The U.S. men’s national team felt like a winner before taking the field in Cincinnati for a friendly against New Zealand on Tuesday night but didn’t play like one.
What had been rumored for a month became official 35 minutes before the United States played New Zealand to a 1-1 draw — that Mauricio Pochettino was hired as head coach to replace Gregg Berhalter, who was fired in July after the failure of the team to advance from the group stage of Copa America.
Christian Pulisic scored in the 69th minute for the Americans before a fluke goal by New Zealand’s Ben Waine in the 89th minute spoiled what should have been a celebratory evening.
On the equalizer, a ball out of the back fell at the top of the penalty area to U.S. defender Caleb Wiley. His clearance hit teammate Mark McKenzie, bounced off Waine and caromed past goalkeeper Matt Turner.
The U.S. squad is 0-3-1 in its past four matches.
Pochettino, the former Chelsea coach, was not in Cincinnati but will be on the sideline when the U.S plays Panama on Oct. 12 in Austin, Texas, and three days later against Mexico in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Pulisic did not enter the match until the 57th minute, replacing forward Haji Wright for interim coach Mikey Varas. Pulisic scored his 31st goal in his 73rd national team match after a crisp sequence.
Marlon Fossey, making his national team debut one day after his 26th birthday, found Ricardo Pepi on the right side of the box. Pepi dropped the ball to Folarin Balogun, who fed Pulisic to his left. Pulisic moved the ball from his right foot to his left before shooting.
A minute later, Balogun forced a diving save by Max Crocombe. It proved to be a critical stop.
The U.S. was coming off its third straight defeat, a 2-1 loss to Canada in Kansas City, Kan., on Saturday in a match dominated by the Canadians that was only close due to goalkeeper Patrick Schultze’s five saves and the play of substitutes Luca de la Torre, who scored his first goal, and Aidan Morris, who picked up his first U.S. assist.
–Field Level Media
