Josh Sargent and Zack Steffen faced off for the second time in their careers on Saturday with the American goalkeeper ended up on the winning end once again.
Steffen made five saves in Middlesbrough’s 2-1 comeback win over Sargent and Norwich City in English Football League Championship action. Despite Sargent scoring his ninth league goal of the season against his international teammate, the Canaries suffered a disappointing loss at Carrow Road.
Sargent needed only seven minutes to break the deadlock for Norwich City, drilling a low drive past Steffen and into the bottom-left corner. It was the 22-year-old’s first goal since October 15 in league play.
However, Michael Carrick’s squad would answer back in the second half thanks to Riley McGree’s equalizer in the 64th minute. Gabriel Sara and Onel Hernandez were denied go-ahead opportunities with Steffen make two key saves as the second half moved on.
Matt Crooks delivered the winning goal for Middlesbrough in the 92nd minute, as Chuba Akpom set up the veteran midfielder. Sargent was substituted off in the 84th minute, being replaced by Jordan Hugill after colliding with a Middlesbrough player.
Middlesbrough’s victory moved it up to 14th place while Norwich City dropped to fifth place with the result.
Sargent now heads into U.S. men’s national team duty with added confidence following Saturday’s goalscoring performance. Steffen, who earned his third victory out of his past four starts, did not earn a call-up to Gregg Berhalter’s squad.
Love how Steffan and Pepi responded with strong showings, We are going to get crushed this WC. However, salivating at the thought of this group maturing (and Ferreira and Roldan staying home) and adding Dike, Pepi, Aronson 2.0, Vazquez, Richardson, Robinson, Slonina and Ledesma to this team
Whoever the opponent is, they probably do not want their final adjustments (or weaknesses) shown to early opponents either.
Also, closed door generally means the coaches will have unlimited subs and likely can call for stoppages to make adjustments. It is very unlikely to look or flow like a regular match as the coaches likely will be given chances to intervene, stop play and likely determine when to stop the “game”.
Ream a good showing agains Man U. I should be starting next to Z-Man.
Robinson a little loose with the ball, but overall contained his side well.
Josh after the game “We’ve got a friendly on Thursday I believe, I don’t even know who we’re playing so don’t ask me.
Why is GB hiding all his “friendly” games……smh? His coaching ability and managerial skills are going to be on full display for the world to see anyway come NOV 21st. This “secrecy” is not going to give us “the element of surprise” in any way shape or form lol
I’m guessing it is behind closed doors. So our opponents and the opponents of whomever we play can’t scout the final adjustments. Also probably less rigid in terms of substitution rules.
Are you willing to bet that you know how Gregg will set up for Wales?
I’m not.
It’s almost certainly a closed door game.
I would think it will be more of a scrimmage than a full blown friendly game.
Gregg has a lot of tired, recovering players in need of a rest and the last thing they need is more injuries. A closed door scrimmage lessens the media spot light just a tiny bit. That spotlight is very wearing. So a little privacy or rest before the big game can’t hurt.
As you point out you’ll get to see them and him in all their glory in a week anyway.
I watched quite a bit of college football yesterday and neither Fox nor ESPN were advertising a friendly so I think definitely closed door.