By Elaine Donnelly
Extending sexual misconduct to combat units
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
The United States heads into World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico with an inexperienced defense after dropping captain Carlos Bocanegra and learning eight players are injured or ill.
Mix Diskerud scored his first international goal in the third minute of injury time, giving the United States a 2-2 tie against Russia on Wednesday in an exhibition game at Krasnodar.
For Maurice Edu and Clarence Goodson of the U.S. national team, Monday's training session at Ludwig Field was a throwback, a return to the University of Maryland stomping grounds they once roamed before representing their country at the pinnacle of their sport.
A slow start doomed the United States against Panama, slowing the Americans' usual march to the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup.
Defender Clarence Goodson, a member of the U.S. World Cup team, has signed a three-year contract with the Danish club Brondby.
FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea was given his U.S. national team debut against Colombia on Tuesday night, and defender Oguchi Onyewu captained the Americans for the first time while AC Milan teammate Mario Yepes captained the visitors.
"It's great to be able to play the best teams in the world," Goodson said. "That's what you want to do as a professional. You want to be able to see how you measure up and go out there and give it a go, especially when you're able to represent your country and have the flag over your heart. It's an amazing feeling."
U.S. friendly against Brazil has familiar feel for two ex-Terps →
"Anytime you come home, it's obviously a unique, special situation," Goodson said. "It gets better every single time. Every time you come back, you don't know if it's going to be your last time. So you really try to enjoy it and make the most of the situation."
U.S. friendly against Brazil has familiar feel for two ex-Terps →
