- March, 28 2009 -
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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Frankie Hejduk scored one goal and set up another in the final 13 minutes, rallying the United States to a 2-2 draw against El Salvador to put it alone atop the standings in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
Hejduk, a veteran of the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, sent in a cross for Jozy Altidore to head in in the 77th minute, and then scored with a header from a corner kick in the 88th to give the USA four points in the six-team final round group.
The United States moved alone atop, one point ahead of Mexico and Costa Rica, with a home match against Trinidad next on Wednesday at home in Nashville, Tennessee.
The result ended the United States’ seven-game winning streak against El Salvador, but extended its unbeaten streak to 13 versus the Custcatlecos. El Salvador has one only once in 18 career meetings between the two, a friendly in 1992.
Eliseo Quintanilla gave El Salvador the lead in the 15th minute, finishing a counterattack that involved a series of quick exchanges starting with Rodolfo Zelaya and a deft touch by Osael Romero. It was El Salvador’s first goal against the United States in seven games dating back to 1997, and enlivened a raucous crowd of 33,350 to provide the Custcatlecos an added boost.
Cristian Castillo doubled the lead in the 72nd minute, finishing a counter with a header. Castillo outleapt USA right back in the middle of the area to get to Zelaya’s cross, driving it past goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Guzan, who plays for Aston Villa in the English Premier League, was playing in place of regular USA keeper Tim Howard, who was suspended after accumulating a second yellow in a 2-0 victory over Mexico on February 11.
The United States had it share of possession but was unable to create anything dangerous until Brian Ching had a goal disallowed for offside on a free kick.
USA manager Bob Bradley began to make tactical changes, beginning with the insertion of Altidore for Heath Pearce in the 61st, and then Mexican-based Francisco Torres for Sacha Kljestan in the 72nd.
The changes enabled the Americans to begin to dominate possession, leading to constant pressure on the Salvador goal.
El Salvador had to adjust when goalkeeper Miguel Montes appeared to develop severe leg cramps, and had to be replaced by Juan Jose Gomez in the 75th.
Altidore’s goal initiated a period of complete domination by the USA, which twice nearly scored a winner in injury time on chances by Brian Ching.
El Salvador, which rallied with a pair of goals in the final eight minutes to earn a 2-2 draw at home against Trinidad in its final round opener, improved to two points, in fourth place.
