U.S. SOCCER: Kirovski and Donovan goals give Americans 2-0 win in Seattle

• by Soccer America , Mar 31, 2003

Jovan Kirovski and Landon Donovan scored second-half goals to lead the United States to a 2-0 win over Venezuela in front of 17,819 fans Saturday at Seattle Seahawks Stadium.

Making his first U.S. appearance in more than a year, Kirovski broke the scoreless deadlock in the 52nd minute when he scored on the third attempt by the U.S. attack off a free kick. After DaMarcus Beasley was taken down on the left side, Bobby Convey took the restart and found Brian McBride alone in the area. McBride's volley hit the post. On the first rebound, Carlos Bocanegra header struck the crossbar. The ball fell to Kirovski, who scored eighth goal for the U.S. in 55 appearances.

Donovan, a second-half substitute, scored one of the most spectacular individual goals ever by an American player when he scored his eighth international game to seal the victory in the 76th minute. He took a pass from John O'Brien just inside the Venezuelan half and broke free, beating three defenders down the left side, before cutting in and angling the ball inside the far post past goalie Gilberto Angelucci.

Angelucci received a red card in the 86th minute for denying Donovan a second goal by swatting Donovan's chip outside the box for a handball defense. Angelucci was replaced in the nets for the final four minutes by defender Jorge Rojas.

The game marked the return to the Seattle area of U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller. In his first appearance since the World Cup, where he was a backup to Brad Friedel, Keller registered his 29th career shutout and improved his unbeaten streak at home to 18 games (14-0-4).

USA-VENEZUELA SUMMARY:

May 29 in Seattle

USA 2 Venezuela 0. Goals: Kirovski 52, Donovan 76.

USA -- Keller, Cherundolo (Hejduk, 66), Pope (N.Garcia, 85), Bocanegra, Convey, Mastroeni, O'Brien, Klein (Stewart, 46), Beasley, McBride (Buddle, 80), Kirovski (Donovan, 60).

Venezuela -- Angelucci, Vallenilla (Alvarado, 81), Rey, Vielma, Rojas, Vera (Villafraz, 46), Jimenez, Urdaneta (Perez, 67), Paez; Noriega (Casseres, 67), J.Garcia ( Moreno, 46).

Yellow cards: USA -- Cherundolo 59; Venezuela -- Vallenilla 52.

Red Card: Venezuela -- Angelucci 86.

Referee: Mike Seifert (Canada).

Att.: 17,819