US rallies for draw in El Salvador

It was a mathc the US mens soccer team were clear favorites.  They had won their last seven matches with El Salvador by a 17-0 aggregate and had not lost in El Salvador since 1982.  However after only 15 minutes El Salvador had the lead and 50,000 crazed fans behind them. A shaky backline performance allowed Eliseo Quintanilla to get in free and slide the ball past Brad Guzon. 

The US controlled large portions of the match, but were clearly missing their two defensive leaders in suspended Tim Howard and centerback Gooch Onyewu.  Bocanegra, Pierce and Califf never looked quite comfortable at all. 

The second half saw more American possession and attack along with some ridiculous El Salvador time wasting.  It seemed every stoppage there was another El Salvador player lying on the ground faking injury.  In the 72nd minute and completely against the run of play El Salvador notched their 2nd goal.  Beasley let his man go in the corner who delivered a perfect cross to the head of Cristian Castillo who buried it.

The US men were not giving up though and grabbed one back just minutes later when Frankie Hedjuk got down the right and floated a cross to young Jozy Altidore for the goal.  El Salvador seemed content to just drop deep and defend and they paid for it in the 88th minute when a corner kick was defelcted high into the air and fell to Hedjuk who headed it home from close range to tie the match.

The point leaves the US top of the qualifying group for South Africa 2010 on 4 points.  Mexico and Costa Rica are right behind on 3.  El Salvador is in trouble having only gathered 2 points from 2 home games so far.  Wednesday the US returns home to face Trinidad while El Salvador travels to Costa Rica.