US and Argentina play to entertaining 1-1 draw in New Jersey

This was what an international soccer match should be about.  The USA and Argentinaq put on a show tonite in front of almost 80,000 fans in New Jersey.  Attractive, attacking soccer.  Argentina with their trademark possession and the wonderful Lionel Messi darting about.  The USA with their grit, determination and several youngsters showing well.

Bob Bradley sent the US out in a one foward formation with Jozy Altidore on his own up front.  The formation led to a few nice counter-attacks from the Americans, but they had real trouble getting out on several occasions as the young Altidore has not quite learned how to hold up the ball and bring more of his teammates into the game.  Instead he set out several times running on his own trying to beat 3 and 4 Argentina defenders.  The South Americans took advantage bossing possession and putting on a wonderful display of attacking soccer.

Lionel Messi was making his trademark darting runs and linking up Di Maria.  American stud keeper Tim Howard was up to the task all night as he made save after save.  Finally, just before halftime Argentina got their deserved goal.  Messi evaded US defenders in the 42nd minute while dribbling into the penalty area before threading the ball back to Angel Di Maria. Howard made the initial kick save from five yards out, but the US goalkeeper was left helpless as Esteban Cambiasso roofed the rebound from seven yards out to send Argentina into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

Bob Bradley took off an ineffective Jermaine Jones and put on a second forward in the young Juan Agudelo.  The 20 year old Timmy Chandler was also brought on at right back.  Both players made huge contributions in the second half as the United States got back into the match.  Suddenly Argentina did not have all the possession.  Suddenly Argentina were finding themselves having to defend.  The match changed and the crowd loved it.

With the foul count increasing in the second half, the USA’s proficiency from set pieces was always going to be important and indeed they found the equalizer from a dead ball situation. Donovan curled a free kick in from the right where Carlos Bocanegra rose highest to head the ball on frame. Andujar made the initial save, but Agudelo was there to clean up the rebound for his second goal in just his third cap. The young forward has two goals in 106 total minutes for the United States.

Both sides pushed to find the winner with Tim Howard standing tall in the American nets.  On the other end Agudelo leaped high only to send a header jsut over the crossbar.  The final whistle called time on a second consecutive tie for the USA and Argentina in East Rutherford, NJ.  The USA will depart for Nashville on Sunday ahead of Tuesday’s match with Paraguay.