All Whites snatch dramatic late draw against United States
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
All Whites draw 1-1 with United States in international men’s football friendly.
Ben Waine scored in the 89th minute to earn a draw for New Zealand.
The United States opened the scoring through Christian Pulisic in the 69th minute.
At TQL Stadium, Cincinnati: All Whites 1 (Ben Waine 89’) United States 1 (Christian Pulisic 69’) HT: 0-0.
The All Whites have shown they can match it with a nation ranked in the top 20 in the world by battling to a 1-1 draw with the United States.
Substitute striker Ben Waine scored a dramatic equaliser with one minute left in regular time after benefiting from a defensive mix-up to stun the 16th-ranked US at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on Wednesday (NZT).
Although it was a fortunate goal, the late strike earned the All Whites a deserved draw after going toe-to-toe with the US throughout the 90 minutes.
Nando Pijnaker launched the ball long from deep inside his own half and the US were unable to deal with the danger.
Mark McKenzie swung his left boot towards the ball but his attempted clearance bounced off Waine’s body, looped over goalkeeper Matt Turner and into the back of the net.
Waine raised his arm in celebration as he watched the ball sail into the goal to draw the All Whites level at the death.
The All Whites held on in stoppage time to secure their second consecutive draw against the US, after a 1-1 stalemate in their last meeting eight years ago.
The dramatic equaliser capped off a vastly improved showing after the All Whites demanded better following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Mexico three days earlier.
They showed a lot more urgency without the ball and put the United States under a lot of pressure with their high press.
Coach Darren Bazeley responded to the Mexico defeat by making four changes, including a brand new centre-back pairing of Pijnaker and Finn Surman.
A turnover from Elijah Just led to the All Whites’ best chance late in the first half but Liberato Cacace couldn’t capitalised and his right-footed shot from the left of goal was saved.
The US goalkeeper produced another big save to deny Just early in the second half after Marko Stamenic broke swiftly on the counter-attack and slid a wonderful ball for Just.
Max Crocombe was kept busy in the New Zealand goal but he justified his continued selection over Alex Paulsen with a man of of the match performance, highlighted by a vital save to deny Brenden Aaronson right before the US scored.
Pijnaker and Surman were strong at the back, while Stamenic thrived in a more advanced midfield role after pushing forward to accommodate Alex Rufer.
After a fruitless first hour, the US captain Christian Pulisic looked to have rescued the hosts when he eventually broke the deadlock in the 69th minute, 12 minutes after entering the game.
Pulisic was given too much space by replacement right back Bill Tuiloma and rifled the ball past Crocombe after Florian Balogun held the ball up and released the AC Milan winger down the left.
Earlier, viewers watching in New Zealand on the FIFA+ broadcast were left confused when the US appeared to have scored the opening goal through striker Ricardo Pepi in the 19th minute.
The goal was disallowed by Honduras referee Selvin Brown for a foul on Cacace in the lead up but the score remained 1-0 on the graphic momentarily as play resumed.
The All Whites looked to have blown their chance of a late equaliser when a teasing cross from Tuiloma evaded the on-rushing Ben Old.
But Waine’s determination to hunt down the US defenders as they tried to deal with Pijnaker’s hopeful delivery was rewarded when the ball ricocheted off the substitute and into the back of the net.
Wednesday’s draw will be of great embarrassment for the US, who were desperate to atone for their first defeat to Canada on home soil since 1957 on the weekend but have now gone four games without a win.
It highlighted the enormity of the job incoming coach Mauricio Pochettino has on his hands ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which they are co-hosting.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss was confirmed as the United States’ next coach prior to kickoff, with interim Mikey Varas taking the reins against New Zealand.
The All Whites squad will now disperse to their respective clubs before coming back together for the start of the World Cup qualifiers on October 11.