The U.S. men’s national team wrapped up its maiden first-team voyage under new head coach Gregg Berhalter with a 1-1 draw against Chile at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday.
[ MORE: Zardes-to-Pulisic gives USMNT the early lead ]
The goals came early, and came in quick succession. Christian Pulisic opened the scoring with just four minutes on the clock (WATCH HERE), courtesy of a deftly received and played ball from Gyasi Zardes to split the Chilean backline. Pulisic raced into the penalty area all alone and chipped Gabriel Arias with a touch even more deft than the one Zardes used to set him up.
Pulisic, at the age of 20 years and 189 days, became the youngest American player to double-digit goals.
The lead lasted just five minutes, though, as the ball pinballed around the USMNT’s 18-yard box, a handful of defenders able to boot it clear. Eventually, it fell Oscar Opazo at a very tight angle, but he put his left foot through the ball and fit it just inside Ethan Horvath’s right-hand post.
¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLL!! Chile responde rápidamente y con un riflazo de Óscar Opazo marca de zurdita papá@USMNT 🇺🇸 1-1 🇨🇱 @laRoja
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) March 27, 2019
Disfruta el partido EN VIVO 👉 https://t.co/0z9gvqr4wl pic.twitter.com/0gmZyK466Q
Pulisic’s night ended just after the half-hour mark when he was subbed off with a right leg injury. Initially, it looked as though Pulisic was favoring his knee, but once he reached the bench the trainers appeared to be examining his quad. Berhalter announced after the game that Pulisic was already undergoing an MRI>
🚨🚨 ¡¡Se prenden las alarmas en Team USA!! 🚨🚨@USMNT 🇺🇸 1-1 🇨🇱 @laRoja
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) March 27, 2019
Disfruta el partido EN VIVO 👉 https://t.co/0z9gvqr4wl pic.twitter.com/lmu4aTQIfl
Zardes went very close to putting the USMNT back ahead in the 55th minute, as he was quickest to react after Cristian Roldan was clattered atop the penalty area and the ball squirted free. Zardes pounced and glided past the last remaining defender, but skied his shot with Arias racing out.
The Yanks will convene again in late-May, when they begin preparations for the 2019 Gold Cup following a June 9 friendly against Jamaica.