Shea's Curling Free-Kick

On This Day in 2015, a Stunning Free-Kick Cancelled Out by Another Late Goal in a Draw in Europe

Less than a week after a disappointing 3-2 loss to Denmark—a match that painfully exposed the United States Men's National Soccer Team's vulnerability in late-game situations—the national team sought redemption on European soil. The Denmark match had become the latest chapter in a troubling narrative, with the Americans conceding late goals at an alarming rate since the 2014 World Cup.

Before the Denmark defeat, the U.S. had struggled through inconsistent performances in the months following their Round of 16 exit in Brazil. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann was still wrestling with lineup challenges, rotating players in these European friendlies, and seeking to build a more resilient team capable of maintaining leads against quality international opposition.

The March 31 match against Switzerland at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich was more than just another friendly. It represented an opportunity for the U.S. team to demonstrate progress in addressing their late-game collapses. With Switzerland having qualified for the 2014 World Cup and advanced to the knockout stage, too, the Americans hoped to prove they could compete with established European sides for a full 90 minutes. However, what unfolded on that spring night in Zurich would add another frustrating chapter to an increasingly concerning pattern.

The match unfolded against a backdrop of experimentation and transition. Klinsmann had been introducing new faces to the squad, including Stanford forward Jordan Morris, who replaced the injured Aron Johannsson. Another newcomer, Mexican-American goalkeeper William Yarbrough, would make his international debut as a second-half substitute.

The evening began with tactical discipline from both sides. The U.S. team created better chances in the first half, with Alejandro Bedoya repeatedly exploiting the Swiss left flank. Twice, Bedoya delivered inviting crosses from the right, but Gyasi Zardes blazed a left-foot volley high and wide in the 15th minute. The Nantes winger cut the ball back from the byline, and Michael Bradley fired well over in the 26th minute.

Brek Shea, playing in an unfamiliar left-back position, provided the magic moment just before halftime. After calling Jozy Altidore off the free kick, Shea confidently stepped up and curled a spectacular left-footed strike into the upper corner beyond Swiss goalkeeper Roman Buerki in the 45th minute. It marked Shea's fourth international goal and the first free-kick goal for the Americans since August 2013.

"I went up to it, and I've been working on it lately," Shea reflected. "I called Jozy off of it and said it was for a left-footer, and he let me take it, and I scored."

The halftime lead was the ninth straight match in which the Americans had scored in the first half. However, the recurring challenge was maintaining that advantage after the break.

The match's decisive moment came in the 68th minute, which had nothing to do with skillful play. Veteran forward Jozy Altidore, who had been enjoying strong recent performances for the national team, committed a rash foul on Swiss defender Francois Moubandje from behind. What followed proved catastrophic for the American side. Altidore directed verbal abuse at Italian referee Luca Banti, who immediately produced a red card, reducing the U.S. to ten men for the final twenty-two minutes.

Swiss pressure mounted relentlessly after the dismissal. In the 79th minute, the Americans narrowly escaped when defender John Brooks's attempted clearance rolled just wide of his own goal. Five minutes earlier, Swiss substitute Pajtim Kasami had headed over an open goal from close range.

The inevitable equalizer came in the 80th minute. Following a short corner kick, Granit Xhaka crossed into the penalty area, where defenders Timmy Chandler and Alfredo Morales both attempted to head the ball clear. Their collision left the ball bouncing freely in front of goal, and substitute Valentin Stocker pounced, poking home from just two yards out past the debuting Yarbrough.

Klinsmann saw the match as another painful lesson for his developing squad. "Obviously, we are disappointed with another late goal," he commented. "But I think the team showed a lot of character after going down to ten men. We need to learn how to close out these games."

The 1-1 draw extended a troubling pattern for the American side. In their last 13 matches, they conceded 13 goals from the 80th minute onward. Since the previous June, the U.S. had been outscored by a staggering 12-1 margin in the second half of matches.

It wouldn't be the Americans' last European test in the coming months. The team was scheduled to face Mexico in San Antonio on April 15 before returning to Europe for challenging away fixtures against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on June 5 and World Cup champions Germany in Cologne on June 10.

Meanwhile, off the pitch, thirteen U.S. Senators, including Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson, Illinois Democrat Richard Durbin, and Arizona Republican John McCain, sent a letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter the day after the Switzerland match. The lawmakers urged FIFA to consider taking the 2018 World Cup out of Russia because of what they called that country's "ongoing violations of the territorial integrity of Ukraine," suggesting that allowing Russia to host would "inappropriately bolster the prestige" of President Vladimir Putin's regime.

For now, though, Klinsmann and his squad faced the more immediate challenge of solving their late-game defensive frailties before facing their arch-rivals Mexico. Brek Shea summed up after the Switzerland draw: "Obviously, last game we were a bit disappointed, but they put in a good shift. And then this game, we went up and then getting a red card, it's hard, but the boys did well to grind out a result."

Cardoso's Equalizer

The American Scored in Real Betis' Derby Triumph

In a pulsating Sevilla derby with the Estadio Benito Villamarin buzzing excitedly, Johnny Cardoso emerged as one of the key protagonists in Real Betis' thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over their fierce rivals. Making a triumphant return from injury, Cardoso's equalizing goal demonstrated his technical prowess and underscored his growing importance to Manuel Pellegrini's Champions League-chasing side.

The New Jersey-born midfielder showed perfect timing and technique when he volleyed home a sublime cross from Youssouf Sabaly midway through the first half. The build-up was a testament to Betis' patient approach, with Pablo Fornals releasing Sabaly down the flank with an incisive pass. Rather than rushing his delivery, Sabaly measured his approach, taking down his defender before floating an inviting ball that Cardoso met with conviction, sending it powerfully into the net.

This vital equalizer came after Sevilla had taken an early lead through Ruben Vargas, who had hammered home following excellent work from Dodi Lukebakio. Cardoso's goal shifted momentum firmly in Betis' favor, setting the stage for Cucho Hernandez to net the winner before half-time following a brilliant combination between Jesus Rodriguez and former Sevilla playmaker Isco.

The goal marked Cardoso's third of the season, following previous strikes against giants Real Madrid and HJK Helsinki in the UEFA Conference League. His performance was significant after injury issues had kept him sidelined recently, including limiting his participation with the US during the CONCACAF Nations League. With this sixth consecutive La Liga victory, Betis are now firmly in contention for Champions League qualification, sitting just behind fifth-placed Villarreal.

Duo Returns From Injury

Tillman and Balogun Each Subbed On For Their Respective Clubs This Weekend

Malik Tillman made a significant step in his recovery journey this weekend, featuring for PSV Eindhoven in their match against Ajax on Sunday. The American midfielder played the entire second half, marking an earlier-than-anticipated return from a serious ankle ligament injury sustained last December. Initially, there were concerns that Tillman might miss the remainder of the season, but his comeback puts him in contention for Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT Gold Cup squad this summer.

Despite Tillman's return bringing positive news for PSV, the match resulted in a disappointing outcome for the reigning Dutch champions, who fell nine points behind league leaders Ajax in the Eredivisie title race, making their chances of retaining the championship increasingly unlikely.

Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun also marked his return to action, making his first league appearance for Monaco since undergoing shoulder surgery in December. The forward came off the bench in the 76th minute during Monaco's 2-1 victory over OGC Nice on Saturday. Balogun recorded nine touches and one off-target shot attempt during his brief cameo.

Balogun's return is particularly significant for the USMNT, as the striker has missed every camp under new manager Mauricio Pochettino due to injury. This summer will mark his first opportunity to work with the Argentine coach ahead of both the June international window and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Aaronson's First-Minute Goal

Midfielder Scored After 35 Seconds in Leeds' Draw With Swansea City

Brenden Aaronson made a statement performance for Leeds United on Saturday, scoring just 35 seconds into their 2-2 Championship draw with Swansea City at Elland Road. The 24-year-old's early strike was pivotal for both club and player, particularly after his surprising omission from Mauricio Pochettino's recent USMNT squad for the Nations League Finals.

Aaronson capitalized on chaos in the Swansea box after Jayden Bogle's dangerous cross from the right flank. When Joel Piroe saw two close-range attempts blocked, the ball fell perfectly for Aaronson, who fired home from inside the six-yard box to give Leeds the early advantage.

The goal marked Aaronson's ninth of the season across 39 appearances in a physically demanding Championship campaign. Despite his productive output, questions persist about his long-term future at Elland Road, with recent reports suggesting Leeds may consider offers for the American this summer regardless of whether they secure promotion.

Leeds currently sit second in the Championship table, two points behind leaders Sheffield United and level on points with third-placed Burnley. Manager Daniel Farke remains confident: "I'm 100 percent convinced we will play in the Premier League next season."

Though Farke has described Aaronson as "outstanding" this season, concerns about his physical attributes for Premier League football reportedly exist behind the scenes. Having struggled during Leeds' relegation season in 2022-23, the club may capitalize on his improved form to help fund new signings better suited to top-flight competition.

With two years remaining on his contract, Leeds would likely demand a substantial fee for Aaronson, who has attracted domestic and international interest. His extensive playing time this season - over 3,400 minutes across all competitions - suggests he has been valuable to Leeds' promotion push, even as questions about his Premier League suitability persist.

The late equalizer from Swansea's Zan Vipotnik deep in stoppage time denied Leeds a crucial victory, keeping the promotion race tight with just weeks remaining in the Championship season.

Sargent's Late Winner

The Striker Picked Up Where He Left Off in the Championship by Scoring Lone Goal in Norwich Victory

Josh Sargent delivered a dramatic stoppage-time winner for Norwich City, securing a crucial 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Carrow Road that maintained the Canaries' slim Championship playoff hopes.

The American international showcased his composure in the second minute of added time when West Brom lost possession in midfield. Sargent seized the opportunity, racing down the right flank before holding off defender Kyle Bartley and coolly slotting past goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith for his 13th goal of an impressive campaign.

Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn preserved the victory with a spectacular save to deny Bartley's header in the final moments, with substitute Ruairi McConville completing the defensive heroics by clearing a follow-up attempt off the goal line.

The winner represents Sargent's 18th goal contribution in just 25 Championship matches this season, continuing his excellent form despite recently clarifying comments about his future that had concerned Norwich supporters. During the international break, an interview in The Guardian suggested he might be considering a summer departure, but Sargent has since emphasized his happiness at Carrow Road.

"I'm pretty sure in the first half of that interview I said, 'I have a contract here at Norwich.' I'm very happy. My family's very happy here," Sargent explained after the match. "It was in no way saying that I'm definitely gone at the end of the season."

Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his team's performance: "We have been on the wrong end of the result in quite a few 50/50 games this season, so it was good to be on the right side this time."

The victory moved Norwich to 10th in the Championship table, just five points behind sixth-placed West Brom, as the season enters its final stages.

Despite his club success, Sargent faces uncertainty regarding his international future. He struggled to make an impact during the recent CONCACAF Nations League semifinals against Panama and didn't feature in the third-place match. The American striker hasn't scored for his national team since November 2019, potentially complicating his prospects with the 2026 World Cup approaching.

American Duel in the FA Cup

Richards Triumphs as Crystal Palace Outshines Fulham in FA Cup Quarterfinal

In a compelling FA Cup quarterfinal at Craven Cottage, USMNT teammates Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson found themselves on opposite sides as Crystal Palace secured an emphatic 3-0 victory over Fulham to book their place in the semifinals at Wembley Stadium.

The American defenders battled throughout a match in which Eberechi Eze started it with a stunning strike before setting up Ismaila Sarr's header. Eddie Nketiah later sealed the victory with a clinical finish through Bernd Leno's legs.

Richards, who played the full 90 minutes at center back for Palace, was instrumental in the visitors' defensive solidity. The 25-year-old American recorded impressive statistics with nine clearances, six-headed clearances and two interceptions. His commanding aerial presence helped nullify Fulham's attacking threats as Palace secured a clean sheet.

"We really aspire to make history here at Palace," Richards had said before the match, and the defender's performance backed up those ambitions as Palace moved within two games of their first-ever major trophy.

Robinson's afternoon was disappointing despite completing 80% of his passes and winning 67% of his aerial duels. The Fulham left-back, who played 71 minutes, created one chance and had one shot on target but couldn't prevent his side's elimination.

After a cagey opening in which Fulham started brightly, Palace grew into the game. Jefferson Lerma hit the crossbar before Eze's breakthrough. The result continues Palace's remarkable form under Oliver Glasner, with the Eagles heading to Wembley on either April 26 or April 27 for the semifinals.

For Richards, who admitted pre-match that winning the FA Cup "would probably be the biggest thing I've done so far," the dream of lifting the 154-year-old trophy remains alive. At the same time, Robinson and Fulham must refocus on their Premier League European qualification push.

McKennie and Weah's New Manager

American Duo Adapt to New Roles in Tudor's Juventus Debut

In a significant turning point for Juventus, American internationals Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah played their roles in the Bianconeri's 1-0 victory over Genoa at the Allianz Stadium. The match marked Igor Tudor's debut as head coach following Thiago Motta's dismissal after just 42 games.

McKennie, a favorite under Motta, demonstrated his versatility by adapting to Tudor's new 3-4-2-1 formation. The 26-year-old Texan was deployed as a left wing-back and played the full 90 minutes, recording impressive statistics with 84% pass accuracy and winning 6-of-11 ground duels. His defensive contributions included four successful tackles as he effectively stifled Genoa's attacks from his flank.

Before the match, McKennie expressed optimism about the coaching change, telling DAZN: "Tudor brought experience too, because he knows full well what Juventus is like as a club, because he played here and was also assistant manager under Pirlo. He knows everything about this club. I am happy, the team is happy, and we are ready."

Weah, meanwhile, came off the bench in the 82nd minute, operating as a right wing-back with greater offensive responsibilities than McKennie. Despite limited time on the pitch, the American made an impact with perfect passing accuracy and nearly added a second goal with a powerful effort from inside the box that was saved by Genoa goalkeeper Nicola Leali.

The victory was secured by Kenan Yildiz's first-half goal after a throw-in facilitated by Tudor, who quickly gathered the ball on the sideline and tossed it to Teun Koopmeiners. The win helped Juventus remain in fifth place, just one point behind Bologna in the race for Champions League qualification.

For both Americans, this match represented an opportunity to put behind them the disappointment of the recent CONCACAF Nations League Finals. As Tudor begins his tenure at Juventus, McKennie and Weah's adaptability may prove vital to their continued roles with the Italian giants.

Qualifying Back on Track After Victory

On This Day in 2005, After a Defeat in Mexico, the US Bounced Back with a Home Win Over Guatemala

Less than four days after a disheartening 2-1 loss to Mexico at the intimidating Azteca Stadium—a match that exposed the United States Men's National Team's vulnerabilities at high altitude—the Americans sought redemption on home soil. The Mexico match had revealed stark differences in execution, with the U.S. defense suffering a catastrophic 15-minute window that cost them the game against their fiercest regional rivals.

"I believe our players shut down in the last 15 minutes of the first half, and that cost us the game," Manager Bruce Arena had acknowledged after the Mexico defeat, where the American defense had been stretched to the breaking point by Mexico's clever three-forward attack.

The March 30 match against Guatemala at Legion Field was more than just another World Cup qualifier. It represented a pivotal opportunity for the U.S. team to reclaim its footing in the CONCACAF qualification process. With Mexico (2-0) leading the group with six points—two ahead of Guatemala (1-0-1) and three in front of the United States (1-1)—this home fixture had suddenly become a must-win situation for the Americans.

"You put one step into the World Cup if you win your games at home," U.S. captain Claudio Reyna emphasized before the match. "We shouldn't get too anxious, it's only the third game."

The setting could hardly have been more symbolic. At Legion Field—once the domain of football legends Bear Bryant and Joe Namath—soccer took center stage in what was fittingly advertised as the "Football Capital of the South." The USSF's strategic decision to host the match in Birmingham, Alabama, aimed to create a definitive home-field advantage, a luxury not always guaranteed for the U.S. team on American soil.

"The reason we're in Birmingham," Arena explained, "is that we've seen things here that resemble a home advantage. And we're hopeful we'll have that on Wednesday."

The evening unfolded with a palpable patriotic energy as 31,624 fans filled Legion Field. While a surprisingly large and vocal Guatemalan contingent made their presence known, the "good ol' boys" ultimately claimed the atmosphere for the home side. The stadium hosted the U.S. national team just twice before in exhibition matches and became the perfect backdrop for American redemption.

Eddie Johnson, celebrating his 21st birthday eve, continued his remarkable international scoring streak in the 11th minute. The sequence began with Pablo Mastroeni finding Landon Donovan, who cleverly backheel-passed to Johnson. The rising star planted a left-footed shot off the right post and into the net for his eighth goal in eight games with the national team—an extraordinary rate for the young forward.

"If we're at fault for anything, it's not finishing off a few more plays," Arena later commented about his team's dominant performance. "I think it's one of those nights where you can't single out any one player. Basically, our entire team played well."

The Americans maintained their aggressive pressing style throughout the match, consistently threatening the Guatemalan defense. In the first half alone, the U.S. outshot its Central American opponents 14-3, earning five corner kicks to Guatemala's two. Only a series of errant shots, particularly off-target headers, kept the halftime margin from being more outstanding.

The decisive second goal came when Johnson, showcasing his playmaking abilities, nodded the ball to Steve Ralston, who skillfully used the outside of his right foot to finish in the 68th minute. This insurance goal secured the vital three points for the Americans and silenced the substantial Guatemalan support.

"We played 15, 16 games without losing," Donovan later reflected. "We had really one bad half, one bad five minutes, in Mexico, against a very good team, at an incredible altitude and in nasty smog, and all of a sudden we're the worst team in CONCACAF. This just makes some peace and quiet for a week so that people can leave us alone."

The victory was significant in the broader context of American soccer's evolution. Once celebrated as an extraordinary achievement, qualification for the World Cup is now expected as routine.

"I think the difference between the U.S. team now and the way the U.S. team was 10 years ago is we can play two games in three days and be able to make four or five changes and really make a difference," goalkeeper Kasey Keller observed. "We have a much deeper squad than we had years ago. We went from 1990 being overjoyed with getting into a World Cup to now the expectation that we're just supposed to dominate and qualification is a foregone conclusion."

The win propelled the United States to second place in their qualifying group with six points, just one behind Mexico, which had seven. More importantly, it marked the beginning of a crucial stretch for the Americans, who would play four of their next five qualifiers on home soil—a significant advantage in securing one of the region's three automatic qualifying spots for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"Today, we came off of a loss to Mexico, a very good team in a very difficult place to play, and we came back and showed that we are who we are and who we should be," Keller concluded, capturing the resilient spirit of a team determined to prove they belonged among the world's elite.

Pulisic's International Debut in Qualifying Win

On This Day in 2016, the Current Captain America Made His US Debut as the Americans Rolled Past Guatemala

Peace of mind arrived early on that March 29th night at Mapfre Stadium, with the sight of Clint Dempsey galloping at a full sprint across the striped grass, his arms spread out like airplane wings. The goal that sparked this celebration had done more than just give the United States an early lead - it had begun to wash away four days of doubt that had settled over the U.S. Men's National Team following their shocking defeat in Guatemala.

For the Americans, Columbus had always been a sanctuary. The U.S. team entered the match with a perfect 7-0-3 record at Mapfre Stadium, conceding just one goal across those ten matches. They would need every bit of that home-field magic as they faced an actual must-win scenario to keep their World Cup qualifying campaign on track. Friday's unexpected 2-0 loss snapped their 21-game unbeaten streak against Guatemala, dating back to 1988.

The defeat dropped the Americans to third place in their four-team qualifying group, and it is very real that they might not advance to the final round of CONCACAF qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Another loss would have left them needing help from other results to avoid elimination.

"We need to win this game," Coach Jurgen Klinsmann told reporters bluntly the day before the match. The pressure was palpable, and criticism mounted about his tactical decisions and lineup choices from the previous match, in which he deployed several players in unfamiliar positions.

With this pressure, Klinsmann made five changes to his starting lineup: He moved Geoff Cameron back to central defense alongside Steve Birnbaum, inserted Kyle Beckerman as a defensive midfielder, and gave Brad Guzan the start in goal. The adjustments paid immediate dividends.

Less than 12 minutes into the match, Cameron floated a ball high toward the penalty box where Gyasi Zardes was running between two defenders. The ball took a fortunate deflection off Zardes' shoulder and fell perfectly for Dempsey, who calmly slotted it home to give the U.S. the lead and send the sold-out crowd into a frenzy.

"You've got to look within yourself, man," Dempsey said afterward about the pressure. "How bad do you want it? How bad do you want to be going to the World Cup? How bad do you want to continue progressing the game in the States? You've got to put that on your shoulders, man. You got to represent your country with pride."

The Americans continued to dominate possession throughout the first half. In the 35th minute, Cameron doubled the advantage when he rose to meet Michael Bradley's perfectly delivered free kick and headed it just beneath the crossbar.

Any lingering anxiety was washed away immediately after halftime. Just 18 seconds into the second half, Graham Zusi pounced on another fortunate bounce off Zardes following a DeAndre Yedlin through ball, making it 3-0 and effectively ending Guatemala's resistance.

With the match well in hand, Klinsmann made a substitution in the 81st minute that would prove significant for American soccer's future. Christian Pulisic, a 17-year-old midfielder making waves with German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, entered to make his senior international debut. The teenager became the youngest player to appear for the United States in a World Cup qualifier.

Pulisic's rise had been remarkable. Just four months earlier, he played for Dortmund's youth team in front of 800 people. By the time he stepped onto the Columbus pitch, he had already featured in ten matches for Dortmund's first team, including appearances in the Europa League and the fiercely contested Ruhr derby against Schalke.

Jozy Altidore, another second-half substitute, completed the scoring in the 89th minute, capitalizing on Dempsey's unselfish setup after a Guatemalan defender gave the ball away cheaply. 

With the 4-0 victory, the United States moved into second place in Group C of CONCACAF's semifinal qualifying round, trailing Trinidad and Tobago by three points but now one point ahead of Guatemala. The top two teams would advance to the final round of qualifying, leaving the Americans in control of their own destiny with two matches remaining in September.

"It was crucial," Dempsey said of the win. "If we didn't win tonight, we were going to be in a really tough spot. Now we're sitting better, but we've still got work to do."

The commanding performance silenced, at least temporarily, the critics calling for Klinsmann's dismissal. One night, the coach, his players, and American soccer fans could breathe easier, knowing that their World Cup dreams were still alive... for now.

Robinson Back for Fulham

Fullback, Who Missed Nations League Finals, Not on Injury Report Ahead of FA Cup Clash

Antonee Robinson is experiencing the best season of his career, emerging as a standout left-back for Fulham with 10 Premier League assists – second only to Mohamed Salah. At 27, Robinson has become a pivotal player both for his club and the United States Men's National Team, with his performances attracting interest from UEFA Champions League clubs.

Robinson has recently revealed he's been battling tendinopathy throughout the season, which led to his withdrawal from the USMNT's recent CONCACAF Nations League camp. Despite this challenge, he's remained remarkably consistent, making 30 appearances across all competitions and not missing a single Premier League match this season.

The left-back has been integral to Fulham's European qualification push and continues to be a key player for the national team. He's earned 50 caps for the USMNT since his debut in 2019, maintaining his position in the squad through multiple coaching changes and tournament campaigns.

Under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, Robinson has been versatile, playing as a left winger and even in central midfield during recent international matches. It was clear the US missed his steady presence on the left side of the defense during the Nations League failure.

Robinson is candid about the team's need to develop more grit, citing Pochettino's example of how Argentina combines skill with a fighting spirit. He acknowledges the differences between structured European leagues and the more physical CONCACAF competitions.

For the upcoming FA Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace, Robinson looks set to return to the lineup. Fulham manager Marco Silva is optimistic about the team's cup run, viewing it as an opportunity to create history, particularly as the club approaches its 50th year since last reaching a major domestic final.