From US Soccer
VIENNA, Austria – The U.S. Men’s National Team fell to Austria 1-0 at Ernst-Happel-Stadion to cap off its 2013 campaign. Austria’s Marc Janko scored the game’s lone goal in the 33rd minute after a nice attacking build-up from the hosts.
The U.S. finished with a record winning percentage of .761
Despite the loss, the U.S. MNT had a record-setting year that included an all-time best win total (16-4-3), a .761 winning percentage, a plus-28 goal differential (out-scoring its opponents 51-23) and an average of 2.22 goals per game. The previous records were 13 wins (2005 and 2009), a .750 winning percentage (2005 and 2012), a plus-23 goal differential (outscored opponents 34-11 in 2000) and 2.14 goals per game (2008).
The USA’s final international friendlies of the year, against Austria and the scoreless draw against Scotland on Nov. 15, served as important preparation as the squad looks forward to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The Final Draw takes place on Dec. 6 in Costa do Sauipe in the Brazilian state of Bahia.
After withstanding several Austrian attacks in the early going, the U.S. had a quality scoring in the 16th minute when Aron Johannsson’s right-footed shot from distance forced Austria goalkeeper Robert Almer into the game’s first save as he batted the driven ball away for a corner kick. On the ensuing cross, Michael Bradley delivered the ball from the right side to defender Geoff Cameron at the near post. His header partially deflected off of the arm of Austria’s Marko Arnautovic and Almer scrambled back to scoop the ball clear just before it crossed the goal line. The U.S. players appealed vehemently that the ball went had gone completely over the goal line before Almer’s lunging save, but replays were inconclusive.
Austria worked the ball well from side-to-side to earn the game’s lone goal, which was capped off by a top-shelf finish by Marc Janko. David Alaba led Gyorgy Garics with a pass into the right side of the penalty area and his slide a cross on the ground into the six-yard box. Lukas Hinterseer whiffed on his attempt at the near right post, but Janko got in between U.S. center-backs John Brooks and Omar Gonzalez and fired over sprawling U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard from point-blank range.
The U.S. had one of its best scoring chances in the 43rd minute when Jozy Altidore’s short cross back into the seam from the right side near the end line found Michael Bradley. He shot from about eight yards out but Garics blocked the attempt.
Read the full recap from US Soccer.
