Altidore brace lifts US to 2-1 friendly win over Peru

Jozy Altidore scored twice within 10 minutes Friday as the United States rallied for a 2-1 friendly win over Peru at RFK Stadium.

It was a solid showing for the United States as they warm up for their Confederations Cup playoff with Gold Cup winners Mexico at the Rose Bowl on October 10.

The winner of that match will go to the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia, the de facto test event for the 2018 World Cup.

The United States had shaken off a slow start and were pressing forward when Altidore, making his return to the national team after missing their disappointing Gold Cup campaign, was tripped up in the box to earn a penalty.

His attempt from the spot was saved by Peru keeper Pedro Gallese, but the rebound came right back to him and he belted it into the net to make it 1-1 in the 59th minute.

He was on target again in the 68th. After Andre Yedlin's put through a dangerous ball that ended with a blocked shot, Gyasi Zardes sent the ball back across the goalmouth and an unmarked Altidore fired it home for his 29th international goal.

In between the goals, US goalkeeper Brad Guzan made a determined save, diving to stop a free kick that had been nodded on then managing to hang onto the ball even as Renato Tapia tried repeatedly to boot it loose.

Guzan got the start in goal despite the recall of veteran Tim Howard after a year's absence from international duty, with US manager Jurgen Klinsmann saying he didn't want to make significant changes with the crucial Mexico match looming.

Daniel Chavez scored for Peru, recording his first international goal in the 20th minute when his shot from the edge of the area deflected off US defender Omar Gonzalez and arched forward into the goal, out of reach of Guzan.

It was part of a sluggish start for the hosts, who were playing their first match since a fourth-place finish in the Gold Cup, where as defending champions they fell to Jamaica in the semi-finals then lost to Panama on penalties in the third-place playoff.

They didn't force Gallese into a save until the 38th minute, when a charging Jermaine Jones fired from long range and the Peru keeper had to leap to tip the shot over the bar.

The ensuing corner fell in front of John Brooks, but he fired too high.

Jurgen Klinsmann's men have one more tune-up before they face Mexico, taking on Brazil on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts -- home of the NFL's New England Patriots.
Source: AFP