Tuesday Night Snoozer
- Updated: January 30, 2013
So much for tuning up the engine ahead of the Hexagonal.
Eight days before the they head to Honduras for their first World Cup Qualifier of the year, the United States snoozed through 90 minutes of soccer in their 0-0 draw to Canada in Tuesday’s international friendly.
Despite gaining the advantage on corner kicks, shots, shots on goal and possession, all the U.S. had nothing to show for their efforts – or lack thereof – except an especially humbling point.
Back in the city he used to call home, Dwayne DeRosario nearly put the guests on the board in the opening minutes when he pounded an expert volley on frame. But Sean Johnson stood strong and denied DeRosario of his chance for early glory.
On the other end of the pitch, the U.S. struggled to execute near the Canadian next. Chris Wondolowski found chances, but couldn’t sneak any of them through.
At halftime, Jurgen Klinsmann scrapped the 4-4-2 in favor of a 3-5-2, hoping something – anything – would awaken his slumbering attack.
Although the U.S. slugged through more missed chances on the run of play, it looked like redemption might be found from a set of dangerous free kicks. Benny Feilhaber unleashed a pair of dangerous attempts, but neither did the trick.
While Canada, which played miserably in a 4-0 loss against Denmark on Saturday, was perfectly content to sit back and stifle their southern neighbors, the U.S. pressed the issue further in the 73rd minute. Josh Gatt crashed box anxious to score, but the idea failed materialize.
The hosts last chance to crack the scoreboard came in the dying moments of stoppage time. From 20 yards out, Feilhaber looked ready to curl a free kick back post and let Omar Gonzalez do the rest.
Instead, he quickly cut it to his left for Alejandro Bedoya, who stepped into before it smacked off a Canadian defender well before it could create any danger.
The U.S. will play Honduras in San Pedro Sula on Wednesday, Feb. 6 for the first game of the Hexagonal.
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