The United States National Soccer team has defeated fellow World Cup finalist Uruguay 2-1, in a friendly international match at RFK Stadium here in Washington. Good performances Sunday and in the two remaining friendlies, could spell the difference between being a World Cup starter or a back-up.
Tony Sanneh made his mark early, heading in Jeff Agoos' corner kick in the sixth minute to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. The U.S. made it 2-0 in the 40th minute, as DeMarcus Beasley tracked down his own rebound and tallied from eight meters out.
"I was able to get behind my defender. I had a one-on-one. I cut inside, and my shot did not go in at first," said Mr. Beasley. "I just tried to beat the other defender to it and put it in."
Uruguay came out attacking in the second half, and after a number of impressive saves by American goalie Brad Friedel, made it 2-1 on a goal from Sebastian Abreu in the 60th. The visitor's aggressive play continued, marked by four second-half yellow cards. But the U.S. held on to win, 2-1.
The biggest question remains who will start in goal for Team USA at the World Cup, Brad Friedel or Kasey Keller. U.S. Coach Bruce Arena was impressed with Friedel's play Sunday.
"[He] looked pretty good to me. The problem with that is now Keller's gonna have a good game Thursday. Those guys rarely have bad games," he said.
Team USA continues its World Cup preparations as it faces Jamaica Thursday in East Rutherford, New Jersey and plays the Netherlands in Foxboro, Massachusetts next Sunday.