A first half goal from Oscar Cardozo powered Paraguay to a 1-0 victory over the USA in Tennessee on Wednesday night.
USA started confidently but were undone when Paraguay took the lead from an 18th minute set piece. A deflected corner kick found the feet of Cardozo and the Benfica striker powered a shot high into the net for a 1-0 lead.
The USA’s best first half chance also came from a set piece, when Jay DeMerit headed a Landon Donovan free kick wide of Justo Villars goal.
Paraguay kept possession well in the second half but struggled to penetrate an American defensive line that included impressive New York Red Bulls youngster Tim Ream. Another Red Bull almost created an equalizer when Juan Agudelo played a clever flick through to Eric Lichaj, but the Aston Villa defender’s threatening cross was steered wide by Clint Dempsey.
The American’s turned up the pressure in search of an equalizer and Landon Donovan fired into the side netting from a long throw in with only 15 minutes remaining. Michael Bradley’s strike from distance was comfortably saved in the 86th minute, while Villar saved from Jermaine Jones in the dying seconds to secure a win for Paraguay.
SCORING SUMMARY
PAR – Oscar Cardozo (Victor Hugo Mareco) 18’
LINEUPS
USA – Hahnemann (Yelldell 46), Chandler (Spector 80), DeMerit (Bocanegra 41), Ream, Bornstein (Kljestan 77), Dempsey, Edu (Jones 46), Bradley, Donovan, Altidore (Lichaj 60), Agudelo.
PAR – Villar, Caceres, Mareco, Da Silva, Samudio, Vera (Veron 78), Molinas (M Riveros 63), C Riveros, Perez (Martinez 68’), Cardozo (Barrios 79), Estigarribia (Torres 90).
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Oscar Cardozo (Paraguay).
Attendance: 29,059.
The USA’s best first half chance also came from a set piece, when Jay DeMerit headed a Landon Donovan free kick wide of Justo Villars goal.
Paraguay kept possession well in the second half but struggled to penetrate an American defensive line that included impressive New York Red Bulls youngster Tim Ream. Another Red Bull almost created an equalizer when Juan Agudelo played a clever flick through to Eric Lichaj, but the Aston Villa defender’s threatening cross was steered wide by Clint Dempsey.
The American’s turned up the pressure in search of an equalizer and Landon Donovan fired into the side netting from a long throw in with only 15 minutes remaining. Michael Bradley’s strike from distance was comfortably saved in the 86th minute, while Villar saved from Jermaine Jones in the dying seconds to secure a win for Paraguay.
SCORING SUMMARY
PAR – Oscar Cardozo (Victor Hugo Mareco) 18’
LINEUPS
USA – Hahnemann (Yelldell 46), Chandler (Spector 80), DeMerit (Bocanegra 41), Ream, Bornstein (Kljestan 77), Dempsey, Edu (Jones 46), Bradley, Donovan, Altidore (Lichaj 60), Agudelo.
PAR – Villar, Caceres, Mareco, Da Silva, Samudio, Vera (Veron 78), Molinas (M Riveros 63), C Riveros, Perez (Martinez 68’), Cardozo (Barrios 79), Estigarribia (Torres 90).
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Oscar Cardozo (Paraguay).
Attendance: 29,059.
