Adams sparks win over Mexico
Goal gives Americans their first win over rival in three years
NASHVILLE, TENN. >> Tyler Adams showed he might be able to help when the rebuilding U.S. soccer team resumes competitive matches next June. So did Antonee Robinson and goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
Adams scored his first international goal, four minutes after Angel Zaldivar was ejected for a studs-up tackle, and the United States rebounded from a poor first half for a 1-0 victory over Mexico on Tuesday night and their first win over El Tri in three years.
“We wanted to show our character and pride for the country, and we went out there and battled at times,” Adams said. “Maybe at the beginning the soccer wasn’t there completely, it got a little chippy at times, but we handled ourselves well. “
A 19-year-old who made his national team debut last November, Adams scored after Kellyn Acosta passed to a sprinting Antonee Robinson on the left flank. Robinson crossed for Adams, who one-timed the ball from the penalty spot past debuting goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez.
Adams has started for three seasons with Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and may transfer in January to the Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig, owned by the
same parent company.
“He’s a winner this kid, and I think I’ve been really pleased in terms of his growth with the ball in tight spots,” U.S. interim coach Dave Sarachan said. “We know that he can run and cover ground and win tackles and compete. But at the next level now can you do the next part? And that’s have a presence with the ball and picking your spots so it just keeps getting better.”
The left-footed Robinson, burned by Diego Costa with a cross that led to Brazil’s opening goal in a 2-0 loss Friday, had replaced rightfooted Eric Lichaj at left back in the 56th minute.
“I just saw the defenders dropping really deep toward the goal so I cut it back across so hopefully someone could get on the end of it, and thankfully Tyler did,” Robinson said. “And it was a really great finish.
Adams called Robinson’s cross good timing, with the ball trickling right to him.
“So watching it was like in slo-mo, the ball just came to me and I was able to finish it,” Adams said.
Mexico played a man short after Zaldivar took down U.S. captain Wil Trapp in the 67th minute, and the U.S. immediately surged in its attack.
U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie was replaced in the 40th minute with a sprained left knee that appeared to occur without contact. McKennie, a
20-year-old who has become a regular with Schalke in the Bundesliga, will have a scan Wednesday.
Zack Steffen made three saves for his second shutout in five international appearances, and appears set to compete with 34-yearold Brad Guzan for the No. 1 goalkeeper’s job over the new World Cup cycle.
The U.S. has three wins, two losses and three draws under Sarachan, who took over last October after Bruce Arena quit when the Americans failed to qualify for the World Cup. General manager Earnie Stewart plans to announce a permanent coach later this year. The Americans had two losses and a tie in their previous three matches against Mexico, including a home defeat and a road draw in World Cup qualifying.