Soviets Outclass U.S. Soccer Team, 2-1

The United States national soccer team was overpowered, 2-1, Saturday by a younger, more aggressive Soviet Olympic team in an exhibition game at Lenin Stadium.

“It was a bad outing,” U.S. goalkeeper and team captain Tony Meola said. “Our intensity just wasn’t there.”

The score might have been more lopsided if not for the 22-year-old Meola, who made 10 saves.

Forward Yuri Nikiforov scored on a free kick Meola couldn’t even touch 11 minutes into the game as the Soviet side dominated the first half, outshooting the Americans, 8-2.

Six minutes into the second half, forward Boris Tedeev gave his team its second goal with a 20-yard kick.

With 12 minutes left, the Americans scored when 27-year-old forward Hugo Perez pounced on a loose ball and kicked it into the net for an unassisted goal.

The U.S. players range in age from 20 to 34. The Soviet team is made up entirely of players under age 23, to comply with rules for Olympic eligibility.