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Version 1 Version 2
Switzerland v USA – live! Switzerland v USA – live!
(35 minutes later)
1.02pm ET18:02
Half-time: Switzerland 0-1 USA
The US were edged in the possession battle, but earned three solid chances before striking gold on the fourth with Shea’s gorgeous free-kick goal from 20 yards – his fourth international goal and second of 2015. The Americans looking incredibly comfortable in today’s 4-4-2. More efficiently applied pressure and better movement off ball. Overall a more cohesive display.
12.59pm ET17:59
GOAL! Switzerland 0-1 USA (Shea, 45 min)
A beautifully struck ball by Brek Shea on the edge of the area is powered into the top-right corner, leaving the Swiss keeper frozen in his tracks and giving the US the lead right before half-time. What a goal. The United States’ first free-kick goal since August 2013.
Brek Shea gives #USMNT the 1-0 lead just before halftime with a perfect free kick. http://t.co/q7v9qREd9q
Updated at 1.08pm ET
12.55pm ET17:55
44 min: Morales brought down by Inler on the edge of the area and the US will have a quite dangerous set-piece opportunity here near the end of the half.
12.55pm ET17:55
43 min: This guy.
Jurgen. pic.twitter.com/12vUnBs7wH
12.53pm ET17:53
39 min: Bad mistake by Chandler to completely lose track of Shaqiri, who darts by himself up the left flank and crosses to Mehmedi, who badly misses a sitter.
12.49pm ET17:49
37 min: Long ball to Drmic into the area, but he’s held up just long enough – first by Orozco – for three defenders to close and snuff out the danger. Switzerland wins its first corner of the match, but Shaqiri sends it harmlessly long and the US wins a goal kick. A fine effort by Orozco thus far today.
12.48pm ET17:48
34 min: Switzerland looking a bit disoriented and vulnerable as the US move quickly into the counter-attack. The Americans win their first corner of the game. Bradley – either trying to replicate the Olimpico he scored against Panama or (more likely) to find Altidore on the back post – puts it just out of play.
12.45pm ET17:45
31 min: Another chance for the Americans but a header by Bedoya off the cross by Shea is fired directly at Burki’s solar plexus.
12.43pm ET17:43
29 min: Preemptive joke watch from Elliot Turner, who will be happy to know I’ve never had a taste for low-hanging fruit.
I beg of you, no Swiss cheese jokes. As any connoisseur knows, that cheese is actually relatively hard and lacks any odor. Why not pick on Feta cheese, which crumbles easily and gets stinky when in a humid area?
12.40pm ET17:40
26 min: A great chance for the US! Chander all the way up from right back plays it into Altidore, who gives to Bedoya, who finds Bradley on a well-timed through ball. The ball takes a tricky bounce but the captain will lament missing that sitter.
Michael Bradley misses biggest chance of the game so far for the #USMNT. http://t.co/w4mOrpbL6w
Updated at 12.44pm ET
12.35pm ET17:3512.35pm ET17:35
23 min: After a quiet spell for both sides, Brek Shea fouls Shaqiri giving the Swiss a dangerous free-kick opportunity. Five men in the box for Switzerland. Poorly taken by Shaqiri, a low cross easily cleared by Bradley. The sun is back out here.23 min: After a quiet spell for both sides, Brek Shea fouls Shaqiri giving the Swiss a dangerous free-kick opportunity. Five men in the box for Switzerland. Poorly taken by Shaqiri, a low cross easily cleared by Bradley. The sun is back out here.
12.31pm ET17:3112.31pm ET17:31
17 min: Bradley leads a 3-v-3 break for the US, but it’s snuffed out by the Swiss defense. Americans looking more cohesive than last week, with less rudderless, sideways passing than against Denmark.17 min: Bradley leads a 3-v-3 break for the US, but it’s snuffed out by the Swiss defense. Americans looking more cohesive than last week, with less rudderless, sideways passing than against Denmark.
12.27pm ET17:2712.27pm ET17:27
15 min: First real threat as Bedoya dribbling up the right side curls a gorgeous ball that finds Zardes in space, but he mishits the volley. Best chance of the match for either side.15 min: First real threat as Bedoya dribbling up the right side curls a gorgeous ball that finds Zardes in space, but he mishits the volley. Best chance of the match for either side.
Zardes....that is a diving header kid, no 2 ways about it. #SUIvUSAZardes....that is a diving header kid, no 2 ways about it. #SUIvUSA
12.22pm ET17:2212.22pm ET17:22
12 min: Bradley and the Americans trying to pressure the Swiss high, but it has yet to faze the hosts. A note on today’s teams:12 min: Bradley and the Americans trying to pressure the Swiss high, but it has yet to faze the hosts. A note on today’s teams:
FWIW ... today's Switzerland lineup has six guys that started in World Cup loss to Argentina. USMNT has two from the loss to Belgium.FWIW ... today's Switzerland lineup has six guys that started in World Cup loss to Argentina. USMNT has two from the loss to Belgium.
12.20pm ET17:2012.20pm ET17:20
9 min: Switzerland forcing the Americans to chase. They work the ball into the area where Drmic uncoils a shot that’s blocked by Chandler.9 min: Switzerland forcing the Americans to chase. They work the ball into the area where Drmic uncoils a shot that’s blocked by Chandler.
Updated at 12.20pm ETUpdated at 12.20pm ET
12.18pm ET17:1812.18pm ET17:18
6 min: A quick break for the Swiss off a turnover but Orozco instinctively intercepts a Shaqiri through ball. Switzerland beginning to move the ball well.6 min: A quick break for the Swiss off a turnover but Orozco instinctively intercepts a Shaqiri through ball. Switzerland beginning to move the ball well.
12.16pm ET17:1612.16pm ET17:16
4 min: First thing resembling danger as Zardes darts with the ball past his man up the right side towards the goal line and delivers a low cross into the area, but no one is there and it skids harmlessly past the goal.4 min: First thing resembling danger as Zardes darts with the ball past his man up the right side towards the goal line and delivers a low cross into the area, but no one is there and it skids harmlessly past the goal.
12.14pm ET17:1412.14pm ET17:14
3 min: Teams have traded possession early, feeling one another out. Bradley, earning his 95th cap today but only second as captain (after last week’s first), seems to be playing higher up than usual.3 min: Teams have traded possession early, feeling one another out. Bradley, earning his 95th cap today but only second as captain (after last week’s first), seems to be playing higher up than usual.
12.11pm ET17:1112.11pm ET17:11
1 min: And we’re off. The US attacking from left to right wearing the new blue away kits they debuted against Denmark last week. Switzerland in all-white straps from right to left.1 min: And we’re off. The US attacking from left to right wearing the new blue away kits they debuted against Denmark last week. Switzerland in all-white straps from right to left.
Updated at 12.11pm ETUpdated at 12.11pm ET
12.07pm ET17:0712.07pm ET17:07
Not much longer nowNot much longer now
The teams are out of the tunnel and the anthems are underway. Kickoff any minute now.The teams are out of the tunnel and the anthems are underway. Kickoff any minute now.
The teams walk out and here's the Star-Spangled Banner! Some U-S-A chants after it ends! Now Switzerland's anthem. pic.twitter.com/aq7wWQ0uGsThe teams walk out and here's the Star-Spangled Banner! Some U-S-A chants after it ends! Now Switzerland's anthem. pic.twitter.com/aq7wWQ0uGs
Updated at 12.11pm ETUpdated at 12.11pm ET
12.05pm ET17:0512.05pm ET17:05
Klinsmann: Players need to provide short-term resultsKlinsmann: Players need to provide short-term results
Jurgen Klinsmann spoke with FOX Sports ahead of today’s friendly. A quick excerpt:Jurgen Klinsmann spoke with FOX Sports ahead of today’s friendly. A quick excerpt:
I think the biggest opportunity is the players realize this is now a very special phase in their careers. Not only the Golf Cup. Everything is like a chain reaction, everything that happens afterwards builds on this summer. If you win the Gold Cup, we’re qualified for the Confederations Cup. We’ll have Copa America in 2016, then Confederations Cup [in 2017] leading into the World Cup in 2018. We already started that process. The players need to realize that we look at them already in the long term, but they have to also provide short-term results. It’s really important that everybody is on top of that message. We want to see that personality now coming out of the players to take their careers in their own hands and prove to us and everybody else out there what they have.I think the biggest opportunity is the players realize this is now a very special phase in their careers. Not only the Golf Cup. Everything is like a chain reaction, everything that happens afterwards builds on this summer. If you win the Gold Cup, we’re qualified for the Confederations Cup. We’ll have Copa America in 2016, then Confederations Cup [in 2017] leading into the World Cup in 2018. We already started that process. The players need to realize that we look at them already in the long term, but they have to also provide short-term results. It’s really important that everybody is on top of that message. We want to see that personality now coming out of the players to take their careers in their own hands and prove to us and everybody else out there what they have.
11.57am ET16:5711.57am ET16:57
The sun is out in ZurichThe sun is out in Zurich
A crowd of 15,000 expected for today’s friendly. Expected kickoff at 12.08pm ET.A crowd of 15,000 expected for today’s friendly. Expected kickoff at 12.08pm ET.
Sun is out in Zurich as warmups conclude! #USAvSUI pic.twitter.com/7w5KQ8Zp3WSun is out in Zurich as warmups conclude! #USAvSUI pic.twitter.com/7w5KQ8Zp3W
11.55am ET16:5511.55am ET16:55
Throwback TuesdayThrowback Tuesday
The United States’ most memorable match against Switzerland came before 77,000 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome in their opening match of USA 1994, where they drew 1-1 to log their first World Cup points in 44 years. SI.com has a thoroughly enjoyable photo gallery from the match – and those sartorially stupendous denim kits.The United States’ most memorable match against Switzerland came before 77,000 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome in their opening match of USA 1994, where they drew 1-1 to log their first World Cup points in 44 years. SI.com has a thoroughly enjoyable photo gallery from the match – and those sartorially stupendous denim kits.
Updated at 11.55am ETUpdated at 11.55am ET
11.47am ET16:4711.47am ET16:47
Newsy notesNewsy notes
Some pre-match notes, courtesy of US Soccer.Some pre-match notes, courtesy of US Soccer.
11.39am ET16:3911.39am ET16:39
Fabian Johnson outFabian Johnson out
Fabian Johnson (illness) omitted from matchday squad. #USMNTFabian Johnson (illness) omitted from matchday squad. #USMNT
11.37am ET16:3711.37am ET16:37
Too much tinkering, JurgenToo much tinkering, Jurgen
“I’d like to see Jurgen show a little more consistency and continuity in his line-up choices,” writes Daniel Strauss. “This team tends to give off the impression that they aren’t all that familiar with each other. At some point, to pick a random spot, Klinsmann has to settle on a back four and let those guys get time together. Then again, I don’t make the big bucks for a reason.”“I’d like to see Jurgen show a little more consistency and continuity in his line-up choices,” writes Daniel Strauss. “This team tends to give off the impression that they aren’t all that familiar with each other. At some point, to pick a random spot, Klinsmann has to settle on a back four and let those guys get time together. Then again, I don’t make the big bucks for a reason.”
11.32am ET16:3211.32am ET16:32
The teams!The teams!
Switzerland: Burki; Lichtsteiner, Schär, von Bergen, Mobandje; Frei, Inler (c), Fernandes; Drmic, Shaqiri, MehmediSwitzerland: Burki; Lichtsteiner, Schär, von Bergen, Mobandje; Frei, Inler (c), Fernandes; Drmic, Shaqiri, Mehmedi
USA: Rimando; Chandler, Orozco, Brooks, Shea; Bedoya, Williams, Bradley (c), Morales; Zardes, AltidoreUSA: Rimando; Chandler, Orozco, Brooks, Shea; Bedoya, Williams, Bradley (c), Morales; Zardes, Altidore
11.28am ET16:2811.28am ET16:28
Welcome to Zurich’s Stadion Letzigrund where the US national team is roughly 35 minutes from kickoff of today’s tangle with Switzerland, the second of five high-profile friendlies ahead of July’s Concacaf Gold Cup.Welcome to Zurich’s Stadion Letzigrund where the US national team is roughly 35 minutes from kickoff of today’s tangle with Switzerland, the second of five high-profile friendlies ahead of July’s Concacaf Gold Cup.
While it’s admittedly early in the World Cup cycle, there’s no doubt a sense of discomfort has emerged regarding the US team’s extended funk. Jurgen Klinsmann’s men have won just two of 11 matches since defeating Ghana in their group-stage opener. Even more harrowing is the Americans’ alarming penchant for late-match swoons: they’ve conceded seven goals after the 80th minute in as many matches, including two in a 3-2 loss to Denmark on Wednesday.While it’s admittedly early in the World Cup cycle, there’s no doubt a sense of discomfort has emerged regarding the US team’s extended funk. Jurgen Klinsmann’s men have won just two of 11 matches since defeating Ghana in their group-stage opener. Even more harrowing is the Americans’ alarming penchant for late-match swoons: they’ve conceded seven goals after the 80th minute in as many matches, including two in a 3-2 loss to Denmark on Wednesday.
Reversing that form will be no small task against a No12-ranked Swiss side who have reached the knockout stage at two of the last three World Cups and were one of the top eight seeds at Brazil 2014. A promising result today would be welcome with tricky challenges against Mexico, Netherlands and Germany right down the way. Stand by for the teams.Reversing that form will be no small task against a No12-ranked Swiss side who have reached the knockout stage at two of the last three World Cups and were one of the top eight seeds at Brazil 2014. A promising result today would be welcome with tricky challenges against Mexico, Netherlands and Germany right down the way. Stand by for the teams.
It's a blustery afternoon in Zurich. Expecting 15,000 for #USAvSUI pic.twitter.com/PQXcUQzekBIt's a blustery afternoon in Zurich. Expecting 15,000 for #USAvSUI pic.twitter.com/PQXcUQzekB
11.00am ET16:0011.00am ET16:00
Bryan will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s a little something from Graham Parker on one of the country’s most talented prospects:Bryan will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s a little something from Graham Parker on one of the country’s most talented prospects:
Monday’s news that Haji Wright, the 17-year-old US prospect, had signed with the New York Cosmos offset what’s been a difficult week for the North American Soccer League (NASL).Monday’s news that Haji Wright, the 17-year-old US prospect, had signed with the New York Cosmos offset what’s been a difficult week for the North American Soccer League (NASL).
The announcement of Minnesota United as the latest MLS expansion team last week, was greeted with congratulations through gritted teeth by their current home NASL, which has done its best to portray that deal as an endorsement of its own league’s quality, but whose staff privately feel aggrieved by what they see as yet another encroachment on their terrain by MLS.The announcement of Minnesota United as the latest MLS expansion team last week, was greeted with congratulations through gritted teeth by their current home NASL, which has done its best to portray that deal as an endorsement of its own league’s quality, but whose staff privately feel aggrieved by what they see as yet another encroachment on their terrain by MLS.
But having one of their teams, albeit the somewhat rogue state of exception that is the Cosmos, land Wright from under the noses of MLS, is possibly a rather more tangible endorsement for the league from one of the USA’s brightest young prospects.But having one of their teams, albeit the somewhat rogue state of exception that is the Cosmos, land Wright from under the noses of MLS, is possibly a rather more tangible endorsement for the league from one of the USA’s brightest young prospects.
Wright has been part of the international set-up since being called up for the under-14 side three years ago, but has really come to the fore in his performances for the U-17 team — helping them qualify for this summer’s World Cup in Chile, and scoring 18 goals in 22 games for them in 2014. While much of the focus on his particular generation of players has been on the eligibility of Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem, three months Wright’s senior, there’s been at least as much excitement about the homegrown talent of Wright, albeit with the usual caveats about making premature judgements on players.Wright has been part of the international set-up since being called up for the under-14 side three years ago, but has really come to the fore in his performances for the U-17 team — helping them qualify for this summer’s World Cup in Chile, and scoring 18 goals in 22 games for them in 2014. While much of the focus on his particular generation of players has been on the eligibility of Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem, three months Wright’s senior, there’s been at least as much excitement about the homegrown talent of Wright, albeit with the usual caveats about making premature judgements on players.