GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mexico rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with the United States in an exhibition match Wednesday night. ADVERTISING GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mexico rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit to earn a 2-2
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mexico rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with the United States in an exhibition match Wednesday night.
Highly touted 18-year-old Julian Green made his senior U.S. debut, coming on in the 59th minute as a substitute at midfielder for Graham Zusi.
Green is the product of German club Bayern Munich’s developmental system who recently committed his international soccer future to the United States national team.
Born in Tampa, Fla., but raised in Germany, Green has played for both German and U.S. national teams from the U-16 to U-19 levels. He was called in last year by U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, but declined the invitation to team camp at that time.
Green appeared to his shoulder in the 80th minute after he fell down, but was checked out quickly on the sideline and returned to the field.
Mexico turned a dreadful first half into a tight game following captain Rafael Marquez’s 49th-minute goal. Mexico became more active on the attack and threatened to tie on almost every run in the second half.
The tying goal came in the 67th minute. Alan Pulido collected the rebound of Paul Aguilar’s shot that hit the post and kicking the ball into an exposed net.
Both teams had chances to take the lead late in the match. Second-half substitute Eddie Johnson was ruled offside and his goal nullified in the 85th minute. Mexico’s Miguel Angel Ponce took a shot in the 86th minute that barely went over the goal.
Early on, the U.S. looked as if it might run away with another satisfying win over its biggest rival. It took the U.S. less than 15 minutes to get on the scoreboard first.
Midfielder Michael Bradley outran Mexico midfielder Jesus Zavala to a corner kick that went far post from Zusi, and Bradley finished with one touch to give the Americans the early lead.
The match served a pre-World Cup tuneup for both teams as they evaluate players to be on their respective World Cup rosters. The next U.S exhibition is May 27 against Azerbaijan at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park. Mexico hosts Israel in Mexico City on May 28.
Champions League
PSG 3, Chelsea 1
PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain took advantage of Chelsea’s sloppy defending to win the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal 3-1 Wednesday as substitute Javier Pastore scored a brilliant late goal on a solo run.
Ezequiel Lavezzi put the hosts ahead in the fourth minute following a poor headed clearance by Chelsea captain John Terry. Eden Hazard’s penalty kick tied the score in the 27th after Thiago Silva pulled down Oscar, but PSG went back in front in the 61st when Ezequiel Lavezzi’s free kick from a flank ricocheted off David Luiz’s shin and into the net.
Pastore scored in injury time, gathering the ball on a wing, cutting inside, maneuvering through the penalty area and beating goalkeeper Petr Cech with a low shot.
PSG star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic limped off in the 68th with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Real Madrid 3, Borussia Dortmund 0
In Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 57th minute to tie the competition record with his 14th goal of this season’s tournament, then left in the 80th with what appeared to be a leg injury.
Real built its lead on goals by Gareth Bale in the third minute and Isco in the 27th.
By wire sources
