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Friendly
Match Reports
& Pictures by USA 0:0 ARGENTINA Goals LINE-UPS USA ARGENTINA Referee:
Aguilar Chicas Joel (SLV) MATCH REPORT Goalkeeper Tim Howard spoilt the party for the Argentines as the US Men’s national team managed an impressive 0-0 draw in a friendly match against current world No. 1 Argentina at the Giants Stadium, New Jersey, in front of a record crowd of 78,682 fans which is the 4th largest ever at the stadium. It was a home match for the USA but joyful Argentines were not ready to lose the battle off the field. The enthusiastic fans gathered at the stadium area well before the match. They had started singing, dancing and playing small sided football matches in small groups. The fans were having fun with lots of beer and sausages. Though Argentines are clearly ahead but still US supporters also tried their best to match their counterparts. It seems like a football fair where everyone is having fun, showing their spirit and respect to each other’s nation and culture. Only football can bring such an atmosphere. A lucky draw form has been requested to fill up and submit in the drop box as soon as the fans enter the stadium. Lucky draw winners were supposed to get a T-Shirt of US or Argentinean National Team. There were lot of fun activities arranged by the sponsors outside the stadium arena. Out of many one was hitting the target from the penalty spot. There will be a lucky draw among the goal scorers and the winner was offered a 3-days 2-night free trip by the sponsors. Unlike
our country, many companies like McDonalds, Nike come forward and take
part in the match build-up through various ways. McDonalds distributing
free samples of Iced Lemon Tea, Nike was offering free tattoo and lockets
to the fans. Some of them were offering free magazines, posters, etc.
As a whole these companies chose the venue for their product launching
and campaigning which we can hardly see in our country. Kasey Keller, one of the best goalkeepers in the history of U.S. Soccer, was honoured before the game for earning his 100th cap last year. Like many times in the game, Howard stopped Julio Cruz’s shot in the 5th minutes of the game and Argentina lost their best chance of the match. Howard denied Messi and brigade repeatedly in the first half and undoubtedly became the Man of the Match. He made a point blank save from the penalty spot in the 28th minute to deny Cruz and Argentina to take the lead. In the first half, USA lost their only opportunity when Johnson’s header went outside. In the final moment of the first half, Messi lifted a ball over the US defence and a lucky bounce allowed Cruz to trap the ball on the run but his low drive was blocked by Howard. Argentina lost their shine after Messi was taken off at halftime and rarely threatened in the second half. The hosts were unlucky not to go ahead when Mastroeni headed against the crossbar just three minutes after the restart. In the 52nd minute, Referee Aguilar Chicas Joel denied Argentina a penalty when Howard blocked Aguero inside the penalty area. Two players - one from each squad – were sent off the field for earning two yellow cards. Pablo Mastroeni was sent off in the 71st minute and Javier Mascherano followed him in the 86th minute. After almost a full game of clear weather, the skies opened up over the field in the 84th minute and the USA missed their last chance to pull out a victory when Kljestan’s shot from Donovan’s pass went outside the post, leaving relieved Argentines so that they could get into the party mood in the night after the match. Finally, Thanks to the New Jersey Police & Transport Department, the way they handled the crowd and arranged the buses after the match in a very quick time, it was unbelievable, they deserve it. BOOKINGS Yellow Cards: Pablo Mastroeni (60'), Maurice Edu (70', both USA); Nicolas Burdisso (18'), Gabriel Heinze (84'), Lisandro Lopez (86', all Argentina) Yellow-Red Card: Pablo Mastroeni (71', USA) Red Card: Javier Mascherano (86', Argentina) Man
of the Match
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