In the first of two warm-up games before next month's CONCACAF Cup against Mexico, the United States rallied to a 2-1 win over Peru with both goals coming in the second half from Jozy Altidore. Coming off a disappointing end to the summer's Gold Cup, the Yanks fell behind in the 20th minute, as Daniel Chavez's deflected shot looped over Brad Guzan in goal. The US stormed back in the second half, with Altidore leveling the score after slotting home a rebound from his saved penalty, before the Toronto FC striker prodded home in front of goal.
Peru spent much of the game in charge of the possession battle against the US, but were unable to really turn that into opportunities in front of goal in either half. Their best chance to score came just before the Altidore's second, when Guzan stopped two shots on the goal line.
Proceedings started with both sides feeling out the other with possession in the first half. Neither side was incisive enough to create any chances in the opening quarter hour, though DeAndre Yedlin had a dangerous cross pushed out, Jefferson Farfan saw his shot in the box blocked by Jermaine Jones.
The breakthrough from Peru came unceremoniously, as Chavez's shot took a big deflection off of Omar Gonzalez in the 20th minute. Collecting a pass near the top of the box from Andre Carrillo, Chavez quickly turned and took aim as Gonzalez turned to avoid the ball. The shot hit off of Gonzalez's back, and floated in over Guzan, who couldn't re-position himself in time.
Peru dominated possession for most of the rest of the half, without much end product to show for their domination of the ball. Farfan sent a free kick over the goal, before Carlos Lobaton had two long range efforts come to naught.
The US finally found a footing in the game late on in the half, putting the pressure on Peru's goal with several chances. Jones' run through the midfield ended with the New England Revolution man shooting from distance, only to be denied by Pedro Gallese palming the shot over.
The resulting corner eventually fell to John Brooks in the box after headers from Yedlin and Altidore, but the big center back skied his shot from eight yards out. Gyasi Zardes collected a long ball down the left two minutes later in the 41st, but his left footed shot was blocked by Gallese.
Altidore couldn't quite make the most of an ill advised back pass, beating Gallese to the ball, but having to chase down his heavy touch near the end line. Altidore eventually won a corner on the play, by Gonzalez harmlessly bounced a header from the corner wide of goal.
After a lull to open the second half, the game was re-energized in the 58th minute, as Altidore won a penalty for the US. A quick throw in from substitute Geoff Cameron into the box was flicked up by Altidore, and in the process of turning, he was clipped by Carlos Zambrano for a penalty.
Gallese guessed the right way on Altidore's penalty, but the rebound came right back to the striker, who made no mistake the second time, slotting home the equalizer.
Guzan stood on his head for a moment in the 67th minute, denying Peru of a go-ahead goal twice in the same play. A free kick in from the right was initially won by Paolo Hurtado, but Guzan was able to dive to his right to save the shot. The ball came straight back to Renato Tapia, who couldn't beat Guzan despite multiple follow-up attempts.
That save proved crucial for the US, because moments later, the Yanks were ahead with Altidore netting his 29th international goal. A quick move up the field allowed Yedlin to cut back on his defender in the box, giving the midfielder options in the box. Yedlin's pass towards Altidore was deflected over to Zardes, who quickly had a shot deflected as well. That deflection fell right to Altidore, who was all alone on the doorstep to give the US the 2-1 lead.
Peru began piling on pressure as the game neared a conclusion, but the third place finishers at the 2015 Copa America couldn't create much in front of goal. Possession deep in the US half was the US looked to defend their lead failed to lead to any tangible shots on goal, with Guzan able to make an easy save on Lobaton's shot from range
A quick free kick from Peru following a Tim Ream foul was blocked out before it became dangerous, and Carlos Ascues' curling effort had Guzan at full stretch, but the shot fell on top of the goal just as the game entered stoppage time.
The US heads up to New England to face Brazil on Tuesday, before October 10th's CONCACAF Cup game against Mexico at the Rose Bowl.