LYON, France (June 9, 2018)—A 44th-minute goal from Julian Green boosted the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 1-1 draw against world No. 7 France 1-1 on Saturday night in Lyon. The USA took the field with a starting lineup that averaged just 22 years old, but held strong in difficult conditions to earn a result against one of the world’s top teams. The goal and the result mark firsts for the United States in its all-time series vs. France, which now stands at 0-3-1.
Heading into a summer break, the MNT has compiled a 2-1-3 record since last October, including a 1-1 draw on the road against then third-ranked Portugal. Tonight’s starting XI included seven players who have made their MNT senior team debut in that span, while a total of 17 players earned their first caps in that time frame, making the result all the more impressive when considering that France's team had seven starters who had won a Champions League title, domestic league title, Cup title, or combination thereof this season in England, France, Spain or Italy.
While France dominated possession for most of the first half, the USA threatened on runs up the wings by outside backs Antonee Robinson and Shaq Moore. Just before the end of the opening frame, Bobby Wood dished to Moore on the right side. He took a touch and sped past his marker before launching a through ball into the box. French defender Djibril Sidibe got to it first, but Julian Green pounced on his lose touch and first-timed a shot between Sidibe’s legs and past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris inside the near post for his first goal since Oct. 11, 2016 against New Zealand.
Budweiser Man of the Match Zack Steffen made yet another star turn, making seven saves to thwart the vaunted French front line, and a physical defense helped the USA keep a lid on France’s attack. Robinson was a standout on the left side, while center backs Cameron Carter-Vickers, Tim Parker and Matt Miazga made numerous key tackles to halt French scoring opportunities.
The stout defensive effort kept Les Bleus scoreless well into the second half. Miazga had anchored the center of the five-man back line in the opening 45, but a nasty head to head challenge with Olivier Giroud on an early second-half corner forced Erik Palmer-Brown into replacement duty for the Vitesse man. The former U-20 MNT captain performed admirably in Miazga’s stead as the USA hung tough.
Les Bleus finally broke through in the 78th minute. After a series of close calls in the box, France intercepted a USA clearance. Some patient passing broke Nabil Fekir free on a run towards the corner of the box. He dished to Benjamin Pavard on the right wing, who slotted a cross to Mbappé in front of the net. The Paris Saint-Germain forward one-touched it to the far post for the equalizer.
Buoyed by the home crowd, France pressed for a game-winner until the final whistle, but the young Americans, bolstered by veteran subs DeAndre Yedlin and Jorge Villafaña, battened down the hatches and got a phenomenal double save from Steffen on the last kicks of the ball to secure the quality result.
Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Julian Green, 44th minute
After some patient build-up, Shaq Moore passed inside to Bobby Wood. Wood beat a defender one-on-one, but when another came to pressure, he slipped it back out to Moore on the wing. The right back took a touch, wheeled down the sideline and sent a cross into the box. Djibril Sidibe was there to meet it, but his touch got away, and Green jumped on the opportunity. The 23-year-old one-timed a bouncing ball between Sidibe’s legs and past a diving Lloris to give the USA the lead. USA 1, FRA 0
FRA – Kylian Mbappé, 78th minute
After a frenetic series of French chances inside the USA box, Antonee Robinson cleared the ball to midfield. France’s center backs took control, and an offensive interchange sprung Nabil Fekir free on a run towards the net. He sent a ball to Benjamin Pavard on the wing, who slotted a cross through the box to Mbappé . The PSG striker made no mistake, slotting to the far post. USA 1, FRA 1 FINAL
Key Defensive Plays:
USA – Cameron Carter-Vickers, 8th minute
A hard tackle from Cameron Carter-Vickers prevented a surefire early goal for Les Bleus. After an offensive interchange at the top left corner of the box, the ball ended up outside at the feet of Paul Pogba. Olivier Giroud made a cutting run to the net, and the well-played pass would’ve met him charging towards goal if not for a well-timed interception by Carter-Vickers.
USA – Tim Parker, 26th minute
After a long French build-up out of the back, Pogba made a dangerous attacking run through the middle of the field. He dished it to Kylian Mbappé at the top of the box, who found a nearby Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann quickly cut it back to Mbappé and the young forward launched a rocket toward the goal. Tim Parker got a touch to the shot to deflect it just over the crossbar.
USA – Zack Steffen, 33rd minute
On a run to the end line, Mbappé sent a cross all the way across the field to Benjamin Mendy. Mendy worked it towards the middle via Blaise Matuidi, who found Pogba at the top of the box. Pogba shook his mark before launching a hard-hit shot on goal. Despite the crowd in the box, Steffen was able to step forward and make the save.
USA – Cameron Carter-Vickers, 61st minute
Corentin Tolisso found Mbappé on the edge of the American final third, and the young forward was off to the races. He dribbled past two defenders as he went from one corner of the box to the other, but Carter-Vickers recovered. As Mbappé riffled a shot, Carter-Vickers made a magnificent slide to deflect the ball and keep France scoreless.
USA – Zack Steffen, 90 + 3’
After a dangerous spell of possession in the box, Fekir made a last gasp effort from nearly 40 yards out. He ripped a ball towards the net, but Steffen made a diving save to deflect it. Ousmane Dembele pounced on the rebound, and Steffen scrambled to his feet to push the ball wide to deny a sure goal on the last kick of the ball.
Additional Notes:
- U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report -
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. France
Date: June 9, 2018
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Groupama Stadium; Lyon, France
Attendance: 58,241
Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
Weather: 81 degrees; partly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
FRA 0 1 1
USA – Julian Green 44th minute
FRA – Kylian Mbappé (Benjamin Pavard) 78
Lineups:
USA: 12-Zack Steffen; 18-Shaq Moore (2-DeAndre Yedlin, 74), 5-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 3-Matt Miazga (14-Erik Palmer-Brown, 57), 21-Tim Parker, 17-Antonee Robinson (19-Jorge Villafaña, 82); 4-Tyler Adams, 20-Wil Trapp (capt.), 6-Weston McKennie; 16-Julian Green (8-Joe Corona, 70), 7-Bobby Wood (13-Josh Sargent, 74)
Substitutes: 1-Bill Hamid, 11-Tim Weah, 15-Eric Lichaj, 23-Rubio Rubin
Head coach: Dave Sarachan
FRA: 1-Hugo Lloris (capt.); 22-Benjamin Mendy (21-Lucas Hernández, 66), 19-Djibril Sidibé (2-Benjamin Pavard, 74), 5-Samuel Umtiti, 4-Raphaël Varane; 13-N’Golo Kante, 14-Blaise Matuidi (12-Corentin Tolisso,58), 6-Paul Pogba; 9-Olivier Giroud (11-Ousmane Dembélé, 58), 7-Antoine Griezmann (18-Nabil Fekir, 69), 10-Kylian Mbappé (8-Thomas Lemar, 87)
Substitutes: 23-Alphonse Areola, 16-Steve Mandanda, 3-Presnel Kimpembe, 15-Steve Nzozi, 17-Adil Rami, 20-Florian Thauvin
Head coach: Didier Deschamps
Stats Summary: USA / FRA
Shots: 2 / 19
Shots on Goal: 1 / 8
Saves: 7 / 0
Corner Kicks: 9 / 2
Fouls: 4 / 14
Offside: 0 / 4
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Shaq Moore (caution) 68th minute
USA – Weston McKennie (caution) 79
Officials:
Referee: William Collum (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: David Mcgeachie (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: Graeme Stewart (SCO)
Fourth Official: Don Robertson (SCO)
Budweiser Man of the Match: Zack Steffen