Five MLS players featured in the United States Men’s National Team’s Starting XI for their 1-1 draw against New Zealand in an international friendly.
Multiple MLS players featured in Jurgen Klinsmann’s side for the USMNT’s international friendly against New Zealand. This was the team’s second friendly during the international break with the previous game coming against Cuba. The 1-1 was a disappointing result after the 2-0 win over Cuba.
The match against New Zealand was held in Washington D.C. at RFK Stadium. After earning a victory in their away game versus Cuba, the U.S. were expected to beat New Zealand as they returned stateside. The home game didn’t go as planned but it gave Klinsmann a chance to play many of his younger players as opposed to the veterans.
Five Major League Soccer players started for the USMNT including Jozy Altidore of Toronto FC, Sacha Kljestan of the New York Red Bulls, Michael Bradley of Toronto FC, Kellyn Acosta of FC Dallas, and Matt Besler of Sporting KC. They were all a part of the starting XI but Acosta and Altidore didn’t play the full 90 as they were subbed off in the second half. David Bingham of the San Jose Earthquakes and Juan Agudelo of the New England Revolution each came in off of the bench in the second half.
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Jake Gleeson of the Portland Timbers was on the bench for New Zealand and Kip Colvey of the San Jose Earthquakes started and played the full 90 for the away team. Former Vancouver Whitecaps‘ defender, Michael Boxall, was named to the starting XI and even recorded an assist in the game.
Julian Green got the scoring started in the 27′ minute for the U.S. after he scored a goal off of an assist from Jozy Altidore. That was the only goal in the first half and even though the home team weren’t the more convincing side, they took the lead into halftime.
Monty Patterson scored the equalizer for New Zealand in the 72’ minute and it was the final goal of the match. The away team were the more threatening side for much of the game and this may have been expected with the fairly young and new line-up that Klinsmann went with.
Bill Hamid and Steve Birnbaum of D.C. United and Tim Parker of the Vancouver Whitecaps were all unused subs by the United States. It was surprising that neither Hamid or Birnbaum received minutes in front of their home crowd. Although, Jurgen did do a great job of playing young players like Lynden Gooch and Julian Green as they look to battle for spots in competitive competitions going forward.
Jozy Altidore picked up a yellow card in the 86′ minute for dissent before being subbed off.
The United States’ next match match will be against Mexico on November 11th in a World Cup Qualifying game. The important rivalry match will take place at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. This friendly was meant to give the USMNT some confidence entering that game but instead, it may have given them more questions than answers.