Ipswich Town forward McGoldrick set up the opening two goals for the hosts at the Aviva Stadium in a showing that boosted his chances of playing a role in Ireland’s qualification campaign for the European Championship finals in France.
First McGoldrick played in Anthony Pilkington for his first international goal, only for midfielder Mikkel Diskerud to level for USA.
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However, McGoldrick was on hand again as Ireland’s lead was restored in the 55th minute by Robbie Brady, who made it four late on after James McClean had effectively made the game safe.
Ireland captain John O’Shea was given an award before the match for earning 100 caps and the hosts had further reason to celebrate after seven minutes as Pilkington opened the scoring.
The Cardiff City winger lofted the ball over USA goalkeeper Bill Hamid with a delicate chipped finish after McGoldrick had split the defence with a brilliant throughball.
Jurgen Klinsmann’s men responded well to that setback and went close to an equaliser when Fabian Johnson’s powerful low drive scraped the outside of Shay Given’s left-hand post.
Chances were few and far between at both ends but the visitors did level in the 38th minute as they capitalised on some sloppy Ireland defending.
Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore picked up a deflected pass on the left-hand side of the penalty area and curled a great ball to Chris Wondolowski, who headed down for Diskerud to volley home from point-blank range.
Altidore then almost went from creator to goalscorer but his effort from Wondolowski’s pull back cannoned off the crossbar.
Given was called into action shortly after the half-time interval to once again deny Altidore, whose profligacy was punished as McGoldrick broke down their defence for the second time.
The 26-year-old played a delightful return pass into the path of Brady, with the Hull City man making no mistake as he slotted the ball underneath Hamid.
USA would have pulled level for again if not for the continued heroics of Given, who turned an effort from substitute Bobby Wood round the post with a fine one-on-one save before another replacement Greg Garza stung his palms as Klinsmann’s side pressed for a second leveller.
Yet, for all their endeavour going forward, USA were shaky at the back and – after Shane Long struck the post – they were condemned to defeat as two quick-fire late goals put the result beyond doubt.
McClean wrong-footed Hamid with a deflected effort eight minutes from time to give Ireland breathing room and four minutes later Brady curled home with a fine set-piece to cap an excellent night for O’Neill’s team.
Ya fair play, but am I the only one a little uneasy with the two new lads’ tenuous links to this country. Thought we had got past this. Look I don’t blame MO’N for looking for other options etc. But some of these lads hadn’t a clue until recently of any irish connection at all! It’s a bit rich and shows up the fai for all their failings in developing soccer actually within this country
These lads have Irish connection and have chosen to play for Ireland. Thats good enough for me. Why dont people question the rugby team for having guys like Ah You etc in the squad? They dont even have Irish connections, apart from living here. Again, im not complaining, they chose Ireland and thats all that matters. But its never mentioned when discussing rugby but always brought up when discussing football.
Not disagreeing with you entirely by the way. What you said about the FAI hits the nail on the head and is such a shame to see.
Irish rugby has a small pool of players. They pretty much have no choice but to adopt this policy. Every country does it, Irish rugby has to do it because we are short in certain positions
I never mentioned rugby. Sure nearly half of them lads refuse to sing our national anthem so I’m not sure how irish they see themselves either. But the thing about ah you is he actually lives and works here and is immersed in the culture here. That is enough even for the parochial gaa to to get a transfer of counties. There’ll be plenty of African and eastern European names on irish team sheets in the future, but they’ll be as irish as you or me and I look forward to that. I wonder have Christie or McgoldRick ever set foot in this country before??
Pass by McGoldrick for Pilkington’s goal was world class. The vision, the weight of pass, the splitting of the defence. Iniesta like. More of this please!
It’s alrite doing it ther to nite but couldn’t do it again Scotland Ireland need learn how to press high on the pitch get rid the lads wi no heart as words from Keane wen he wore united shirt 90% heart 10% talent that wil win u games we need learn how to move ball forward quicker and slicker to many passes going astray or pumping long ball for once Ireland need to go for games instead hoping for draws here and ther and barely scraping by games against weak opposition Ireland soccer from grass roots needs total over haul I live for Irish soccer I play soccer and give it my all very time I play I see some lads wearing the Irish jersey that won’t take on player or track back or that just can’t do the simple thing in my eyes lot Irish players all no is kick chase instead seeing stuff before it happens no extinctive taught a wat so ever my opinion is my opinion but it makes sense it’s just a shame ppl at top of Irish soccer can’t see tis and change it or is it just going to be circle in another 25 years same thing wil be happening kick chase and hope meaning ther is no progression
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Fair feckin play
Ya fair play, but am I the only one a little uneasy with the two new lads’ tenuous links to this country. Thought we had got past this. Look I don’t blame MO’N for looking for other options etc. But some of these lads hadn’t a clue until recently of any irish connection at all! It’s a bit rich and shows up the fai for all their failings in developing soccer actually within this country
These lads have Irish connection and have chosen to play for Ireland. Thats good enough for me. Why dont people question the rugby team for having guys like Ah You etc in the squad? They dont even have Irish connections, apart from living here. Again, im not complaining, they chose Ireland and thats all that matters. But its never mentioned when discussing rugby but always brought up when discussing football.
Not disagreeing with you entirely by the way. What you said about the FAI hits the nail on the head and is such a shame to see.
Irish rugby has a small pool of players. They pretty much have no choice but to adopt this policy. Every country does it, Irish rugby has to do it because we are short in certain positions
I never mentioned rugby. Sure nearly half of them lads refuse to sing our national anthem so I’m not sure how irish they see themselves either. But the thing about ah you is he actually lives and works here and is immersed in the culture here. That is enough even for the parochial gaa to to get a transfer of counties. There’ll be plenty of African and eastern European names on irish team sheets in the future, but they’ll be as irish as you or me and I look forward to that. I wonder have Christie or McgoldRick ever set foot in this country before??
Great display. Best I’ve seen at the Aviva. If that Shane Long shot had gone in it’d be one of the best goals scored there.
Well done boys. Thought we were the underdogs going into this game. Great result for the fans
Pass by McGoldrick for Pilkington’s goal was world class. The vision, the weight of pass, the splitting of the defence. Iniesta like. More of this please!
Wow nice result!
It’s alrite doing it ther to nite but couldn’t do it again Scotland Ireland need learn how to press high on the pitch get rid the lads wi no heart as words from Keane wen he wore united shirt 90% heart 10% talent that wil win u games we need learn how to move ball forward quicker and slicker to many passes going astray or pumping long ball for once Ireland need to go for games instead hoping for draws here and ther and barely scraping by games against weak opposition Ireland soccer from grass roots needs total over haul I live for Irish soccer I play soccer and give it my all very time I play I see some lads wearing the Irish jersey that won’t take on player or track back or that just can’t do the simple thing in my eyes lot Irish players all no is kick chase instead seeing stuff before it happens no extinctive taught a wat so ever my opinion is my opinion but it makes sense it’s just a shame ppl at top of Irish soccer can’t see tis and change it or is it just going to be circle in another 25 years same thing wil be happening kick chase and hope meaning ther is no progression