Cary: Tim Weah made his United States debut, Bobby Wood scored on a penalty kick and the Americans beat Paraguay 1-0 in an friendly for their first win in three games under interim coach Dave Sarachan.
Weah, the 18-year-old son of Liberian president and 1995 Fifa Player of the Year George Weah, entered in the 86th minute and was pulled down three minutes later by Derlin Gonzalez. Weah made his debut for Paris St-Germain on March 3, less than two weeks after his birthday, and the midfielder became the first player born in the 2000s to play for the US national team.
Midfielder Marky Delgado and forward Andrija Novakovich also made their US debuts. Sarachan has given three players debuts in each game since taking over for Bruce Arena, who quit in November after the US failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Delgado’s 50-yard pass led to the foul that resulted in the penalty kick.
Jorge Villafana won Bruno Valdez’s throw-in deep in the US end and headed the ball Tyler Adams. He squared it to Delgado before taking off. Adams reached Delgado’s pass about 30 yards from goal and rounded goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez, who tripped him with an outstretched arm.
Wood coaxed Fernandez into diving right while his penalty kick went left for his 11th international goal. Wood was making his first start since February 10, for Hamburg against Borussia Dortmund.
