USA vs. Uruguay, International Friendly: Final Score 1-1 as Jordan Morris Equalizes Late

Jordan Morris’ second-half goal erased a 1-0 deficit and lifted the United States Men’s National Team to a 1-1 draw against Uruguay at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Brian Rodriguez had scored on the counter to open the scoring early in the second half but Morris leveled things up in a match that saw the visiting side get away with an obvious handball in the box late in the first half.

The United States is now 2-2-3 in the all-time series against the Uruguayans.

Gregg Berhalter started the following players:

The U.S. played a much better first half against Uruguay than either half the team put forth against Mexico on Friday. Part of that was the result of Uruguay not pressing high, but the Yanks actually moved the ball well in the final third and created scoring chances. The Yanks were a bit unfortunate not to be leading at the break, with an excellent scoring opportunity, a great save by the Uruguayan goalkeeper, and a completely missed penalty call combining to keep the U.S. off the scoreboard.

Uruguay’s first good scoring chance came in the sixth minute off a promising run by the U.S. that resulted in a turnover at the edge of the penalty area. A couple of quick passes unlocked the USMNT’s midfield and Brian Rodriguez accepted a pass in the area and took a touch but somehow couldn’t get a shot off and Brad Guzan smothered it.

The first good look for the U.S. came in the 11th minute with a Sebastian Lletget cross finding Cristian Roldan. The header was on target but saved at the last second by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who kept the game scoreless with a lunging stop.

Tyler Boyd sent a free kick just off target in the 16th minute but Muslera was well positioned to stop the 30-yard try.

The Yanks should have grabbed the lead in the 22nd minute. Morris scorched a cross through the six and Boyd sprinted onto it but hit his shot into the ground and it bounced up and over the crossbar.

Uruguay nearly made the U.S. pay moments later. Off a recycled corner kick, the Uruguayans sent in a cross and Guzan spilled it. Tim Ream came up with a huge block on the follow-up shot to keep the game locked at 0-0.

Jose Gimenez sent a header wide off a corner kick cross for Uruguay in the 33rd minute.

Sergino Dest forced Muslera into a diving save with a shot from 25 yards out in the 39th minute and if not for an excellent stop the USMNT would have taken the lead.

The U.S. should have earned a penalty in first-half stoppage time. A cross in found Josh Sargent’s head and his header went off Gimenez’s outstretched arm and despite it being the most obvious handball that ever handballed, there was no penalty given. As a result, the teams went to the locker rooms after a scoreless first 45 minutes.

The United States started the second half brightly, getting in crosses and controlling the ball in the attacking half but it was Uruguay that broke the scoreless deadlock. A ball cleared to the top of the area fell for Uruguay and Roldan lost contain, letting his man turn to the outside and come free. Rodriguez ended up with the ball. He turned Aaron Long inside out then smashed a left-footed shot past Guzan inside the near post to make it 1-0 in the 50th minute.

The U.S. nearly pulled that goal back eight minutes later. Boyd sent a cross from right to left and Morris got to it with a diving header but Muslera showed quick reflexes to get down and make the save to preserve the Uruguay lead.

Giorgian De Arrascaeta fired right at Guzan’s midsection in the 72nd minute as the Uruguayans were content to stay organized and only come forward on the counter with their 1-0 lead.

Seven minutes later the Yanks finally got on the board. Substitute fullback Nick Lima saw his cross attempt blocked but the ensuing clearance attempt deflected off of him and back in front of goal. Morris was waiting there for it and headed home to make it 1-1 in the 79th minute.

Uruguay had a couple of half chances over the game’s final 11 minutes plus two minutes of injury time but the U.S. didn’t produce anything of note other than a couple more Lima cross attempts that were blocked and one that went out over the end line. The final whistle signaled another non-win for the USMNT but it was a decent result and a much better performance, albeit against a team that didn’t press high and challenge the defense playing out of the back.

That’s it for the USMNT until the Yanks join Concacaf Nations League play against Cuba on Oct. 11 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.