Using a makeshift lineup that featured one international debutante, another who had never started, no defensive midfielder and inverted full backs, the United States managed a 1-0 win over Czech Republic on Wednesday in Prague. The United States got a first half goal from Alejandro Bedoya and then rode Nick Rimando goalkeeping to victory.
Czech Republic vs. United States: Final score 0-1, Makeshift lineup comes through for USMNT
Alejandro Bedoya scores and Nick Rimando comes up big.
Despite a clearly experimental lineup, the United States were able to more than hold their own in the first half. Although the Czechs had a couple good looks, the Americans actually held a possession advantage and won nearly twice as many duels over the first 45 minutes.
Their statistical advantage eventually bore fruit in the 39th minute when Mix Diskerud was able to pick the ball off Vladimir Darida following a questionable decision from Petr Cech to play the ball into the middle of the park. Diskerud quickly raced ahead of the defense and opted to shoot from about 16 yards out with Jozy Altidore and Bedoya crashing in from the wings.
Although Cech was able to make the initial save, his rebound went right to the feet of Bedoya who tapped it into the net for a 1-0 lead.
The Czechs were able to get at least two good chances before the USMNT’s goal, both coming in transition. But John Brooks was able to make a sliding tackle to break up a dangerous cross in the 20th minute. Just a few minutes before he helped set up Bedoya’s goal, Diskerud’s giveaway nearly put the USMNT in a hole. But Tomas Rosicky’s pass to Darida at a wide open back post was a bit too long, allowing the United States to escape.
Once the slew of halftime substitutions had been made, Czech Republic had the far better of the match, pinning the United States back for the bulk of the second 45 minutes. Despite several good looks, some poor finishing and strong goalkeeping from Rimando kept the United States’ lead intact.
Rimando’s first big test came in the 60th minute when Rosicky forced the goalkeeper into a kick save. A few minutes later, the United States defense was left scrambling after a forced to to make some scrambling attempts around the 65th minute, but the Czechs couldn’t quite find the final touch.
Rimando was forced to make two more result-preserving saves in the final five minutes, as well. First he stopped Reznik who had a good look through traffic in the 86th minute and then he managed to stop Daniel Pudil on a breakaway in the 89th minute. Pudil had gotten behind the defense off a deflection and looked to be in on goal, but Rimando came off his line and got just enough of the shot to send it wide.
Czech Republic: Cech; Kaderabek (Reznik 45’), Prochaszka, Kadlec, Limbersky; Darida (Dockal 80’), Jiracek (Petrzela 45’), Rosicky, Pilar (Vacha 45’), Krejci (Pudil 69’); Vydra (Kolar 46’)
Goals: none
United States: Guzan (Rimando 45’); Johnson, Orozco (Ream 45’), Brooks, Chandler (Garza 62’); Bedoya (Hyndman 67’), Corona (Shea 63’), Diskerud (Morales 63’); Gyau, Altidore (c), Green
Goals: Bedoya (39’)
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