New England Soccer Today

U.S. Humbled by Ireland in ’14 Finale

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Mix Diskerud’s goal wasn’t nearly enough to thwart a motivated Ireland, who handed the United States a humbling 4-1 loss at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday.

Diskerud scored in the 39th minute of the United States’ final match of 2014. But Diskerud couldn’t do it alone as Ireland grabbed a pair of strikes from Robbie Brady in the 55th and 86th minutes, while James McLean essentially put the result out of reach for the U.S. with his 82nd minute goal. Anthony Pilkington opened the scoring in the seventh minute.

Tuesday’s loss extended the United States’ winless streak to four(0-2-2) after beating Czech Republic 1-0 on Sept. 3. The U.S. finished the 2014 calendar year with a record of 6-4-4 while advancing to the Round of 16 during World Cup in Brazil.

It’s summertime success was far cry from the scene that unfolded in Dublin on Tuesday. The hosts caught the U.S. flat footed on a quick break inside of seven minutes, as David McGoldrick put a through ball to Pilkington, who tucked it inside the post to give Ireland the early advantage.

Undaunted, the U.S. was able to level it before the break. Chris Wondolowski headed a pass to Diskerud, who fired away and found the back of the net in the 39th minute.

Diskerud’s goal was the closest the U.S. would reach to overtaking their hosts. In the second half, Ireland unleashed a flurry of goals, the first coming from Brady, who found a pass from McGoldrick and buried it in the 55th minute.

McLean put more distance on the guests when he blasted a shot near the top of the box to widen the margin in the 82nd minute. Brady put an exclamation point on the proceedings when he uncorked a cracking free kick that lodged itself in the twine to give Ireland a comfortable win.

The U.S. will likely reconvene in January for its annual winter camp. The date of their next schedule match has not yet been announced, though there has been discussions about a potential friendly against Mexico in March.

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