Switzerland Scores Two Goals, One for United States in 1-1 Tie : Soccer: Own goal off defender Egli in 88th minute brings Americans to even at Fullerton.
Much was known but little was revealed Saturday, when the U.S. national soccer team tied the national team of Switzerland, 1-1.
Despite soccer’s taboo against meeting a World Cup opponent before the tournament, the two Group A teams played before a capacity crowd of 10,173 at Cal State Fullerton.
The players will probably be different when they meet again, in their first World Cup match on June 18 at the Pontiac Silverdome, so that all but defused concerns about the game revealing too much tactical information about either team.
Key players for both teams are still with their European clubs and, with each coach making five substitutions on Saturday, little can be gleaned from player assignments.
“This game has no connection whatsoever with the game in June,” Swiss Coach Roy Hodgson said. “The American team we will see in June will be totally different.”
The U.S. team played tentatively in the first half, giving the Swiss space. As the warm day took its toll on the Swiss, the United States attacked in the second half for the first time.
Still, the Americans could not finish the few quality chances afforded them by a solid Swiss back line. They tied the score when Cobi Jones chipped a cross into the penalty area, in the general direction of teammate Alexi Lalas, who was tangling with Swiss defender Andre Egli. The shot went off Egli’s head into the goal.
Egli accepted responsibility for the goal with grace. Play professional soccer for 16 years, he said, and you will probably score an own goal.
“I intended to hit the ball into the corner,” he said. “But it went into the net. Lalas was pushing me from behind, but it was correctly done. Lalas is a very competitive guy. He likes to work with his arms and elbows. But it was correct. Clean.”
Play was rugged, with four yellow cards. U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel watched the shoving and pushing with bemusement.
“They play in an English style,” he said, referring more to the Swiss’ feisty approach than style. “They were going for a tackle, and they’d give you a stud (spike). And it’s just friendly. It was like the first round of a boxing match.”
With the lineup changes, little rhythm was established in the first half. Jones started on the right side but was switched to the left. Lalas was moved to central defender, and Desmond Armstrong was moved to the right. Coach Bora Milutinovic got another look at Claudio Reyna and Dario Brose.
The second half was more lively, especially after the Swiss goal spurred the United States to take chances. The goal was set up by a shot from Switzerland’s Nestor Subiat. That was blocked by Friedel, but the rebound was kicked in by Sebastien Fournier in the 65th minute.
The U.S. goal came in the 88th minute.
But what was learned? The United States got a good look at a counterattacking team that is opportunistic and dangerous. The Swiss saw a team that was fit and learning to organize itself more consistently.
“They (the Swiss) react well to changing situations,” U.S. assistant Timo Liekoski said. “When they get the ball, they love to play it forward quickly.”
Tying the Swiss, Lalas said, “shows we can hang.”
