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Meola's triumphant return Jones comes off bench for late goal to seal U.S. victory
Posted: Sunday January 30, 2000 10:44 AM
COQUIMBO, Chile (AP) -- Tony Meola returned to the land where he made his debut in international soccer to help the United States to a 2-1 win over Chile in an exhibition match. Eddie Lewis put the United States ahead at minute 55, and Jaime Rivero scored the equalizer two minutes later. Cobi Jones scored the United States winning goal with two minutes to go in the match in this port city 500 kilometers (350 miles) north of Santiago, the Chilean capital. In a lackluster first half, the Americans appeared closer to score, but Chilean veteran goalkeeper Marcelo Ramirez made at least three brilliant saves, including one on a close range header by Eric Wynalda. Lewis put the Americans ahead heading a pass on a free kick by Wynalda. Two minutes later, Riveros made it 1-1 with a 30-meter (yard) left foot shot.
With two minutes to go in the match, Jones, who came in from the bench, gave the Americans the winning goal with a shot from the head of the penalty area. Veteran U.S. goalie Meola made his debut in international soccer in 1987 during the junior world championship in Chile. In front of Meola, U.S. coach Bruce Arena deployed a 3-5-2 formation, the U.S. defense anchored by the return of Eddie Pope at sweeper and the solid play of fullbacks Greg Vanney and C.J. Brown. Though Meola leads all U.S. goalkeepers in caps with 91 as a veteran of the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, the Americans were without their first choice, Kasey Keller of Spain's Rayo Vallecano, and their top playmaker, Claudio Reyna of Scotland's Rangers. Chile was without its Italian-based attacking duo of Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano. The result broke a five-game winless streak for the U.S. when it plays on the South American continent, with the last win coming in Copa America 1995, a 3-0 win Argentina. The Americans next regroup in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to prepare for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2000, scheduled to be played in Miami, San Diego and Los Angeles between February 12-27. The U.S. is scheduled to meet Haiti (Feb. 12) and Peru (Feb. 16) in the opening round of Group B play at the Orange Bowl in Miami. Mexico, as reigning Gold Cup champions, and the USA, as the host country, qualified automatically for the 12-team biannual tournament. The United States won the inaugural competition on 1991, while Mexico has won the last three titles in 1993, 1996 and 1998. Lineups: CHILE: Marcelo Ramirez, Raul Palacios, Cristian Flores, Miguel Ramirez (Alex Von ASchwedler-46), Mauricio Aros, Clarence Acuna, Marco Villaseca, Esteban Valencia (Joel Reyes-37), Jaime Riveros (Jose Sierra-76), Mario Nunez (Pedro Gonzalez-65), Sebastian Rozental (Ricardo Queralto-80). UNITED STATES: Tony Meola, Greg Vaney, C. J. Brown, Eddie Pope, Ben Olsen (Cobi Jones.67), Chris Armas, Richie Williams (John Harkes-46), Eddie Lewis, Jovan Kivorski (Chad Deering-72), Eric Wynalda (Roy Lassiter-56), Ante Razov.
Referee: Pedro Saucedo, Bolivia.
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