Jordan Morris' second-half goal helps United States tie Uruguay

Dejan Kalinic

Jordan Morris' second-half goal helps United States tie Uruguay image

Jordan Morris' second-half goal helped the United States to a 1-1 friendly draw against Uruguay in St. Louis on Tuesday.

Coming off two straight losses, USA managed to avoid defeat as Morris canceled out Brian Rodriguez's 50th-minute opener at Busch Stadium.

It was a fortunate equalizer for USA, who had squandered their best opportunities during the first half before falling behind.

Brian Rodriguez's first international goal had Uruguay — without the likes of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin — on track, but Morris leveled for Gregg Berhalter's men.

A beautiful team move led to Uruguay's first chance in the sixth minute, but Jonathan Rodriguez was just unable to get a shot off with only USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan to beat.

After Cristian Roldan headed straight at Fernando Muslera for USA, the hosts created a great chance midway through the first half.

Morris beat his marker down the left before crossing to Tyler Boyd, who put his shot into the ground and over the crossbar from close range.

A Tim Ream block denied Uruguay an opener moments later before Muslera pushed away a 25-yard effort from Sergino Dest six minutes prior to the break.

USA should have been awarded a penalty on the stroke of halftime for a handball by Jose Gimenez, but it went into the interval locked at 0-0.

Brian Rodriguez broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half thanks to his first international goal.

A counterattack saw Federico Valverde play a pass to Brian Rodriguez, who beat his marker before firing a power left-footed effort past Guzan from inside the area.

USA was fortunate to equalize with 11 minutes remaining, a clearance by Uruguay coming off Nick Lima and falling to Morris to chest in at the back post.

What does it mean? USA avoids three-game losing streak

Runners-up at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, USA was well beaten by Mexico last week and the draw with Uruguay at least meant it avoided being handed three straight losses for the first time since 2015.

Goalscoring woes go on for USA

USA must find a way to score goals and quickly. It took a huge piece of luck to get their equalizer against Uruguay and it has struggled to find the back of the net since thrashing Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago to begin the Gold Cup. Since those wins, USA has scored six goals in six games, netting more than once in a match just once in that run.

Uruguay shows off depth

Without its two star forwards in Suarez and Cavani, Uruguay showed off some depth in the attacking third. Brian Rodriguez, 19, opened his international account and Jonathan Rodriguez was also dangerous.

What's next?

USA begins its CONCACAF Nations League campaign with matches against Cuba and Canada next month, while Uruguay will face Peru in two friendlies.

 

Dejan Kalinic