On the same day Mauricio Pochettino was (finally) named new USMNT head coach, captain Christian Pulisic gave the Yanks a late lead before a comical equalizer doomed Pochettino’s new side to a 1-1 draw with New Zealand in Cincinnati on Tuesday.
WATCH USMNT v NEW ZEALAND FULL MATCH REPLAY EN ESPANOL ON PEACOCK
Pulisic scored USMNT goal no. 31 off the bench in the 69th minute, when Folarin Balogun held the ball up well and found Pulisic with a pass to the left flank. Pulisic got inside his defender and hit a low bouncer just inside the far post.
The Americans thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half as Ricardo Pepi got in behind the Kiwi defense and hit his own fizzer inside the far post, but the VAR deemed that the PSV striker committed a shoulder-to-shoulder foul while running onto the through ball.
[ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino named new USMNT head coach ]
It was all looking straightforward as the final few minutes of the second half wound down, until suddenly New Zealand were level through no doing of their own. A high, bouncing ball got in behind Mark McKenzie and Chris Richards, but McKenzie was well in position to win and clear the ball 20 yards from goal — and so he did. Only, the ball hit off Ben Waine and looped high into the air as Matt Turner scrambled back toward his goal line.
Player ratings - USA vs New Zealand
USMNT vs New Zealand live updates — by Andy Edwards
USMNT vs New Zealand final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Christian Pulisic (69'), Ben Waine (89')
GOAL! USA 1-1 New Zealand: Mark McKenzie clears the ball off Ben Waine outside the box, looping over Matt Turner
The strangest goal you'll see today. 😳
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 11, 2024
Mark McKenzie's clearance deflects off New Zealand's Ben Waine and loops over Matt Turner's head for a shock equalizer.
📺 NBC Universo and Peacock pic.twitter.com/saSL4CfikB
GOAL! USA 1-0 New Zealand: Finally, Christian Pulisic picks out the far post to break the deadlock (69')
CHRISTIAN PULISIC BREAKS THE DEADLOCK. 🇺🇸💥
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 11, 2024
The USMNT leads New Zealand 1-0 in Cincy!
📺 NBC Universo and Peacock pic.twitter.com/sJTnf7B7Yo
BIG SAVE! Yunus Musah fires a fizzer from long range and nearly scores before halftime (45'+1)
Until (if ever) the USMNT finds its unicorn no. 9 (or no. 10), they could do with a few more long-range shots (on target) to threaten the goalkeeper and (more importantly) pull the opposing defense out from deep. Maybe that would open a little space to play in behind because as things currently stand, opponents give them none.
VAR! NO GOAL! Ricardo Pepi’s goal ruled out for a foul by the striker (19')
Pepi got the best of the defender as the ball rolled into the penalty area, but eventually the VAR made the call that he had committed a foul in the shoulder-to-shoulder challenge on the edge of the box. The finish was taken expertly, which is even more of a shame for a USMNT still seeking a consistent goalscorer.
USMNT starting lineup
Turner - Fossey, Richards, McKenzie, Lund - Morris, Musah, Aaronson - Balogun, Pepi, Wright
How to watch USMNT vs New Zealand live, stream link and start time
Kickoff time: 7pm ET Tuesday (Sept. 10)
Venue: TQL Stadium - Cincinnati, Ohio
How to watch: En Espanol on Universo, Peacock
USMNT team news, focus
Simply put it was a very disappointing performance from the USMNT against Canada. Yes, they were missing key players in Robinson, Dest, Reyna, McKennie, Adams and Weah, but they still lacked fight and desire and made so many basic errors in possession. Christian Pulisic was busy, as ever, and the likes of Luca de la Torre, Haji Wright and Aidan Morris are pushing for starts after having a big impact off the bench. With Pochettino reportedly set to arrive soon, a lot of this USMNT squad need to put in a big performance to make sure they are on his radar, in a positive sense, for October.
New Zealand team news, focus
Chris Wood just keeps on going, and the 32-year-old has had a very good start to the season at Nottingham Forest with two goals in his first three Premier League games. He is also New Zealand’s all-time leading goalscorer with 34 goals. The likes of Ben Waine, Matthew Garbett and Alex Paulsen from the Olympic squad are all with the full national team, while veteran center back Michael Boxall will be a name MLS fans know well.
USMNT vs New Zealand prediction
This feels like the USMNT will hit back in a big way and there is just no way they’ll lack intensity and drive on Tuesday with Pulisic and Co. looking angry with themselves after the loss to Canada. Expect a big win. USMNT 3-0 New Zealand.