USMNT play to scoreless draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina

The United States Men’s National Team scrapped to a mostly dull 0-0 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, on Sunday night.

Philadelphia Union striker CJ Sapong earned the start for the Stars and Stripes while his club teammate Haris Medunjanin captained the visitors. Former Union Academy and FC Delco star Zack Steffen earned his first cap in goal and played the second half.

The USA started a largely untested side under interim head coach Dave Sarachan, featuring MLS Defender of the Year Ike Opara anchoring the backline, Columbus Crew midfielder Will Trapp, and 18-year-old starlet Tyler Adams in the midfield.

Sapong had one of the only chances of the game for the USA in the first half, bearing down on goal in the seventh minute and forcing a save from a tight angle from Ibrahim Sevic, the Bosnian goalkeeper.

Luka Menalo had a point-blank chance three minutes before halftime on a deflection in the center of the box, but Bill Hamid came up with a huge save to keep the match goalless.

Jordan Morris rounded the ‘keeper in the 51st minute but his shot missed by inches.

Menalo earned a penalty kick a minute later on the left edge of the box after he should have been whistled for shoving Kelyn Rowe. Medunjanin’s effort from the spot clanked off the left post after he sent Steffen the wrong way.

There weren’t too many chances the rest of the way, although the match did open up a bit end-to-end, with Cristian Roldan stabbing an attempt wide of the left post after a poor touch on a good cross in the 60th minute.

It was far from Bosnia’s best squad, and a rather blah result for the Americans, who are trying to find pieces that will stick for the future. Opara played well as did both ‘keepers, and Trapp was solid in his role as well. The USA was largely devoid of creativity the entire game.

The team has no matches scheduled in the future as of now, but they will look to add some useful fixtures to their schedule for the summer period, including a potential series against other teams who missed the World Cup in Russia.