AP, Dublin :
Robbie Brady scored twice to lead a second-string Ireland side to a 4-1 win over the United States in a friendly on Tuesday.
Ireland, which changed all 11 starters from Friday’s 1-0 defeat by Scotland in European Championship qualifying, went ahead in the seventh minute when Anthony Pilkington chipped U.S. goalkeeper Bill Hamid. David McGoldrick, making his international debut, provided the through pass as Pilkington made his run.
Mix Diskerud equalized in the 39th after Jozy Altidore’s lofted cross into the penalty area fell to Chris Wondolowski. He dropped a cushioned header to Diskerud, who used the outside of his right foot to flick the ball low into the right corner of the net as chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” rang out in Aviva Stadium.
Brady restored Ireland’s lead in the 55th after he got behind the defense and scored from seven yards out, and James McClean made it 3-1 in the 82nd with a shot that deflected off defender Geoff Cameron.
Brady scored his second of the night with a 25-yard (meter) free kick in the 86th that curled into the top left corner – extending the Americans’ winless streak to four games.
“It’s good to finish the year on a high,” Brady said. “The Americans have had a good year. We knew it was going to be a tough game, because they’re no pushovers. So we’re delighted to get the win, and for a lot of our lads who don’t normally get a chance to play to do so well.”
Ireland is battling to qualify for the 2016 European Championship in France. Friday’s defeat meant the Irish slipped to fourth place in Group D behind Poland, Germany and Scotland – although they are level on points with the Germans and Scots.
