Judge’s 90th-minute goal lifts Ireland over U.S.
Alan Judge scored on a leftfooted shot in the 90th minute as Ireland rallied in the second half for a 2-1 win over the United States at Dublin on Saturday night in an exhibition between nations that failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Bobby Wood put the U.S. ahead in first-half stoppage time, but goalkeeper Bill Hamid’s error led to a tying goal by Graham Burke early in the second half.
The U.S. lost for the first time since Dave Sarachan took over as interim coach and fell to 0-6 in Ireland. The Americans had two wins and two ties in their first four games after Sarachan replaced Bruce Arena, who quit after the U.S. was eliminated in World Cup qualifying.
They play France at Lyon next Saturday in what may be their final match before a permanent coach is hired.
Wood scored about 30 seconds into first-half injury time. Wil Trapp took a free kick from about 40 yards and Matt Miazga, just inside the penalty area, headed the ball into the 6-yard box. Wood split defenders James McClean and Jeff Hendrick, stuck out his right foot about 4 yards and poked the ball past goalkeeper Colin Doyle for his 12th goal in 38 international appearances.
Ireland tied the score after cutting back a corner kick. The ball was lofted into the penalty area, and Hamid came off his line only to run into midfielder Weston McKennie. The ball was headed out to the 6 where Darragh Lenihan, making his Ireland debut, took a touch off his chest to settle and then sent a shot on goal. Burke, who made his international debut in Monday’s 2-0 loss at France, deflected the ball at the goal line and ended a 386-minute scoreless streak for the U.S. dating to a November exhibition at Portugal.
Judge, a second-half sub, scored his first goal in four international appearances from short range, sending the ball into the roof of the goal. Hamid, playing his sixth international match, also was in goal for the Americans’ previous game in Ireland, a 4-1 defeat in November 2014.
Defenders Tim Parker and Shaq Moore and midfielder Luca de la Torre entered in the second half, raising the total of debuts under Sarachan to 18 in five matches.
Both teams wore rainbow numbers as part of a celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month.
John O’Shea started for Ireland in what he said was his international farewell. The 37-year-old defender, who came out in the 34th minute, made his 118th appearance, third on Ireland’s career list behind Robbie Keane (146) and Shay Given (134).