US crush Uzbekistan on Berhalter's return
A fourth minute strike from Timothy Weah and two stoppage time goals gave the United States a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan in a friendly in St.Louis on Saturday.
American coach Gregg Berhalter was back in charge of the team for the first time since the World Cup in Qatar in December and while his side labored for long stretches he will be satisfied with the win against well-organized opposition.
Timothy Weah blasted the USA ahead with a shot that took a slight deflection after Weston McKennie showed some outstanding skill to bring down a high cross from Christian Pulisic and then hold off three defenders to set up the Juventus right-winger.
But Uzbekistan frustrated the Americans with their disciplined defensive work and also went close to scoring twice before the break.
Khojiakbar Alidzhanov rattled the bar with a fierce strike after cutting in from the right and then USA keeper Matt Turner had to be alert to foil Eldor Shomurodov after a mistake from Tim Ream.
There were few bright moments after the break, but the USA made sure of the win with a stoppage time strike from substitute Ricardo Pepi, who unleashed a first-time drive from the edge of the box.
The third came minutes later when Umar Eshmurodov brought down Malik Tillman and Pulisic converted the penalty to secure a scoreline that flattered the Americans.