Celebrating its 100th anniversary on a sweltering afternoon at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Men’s National Team got goals from Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey to defeat Germany 4-3 in front of a sold out crowd of 47,359.
Altidore kicked off the historic day in the 13th minute with a fantastic volley off a cross from Graham Zusi and Dempsey put the game away with two strikes in the second half. The two-goal performance moved Dempsey into sole possession of second place on the USA’s all-time goal scoring list with 35, moving him past Eric Wynalda (34) and trailing only Landon Donovan (49).
The match marked the 22nd time the U.S. MNT has played at RFK, more than any other venue in the world. With the win, the U.S. improved its record at the stadium to 14-3-5.
Shortly after Altidore’s opening goal, Germany’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen conceded a shocking own goal when he misplayed a routine back pass from defender Benedikt Howedes. The mishap, which occurred shortly after a Germany goal kick, gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead after 16 minutes.
Germany pulled one back in the 51st minute when halftime substitute Heiko Westermann headed home a corner kick from Max Kruse. Westermann finished from seven yards out, winning the header between two defenders.
The U.S. kept up the offensive pressure and regained its two-goal lead in the 60th minute. Eddie Johnson collected an overhead pass down the left side, pulled back before the endline and served a ball into the box. The cross took a bounce near the penalty spot and was teed up perfectly for Dempsey to unleash a one-timer that beat the ‘keeper from 10 yards out.
Dempsey came right back five minutes later with a classy finish from 24 yards out, cutting back with his right foot and curling a perfect left-footed shot into the upper left corner beyond the outstretched hands of ter Stegen.
Germany made things interesting in the end, pulling back two goals in four minutes late in the match. Max Kruse tallied first in the 78th minute with a well-struck shot from outside the penalty area. Three minutes later, Sydney Sam dribbled along the top of the box and hit a low strike that Howard did well to save to his right, but the rebound fell directly to Julian Draxler who tapped it home from six yards out.
The U.S. will play three World Cup qualifiers next, starting with a match against Jamaica in Kingston on June 7. The U.S. will then face Panama in Seattle on June 11 and Honduras in Sandy, Utah, on June 18.
