Late surge powers U.S. to win over El Salvador
It was evident in the fist-pumping reaction of forward Brian Ching. Plenty of emotion there.
It was obvious in the delirious, arms-spread-wide run to the sideline by midfielder Sacha Kljestan. All sorts of relief there.
Wednesday night’s 2-1 international soccer victory over El Salvador in Tampa, Fla., was more than a game for the U.S. players. It was about keeping alive the dream of being on the plane when the team heads to the World Cup in June.
Ching’s tying goal in the 75th minute and Kljestan’s winning goal in the second minute of injury time very well could have secured the two a trip to South Africa.
At the very least, they probably will be on the team that U.S. Coach Bob Bradley selects to play the Netherlands in a far more significant warmup game in Amsterdam on March 3.
Also helping their cause Wednesday night in the rain-soaked match at Raymond James Stadium were left back Heath Pearce, who provided the cross off which Ching scored with a well-taken header; defender Clarence Goodson; and midfielder Eddie Gaven, whose ability to draw fouls gave the U.S. a string of free kicks.
Robbie Rogers, too, showed flashes of potential, but perhaps not quite enough. Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein, at center back instead of wide left, and forward Conor Casey, who was replaced by Ching after the first half, did enough to stay in the hunt.
The U.S. -- playing its second warmup game of the year and again featuring a lineup primarily made up of Major League Soccer players -- was trying to rebound from January’s 3-1 loss to Honduras in Carson.
It accomplished that much, even though it had to come from behind.
“I thought there were a lot of positives,” Bradley said, “Some good efforts. Some positive things.”
El Salvador, whose own game is on the rise despite not qualifying for the World Cup, took the lead in the 59th minute when U.S. right back Brad Evans headed the ball back in the direction of goalkeeper Nick Rimando, but El Salvador’s Rudis Corrales intercepted the pass and beat Rimando with a well-placed shot.
Until the final 15 minutes, when El Salvador’s defense visibly tired, it appeared that the goal would stand up. But the U.S. persevered and was rewarded in the 75th minute when Ching finally beat goalkeeper Miguel Montes, who had made a series of fine saves.
It was Ching’s 11th goal in 44 games for the U.S. The Hawaiian-born forward was on the 2006 World Cup squad but did not play in the event.
Kljestan intercepted the ball 1 minute 10 seconds into injury time, exchanged passes with Ching and slotted home the winning goal.
For Kljestan, it was a case of third time lucky. During regulation, he twice failed to beat Montes with shots that could and should have been struck with more authority and more precision.
Small wonder he spread his arms and took off on a celebratory run. Almost like an aircraft taking off for South Africa.
grahame.jones @latimes.com
Jones reported from Los Angeles
