Tonight is the seventh time that Scotland and USA have faced each other in a senior international football game. Such fixtures used to be an almost nonexistent rarity, but in recent years it seems both nations have made an effort to face off against each other in international friendlies. So how have things gone? We recap the six clashes below.
30 Apr 1952 Scotland 6-0 USA
Just under two years removed from their 1950 World Cup triumph over England, the United States players faced another of the home nations with a far more humbling outcome. Lawrie Reilly tore the visitors apart with a first half hat-trick en route to a 6-0 demolition, while Ian McMillan chipped in with two and the other goal came courtesy of a own goal. Despite their famous upset against England, the American players were clearly still coming to grips with how the beautiful game should be played. The visiting side bemused home fans as each player took to the park wearing thick mittens that looked like old fashioned boxing gloves, while the goalkeeper insisted on throwing the ball out from behind his head as if he was a quarterback firing to a wide receiver.
17 May 1992 USA 0-1 Scotland
The friendly doubled as a warm-up for the European Champions later that summer and a look ahead to what Scotland could expect when playing in the World Cup in America two years later. Of course, things didn’t go according to plan with regards to the latter, but at least events went all right on the day for Andy Roxburgh’s team. The visitors won 1-0 in the scorching Colorado sun thanks to a seventh minute strike from Pat Nevin. Picking the ball up on the right, the midfielder drove inside, played a neat one-two with Ally McCoist, before flicking the ball into the top corner.
26 May 1996 USA 2-1 Scotland
Another European Championships to get ready for and another trip to the States in which to do so, although with a less positive outlook after the fixture. Craig Brown’s team started things well enough with Scot Gemmill going close in the third minute before Gordon Durie broke the deadlock in the ninth. Eric Wynalda then scored his country’s first senior goal against Scotland from the penalty spot. The match went back and forth for a while before Cobi Jones smashed home the winner from 25 yards.
30 May 1998 USA 0-0 Scotland
In what was fast becoming a tradition, the Tartan Army headed off to the States once more to prepare for a major international tournament. The difference on this occasion was that both teams were getting ready for action and perhaps the distraction of the upcoming summer event caused this listless contest. Each team did have their chance to win, however, with Roy Wegerle hitting the bar from close range and Kevin Gallacher wasting a clear one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
12 Nov 2005 Scotland 1-1 USA
The resurgence of the national side continued after Scotland fought back from a goal down in an even encounter with the Americans at Hampden. Walter Smith had taken over the squad halfway through the previous qualification campaign and confidence was rising after a strong finish to their group matches. They went behind early to a Josh Wolff penalty after DeMarcus Beasley was fouled, but Andy Webster equalised with a first half header and the score remained at 1-1 for the duration.
26 May 2012 USA 5-1 Scotland
If alarm bells had already been ringing with regards to Craig Levein’s ability to lead the national squad then they were positively deafening after this embarrassment in Jacksonville, Florida. Kick-off delayed the match as a record crowd turned up in attendance and it was clear from the off that the hosts were more up for the match than their uninspired opponents. Landon Donovan gave them an early lead before Michael Bradley doubled the advantage after only 11 minutes. Kenny Miller cut into the deficit before another two from Donovan and a header from Jermaine Jones completed the rout.
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