Switzerland Vs. USA Recap: Despite 1-1 Draw, United States Should Be Happy With Match Against Swiss [VIDEO]

Another game, another late goal given up by the United States in the final ten minutes. Valentin Stocker scored for the Swiss in the 80^th minute and Switzerland came from behind to draw the US 1-1 in Zurich.

Despite the late goal, this match felt considerably different than previous matches team USA has played since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Normally, The US is in the lead or tied when they concede a late goal to either draw or lose a game. However, on Tuesday, the U.S. were lucky to only surrender one goal after playing with 10-men from the 68^th minute on.

Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore was sent off after being shown two consecutive yellow cards, the first for a bad foul, and the second for arguing with the referee. The US played with a man disadvantage for nearly 25 minutes and could have easily given up multiple goals to lose the game, but in this instance leaving Zurich with a draw is a good moral victory.

Brek Shea scored for the US in the 45^th minute off a free kick that creatively curled into the top right corner of the net. The Orlando City FC left back sent his kick soaring over the Swiss wall scoring seconds before the halftime whistle blew.

The Swiss got the equalizer 12 minutes after Altidore’s ejection after midfielder Granit Zhaka sent a shot into the six-yard box area. The US couldn’t clear the ball and Stocker attacked the loose ball and slotted it past William Yarbrough and Nick Rimando for the equalizer.

USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann made a tactical change on the pitch from the team’s disappointing 3-2 loss to Denmark last week. Klinsmann switched from a flat four to a diamond formation. The shift saw LA Galaxy striker Gyasi Zardes move up to forward and midfielder Michael Bradley moved up to an attacking role, while Alejandro Bedoya moved out wide to the outside.

The strategy worked as Switzerland struggled to stop Bedoya’s speed down the right side of the pitch. Bedoya generated several opportunities throughout the match, including a few for Zardes who wasn’t able to finish in front of the net.

Switzerland completely dominated the match after Altidore was sent off, but surprisingly the United States was able to withstand the constant attacking pressure and only surrender Stocker’s late goal. The goal was the eighth goal the USMNT has conceded in the 80^th minute or later in their last eight matches and the third late goal in their last two games.

The Stars and Stripes are now 1-2-1 in 2015 after a loss to Chile to start the year; they defeated Panama in February and lost to Denmark last week. The players will now return to their respective club teams before reuniting in two weeks on April 15^th in a showdown with Mexico in San Antonio.

Game Notes:
Brek Shea played in place of Greg Zarza. Fabian Johnson and Aron Johannson missed the match because of illness.