The United States' 2013 ended on a sour note as a 1-0 loss to Austria on Tuesday closed the book on what was an otherwise remarkable year for the Americans. Marc Janko scored the match's lone goal in the first half and the U.S. never found an equalizer as the Austrians prevailed in Vienna.
Austria vs. USA: Final score 1-0, Janko’s goal downs the USMNT
Marc Janko’s goal was enough for Austria to upend the U.S.
Playing without a slew of their best players, either through injury or club commitment, the U.S. underwhelmed for the second straight match, but even some of their better players struggled. Jermaine Jones, in particular, had a tough match as he gave the ball away with regularity, while DaMarcus Beasley had a couple missteps.
It was John Brooks who just about handed the match to Austria, though. Gyorgy Garcis got down the right before hitting a low cross that Brooks should have easily crossed, but the teenager let the ball bounce over his foot and to Janko, who buried his chance to give the home side a lead in the 33rd minute.
Still, the U.S. should have scored before Janko got on the scoreboard. Austria handled a ball in the box and knocked it over the line for what should have either been a goal or penalty, but the referee didn’t rule either and the Americans were left with nothing.
The U.S. got better in the second half, with Jozy Altidore getting some chances and the substitution of Mix Diskerud opening up the American attack, but their chances either went just wide, were stopped by Robert Almer or were denied by some fine last ditch defending.
Even with their late chances the U.S. was sloppy, and while a draw would have been a fair result, it wasn’t as if the American overwhelmed Austria. The home side had their fair share of chances as well in a pretty even match and in the end, Janko’s goal proved to be the difference as Austria handed the U.S. a loss to finish off 2013.
Austria: Almer, Garics, Dragovic, Fuchs, Hinteregger, Arrnautovic, Hinterseer, Harnik, Leitgeb, Alaba, Janko.
Goals: Janko 33’.
United States: Howard, Gonzalez, Brooks, Beasley, Cameron, Bradley, Johannson, Bedoya, Jones, Shea, Altidore.
More in Soccer:
See More:
