Cardiff City winger Anthony Pilkington took advantage of a Matt Besler mistake to give Ireland a 1-0 lead of the United States men’s national team at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday.
But Mikkel Morgenstar Pålssønn “Mix” Diskerud scored his 6th goal in a USMNT uniform and third this year to equalize, and the game is 1-1 at half.
Despite a sizable advantage in early possession for the US, it was Ireland who scored first when Pilkington took advantage of a positioning blunder from Besler.
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The Sporting KC defender went for the offside trap with partner Geoff Cameron running deep and David McGoldrick played a brilliant through ball. Make no mistake about it, though, Besler should’ve done much better.
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Taylor Twellman reported that 10-15 scouts were in Dublin to watch free agent Diskerud play for the USMNT, and the midfielder was active if a bit sloppy in the first half before turning up the pressure for a 38th minute equalizer.
Diskerud pressured Ireland into a turnover that finished with a Jozy Altidore cross that Chris Wondolowski headed for the “Mixtape’s” first touch goal.
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The US did a lot of attacking, with plenty of corners (seven in the half). Ale Bedoya played several short, and Fabian Johnson struck the post with a left-footed shot in the 21st minute.
Ireland moved past Geoff Cameron for another big chance in the 28th minute, only for Bill Hamid to come up with a big save.
Beckerman picked up a yellow card in the 37th minute after sliding at Pilkington, who theatrically went airborne.
Altidore cranked a shot off the goal post in the 43rd minute as the US quality started to shine.
LINEUPS
Ireland: Given; Christie, Pearce, Clark, Meyler; Quinn, Brady, Pilkington, Murphy; McGoldrick, Stokes.
Goal: Pilkington (7')
Subs: Elliot (GK), Randolph (GK), Keogh, Coleman, O’Shea, Hendrick, McGeady, McLean, Long, Walters.
United States: Hamid; F. Johnson, Cameron, Besler, Chandler; Beckerman; Bedoya, Diskerud, Morales; Wondolowski, Altidore.
Goal: Diskerud (38')
Subs: Johnson (GK), Ream, Garza, Rubin, Ibarra, Green, Wood, Morris.