It seems the tables have turned for the United States men's national soccer team. Not too long ago they were the victims of late-match goals that sealed their fate. Now they're delivering the heroics.
The United States defeated defending world champion Germany 2-1 in Cologne on Wednesday to earn their third straight international victory and second straight over a top-six opponent. Midfielder Michael Bradley and striker Bobby Wood came through once again.
However, it didn't look too good early on.
Germany dominated the possession (64% - 36%) and scored in the 12th minute on a Patrick Herrmann assist to Mario Götze inside the United States' penalty area. Herrmann diced through the U.S. defense and set up Götze beautifully as the striker delivered a one-timer from 10 years out past goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Germany had a couple of other opportunities to extend their one goal lead, but failed to do so as Guzan made two saves to keep the U.S. deficit at bay.
Then came Bradley and the U.S. attack.
In the 41st minute Bradley received a pass from Timothy Chandler on the right side of the field and served up a 20-yard cross to lead midfielder Mix Diskerud into the German penalty area with plenty of room to work with. Diskerud hauled in the pass with his chest, took one dribble and used his right foot to blast the ball beyond keeper Ron-Robert Zieler just before defender Sebastian Rudy could catch up to him.
The match was tied heading into the half.
Later in the contest, the two clubs made their substitutions and that's where the United States took advantage.
Striker Jordan Morris came on for Aron Johannsson in the 74th minute and nearly gave the U.S. the lead with a tremendous shot on goal seconds later. The 20-yard boot was just outside the left post.
Bradley followed suit moments later and nearly scored on a corner kick, but Zieler punched the ball out of the box. Then in the 82nd minute, Bradley led the U.S. offense down the field and created space for DeAndre Yedlin inside the German penalty area. Yedlin crossed the ball back to Bradley who had a clear shot on goal, but it was perhaps too on target as Zieler managed to get a leg on it and make the save.
However, the pressure would prove to be worth it.
In the 87th minute striker Brad Evans sent a 25-yard pass to fellow substitute striker Bobby Wood, who hauled in the assist, made a quick turn to his left side to get some space from defender Shkodran Mustafi and ripped a 23-yard shot past Zieler just inside the left post. The United States led Germany 2-1 with just minutes remaining.
In the final seconds, German striker Karim Bellarabi volleyed up a pass inside the U.S. penalty area from Mesut Özil to set up midfielder Sami Khedira for the header. The shot hit the crossbar with seconds remaining and the U.S. regained possession to end the match.
While Diskerud and Wood were the heroes on paper, it was Bradley who made everything happen.
"He doesn't wear the No. 10 jersey (that would be Mix Diskerud) but Michael Bradley is undoubtedly the Americans' driving creative force," writes Jason Davis of ESPNFC. "Just as he did against the Netherlands, Bradley served as the key man in the U.S. attack, starting moves and setting up goals with his vision and accuracy. Apparently Klinsmann was onto something when he moved Bradley into the role last summer at the World Cup."
Klinsmann earned a victory in his first trip to his native Germany since taking over as coach of the United States.
