Steve Birnbaum’s 90th-minute header lifted the US to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Iceland on Sunday in an international soccer friendly.
The 25-year-old defender for Major League Soccer’s DC United leaped high in the heart of the penalty area to receive a free-kick from Michael Bradley and nodded the ball into the back of the net for the decider, the Americans’ first lead on the day.
Toronto striker Jozy Altidore and Tijuana’s Michael Orozco also scored for the US, which seized a 3-2-2 edge in the all-time rivalry with Iceland.
“We’re trying to get our legs under us,” Altidore said. “It’s nice to play a real opponent. We have to get fitter and just be a little bit sharper. Sometimes that first pass wasn’t there, but that will come in time.”
Iceland’s Kristinn Steindorsson opened the scoring in the 13th minute, finding the goal with a deflection off defender Orozco.
The Americans equalized in the 20th minute when Bradley chipped a pass over a defender’s leg to Altidore, who flicked a left-footed shot past the sprawling goalkeeper for his 32nd international goal, fourth on the all-time US list.
A quick free-kick in the 48th minute by Iceland set up Aron Sigudarson, who blasted a right-footed shot past US goalkeeper Luis Robles and inside the far post for a 2-1 Iceland lead.
The Americans pulled level again in the 59th minute when Birnbaum headed a centering pass to the far side of the goal and saw Orozco nod it home.
Orozco had been a Friday addition to the US squad after recovering from an ankle injury that sidelined him for the start of the Mexican League season.
Iceland was making early preparation for the European Championships while a US squad mixing under-23 and senior players was girding for key March matchups.
The national team is slated to play at Guatemala on March 25.
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