Teenage forward Juan Agudelo scored the game-winning goal in his United States debut, his 84th-minute tally giving the U.S. a 1-0 victory at South Africa.
“I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say,” said Agudelo, a 17-year-old Red Bull rookie who came on as a second-half substitute. “As soon as I saw the ball go in I didn’t believe it. I was afraid it would be called back. So many people here watching, it’s an important goal.”
Important indeed. Within minutes of the final whistle, both he and the National Team were trending on Twitter in both New York and the U.S.
Agudelo _ the first-ever MLS academy product to appear for the U.S. National Team _ started the play, passing to midfielder Mikkel Diskerud, taking the ball back and touching it off his left hip in the box. Despite defensive pressure, he tapped it off the crossbar and in with his right foot for the eventual winner.
“I played a through ball, and noticed he cut back. I made the run, cut back toward goal; that’s where goals come from,” Agudelo said. “I took a touch with my thigh, and touched it in.”
The striker, born in Colombia and raised in New Jersey, clutched his chest as the final whistle sounded and breathed a sigh of relief.
Fellow Red Bull rookie Tim Ream also made his U.S. debut, starting the game at centerback.