US storm back to hold Slovenia

Johannesburg

The United States made a dramatic comeback from two goals down at halftime to draw 2-2 with Slovenia and rescue their World Cup chances.

Slovenia took a surprise 2-0 lead by halftime, outplaying the Americans and scoring with goals from Valter Birsa in the 13th minute and Zlatan Ljubijankic in the 42nd.

But Landon Donovan scored a brilliant individual goal three minutes after the break and as the Americans poured forwards, Michael Bradley, son of coach Bob Bradley, grabbed an equaliser eight minutes from time.

Slovenia grabbed the lead through a superb 25 metre strike from Valter Birsa - left in acres of space the winger looked up and fired past a strangely stationary Tim Howard.

The US were struggling to match-up in midfield with Birsa causing isolated U.S left-back Carlos Bocanegra all kinds of trouble but they went close to leveling in the 41st minute when Clint Dempsey crossed low to Landon Donovan but Miso Brecko slid in to clear.

But a minute later, the U.S were caught on the break, Milivoje Novakovic split open a flat back line with a superb through ball to Zlatan Ljubijankic who kept his cool and slotted past the advancing Howard.

US coach Bob Bradley had plenty to sort out at the break and he brought on Maurice Edu and Benny Feilhaber to the midfield, taking off Jose Torres and striker Robbie Findley.

Within three minutes of the restart the US pulled a goal back, Landon Donovan cutting in from the right flank and then blasting in at the near post from the tightest of angles.

— Reuters