Chris Albright played the full 90 minutes and finished off the scoring as the U.S. national team crushed Club Deportivo Chivas USA 7-0 in a scrimmage Wednesday at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman also got a workout with the U.S. side, playing 45 minutes in the rout.
New England Revolution teammates Pat Noonan and Taylor Twellman each scored two goals each for the U.S. After Real Salt Lake striker Clint Mathis got the scoring started in the 10th minute, Noonan opened his account with the second U.S. goal in the 15th minute with a header from a Mathis corner, and then Noonan doubled his total 10 minutes later, heading in a cross from San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Brian Mullan.
FC Dallas forward and U.S. wunderkind Eddie Johnson scored the fourth goal for the U.S. just before halftime, and Twellman notched his double in the first 20 minutes of the second half to stretch the U.S. lead to six goals. Just nine minutes before the final whistle, Albright put a cap on the rout by blasting a 20-yard shot past Chivas USA substitute 'keeper Brad Guzan.
Albright and Hartman will remain with the U.S. national team as Bruce Arena prepares his charges for two friendlies ahead of the next two matches of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, which take place at the end of March. The Galaxy, meanwhile, are busy preparing for the 2005 MLS season. They will play the rival San Jose Earthquakes at the HDC on Thursday.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. Luis Bueno contributed to this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
