The US, lacking their European-based stars, rallied to beat El Salvador 2-1 on Wednesday in a friendly with goals from Brian Ching and Sacha Kljestan.
The US went a goal down when a defensive error allowed Rudis Corales to score in the 59th minute.
Substitute striker Brian Ching headed home the equalizer 16 minutes later before midfielder Sacha Kljestan snatched the winner in stoppage time with a fine solo effort.
PHOTO: AFP
“I thought there were a lot of positives,” US coach Bob Bradley said. “Some good efforts. Some positive things on the field.”
Ching, Kljestan and Pearce were among just a handful of players in the US squad who appear to have a real chance of being selected for the US squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa in June.
Ching was in the 2006 World Cup squad, but didn’t get a game.
Ching voiced concern that a possible Major League Soccer (MLS) labor dispute could hinder the chances of making the World Cup squad for players who play their club soccer in the US league.
“If we’re not playing games week-in and week-out, that puts us at a big disadvantage,” Ching said. “Hopefully, it [a strike] doesn’t happen.”
MLS management have offered a no-lockout pledge, but players have yet to respond with a no-strike promise, raising the specter of the league’s first work stoppage.
The current collective bargaining agreement expired on Jan. 31. The sides have twice extended bargaining, with players vying for increased free-agent rights and more guaranteed contracts. The MLS season is due to start on March 25.
In another friendly on Wednesday Braulio Luna scored and set up three other goals as Mexico beat Bolivia 5-0 in San Francisco.
Javier Hernandez scored two and Pablo Barrera and Paul Aguilar also got on the scoresheet for Mexico, who were playing without their Europe-based players.
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