Jozy Jolts U.S. Soccer To a Win In Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Florida–The United States Men’s National Soccer team came out on top with a 2-1 victory in a match against Nigeria Saturday evening.  The game marks the third straight win for the U.S. team and the second against the Nigerian club. 

It was a quiet first half hour of action between the two sides in what looked to be written as a scoreless first half.  However the United States made noise in the 31st minute when forward Jozy Altidore scored the game’s first goal, ending his six-month scoring drought for the team.  Altidore’s roommate, and U.S. defensemen Fabian Johnson made Jozy’s finish easy when he sent a cross into the six yard box allowing for a tap in by Altidore. 

Altidore knows that the relationship off the field between himself and Johnson has translated to success on the field.

“He’s my roommate.” Altidore would go on and say.  “We’re very lucky to have him, he’s a great personality on the team and you see what he brings.  He’s up and down, he scores goals, and he creates them.  He’s a problem for other teams.”

The Americans took a 1-0 lead into the second half, outshooting Nigeria seven to five. The United States almost reached the scoreboard again early in the second half when Clint Dempsey failed to produce in a one on one situation with Vincent Enyeama, the Nigerian goalkeeper.  It was just four minutes later that the United States extended its lead to 2-0. Altidore drove home his second goal of the game in the 68th minute after receiving a beautiful ball from Michael Bradley near the top of the 18-yard box. Altidore wasted no time, taking just a couple touches before ripping the ball past the Nigerian keeper.  The play not only earned Altidore his second goal of the game, but it gave Bradley his 10th all time assist in 86 appearances with the National squad. 

Even after a six month goalless streak, Altidore says his confidence hasn’t changed. 

“To be honest it makes no difference.  I don’t know if it’s weird to you, it’s not weird to me.  I’ve played for this team for such a long time that I think it’s my responsibility to kind of help the team in other ways,” he said.

Nigeria wouldn’t be left scoreless in their trip to Florida, collecting a somewhat cheap goal in the 86th minute when a penalty was called inside the 18-yard box resulting in a penalty kick.  Nigeria’s Victor Moses would send the penalty kick to the back of the net tightening the game up 2-1 with just minutes remaining. 

In the team’s last outing on home soil before heading to Brazil and the World Cup, American goalkeeper Tim Howard made his 100th start for the squad. Howard picked up four saves in the game, allowing just the one late goal.

The game was a great tune up for the American side, allowing 16 of the 23 men on their roster to see action in the game.  The three game win streak is the longest that the U.S. has ever had entering a World Cup.

U.S. coach Jürgen Klinsmann is excited to be in Brazil. 

“Most importantly the last three and a half weeks we have gotten a lot of work done.  We’re going to do another training test against Belgium down there, and I think everybody will be ready.” Klinsmann continued. “We can’t wait to start that tournament”

With the win, the American side improves to 2-0-0 against Nigeria all time. The Jacksonville crowd played a key role in Saturday’s match as 52,033 people attended, a record for a USMNT game in the southeast.  The National Team is now 4-0-1 when playing in Jacksonville and 17-16-9 in Florida.

The real test now comes on the 16th of this month when the U.S. takes on Ghana in its World Cup opener.  

To hear comments from the game, click below.

Jurgen Klinsmann

Jurgen Klinsmann

Jurgen Klinsmann

Jozy Altidore

Jozy Altidore

Jozy Altidore

Jozy Altidore

 

 

 

About Ben Murphy

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Newberry Scrapes Past Buchholz Off A Stellar Performance

 NEWBERRY — The Newberry Panthers junior varsity lacrosse team beat the Buchholz Bobcats 5-4 with …