SOCCER : U.S. Rallies to Tie Bolivia, 1-1, in Joe Robbie Cup

The U.S. national soccer team graciously accepted the congratulations of Vice President Al Gore, who waded through the locker room slapping the backs of players as if they had done something spectacular and not merely tied Bolivia, 1-1, Friday night in the Joe Robbie Cup.

The young Americans, who played before 15,676 at Joe Robbie Stadium, hardly merited such accolades, although they are making some progress and now have a 1-1-4 record this year.

Playing in a gusty wind on a rain-soaked field, the United States again came from behind, a characteristic that would be more cheering except for the fact that it so consistently finds itself behind. Spotting World Cup opponents early goals this summer probably won’t permit similar results.

“It’s a problem,” U.S. defender Desmond Armstrong said. “But I think we showed a lot of character to be able to come back.”

Because Colombia and Sweden played to a scoreless tie in an earlier game, all four teams in the tournament share first place. The United States will play Sweden on Sunday.

The U.S. team’s inability to finish on a winning note has become an ongoing problem. What materialized Friday night was a lack of organization on defense. Goalkeeper Tony Meola faced more breakaways than usual.

A day earlier, assistant coach Timo Liekoski had emphatically maintained that the team had solved its defensive problems.

Armstrong said: “There were some misjudgments on head balls, but I think we settled down in the second half.”

Cobi Jones got the tying goal in the 78th minute after Mike Burns sent a free kick his way on the left side. Jones, shifty and deceptive on the ball and difficult to mark, dribbled toward the goal with only a backpedaling defender in front of him.

His sharp shot was almost saved by a sliding Bolivian, who only succeeded in knocking the ball after it crossed the goal line.

“Burnsie looked at me and I knew he was going to get me the ball,” Jones said. “I didn’t have anyone to cross to and I dribbled it in. I wasn’t at a good angle, and I hoped it would hit something.”

Bolivia’s goal came in the 44th minute and resulted from a U.S. defensive lapse and a creative play by the goalscorer, Jaime Moreno. He got the ball from Alvaro Pena and raced down the right side. Desmond Armstrong went back to defend, but didn’t make it in time.

Armstrong said he was stuck in the midfield when the team got caught on a counterattack.

Meola lunged to his left, and Moreno took off the other way. His bouncing kick went in off the hand of Alexi Lalas of the the United States. The referee apparently ignored the inadvertent handball because Moreno’s shot was clearly going in.

Moreno was the game’s most active player and was able to exploit the frequent instances when American players were out of position.

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The earlier game between Colombia and Sweden was played in driving rain.

Both teams were a man short as Joachim Bjorkland of Sweden and Carlos Valderrama were sent off. Neither player may take part in Sunday’s matches. Colombia will play Bolivia before the United States-Sweden game.

Valderrama revealed after the game that he had an injured right knee. Team officials said Valderrama would undergo an MRI examination.