Johnson Scores First Tally For National Team in 2-1 Win

(ussoccer.com)

HARRISON NJ - In front of a sellout crowd at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, the United States Men's National Team won its second-straight friendly against Turkey 2-1, a much improved performance from its sluggish start to the Road to Brazil last weekend.

“It was a good game, it was quite an open game,” head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “Based on the workload that these guys have in their legs now over the last two-and-a-half weeks, it was still a good pace, it was still a good rhythm. I think defensively first half we needed to make some corrections at halftime.

“We need to close the gaps a bit better, so we still have a lot of work on that ahead of us to become more compact, more connected between the players, making it more difficult for the opponent to come through there. But overall I think it was a nice game to watch.”

The United States played with more enthusiasm trading goal-scoring chances with Turkey inside the first 20 minutes of the match including a disallowed Jozy Altidore goal and several shots on farm by Turkey to test U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Then in the 26th minute, Fabian Johnson connected with Michael Bradley on a give and go to give Johnson his first US National Team tally and put the U.S. up 1-0.

"Being a defender, guys like Jozy [Altidore] or Clint [Dempsey] are better at this job, but I’m just happy that I made the goal,” Johnson said.

In the second half, Clint Dempsey was able to give the U.S. its second goal in two games after smashing home a misclearance by the Turkish defense in the 52nd minute, the U.S. captain was making his first appearance in the send off series after missing the Azerbaijan match with a groin injury.

“I feel good,” Dempsey said. “I’m playing well with the club ball. It’s only been three games here and it’s always good to score.”

According to Klinsmann, the team has been improving as these international friendlies have passed, but the development of game experience still remains with a youthful U.S. defense. Turkey was able to score on a Selçuk İnan penalty in the 90th minute after a lapse by U.S. defender Timmy Chandler and a Geoff Cameron handball on the goal line.

“It is hard. We’re dealing with it," defender Geoff Cameron said. "We’re getting along with each other. Guys are working hard for one another.

"We are all on the same page and that’s the most important thing. There are no guys that are trying to their own thing. Everybody is working together as one.”

With this victory, the U.S. midfield diamond formation showed signs of brilliance with Bradley, Brad Davis and Graham Zusi being active and exposing the flat-four Turkish defense with through-balls and lengthy build-ups.  According to Johnson the 4-4-2 formation places skilled players in their specific roles. 

“It’s always better when you have a role and you can focus on that, but I think I got my position now and I can focus and keep on going,” Fabian Johnson said, who is among five German Americans on the 23-man squad.

Nigeria is the final match on home soil, Saturday June 7 in Jacksonville, Fla. The U.S. will then travel to Sao Paulo ahead of the Group G opener against Ghana on June 16 in Natal. The U.S. looks to end its domestic campaign undefeated.

“Turkey had a great team with good players – technically good players," Johnson said. The one goal was unlucky, but we did pretty well.

“It’s getting better and better. We feel comfortable because we’re together now. We know the runs, the plays and how the guys are playing. We are getting better and better.”