South Africa 0 – USA 1

The United States beat South Africa 1-0 on Wednesday in Cape Town to win the 2010 Mandela Challenge Cup.

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The United States got a late goal from a new player to take the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup 1-0 on Wednesday at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium. US coach Bob Bradley gave debuts to Teal Bunbury, Juan Agudelo, Mix Diskerud, and Gale Agbossoumonde with goalkeeper Brad Guzan wearing the captain's armband. It was Agudelo who was the difference maker, scoring in the 84th minute.

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Using a modified squad, Bradley shifted to a 351 formation with Robbie Findley starting as the loan forward. Bradley shifted the lineup at the half, bringing on Bunbury and later Agudelo. With the game bogged down and Guzan rarely threatened, Agudelo connected with a pass in the South African penalty area from Diskerud and scored from just inside the six-yard box to give the USA the win.

"I’m speechless, I don’t know what to say,” Agudelo told ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap.  “As soon as I saw the ball went in, I didn’t believe it.  I thought it was going to get called back like an offside or something. I truly didn’t believe it.  So many people here watching me and I scored the goal?  It’s an amazing feeling.”

-- GAME REPORT --

Match-up: USA vs. South Africa
Date: November 17, 2010
Competition: Nelson Mandela Challenge
Venue: Green Point Stadium – Cape Town, South Africa
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET
Attendance: 52,000
Weather: 68 degrees, clear

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 1 1
RSA 0 0 0
Scoring:
USA – Juan Agudelo (Mikkel Diskerud) 85th minute

Lineups:
USA: 18-Brad Guzan (capt.);13-Eric Lichaj, 21-Clarence Goodson (22-Gale Agbossoumonde, 87), 5-Tim Ream (6-Nat Borchers, 67), 12-Jonathan Bornstein (2-Jonathan Spector, 46); 15-Logan Pause, 16-Brian Carroll; 8-Robbie Rogers (17-Juan Agudelo, 61), 11-Eddie Gaven, 7-Alejandro Bedoya (14-Mikkel Diskerud, 79); 20-Robbie Findley (9-Teal Bunbury, 46)
Subs not used: 23-Dominic Cervi
Head Coach: Bob Bradley

RSA: 16-Itumeleng Khune; 5-Anele Ngongca (2-Siboniso Gaxa, 79), 3-Tsepo Mansilela, 23-Morgan Gould, 21-Siyabonga Sangweni, 13-Kagisho Dikgacoi (15-Andile Jali, 60), 18-Thanduyise Khuboni (9-Matthew Pattison, 88), 10-Stephen Pienaar (capt.) (7-Daylon Claasen, 79), 8-Siphiwe Tshabalala, 19-Davide Somma (20-Sthembiso Ngcobo, 60), 17-Bernard Parker
Subs not used: 1-Moeneeb Josephs, 4-Keegan Ritchie, 12-Reneilwe Letsholonyane, 24-Kermit Erasmus, 14-Bevan Fransman, 11-Teko Modise
Head Coach: Pitso Mosimane

Stats Summary: USA / RSA
Shots 5 / 8
Shots on Goal 4 / 4
Saves 4 / 3
Corner Kicks 1 / 11
Fouls 11 / 9
Offside 0 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Eric Lichaj (caution) 33rd minute

Officials:
Referee: Sylvester Kirwa (KEN)
First Asst.: John Ngururi (KEN)
Second Asst.: Peter Kieveini (KEN)
Fourth Official: Faiek Daniels (RSA) 

8 Responses to South Africa 0 – USA 1

  1. sizobalungisa says:

    was born in RSA but just become an USA citizen… phambili USA…

  2. kyle says:

    what is phambili?

  3. Until someone tells me otherwise, it means ‘first’ in Swati. And hey, good for you on your citizenship sizobalungisa.

  4. kyle says:

    I wonder then, if your assumption is correct about it meaning “first”, if it is like saying USA #1 … the mystery continues

  5. That’s my assumption.

  6. sizobalungisa says:

    phambili means forward…..

  7. Even better. So ‘forward USA.’

  8. kyle says:

    or maybe it means “USA needs a forward” haha we have a great keeper a few decent defenders, a few decent midfielders…there must be at least 1 decent forward out there for us. Jozy isnt bad but just isnt producing like we need. He is dangerous for sure, but we need the ball in the back of the net. We need some partner up top with him that either equals him in terms of being dangerous or a guy who surpasses his skill. A guy like that might free up Jozy enabling him to start scoring. hmmmmm did i just waste a bunch of time by stating the obvious haha