Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Haji Wright scored two goals and the United States defeated Australia 2-1 on Tuesday, snapping the Socceroos’ 12-match unbeaten streak in an international football friendly at Denver. The Australians had been on a seven-match win streak, including a 1-0 victory last Friday over Canada at Montreal, and surrendered only two goals in their past five matches. The Aussies have qualified to compete in next year’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Americans, who drew Ecuador 1-1 at Austin last Friday, rallied for their first comeback triumph under coach Mauricio Pochettino. Australian wing back Jordan Bos, a 22-year-old who plays for Dutch side Feyenoord, opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Bos rushed in from the left side and banged home a left-footed shot into the far lower corner of the net for his second international goal.
Related news
“It was a difficult first half for us,” Wright said. “We started a little slow. We made some mistakes and they grabbed a goal pretty early. But after that score we woke up and were able to perform really well. Our intensity went up and we were able to keep the ball in play and make more chances for ourselves.”
Wright answered for the Americans in the 33rd minute off an assist from Cristian Roldan and scored again in the 51st minute, firing a left-footed shot from the right side inside the far post, also off a set-up from Roldan. Wright, a 27-year-old striker for England’s Coventry City, scored his sixth and seventh international goals while earning his 19th cap.
“I believe in myself and these guys make it pretty easy,” said Wright of his teammates. “Playing at home in front of this crowd, it feels great to me.”
© 2024 AFP
