A moment of madness from Jozy Altidore cost the United States victory over Switzerland in their 1-1 friendly international draw in Zurich on Tuesday.

After Brek Shea had scored a superb free-kick from 20 yards on the stroke of half-time, Toronto FC striker Altidore swore at the match official in the 68th minute after having a foul given against him.

The match official immediately produced a red card and dismissed the striker.

With the USMNT down to 10 men, their previous dominance of the game was undone, and Switzerland equalised in the 80th minute through substitute Valentin Stocker.

Considering the circumstances, the result was a good one for the United States, but coach Jurgen Klinsmann will rue the dismissal of Altidore after missing out on the psychological advantage of victory ahead of the friendly against Mexico next month.

Michael Bradley was handed an advanced central midfield role in Jurgen Klinsmann’s team as they looked to bounce back from the 3-2 defeat to Denmark on Wednesday.

Shea, Danny Williams and Alfredo Morales were also restored to the USMNT starting line-up.

Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri was the major name in the Switzerland line-up, although it was his hairstyle that drew most attention as the game kicked off.

An early Gyasi Zardes run to the by-line offered the first threat on goal in the fourth minute, but his low cross was comfortably dealt with by the Swiss defence.

The host nation looked set to open the scoring in the ninth minute as Josip Drmic arrived in the USMNT area, but Tim Chandler and Michael Orozco combined to thwart his shot.

The United States produced a great 14th-minute move. Alejandro Bedoya chipped a cross into Zardes, who fired over the crossbar from 15 yards.

Mis-communication between Zardes and Bradley saw a potentially dangerous counter-attack break down at the crucial moment, and the 16th-minute opportunity was lost.

Bradley should have done better with a 28th-minute chance after Bedoya cut the ball back for him, but the midfielder’s effort was high over the goal.

Bedoya went close for USMNT in the 32nd minute with a close-range header, but his effort was held easily by Switzerland goalkeeper Roman Burki.

Shaqiri finally found some purpose five minutes before half-time with a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, but Admir Mehmedi was guilty of an awful miss in front of goal.

In the final minute of the first half, though, the United States broke the deadlock with a deserved strike.

After a foul on Morales, Shea lined up a free-kick from 20 yards and sent a beautiful curling left-footed effort into the top corner of Burki’s goal.

Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner were among three Swiss players to leave the game ahead of the second period.

But the changes did not stop USMNT almost adding a second early in the second period when Zardes headed just wide from a Chandler ball.

Bradley spurned another chance for the United States when he could not find his feet to collect a loose ball from a Burki clearance.

Switzerland had made a multitude of changes in the early part of the second period, and were looking to be a stronger unit giving USMNT greater threat to deal with.

The visitors were dealt a blow in the 68th minute as they were reduced to 10 men. After making a reckless challenge, Altidore reacted angrily to a yellow card saw the referee produce a second one immediately for the former Sunderland striker.

It was a ridiculous reaction from the forward, and the home nation sensed a chance to take advantage, and Pajtim Kasami went close with a back-post header from a Shaqiri cross.

And with 10 minutes remaining, the United States finally succumbed. Stocker, who had entered the game as part of the wholesale changes at half-time, was on hand to pounce on a loose ball inside the area after the visitors failed to clear a well-worked Swiss corner.

But Chandler was guilty of playing the Swiss player onside when a single step would have annulled the strike.

The goal lifted the Swiss, but the United States held out for a draw. 

 

Selected Player Ratings

Michael Bradley: B+

Appeared out of sorts in the No. 10 role handed to him by Klinsmann, and squandered an excellent early chance to open the scoring.

 

 

Alejandro Bedoya: A

A constant threat for USMNT throughout the game. Arguably, the best United States player of the past year and proved his worth once more in Zurich.

 

Xherdan Shaqiri: A-

The most high-profile Switzerland player on show from the start, but failed to live up to his reputation on the day. Seemed to be playing a roaming role but a lack of shape in Swiss midfield annulled his threat in the first half. Improved in the second period, however, in a right-sided role.

 

Post-Match Reaction

 

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