For someone who was born in Scotland, I never thought I would ever write that headline! Thirty years after a team of Scots conquered Europe when Celtic won the European cup, Scottish football is a shadow of itself. What ever happened to Scotland the Brave. Against the U.S. in Jacksonville FL, it was Scotland the Weak.
But lets not take anything away from what was a terrific U.S. performance. The win extended the Americans’ winning streak to five games and was the biggest victory in the Jurgen Klinsmann era.
The U.S. star was Landon Donovan, who showed he is not quite ready to turn over the mantle as top American to Clint Dempsey.
The United States jumped on the Scots from the opening whistle and it took Scotland only three minutes capitulate as Donovan knocked in his own rebound.
Eight minutes later it was 2-0 as Michael Bradley one-timed the winner on a volleyed effort from distance into the top corner past an outstretched Allan McGregor.
Scotland pulled one back in the 15th minute when a Kenny Miller header bounced off of Geoff Cameron’s chest and into the back of the net. But the Americans continued to push the tempo, and their reward came in the second half.
Donovan knocked in his second goal of the match at the hour mark with a composed finish inside the penalty area, and he completed his third career hat-trick for the United States five minutes later with another close-range finish.
Jermaine Jones, who assisted on two of the five goals, capped the scoring with a header in the 70th minute.
The Americans next take on Brazil on May 30 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
USA v Scotland Highlights