Altidore scores twice to lead U.S. over Peru

Preparing for next month’s playoff against Mexico for a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup, the Americans fell behind in the 20th minute when Daniel Chavez’s 20-yard shot caromed off defender Omar Gonzalez and looped over the outstretched right arm of goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who retained the starting job despite the return of Tim Howard from a 14-month national team sabbatical.

While the visitors held most of the possession in the first half, Altidore dampened the mood mostly pro-Peruvian crowd 28,896 at RFK Stadium.

Altidore was sent home by U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann after the group stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July because he failed to regain fitness following a hamstring injury. Against Peru, he played his strongest national team game in more than a year.

He earned a penalty from Mexican referee Francisco Chacon when he flicked the ball over Carlos Zambrano and was tripped by the defender. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese dove left to block the kick, but the ball bounced to Altidore, who side-footed it into an empty net from 5 yards in the 59th minute.

Altidore scored his second goal when he passed to DeAndre Yedlin bursting down a flank. Yedlin cut the ball back for Altidore, and it ricocheted off a Peruvian to the other side of the field. Gyasi Zardes’ cross deflected off a defender to Altidore, who kicked the ball in from 3 yards at the far post.

Source:: sportsnet.ca

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