For just the second time since 1976, the U.S. men’s soccer team will not be going to the Olympics.
The U-23 men’s team blew a 3-2 lead against El Salvador Monday at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn. and ended up with a 3-3 draw.
Terrence Boyd scored twice for the U.S. but backup goalie Sean Johnson surrendered the tying goal four minutes into stoppage time — seconds before the game ended.
Johnson replaced Bill Hamid, who allowed two goals after hurting his ankle midway through the first half, and held El Salvador scoreless until stoppage time. Johnson didn’t speak with the media after the devastating loss.
Team captain Freddy Adu summed up the team’s disappointment.
“This is probably the worst feeling I’ve ever felt in my life so far as a pro athlete,” Adu said. “This is going to be hard to get over. But at the end of the day things like this happen. For me, I never want to feel this way again, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to never feel this way again.”
The U.S. team finished third in CONCACAF Group A standings behind Canada and El Salvador who both advanced to the semis thanks to a win and two draws. The U.S. had a win, loss, and the dreadful draw against El Salvador.
Photo Credit: Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE
Note: This post also appeared at Medal Detector
