Jordan Morris tallied his first international goal since the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup final. (Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports)
ST. LOUIS — It was a far cry from the 3-0 debacle of a loss to Mexico Friday night, as the United States men bounced back and rallied to draw Uruguay, 1-1, in an international friendly at Busch Stadium Tuesday night.
Forward Jordan Morris struck for the equalizing goal in the 79th minute. Former Red Bulls center back Tim Ream started the scoring sequence with a splitting pass up the middle of the field. The ball eventually reached Nick Lima, who blooped a cross to an open Morris on the left side of the net.
Morris knocked the ball into the net with his chest past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera from point-blank range to tally his first international goal since the game-winner at the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup final. It also was the Seattle Sounders FC forward’s sixth international goal.
Morris missed the entire 2018 Major League Soccer season with a torn ACL.
“It was a long year last year for me,” he told FS1. “To get back on the score sheet was amazing.”
Asked why soccer fans should watch the USMNT, Morris replied, “Its a process. Guys are 100 percent bought in. When we figure things out, it’s going to be really good. … The guys are completely confident in ourselves.”
Some 21 minutes prior to his goal, Morris was denied by Muslera from close range off a Tyler Boyd cross from the right flank.
Los Angeles FC’s Brian Rodriguez, 19, making only his second appearance for the South American side, found the range in the 49th minute as beat current Red Bulls center back Aaron Long and then goalkeeper Brad Guzan for his first goal for his country.
The Americans next will meet Cuba and Canada in the Concacaf Nations Cup. They will welcome the Caribbean side to Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Oct. 11 before visiting the Maple Leafs at BMO Field in Toronto Oct. 15.
