Tyler Adams was born on Valentine’s Day, and Tuesday might be the day he made USMNT supporters fall in love.
Following a decent performance against Brazil, Adams scored a second half goal as a young USMNT beat a young Mexico 1-0 in Nashville.
The USMNT next faces Peru and Colombia on Oct. 11 and 16, respectively.
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TYLER ADAMS SCORES HIS FIRST FOR #USMNT!!!@ussoccer_mnt | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/KeLhrhbmzL
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) September 12, 2018
El Tri weathered early U.S. possession on a wet field, with the most notable battle that of USMNT left back Eric Lichaj and all comers on his side of the pitch.
The Yanks had some trouble clearing a dangerous 14th minute free kick. A corner kick soon followed, and Zack Steffen acted quickly to slap Edson Alvarez’s header over the bar and collect the second corner. He’d corral a header five minutes later.
Gyasi Zardes drew a free kick on the edge of the Mexico 18 in the 27th minute, and Kellyn Acosta had two cracks at it but missed the second wide of the near post.
Steffen gave away a free kick on the right edge with a risky effort to collect a long ball, but Diego Lainez’s low shot was easily turned away by the wall. Lainez then set up Alvarado with a shimmy past Wil Trapp, but Alvarado was unable to get much on his in-tight shot to Steffen.
The Yanks got a rare bit of attack in the 40th minute, but Weah’s penalty shout was denied before he lashed over the bar moments later. An injury to McKennie then gave way to Julian Green.
Zardes laid off for Weah in the 42nd minute, and the PSG teen forced Hugo Gonzalez into a low save.
[ MORE: Richarlison scores beauty for Brazil ]
What a moment for Tyler Adams. Was blown away by his composure pre-game discussing what it feels like to be a New Yorker representing the US on 9/11. Made me think to myself, "I hope I have his poise when I am 19." Then I remembered I am 47 🇺🇸🙌
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) September 12, 2018
Weah and Green were especially energetic in the second half, and a Zardes hustle play won the Yanks a 61st minute corner.
Zardes then lunged but couldn’t reach substitute Antonee Robinson’s inviting cross to the near post.
Matt Miazga then went chest-to-chest with the much smaller Lainez, and there was a meeting between 18-20 of the players on the field as the Nantes center back gestured his difference in height.
Moments later, Mexico took it over the edge. Angel Zaldivar went studs-up with a sliding tackle to Trapp’s ankle and earned a sending off.
Adams then put the Yanks ahead, darting into the box to get his first USMNT goal. There was a bit of redemption for Robinson, too, who earned the assist as a sub after a tough Friday against Brazil.
New Yorker scores the winner on 9/11.
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 12, 2018
MOTM @tyler_adams14 on the 🎤 pic.twitter.com/TPAb2jgbVd
