The choice of USA won this Monday 1-0 at The Savior and qualified for the semifinals of CONCACAF Nations Leaguefinishing as the leader of group D ahead of the Salvadoran team, which needs a victory on American soil to advance.
After losing to Honduras (0-1) on March 22, El Salvador lost in Orlando with a goal in the 62nd minute by Ricardo Pepi, a Groningen forward, on loan from Augsburg. The United States, unbeaten in El Salvador since 1993, with a record of 17 wins and five draws, will play in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League next June. They closed the group stage with two wins in the last three days, after a resounding 7-1 endorsement of Granada at home.
El Salvador had a good chance to break the tie with a chance caused by a throw-in from midfield. Brayan Gil received the ball on the edge of the area and offered it to Jairo Henríquez, whose curling shot with his right foot was sent into the corner by a great save from goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Defensively, the Salvadoran team managed to contain the American technique and only had one real chance, on the brink of halftime, when Weston McKennie saved a header after a cross was deflected towards Chrstian Pulisic’s far post. Earlier, Gio Reyna, with a change of pace on the three-quarter line, opened up spaces and unleashed a low right-footed shot from 25 meters that goalkeeper Mario González sent for a corner without any particular that’s a problem.
But the US team stepped up their attack early on and gave a warning of that in the 45th second when Gio Reyna smashed a low shot with his right foot onto a post. El Salvador’s defense would hold out for another 17 minutes, but in the 62nd minute the United States broke the tie with a great goal from Ricardo Pepi, who had just jumped onto the field.
The former Dallas FC forward took advantage of a great vertical pass from McKennie and beat the goalkeeper with a beautiful right-footed lob. Pepi celebrated in style, needing confidence after missing out on the World Cup in Qatar. Spaces opened up for the United States, but Pulisic’s poor success, with at least two clear chances in front of goal, prevented Gregg Berhalter’s team from increasing the score.
DATA SHEET
1 – United States: Turner; Dest, Miles Robinson, Ream, Antonee Robinson; McKennie (Cardoso, m.92), Musa (De La Torre, m.72), Zendejas (Aaronson, m.60), Reyna (Booth, m.72), Pulisic; Dike (Pepi, m.60)
0 – El Salvador: González; Roldán (Blanco, m.46), Zavaleta, Domínguez, Tamacas; Orellana, Reyes (Menjívar, m.76), Landaverde (Martínez, m.57), Dueñas (Gil, m.57), Henríquez; Brian Gil
Referee: Mario Escobar: He advised Reyes, from El Salvador (m.66)
Purpose: 1-0, Ricardo Pepi (d. 62)
Incidents: The match corresponding to the fourth day of group D of the League of Nations A was played at the Exploria stadium in Orlando (Florida, USA) before approximately 23,000 spectators
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
