Soccer was both the beautiful game and the exact opposite on Tuesday, as the United States men’s national soccer team took on El Salvador on Tuesday.
The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw in the CONCACAF Nations League match. El Salvador struck first with a first half goal from Alexander Larín. The United States then evened the game seconds into stoppage time in the second half on a header from Jordan Morris after a set-up by Luca de la Torre.
Both goals were executed brilliantly.
El Salvador strikes first 🇸🇻 pic.twitter.com/LNVCRnt1Kk
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2022
JORDAN. MORRIS. 🇺🇸@JmoSmooth13 equalizes in the 90th minute 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/DxlW7OIgg0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2022
That was the beautiful part of the game. The ugly part came in two different ways.
One, the play throughout would best be described as chippy. Over less than 10 minutes in the second half, Paul Arriola of the United States and El Salvador’s Ronald Gómez both received red cards.
Paul Arriola was shown a red for this challenge pic.twitter.com/LxKRg84MwP
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2022
El Salvador was shown a red for this challenge pic.twitter.com/KYGoXUe2WT
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2022
Then there was the pitch itself, which looked as if about 500 gophers descended upon it about five minutes before kick-off. These conditions might have even given Dan Snyder cause for concern.
That did not go unnoticed by those watching.
This is an embarrassment of a pitch that the USA Men’s soccer team is playing in El Salvador on. #USMNT #ConcacafNationsLeague @USMNT pic.twitter.com/4SeUuJ2X8G
— Manila Rice (@Manila_Rice_) June 15, 2022
A competitive game was played on this pitch. In that game, there were two red cards, multiple skirmishes and horrible officiating. In other words, welcome to what is just another night in #CONCACAF #USMNT pic.twitter.com/4i9u3SILMN
— Matthew Klingenberger (@MaKling54) June 15, 2022
Look at the pitch in El Salvador tonight #USMNT pic.twitter.com/FtdI8lY74n
— Sean Ash (@SeanAshWX) June 15, 2022
Weather in El Salvador 📍🇸🇻 pic.twitter.com/5fSwXba79e
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2022
Pulisic's jersey is no longer white 😅 😂 pic.twitter.com/TrgqL52k58
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2022
#USMNT #ConcacafNationsLeague Seen better pitches between trenches in WWI pic.twitter.com/yztPWiGYf6
— SweetTea_Liberal (@SweetTea_Lib) June 15, 2022
This pitch in this #USMNT vs. El Salvador match is a joke. There is no way any high level soccer should be played on this mess.
— Felix Trammell (@BlessdCommander) June 15, 2022
One goal for each team. One red card for each team. A pitch that was borderline unplayable. #USMNT #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/cx8ddALBfY
— John Bava III (@JohnBava3) June 15, 2022
While both goals scored in the game were beautiful, it’s unlikely that anyone who played in it will be including much from it in their personal highlight reels. That said, conditions can’t always be controlled. Getting through the match with a 1-1 draw is something both squads can take some pride in.
