US MNT Easily Handles China

Used as a tune-up for the Gold Cup, the U.S. national team dismantled China for a 4-1 victory in San Jose, CA, yesterday afternoon.

Utilizing a mostly youthful roster, Bob Bradley's team went on top first when in the 10th minute DaMarcus Beasley earned a penalty kick after being tripped up by Chinese keeper Chen Dong. It was Beasley who converted the PK for his 13th goal with the Nats.

But China had an answer. Five minutes later, the Chinese had moved into the U.S. penalty area when the ball got knocked out to defender Zhang Yaokun, who powered his shot by goalkeeper Tim Howard to knot the game at 1-1.

After that, it was all U.S.A. Sacha Kljestan, making his national team debut, sent a pass to Benny Feilhaber who took advantage of the Chinese keeper rushing out to defend him by chipping the ball up and over Chen Dong to make it 2-1. "Sacha just sent me through," said Feilhaber of his goal. "I figured that I would put the ball over the top. I was just hoping that the defender was not going to get there before the ball crossed the line."

Feilhaber wasn't done - in the 75th minute he took a corner kick which found former New England Revolution star Clint Dempsey's head. The Fulham star's header was on target, making it 3-1.

Just four minutes later, the U.S. tallied once more. DaMarcus Beasley's free kick from 30 yards out found Oguchi Onyewu. The 6'4" defender who spent time on loan with Newcastle United this past season rose above the defense and used a snap-header to score, giving the U.S. a 4-1 win and keeping Bob Bradley undefeated in 2007 at 4-0-1.

"Overall we were pleased with the effort," Bradley said. "I think that we got a lot out of this game. It is good for us, going into the Gold Cup, to get a game like this under our belts."