The U.S. Men’s National Team opened up its 2016 campaign with a stirring 3-2 comeback win against Iceland at StubHub Center on Sunday afternoon. Jozy Altidore, Michael Orozco and Steve Birnbaum got into the scorers’ column for the USA with Birnbaum also grabbing an assist and captain Michael Bradley providing a pair of helpers as well.
In an open, attacking match, Iceland grabbed the lead twice, once in the first half and again in the second, but the USA responded shortly after going behind on each occasion before Birnbaum grabbed the late game-winner in the 90th minute.
U.S. goalkeeper Luis Robles was called on late in the second half, preventing Iceland from breaking a 2-2 deadlock with a point blank stop on Birkir Mar Saevarsson for his only save of the match. Four players – starters Kellyn Acosta and Ethan Finlay, and substitutes Tony Tchani and Jerome Kiesewetter – earned their first senior caps with the MNT, while Lee Nguyen earned his first start after making seven previous appearances for his country.
The MNT will conclude its 2016 January Camp this Friday, Feb. 5 with a friendly against Canada at StubHub Center. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:45 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on FS1, UniMas and UDN.
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