At times during Saturday’s friendly between the U.S. men’s national team and South Korea, dark storm clouds hung over Sports Illustrated Stadium, perhaps serving as a harbinger of what was to come on the pitch for the American squad.
The United States looked disjointed and out of sorts for much of the match, which ended in a 2-0 loss for the USMNT in their first friendly since the Gold Cup final in early July, and as the pressure mounts heading into next summer’s World Cup.
The U.S. squad, which featured a large number of MLS players, fell behind early and didn’t create much offense during the 90-minute affair.
During the first half alone, the United States managed to move the ball well but failed to take many shots, and when it did, only one was on target.
The Americans finished the match with a total of five shots on goal.
By comparison, South Korea put the Americans back on their heels before Son Heung-min — a fan favorite among the South Korean contingent and one biggest MLS gets since Lionel Messi made the jump to the American soccer league — found the back of the net in the 18th minute.
The LAFC star was able to get through the U.S. backline and fire the ball past American goalkeeper Matt Freese, sending the large number of South Korean fans into a frenzy to the point that the stadium felt like it was shaking.
South Korea extended its lead to two in the 43rd minute when Lee Dong-gyeong finished off a sequence that saw South Korea rapidly moving the ball around and forcing Freese out of position, allowing Dong-gyeong the easy finish.
The Americans’ best chances of the evening came in the first half of the match, when Sebastian Berhalter picked off a clearing attempt and sent a long shot on net that forced South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo to make a diving stop in the 18th minute.
In the 43rd minute, Tim Weah had a chance inside the attacking zone when the ball got pushed onto his foot, but the shot went wide right of the net.
Saturday’s match was the first at Sports Illustrated Stadium since 2017, and it marked the first match that American soccer star Christian Pulisic took part in since he opted not to participate in the Gold Cup — leading to headlines and drama around the national team.
Weah came off the pitch in the 62nd minute due to an apparent injury after he had been limping earlier.
Prior to the match, the Red Bulls honored former USMNT great Michael Bradley, who is a native of Princeton, N.J.
The national team alumni had expressed confidence in the future of the program ahead of the loss.
“They’re going in a good way,” he said. “They’ll continue to find the right ways to push themselves, push each other as they get closer to the World Cup.”
Saturday’s match was one of two friendlies the U.S. men’s national team is playing this month, with the squad heading to Columbus on Tuesday to face Japan.