USA vs. Sweden Soccer Game - 1/19/08 in Los Angeles

[KC McElroy]

Sacha Kljestan became the first American in 75 years to score his first three international goals in the same game, leading the United States over Sweden 3-1 in an exhibition Saturday night.

Making his 12th international appearance, the 23-year-old midfielder beat goalkeeper Johan Dahlin with a 34-yard free kick in the 17th minute, then converted a penalty kick in the 40th following a foul on Marvell Wynne by Adam Johansson.

After Daniel Nannskog scored for Sweden on a diving 14-yard header in the 73rd, Kljestan made it 3-1 on a 12-yard shot a minute later off a pass from Brian Ching. Mikael Dahlberg put an 8-yard header past U.S. goalkeeper Troy Perkins in the 89th off Alexander Farnerud's second assist.

[EKBATAN]

hat trick from dude ive never heard of...
whats his background?

[Zamboor]

for those saying this was swedish a team they are so wrong. Not one single A team player there. AMERICA TOUR = Finding New Talents

[KC McElroy]

But still it's very embarrassing to lose to the USA's G team.

[fishyboy1209]

hat trick from dude ive never heard of...
whats his background?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacha_Kljestan
Dude he played on the Olympic team for US and wore number 16. He did really good btw in the olympics. He is east european, but I cant remember which county right now, and he plays for Chivas USA. He is a really good player IMO.

Edit- His dad is a Serb...... from Yugoslavian I believe or maybe it was serbia...it might say on the wiki.

[KC McElroy]

Here are highlights from Sweden's defeat against the USA's G team.

[Saaman]

[KC McElroy]

Even if it was Sweden's C team it is very embarrassing that they lost against USA's G team.

[KC McElroy]

It seems like Sweden has gotton a bit of a boost in confidence by defeating Mexico’s H team.

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Mexico continued their dismal run by losing 1-0 to the coach’s native Sweden in a friendly international on Wednesday.

Alexander Farnerud scored the only goal as Sweden pounced on a mistake by the Mexican defence in the 57th minute to leave Eriksson’s side with only one win in their last six outings.

Juan Carlos Valenzuela gave the ball away as Mexico tried to play out of defence, Rasmus Elm accepted the gift and found Farnerud who scored with a left-foot shot.

Mexico were close to opening the scoring when Matias Vuoso hit the post in the 17th minute while goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez prevented Sweden taking a halftime lead when he turned away Daniel Nannskog’s effort.

Carlos Ochoa had a header cleared off the line as Mexico pressed for an equaliser in the second half.

Mexico are away to the United States on Feb. 11 in their first match of the final stage of the CONCACAF region’s World Cup qualifiers.

Eriksson’s side were nearly eliminated in the previous stage, sneaking through on goal difference from Jamaica and finishing behind Honduras in their group after losing to both teams. They were also held to a draw by Canada.

Eriksson has also been heavily criticised for fielding too many foreign-born players, although the coach says he is only following the rules and does not understand what the fuss is about.

Mexico started with three naturalised players on Wednesday - Argentine-born Lucas Ayala and Matias Vuoso and Brazilian-born Leandro Augusto.

Ayala was replaced in the second half by Antonio Naelson, another player born in Brazil.

[EKBATAN]

Here are highlights from Sweden's defeat against the USA's G team.

OOOOF....1st and 3rd goal were nice!



and to sweden fans, its not embarrasing to lose...they put up a good game and lost only 3-2
i believe USA and sweden are probably on the same level