Feb. 23, 2007

UCLA sophomore midfielder Sal Zizzo assisted on both goals in a 2-2 draw between the U.S. Under-23 National Team and JFL squad Rosso Kumamoto in Kumamoto, Japan Friday. The U.S. finished its trip to Japan undefeated, recording two draws after also tying the Japanese Under-22 National Team on Wednesday, 0-0.

After a scoreless first half, the U.S. started the second half on a tear. Off a quick counter-attack, a streaking Zizzo received a pass from Arturo Alvarez and had a 1v1 opportunity. Zizzo sent a shot to the far post but saw Rosso Kumamoto goalkeeper Hiroki Kobayashi make a kick save. The rebound fell to Adam Cristman, who calmly put home the game's first goal in the 46th minute.

Zizzo and Cristman teamed up again in the 57th minute. Team captain Sacha Kljestan laid a ball behind the back three, and Zizzo used his speed to race past several defenders to reach the ball first. After turning the corner near the endline, Zizzo laid a perfect pass across the six-yard box that eluded Kobayashi. Cristmas outraced his marker and slid to knock the ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the day.

The U.S. let its two-goal lead vanish late in the game, however, as Rosso Kumamoto tied up the game with a pair of goals in the 82nd and 83rd minutes.

Former UCLA All-American Patrick Ianni also started for the U.S. and played 61 minutes.