U.S. Dominates but Can’t Score on Russia in 2-0 Loss

Seeking additional experience before the start of World Cup 2002 qualifying in July, the U.S. national soccer team traveled to Moscow for a Wednesday evening game against Russia.

It got the experience but not the victory.

The Russians, outplayed for much of the match, won, 2-0, on goals by Igor Titov in the 63rd minute and Valery Karpin in the 92nd.

The crowd of 12,500 at Dynamo Stadium could not have failed to recognize, however, that while Russia won the game, the U.S. was the more creative and dynamic team.

“This was a difficult game for us because of the travel and some last-minute injuries, but that’s not an excuse,” U.S. Coach Bruce Arena said. “We put ourselves in position to win this game.”

Russian goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin, in his national team debut, made a series of spectacular saves as the U.S. outshot its hosts, 14-8, on a warm evening in Moscow.