They can only do so much to salve the lingering sting of the World Cup qualifying fiasco, but the US national team's kids might just be alright.
A young US side battled gamely and confidently to earn a 1-1 draw with Portugal at Estadio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria, Portugal on Tuesday evening, highlighted by strong senior debuts from New York Red BullsHomegrownTyler Adams and FC Dallas academy product Weston McKennie.
McKennie opened the scoring with a well-taken goal, the Schalke midfielder driving forward to receive a pass from CJ Sapong before dipping his shoulder to carve out space for a cool near-post finish past Portuguese goalkeeper Beto.
But the hosts equalized 10 minutes later via a howler from US goalkeeper Ethan Horvath. Portugal's left back Vitorino Antunes unleashed a low, dipping cross-shot from the left that looked unthreatening, only for Horvath to let it slip underneath him and trickle into the net.
Adams saw a goalbound header denied by a sterling save from Beto shortly after halftime, and both sides rang well-struck efforts off the woodwork. But a late winner did not materialize and Portugal will take the result forward into their World Cup 2018 preparations, while the USMNT look ahead to a new era under new management at some point next year.
Goals
- 21' - USA - Weston McKennie
- 21' - POR - Vitorino Antunes
Three Things
STRONG SAPONG
: The
Philadelphia Union
vet was one of MLS' top
No. 9s
in 2017, and on Tuesday he gave observers reason to believe his skillset can translate well at international level. He put in the hard, dirty work of a targetman, but also made the most of his touches, producing an assist and a key pass, and only failed to connect two passes.