- Christian Pulisic - 61'
- Sema Velázquez - 29'
Christian Pulisic scores as United States draw with Venezuela
Christian Pulisic scored as the United States drew 1-1 with Venezuela in a friendly warmup ahead of a pair of crucial World Cup qualifiers later this month.
DeAndre Yedlin, Fabian Johnson and Bobby Wood made their national team debuts under new coach Bruce Arena as the squad prepares for CONCACAF qualifiers against Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico on July 8 and 11, respectively.
But it was Venezuela, currently bottom of the CONMEBOL qualifying table, who took the lead in the 29th minute. From a corner, a failed initial clearance found Junior Moreno on the wing, who headed his effort back into the goalmouth where Jose Velazquez was there to toe-poke home.
The South Americans nearly doubled their lead in the 34th minute, but a leaping Tim Howard did well to tip Moreno's powerful shot from distance around the post and behind the goal.
And Howard again came to the U.S.'s rescue on the ensuing corner kick, when the Colorado Rapids keeper barely palmed Rubert Quijada's close-range header onto the post and back into play before it was cleared out of danger.
The United States improved after the break. And it was teenage sensation Pulisic who found Arena's side the equalizer in the 61st minute.
Picking up a ball at the top of the box, the Borussia Dortmund product cut back onto his left foot before dragging a shot across his body and off keeper Jose Contreras' fingertips before tucking inside the far corner.
The goal marked the 18-year-old Pulisic's fifth for the United States.