The USA's 11-game winning streak is in danger of coming to a close after a bad giveaway and loose defending have allowed Bosnia and Herzegovina to open up a 2-0 lead. Goals from Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic are the difference after 45 minutes in Sarajevo.
USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Halftime score 0-2, Dzeko and Ibisevic have the Zmajevi comfortably in front
Lackadaisical passing and sketchy defending has the United States down 2-0 to Bosnia and Herzegovina at halftime.
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Bosnia put the USA on it’s heels from the opening whistle and while the U.S. squad earned a couple counter-attack chances, Edin Dzeko did not waste his first opportunity in the eighth minute.
After a horrible giveaway right at the top of the 18-yard box by Eddie Johnson, Dzeko delayed his run just enough to stay onside and broke free behind the USA defense. Tim Howard was able to block the Manchester City striker's initial shot, but the rebound returned right to Dzeko who rolled his shot past Howard, giving the Zmajevi a 1-0 lead.
The U.S. garnered a penalty shot in the 18th minute after Mix Diskerud appeared to go down after some contact, but it was hardly a clear-cut call and the referee wasn’t interested.
After some better play from the Americans, Bosnia once again punished the U.S. for some poor defending.
In the 30th minute, the U.S. managed to clear and initial corner kick, but the ball was quickly controlled by Bosnia and fired back into the box where Vedad Ibisevic was waiting. The former St. Louis University player stayed active after the clearance, lost his mark in front of the U.S. goal and headed the cross past Howard to extend the lead to 2-0.
Ibisevic appeared to be offside on the play, but there was no call from the linesman.
There’s plenty of work to be done for Jurgen Klinsmann and his team in the second half if they want to get back into this match.
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