ben Waine 89′
Despite the United States seeing most of the possession and the scoring chances, they could only manage a friendly draw with New Zealand in Cincinnati.
It was an opening 45 minutes in which the United States dominated every facet of the game except where it mattered most — putting the ball in the back of the net.
Ricardo Pepi appeared to put the U.S. ahead when he arrowed a shot into the bottom corner, but a late flag from the linesman saw the goal chalked off.
As was the complaint through most of the dying days of the Gregg Berhalter era, the Stars and Stripes managed to move the ball into the threatening areas on plenty of occasions after the break, but the final pass or finish always seemed to be missing.
It appeared all that was missing was a little stardust. After coming off the bench around the hour-mark, Christian Pulisic opened the scoring with a delicate finish from inside the box.
The home side’s luck spoiled in the dying minutes when the deflected clearance of a New Zealand somehow evaded the onrushing Matt Turner, bouncing just over the head of the keeper and into the back of the net to rescue a draw for the visitors.
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