Magallon scores twice to lift Mexico into draw with US
HOUSTON, Texas (AFP) — Jonny Magallon scored two goals as Mexico came-from-behind to post a 2-2 draw with the United States in a North American friendly match on Wednesday.
Magallon collected his first international goals in helping Mexico rally twice from one-goal deficits in front of 70,103 at Reliant Stadium.
"This is a moral win," Magallon said. "This was a closely marked game and there wasn't a lot of free space so this is something we can build on."
Mexico outshot the Americans 8-3 in the exhibition before this summer's qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
"It is a fair result," said American star Landon Donovan. "But we will kick ourselves for giving up two set-piece goals."
Magallon first knotted the game at 1-1 in the 36th minute, when he raced ahead and converted a free kick by using with his left foot to fire the ball into the top left corner of the net.
Just five minutes later, Josmer Altidore put the United States ahead in the 40th minute as he placed a header into the right corner. Altidore was making his first start for the US team.
But Mexico responded in the 48th minute as Magallon sent a header into the left side off a corner kick.
The United States opened the scoring in the 29th minute, when Oguchi Onyewu scored on a header after a throw-in from the left sideline.
"We had some stretches where we pushed hard," US coach Bob Bradley said. "It was nice to see Josmer get his first goal."
Seeking their sixth straight World Cup appearance, the Americans have a first-round bye and open qualifying in June against Barbados or Dominica.
