The United States Men’s National team has dropped its first game of 2018 — against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Americans tied 0-0 at StubHub Center in Carson, California on Sunday in a lackluster matchup that included Major League Soccer star Haris Medunjanin of Bosnia missing a second-half penalty.
Both teams brought inexperienced, largely domestic-based players to the contest. Dave Sarachan, the U.S. interim manager, is now 0-0-2 since taking over for Bruce Arena after leading the Americans to a 1-1 draw in Portugal in November.
The USMNT played dismally in 2017, a year that culminated with the Americans failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after they lost to Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 in their final qualifier in October.
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Sarachan chose Wil Trapp, Cristian Roldan and Tyler Adams for his central trio.
Jordan Morris nearly gave the Americans an opportunity in the 23rd minute. Following a long cross from captain Trapp, Morris took the ball, beat his defender to the end line and sent in his own cross into the center of the box, only for goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic to grab the ball and end the threat.
Medunjanin, a Philadelphia Union midfielder whose 56 caps and 11 goals are by far the most on Bosnia’s roster, but he was unable to deliver on Sunday. Though U.S. goalie Zack Steffen dove to the wrong side, Medunjanin’s 53rd-minute penalty kick banged into the post.
The U.S.’s first-half goalie, Bill Hamid, made the best stop of the half in the 43rd minute, when center back Walker Zimmerman was unable to block a cross from the right.
Steffen wasn’t the only substitution after the break. Paul Arriola and Kelyn Rowe stepped in for C.J. Sapong and Gyasi Zardes on offense.
The American’s most fluid attacking moment was sparked by another sub. Juan Agudelo fed Rowe with an accurate cross. Rowe then lobbed a perfectly weighted ball into the box for Morris. Rather than take a first-time shot on goal, however, Morris took a touch and then fired, but his shot was blocked by a defender.
The U.S. next plays a pair of friendlies in Europe in March. The U.S. Soccer presidential election will be held before then, which means some changes to the men’s national team could go into effect during the time in between matches.
COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 29: Kyle Beckerman #15 of the United States Men’s National Team controls the ball against Guatemala during the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier on March 29, 2016 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The United States defeated Guatemala 4-0. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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