U.S. gets past Switzerland
The United States national soccer team scored a rare victory in Europe on Wednesday when a late goal by Michael Bradley gave the Americans a 1-0 win over Switzerland in Basel.
Bradley, the son of Coach Bob Bradley, poked home a loose ball in the 86th minute of a rain-soaked exhibition that saw three U.S. players -- Maurice Edu, Robbie Findley and Danny Szetela -- make their national team debuts.
The win ended a five-game losing streak for the U.S. and left the elder Bradley with an 11-5-1 record in his first year as coach. “The credit goes to the team for sticking together, being organized, not giving too much away and finding a way to win the game,” Bob Bradley said.
Elsewhere, in more meaningful games, defending champion Greece, the Czech Republic and Romania all qualified for next summer’s European Championships, which will be co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland.
The Greeks beat Turkey, 1-0, in Istanbul to clinch their spot. The Czechs demolished Germany, 3-0, in Munich, handing the Germans, who already had qualified, only their second loss since the World Cup. The Romanians secured their place by shutting out Luxembourg, 2-0, on the road.
England, however, stumbled, losing, 2-1, to Russia in Moscow. Wayne Rooney gave England the lead in the first half but committed a foul in the second half that allowed the Russians to tie it on a penalty kick. They took the lead four minutes later and held on to win.
Croatia needs one point from its last two games, against Macedonia and England, to advance. Russia closes against Israel and Andorra and winning both games would put it through. England has only the game against Croatia remaining.
“I can’t believe it’s out of our hands,” said midfielder Stephen Gerrard. “For England not to make the finals would be unthinkable.”
Scotland’s hopes also were damaged when it lost, 2-0, to Georgia in Tbilisi, leaving the door open for France and Italy to overtake it.
France overcame Lithuania, 2-0, in Nantes, with Thierry Henry scoring both goals to become France’s all-time leading goal scorer, surpassing the legendary Michel Platini.
“It is a huge pleasures,” said Henry, who has scored 43 goals in 96 games for France. “I can’t find the words. I’m overwhelmed.”
In World Cup qualifying play in South America, Colombia registered its second consecutive 0-0 tie, this time against Bolivia in La Paz after earlier tying Brazil at home in Bogota.
Defense-minded Uruguay, which had thrashed Bolivia, 5-0, in its opener, was beaten, 1-0, by Paraguay in Asuncion.
Chile overcame Peru, 2-0, in Santiago, and five-time world champion Brazil, playing its first home game in two years, rolled over Ecuador, 5-0, in front of 70,000 in Rio de Janeiro on two goals by Kaka and one each by Vagner Love, Ronaldinho and Elano.
Kristine Lilly and Abby Wambach scored in the U.S. women’s 4-0 exhibition victory over Mexico at Portland, Ore. Natasha Kai and Carli Lloyd added late goals.
