In its first international friendly of 2015, the U.S. Men’s National Team implemented a new 3-5-2 formation. It featured Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey, who wore the captain’s armband while making his 100th career start for the USA on Wednesday.
With Dempsey playing as a central attacking midfielder in the first half and at forward in the second, the USA lost 3-2 to Chile at Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua. Chile, which reached the knockout stage of last summer’s World Cup, is currently No. 14 in the FIFA World Rankings. Wednesday’s match was the first international friendly in South America for the USA since 2000.
In addition to earning his 100th start, Dempsey moved into seventh all-time with 111 caps for the National Team.
USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann used a 3-5-2 formation for the opening 45 minutes before switching to a 4-4-2 in the second half. With Dempsey in the middle and former Sounders FC defender DeAndre Yedlin on the right wing, the USA played some entertaining soccer and found the back of the net right away. Brek Shea opened the scoring in the sixth minute on a well-struck volley from about six yards out.
The USA took a 2-1 lead into halftime on Jozy Altidore’s goal in the 31st minute, but the Chileans put two more past goalkeeper Nick Rimando in the second half. Rimando and Dempsey were among nine MLS players in the starting lineup for the USA, as the Sounders FC forward took one shot and drew three fouls before being substituted in the 68th minute.
Yedlin, the first Homegrown Player in Sounders FC history, earned his 11th cap on Wednesday.
Sounders FC midfielder Brad Evans was also called into January camp, but the 29-year-old withdrew after just four days due to tendinitis in his left knee. Evans was a full participant in the first few sessions of Seattle’s preseason training camp.
The National Team now returns home to train in Carson, Calif., where it will face Panama on February 8 at the StubHub Center. Following that match, Dempsey will return to Sounders FC for a week of training at Starfire Sports before the club heads to the Desert Diamond Cup in Tucson, Arizona as part of its final trip of the 2015 preseason.
