By FRANCO PANIZO
The United States national team dominated El Salvador in its friendly match at Raymond James Stadium on Wednesday night, but it needed late goals from Brian Ching and Sacha Kljestan to walk away with a 2-1 victory.
After a scoreless first half, El Salvador jumped out in front at the hour mark, when U.S. right back Brad Evans headed the ball into the path of forward Rudis Corrales, who rolled a shot past a helpless Nick Rimando.
The U.S. responded 16 minutes later on a goal from Ching, who came on at halftime for Conor Casey. Left back Heath Pearce made a run down the flank, and unleashed a beauty of a cross that Ching headed home powerfully to pull the score level.
"That's what I do, I get on the end of crosses and try to make good runs in the box," said Ching of his eleventh career goal for the U.S. "I knew (Pearce) was going to get the ball across so I just tried to put myself in a good position."
The goal made up for numerous missed opportunities by the American attack, which was suffering from a combination of woeful finishing and great saves by El Salvador goalkeeper Miguel Montes.
"We had a a lot of chances and their goalie made some big saves," said Pearce. "Had those chances gone our way the game could have maybe opened up a bit more for us."
Ching's header opened up the game in favor of the U.S., as El Salvador found itself reeling following the equalizer. Los Cuscatlecos continuously gave up possession cheaply and allowed the Americans decent looks on goal, which contributed to the 18-3 shot difference in favor of the U.S.
It was just three minutes after the goal that midfielder Robbie Rogers could have put the U.S. in front, but Rogers elected to shoot instead of pass from close range, and the shot went well wide.
The Americans had another pair of clear opportunities in the following moments, but failed to capitalize on them as well. Forward Jeff Cunningham setup Ching with a lofted cross in the 80th minute, but Montes made one of his seven saves on the play, and nine minutes later midfielder Eddie Gaven failed to score from close-range after being released one-on-one by a pass from Ching.
Just when the game looked to be headed for a 1-1 result, Kljestan stripped the ball away from Salvadoran defender Marvin Gonzalez, and played a give-and-go with Ching before finishing from close range with his left foot in the 92nd minute.
"They were playing around with the ball in the back a lot tonight," said Kljestan. "The guy had his head down and he wouldn't see me coming from his blindside, and I just picked his pocket and Ching played a good ball back."
The 2-1 result mirrors the United States' last game against El Salvador, when goals from Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore helped the U.S. to a comeback victory in a home World Cup qualifier in Salt Lake City in September 2009.
The United States will now turn its focus towards its March 3 friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
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What do you think of the result? Who were you impressed by? Do you see Kljestan and Ching getting called up for the Netherlands friendly?
Share your thoughts below.
I have to agree on Rogers. It is not about his play last night or “one mistake.” He was exposed as a one trick pony at the Gold Cup. He is not ready to be an international at this point in his career.
borbstein hahah. Typo sorry typo, you all know who i meant. I would consider taking Davies or Demspey on crutches though. A rehabing oneyewu is better on the bench too…
Judging Amy, I wish someone would tell me how Pearce dropped off the radar with Bradley? What I remembered is that he didn’t have his best game and was immediatly pulled as a starter. If Bradley did that to the rest of these (subs)…We couldn’t have fielded a team last night. I had always wondered if Bradley wanted to make room for his “buddy” Bornstein and Pearce was in the way……hmmmmm Pierce had that starting position down or even when the Euro players were back…He was first off the bench..
Only Goodson should make it to S.A. Out of everyone, he has a realistic chance at actually being involved should something happen to any of our CB’s.
Ching- Wiffed in the 6 before he scored. Harry Redknap would have something to say about that. Then he was unmarked in the box. If he didn’t score there’d be a bigger problem.
NED-ONLY
————–Altidore
————–Donovan
Adu—–Bradley—–Torres——Holden
Boca——Demerit——Spector—-Simek
————Howard
Subs— EJ(could start him with Jozy and put Landon in mid for Adu on the left), Cooper, Beasley, Edu, Guzan, Goodson, Borbstein
I’d really put Edu in over Torres but I don’t know how fit he is.
honestly, Ching and Pearce were the only ones who looked like they should go to SA…and even then, I wouldn’t play them. But that depends on our injuries and what we are dealing with. Ching could be a late sub…but that’s about it.
Obviously Bornstein will be going, there is no way he wont. And I could see Goodson coming as well.
But overall, I was not impressed by anyone. But Ching and Pearce were the better players out there last night.
But isn’t the reason for a discussion? If everyone said “everyone did so well because they tried!” there’d be no reason to discuss…
“Know soccer before commenting on the play”
That would probably eliminate most posts on here (including yours).
Casey- 4-had few good runs but never a factor(not for the WC)
Findley-3-Lost in the whole game(disappointed)(not for the WC
Davis- 4-fair but (not for the WC)
Beckerman- 5-play fair but (not for the WC)
Kljestan- 4-play made one goal but miss about 3 and keep fading away from the game (not for the WC)
Rogers- 4-Ohh not good very selfish and those poor passes not that good (not for the WC)
Pearce- 6-Played well good crosses and need to be more consistand(good for a second call up)
Bornstein-5- even tho he was playing out position and I don’t know why Bob Bradley keep doing the same with his player play good enough (I think he is getting another Call up)
Goodson- 6-should be consider to be on the WC 2nd call up for WC
Evans-4-bad mistake that lead to a goal I think he killed his chances.
Ching-7-played well I think he is a good player but is getting old maybe his last world cup tho. should be consider to be on the WC 2nd call up for WC
Cunningham-6-help at from to make room and played well with him, should be consider to be on the WC 2nd call up for WC
Gaven-5- played well did some good run but I don’t think is going to make it to this world cup.
Max McCarthy-4- should had more chance and come in for Sasha instead of Beckerman. Not going to the World Cup
————————Rimando———————-
I don’t think that overall team talent/chemistry can be discounted in the player evaluation process. Some of these fringe guys are going to look decidedly different when/if they get plugged into a “first team” game. Let’s hope that the coaching staff makes the right choices in compiling a supporting cast for the big show.
stringer, “The kid is a fine player in the MLS.”
No, he wasn’t. He played poorly at Chivas, and Preki benched him a good part of the season.
Ching can only score in CONCACAF and Sacha only against reserves. They cant perform against world class talent. Yet, this game is going to get them on the plane… pathetic. Unfair comparison:Ronaldinho cant get in the brazil squad to save his life despite his club showing. Sacha and Ching put together one good game (at home against opponents we knew we could beat )out of there last four and get to the wc. pathetic. Moments like these show me the politics of US soccer. Adu>Sacha and he cant get a look. If he’s not up for NED, I refuse to support BB ever again.
Beasley’s recent performances have been mostly in street close. I think he has less than ten performances the entire season.
Pretty disappointing performance against a “sub-par” performance. I can’t believe that Kljestan is still in the national team pool. His garbage goal didn’t change anything. Rogers looked horrible too.
While other countries (Brazil, England, etc.) can send their “B” or “C” team to the World Cup and be competetive, we don’t have much outside of our starting eleven.
I agree Rogers was rubbish. And his selfish miss should send him back to Ohio.
Did Bradley say if he might bring Williams to Holland next week? Lets get him locked in the US system.
Do you think Bornstein is a legit defender? To me, he just is not a defender or strong enough to cover the wing play. Pearse goes forward (like Bradley likes) and is OK at defense.
I agree with Kljestan possibilities based on moments he had. He showed me he wanted to be on the squad and had some of his good vision, back.
Things we learned/confirmed last night:
Ching > Casey
Heath Pearce still in the mix (25 yrs old..has
upside)
Gaven Prospect for 2014.
Goodson, Viable CB 2nd string (4th option)
Kljestan…Still in the mix, but more an option
for 2014. (Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Clark,
Torres, Edu, Holden, Beasley, and potential of
Jones, are all above SK. SK level with Bedoya,
Adu, & Castillo).
Robbie Rogers…Still needs to grow into a more
consistant player. Shows some ability, but needs
to improve decision making and vision. Looking
more a player for 2014 than making 2010 squad.
If BB takes any players from this match to Holland for the 3/3 match it should be limited to Bornstein, Goodson, Pearce and Ching. No-one else showed enough to potentially bump any of the other options currently based in Europe.
But these friendlies aren’t determinative of starting roles, just spots on the final roster. Significant minutes will obviously go to our (healthy) starters. I don’t think anyone should get too wound up about the 22nd or 23rd roster spots.
Given the squad that was fielded for this game, I thought the players played decently, and within their capabilities. That being said all of these players (maybe with the exception of Bornstein)are a significant downgrade from our first eleven. Not to bee too negative, but if any of them (again with the exception of Bornstein) see the field in South Africa we will be in a world of hurt.
Obviously this game was essentially just a tryout for the final two or three roster spots in SA. For better or worse I think we’ve learned that Beasley, Adu, and Torres should definitely make the squad ahead of Rogers and Kletjan. As discomforting as it is, we’d also better get used to the prospect of Casey and/or Ching making the trip to the WC. I also don’t see how Finley or Cunningham can be included in the squad. They were pretty quiet all night long, and didn’t bring much to the table. Pearce played decently, but I think it would be a mistake to not give Castillo a chance to impress at LB prior to June.
*CORRECTION: Using Boca or Spec in the positions they play at the club level…sorry if I’m reading too far into your comment, but there seems to be a wide-spread misconception that to play Spector or Bocanegra at left back is to play them “out of position”…it’s really not the case. And as good as Pearce looked, I’d still prefer Spector over there.
Have to disagree…
Ching can actually put the ball in the net.
Agreed, Kjlestan was very poor from the start, he passes to a clearly off-side Casey in the first attack, then passes directly to the opposition a dozen times, he can’t keep up with opponents mid-field attacks, and he takes two weak shots. Yet, Bradley wants to take him very badly. He is Sampon’s Wegerle or Arena’s Lewis, a personal pick outside of football.
My observations on the game.
Sascha is going to Holland, and to the World Cup. Same goes for Ching.
Findley – he has some time, but it’s not this year. Casey should be nowhere near the World Cup roster.
Rogers likes to dribble – he has a good shot. But, he’s the typical American MLS player. Takes one touch too many, makes poor decisions in good positions and generally isn’t good enough…
So out of this, my predictions for people who stepped up. Ching, Sascha and Pearce. Bornstein was invisible, but for his position last night that was a good thing.
Really? I think Bornstein’s biggest weakness is his defense. He gets beaten often and, unlike Spector, doesn’t know how to make up ground and outposition the attacker to regain the upper hand. Pearce isn’t amazing, but I do think he’s more defensively sound.
“Must be too hispanic, like Torres, to play for Bob I guess.”
Luckily, Carlos Bocanegra isn’t “too hispanic,” or otherwise he wouldn’t be the team captain.
Get your head out of your arse.
My choices from last night to stay around for awile longer…Ching (need debth there), Pearce (my player of the match), Goodson (Defense looked solid most of the match), Bornstein (Bradley’s Buddy), Kljestan (saw some of the old but most of the lately)……
The rest……Beckerman (hacker), Rodgers (desperate), Evans (not ready), Findley (terrible 1st touches), Casey (lost out to Ching), maybe next WC.
“I’m really tired of the persistent player bashing (by some not all). Overall, the tone is unnecessarily negative.
Let’s be positive guys. I want to root for our team, regardless of the personnel selected by BB, rather than hate half our roster based on all the ranting and complaining.”
Too true. I’m with you–time for people to stop hyperventilating, stop bashing, stop exaggerating, etc. Praise the good, people, please.
Ching and Casey both run in slow motion. They’re one trick ponies that only play well against garbage teams. I hope neither gets a start in any SA games. We already have a big man up front in Jozy. We don’t need another. We need speed.
“I’m really tired of the persistent player bashing (by some not all). Overall, the tone is unnecessarily negative. I sometimes feel like everybody here wants to be the next Jamie Trecker, who I find incredibly annoying and rarely insightful.”
Hi! Welcome to the internet! Enjoy your stay!
Rogers isn’t getting PT either… it’s the off-season, silly rabbit.
Patrick…
That was the Pearce we saw a few years ago. I think he alwys played…ok but at times (like last night) he shined. No question he was the only bright spot in the first half but was amazed when Bradley was asked at half time who he thought looked good and he said Kljestan….never mentioned Pearce…that continues to show me his favoritism for his previous players. He is determined to have Bornstein (is not a defender) Kljestan (has skill but lost it) and Beasley (he will find a spot for him, somewhere).
Yeah, screw that guy, with his hustle and goal scoring!
Where’s Freddy Adddduuuuuuuuu????
Rogers made mistakes. He made fewer than everyone else considering that he was ALWAYS on top of the ball. That’s like faulting a running back for 2 fumbles when he rushes for 250 yards and 4 TDs on 33 carries… Look, Rogers is definitely a brink player but with competence around him, he will have more passing options and more discipline on attacks. If it was Donovan, Dempsey and Altidore running into the box on Rogers’ missed shot he might have laid it off. Even still, that shot was not THAT BAD of an option. He missed badly due to a miss-hit, but from that close the goalie was expecting a pass and leaning to the side of the pass. That’s why he shot it. Know soccer before commenting on the play of a midfielder who caused problems for the opposition all game long.
I’m really tired of the persistent player bashing (by some not all). Overall, the tone is unnecessarily negative. I sometimes feel like everybody here wants to be the next Jamie Trecker, who I find incredibly annoying and rarely insightful. Of course this is just my opinion, but I thought there were some bright spots last night, and believe the night did provide some clarity: (1) Sacha absolutely, positively should be on the plane. Again, I don’t understand why people choose to bash him. Yes, he’s been terribly inconsistent. But I believe he has all the tools to be one of the better players in the US pool (except speed). People complain that the US system stifles creativity, yet everybody complains that Sacha occasionally tries to do things that don’t come off. I appreciate his creativity, and desire to create. And it though he was the best player on the field last night, on either side of the ball. (2) Kyle Beckerman is another that people love to rag on. Again, I don’t get it. The guy puts in a solid shift every game. His distribution is good, and improving. His work rate is fantastic. And his attitude and leadership are even better. Even if not on the field, he absolutely brings something important to the US roster, and in my opinion has absolutely earned a spot on the plane. (3) Ching > Casey. Casey works hard and uses his strength well, but he lacks the skill and tactical awareness to succeed at this level, at least right now. I’ve been saying for quite a while that Ching is the best target forward in the pool. Not the best forward; best target forward. I think Jozy, or Landy, or Clint will thrive playing off of him and letting him do the dirty work. And as he shows time and time again, he’s an opportunistic finisher with good positional sense. The key to success in SA is not a team of superstars, but rather the right mix. Ching is another guy that I think brings something necessary to our mix (and let’s be honest, we don’t have 11 superstars, or even close). (4) Robbie Rogers, for all his hard work and hustle during the game, proved that he’s just not there yet. He needs to go and play in a better league, and continue to develop his skill and confidence on the ball. I’d still like to believe that he’s one for the future, but I think he played himself out of the roster last night. (5) Jonny Bornstein has been, dare I say it, excellent in the build-up, and is steadily improving. (6) It was exciting to see Heath Pearce look so sharp, and I believe last night’s performance should certainly push him into the conversation. Right now, I think Bornstein deserves to stay ahead of him in the pecking order, but I think Heath gives us more options going forward and his service is far better from the flanks.
Let’s be positive guys. I want to root for our team, regardless of the personnel selected by BB, rather than hate half our roster based on all the ranting and complaining.
Go USA. (We emerge from our group on 4 points).
Still not impressed with these MLS side players. How many chances on goal did they have that were squandered? No team in the World Cup is going to hand you opportunities like El Salvador did.
Agreed
“The type of goal Sacha scored tonight ain’t going to happen in the WC.”
Tell that to Claudio Reyna.
Definitely agree on the Torres and Ching front.
by the time i watched it 4-0 mexico in the first half…i found it unwatchable, bolivia was awful….i thought it was a C-team for them, at leastthat’s what it looked like…
It might be better for everyone in the future if these games aren’t televised. I felt like I was watching a bad high school Varsity team scrimmage an even worst JV team. Or it could have been a recording of two drunk teenagers playing FIFA ’10.
The only thing I can take away from the game is that our reserves are far superior to El Salvador’s reserves.
The good:
Pearce owned the leftback spot better than any other US player in the last year or so – friendly or not.
Ching, first touch withstanding, came on and did what he had to – score!
Sacha is finding form again but a little too late for WC I would think.
Casey – Bombed so horrible we hopefully won’t see him bulldozing in SA.
The bad:
Team disorganization cost us another goal!!
Loads of possession and shots, no one but Ching really looking like scoring (how many shots were straight at the keeper?)!
Bornstein is not a proper CB.
Poor passing led to so many turnovers I lost count! Simple boys!
The so-so
Rogers – has skill but can’t make the right choice to save his life but good dead balls.
Gaven – Made a difference on the right but didn’t seem to put forth the extra effort needed to play next week.
Beckerman – Put in a very physical, energetic game. I don’t like to like him but his energy differentiates him from Clark.
Findley – Showed nice speed but without creative midfielders supplying balls to take advantage of it, we didn’t get a fair look at him.
needed *to give
i think he needed cunningham time to warm up….
This game was awesome !!!!! I met Ives !!!!!!! I also got to watch the press confrence. I met all the players, and I got an chance to talk to Bob about Daniel Williams. Guys he is watching Daniel Williams you all have nothing to worry about. He watches Daniel Williams very good, he was able to tell me the exact day he played, position, and the minute he was subed on. This game was awesome. Pearce impressed me a lot. I am so heppy because Sacha is making the transition to becoming his self again. I hope if he is called in he can get an goal or an assist against Holland.
Gang, I think we need to recognize that Rogers is a project right now. While he does occasionally show a flash of vision or make a nice cross, currently he’s too inconsistent to merit a seat on the plan for SA. However, I think that with good coaching and hard work he can be a viable option for 2014.
Overall, I was happy with the performance. It goes without saying that we needed to be better in front of goal, but definitely a deserved win. Its hard to believe that more people aren’t talking about Beckerman! I lost count of the number of plays he broke up CLEANLY, and he plays with an unmatched intensity. We’re pretty deep in central midfield, and its a long shot that he makes SA, but he was Fantastic last night, so props to him! Ching added immediate class over Casey, and I don’t understand why people hate on him so bad (mostly in the past). He’s not going to beat defenders on the dribble a la CD9, but he possesses / distributes incredibly well up top, and he’s great in the air. He’s already penciled in on my SA roster. I thought Casey was poor, and Evans was bad even beyond his beautiful self-defeating assist.
I’m so po’d at Robbie Rogers. He doesn’t belong on the national team – his selfish play of trying to be a hero instead of passing to several open players late in the game shows he’s just not a team player. A stupid move like that could cost us a game in the World Cup. We showed lots of spirit as a team but finishing definitely needs to be improved. Too many just misses.
i’m looking at all your comments and you’re a very extreme guy. everyone’s an idiot or crazy or stupid. why don’t you chill out.
I think that was a poorly played game overall and its tough to say anyone played great given the level of play by both teams. Ching was wide open on that header. Many chances were missed by the US. Pearce played well but El Salvador is not the Netherlands. Tough call for Bob on any of these guys…
That’s total nonsense. He had just as much right to the ball as the goalkeeper. Hate all you want but it was a legitimate goal.
LOL. Wow. You watched the game and couldn’t figure out he wasn’t playing as a forward?