Published 11/14/2012 4:44:35 PM by Shane Barrow from soccermogul

The US were under pressure from the opening whistle as Russia streamed forward.  It didn't take long for Russia to grab the lead. After successfully defending several corner kicks it was a mistake that gifted the home side the lead.

An ill advised quick freekick by Danny Williams was turned over in the US half and Fedor Smolov put the ball into the US net three seconds later. You just don't get results on the road when you shoot yourself in the foot like that.  It left a tall task as now the Americans were forced to go get a goal.  Something not one of Russia's World Cup qualifying opponents have been able to do.

The Americans were having trouble holding onto the ball against the Russian pressure.  Things got worse on 15 minutes as Carlos Bocanegra was forced to leave the match with a leg injury.  Clarence Goodson replaced him.

It took awhile, but the US slowly began to get a footing in the match.  Joseph Gatt was making some headway down the right side running at the Russian defense and Clarence Goodson got a shot on goal at the half hour mark.  The play was beginning to shift a bit as Jozy Altidore rifled high.

The game went to the break 1-0 to Russia, but the Americans were around.  The second half would be a much more open affair as the game opened up and the Americans got into the attack more.

Anytime, the US plays on the road they know they have Tim Howard behind them to keep them in the match.  Wednesday was no different as Howard made some huge saves in the second half to allow the Americans time to fight back.

After Howard worked his magic the US struck in the 76th minute.  A long ball found the head of Juan Agudelo who knocked the header back to an onrushing Michael Bradley who ripped a volley off the post and into the net.  Despite Russia's quality play we were tied.

Who would go win the match now?  With only a few minutes to go a quick freekick got in behind the US.  Americans Tim Howard and Clarence Goodson converged on the ball Russia’s Artem Dzyuba.  Howard seemed to have the play under control as Goodson bowled over Dzyuba and the referee awarded a penalty kick.

Roman Shirokov converted the penalty and Russia was in front for the second time.  The Americans pushed ahead chasing the tying goal again.  Late into the stoppage time they got the shock equalizer.  It was a longball that led to the chance as it fell to young Max Diskerud who's volley on goal took a deflection before finding the net.

In the end, Russia looked very good and the Americans displayed our talent for never giving up.  A good fightback by the US in a very difficult environment while missing studs Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey.

Print