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GLENDALE, Ariz. — In a rare midweek, non-FIFA-approved friendly between the United States men’s national team and archrival Mexico, Chris Wondolowski and Michael Bradley helped the U.S. men's national team earn a 2-2 draw at University of Phoenix Stadium on Wednesday night.
The USA did all of its scoring in the first half. Mexico, playing in its first match against the United States under new head coach Miguel Herrera, equalized on an Alan Pulido stick-back off the post in the 66th minute.
Three Real Salt Lake players earned caps for the national team, including two who appear destined for a trip to Brazil for this summer’s World Cup. Nick Rimando went all 90 minutes in goal for the United States, and Kyle Beckerman and Tony Beltran each played 71 minutes in earning starting nods.
So how’d they do?
Nick Rimando, goalkeeper, 7 — Rimando bailed out his make-shift backline of Beltran, Kansas City’s Matt Besley, L.A.’s Omar Gonzalez and Columbus’ Michael Parkhurst in earning a first-half shutout. The MLS veteran was called upon only a handful of times but came up with a few clutch stops before the break.
The second half was a little shakier for Rimando. While he likely didn’t do enough to lose his spot on the plane to Brazil, Rimando was left flat-footed on Rafael Marquez’s header inside the six-yard box on a corner kick. Gonzalez appeared to lose his mark on Marquez, but the RSL goalkeeper wasn’t entirely blameless, either. He’ll be the U.S. No. 3 goalkeeper, but didn’t do much to help his stock in unseating Tim Howard or Brad Guzan on the depth chart.
Related:
RSL's Beltran added to USMNT camp for Mexico friendly
A day after Real Salt Lake's 3-0 win over previously unbeaten Toronto FC, the team added another accomplishment to its lengthening listen in the early months of 2014.Kyle Beckerman, midfielder, 8 — Beckerman’s fingerprints were all over the U.S. team in the first half, as head coach Jurgen Klinsmann opted for a 4-4-2 “diamond” formation instead of the common 4-5-1 of the past 18 months. But the United States maintained strong possession and built up a two-goal lead in no small part based on a combined pass rate of 76-of-80 by Beckerman and attacking midfielder Bradley.
Beckerman’s defensive instincts also allowed Bradley to get forward in the attack, and the two-way midfielder lit up the field with the most active first half in his recent time with the national team. Beckerman completed 36-of-39 passes before Maurice Edu replaced him in the 71st minute. A hard foul on Isaac Brizuela in the 40th minute was one of the few low moments for the RSL captain.
Tony Beltran, defender, 6 — The 26-year-old fullback had the most to gain of any RSL player for Klinsmann, and he rallied for a solid performance. The right back entered the starting lineup when Liga MX’s Puebla FC refused to release Michael Orozco and Demarcus Beasley for the friendly, and Beltran appeared shaky in the opening 20 minutes. He sat back early, leaving Parkhurst to push forward from the back unevenly and forcing Rimando to bail him out with a save in the 10th minute.
But Beltran redeemed himself in several ways, too. He pushed forward in the 27th minute with the USA leading 1-0, and a dished pass to Bradley to set up a perfect cross that found Chris Wondolowski for the team’s second goal. Beltran also looked more confident on defense as the United States played with a lead, and he opened the second half with a nice spell of possession on the touchline that could’ve led to a foul call on the edge of Mexico’s 18-yard box. Though he likely still sits on the outside of the U.S. 23-man roster for Brazil, Beltran may have done just enough to play himself into discussion for Klinsmann’s 30-man camp invite before the team leaves for the World Cup.
Luis Gil, midfielder, DNP — The 20-year-old rising star was left on the bench on the shortened 20-man roster for this event. Gil stood an outside shot at a 30-man roster spot, but will probably have to wait for the 2016 Summer Olympics to showcase himself as a consistent senior team player for the United States. Sean Walker is a recent journalism graduate of Syracuse University and longtime soccer guy who adds a few stories to KSL.com when he has a spare minute. Follow him on Twitter @GoaldotSean.
