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In the first half, the USMNT dominated all attacking chances. The red, white, and blue created and touched the ball several times but did not convert the chances. Serginho Dest on the right flank was a nightmare for the Salvadorean backline. El Salvador’s frustration grew and they kept resulting into fouling the USMNT unnecessarily. In the 22nd minute, there was a blatant foul to Daryl Dike outside the box that the ref did not call out. The USMNT passed the ball down the mid attempting to find space and break down El Salvador’s backline but they have not been successful so far. La Selecta was staying put and waiting to go on the counter-play. Up to the 30th minute, It seemed that this game was being played just on El Salvador’s side, La Selecta was non-existent in this first half. It was complete utter domination by the USMNT, they just had to score one goal for the floodgates to open. In stoppage time, Weston McKennie came close to scoring a golazo, his header went out wide. Halftime ended 0-0, but it was complete control of the Americans, good job by El Salvador to stay compact throughout the half but again, once the USMNT scores, the floodgates will open, and this could easily end up 4-0.
In the second half, as soon as the half started, Gio Reyna threw a rocket that hit the post. USMNT came so close. The United States did not let El Salvador breathe, their pressing was too much for “La Selecta.” The USMNT dominated possession and the attacking chances, in the 63rd minute, Ricardo Pepi scored a GOLAZO, a lobbed shot, it was a beautiful finish. In the 80th minute, it was Ricardo Pepi again, the forward threw a rocket that came that barely went wide and was also touched by Mario Gonzalez. At this point, El Salvador was hunkered down and ready to defend, the United States had a lot of set-piece chances through corner kicks and free kicks but did not capitalize. In the last few minutes of the game, the USMNT was just playing the possession game still attempting to attack through the flanks to create some sort of disruption in La Selecta’s backline but the Salvadoreans did a good job staying compact. In the 88th minute, Ricardo Pepi missed his third chance to score, he shot the ball out wide with the Salvadorean GK completely open and vulnerable. The ref gave 4 minutes but no other goal was scored, the United States defeated El Salvador in the Concacaf Nations League 1-0.
Despite the score, it was a dominant win by the USMNT. The red, white, and blue will face Mexico on April 19th.
Until then, Vamos USA!
