The goal was a simple tap-in, but the finish itself could prove to be a crucial lift for the U.S. men's national team ahead of the World Cup.
Jozy Altidore got an elusive goal in the 31st minute of the U.S. team's 2-1 win over Nigeria on Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla., and it was as if the striker's sigh of relief could be heard in the cheers of the 52,033 fans at EverBank Field.
It was Altidore's first goal for since December, a string of 27 games for his club and the U.S. national team, and the finish may well have opened the floodgates. Altidore scored again in the 68th minute, shrugging off Nigerian captain Joseph Yobo on a cutback and smoking a shot to the far post.
Altidore downplayed the impact, saying he has felt pressure to score since he was 16, but U.S. coach Juergen Klinsmann acknowledged the potential benefits.
"I think it will give him a lot of confidence," Klinsmann said.
The U.S. finished unbeaten in its three send-off matches.
German player injured
Germany midfielder Marco Reus was ruled out of the World Cup because of an ankle injury sustained in a 6-1 friendly win over Armenia on Friday.
The German Football Federation said that Reus suffered a partial ligament tear in his left ankle and will miss six to seven weeks before he can resume training again.
Etc.
• Diego Costa looked plenty fit for the World Cup, using a burst of speed on his injured hamstring to draw an early penalty and playing into the 74th minute to help Spain beat El Salvador 2-0 in Landover, Md., in a final tuneup before departing for Brazil. Costa has been nursing a strained right hamstring.
• Cristiano Ronaldo resumed training with Portugal after recovering from leg injuries that threatened to sideline him from their World Cup opener against Germany.
• FIFA's decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar came under further scrutiny as a British newspaper, The Sunday Times, published new allegations that Mohamed Bin Hammam used his wealth and top level contacts to buy support for the country's successful bid.
