The USA's Jozy Altidore (#17) battles Carlos Lobaton of Peru for the ball during their international friendly on September 4, 2015, in Washington, D.C. (Photo: John Dorton/isiphotos.com)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jozy Altidore netted a brace and the United States rallied to a 2-1 win over visiting Peru in an international friendly on Friday before a crowd of 28,896 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.
It was the Americans’ first outing since falling in the match for third place at the CONCACAF Gold Cup on penalty kicks to Panama after a 1-1 draw on July 25.
Peru took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute, when Daniel Chavez’s shot from outside the box was redirected off the back of turning U.S. defender Omar Gonzalez and looped over the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Following the break, the host leveled in the 59th minute through Altidore, who earned a penalty after being pulled down in the box by Carlos Zambrano. The Toronto FC forward took the kick himself only to see it saved by left-diving goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. The ball bounced back towards Altidore for a simple right-footed finish.
Altidore brought his 2015 goal total to four in eight games nine minutes later. Five Peruvian defenders watched as the 25-year-old tapped home at right post after Gyasi Zardes’ attempt from near the left edge of the six-yard box took a deflection.
Just two minutes earlier, Guzan made a pair of outstanding stops, diving to save Zambrano’s sharp header off a free kick and then thwarting Renato Tapia’s follow-up with his legs.
The U.S., which is preparing for the CONCACAF Cup match against Mexico on October 10, will next host Brazil on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
NOTES:
- In their first meeting in more than 15 years, the U.S. improved to 3W-1D-2L all-time v Peru
- U.S. defender Geoff Cameron came on as substitute to win his first cap since facing Ireland on November 14, 2014.
