Seven games into his international career, Jefferson Savarino had yet to register his first goal for Venezuela. That changed on Sunday when he put Venezuela up 2-0 in a 3-0 win over the U.S. National Team in a friendly at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. For Venezuela it was the final tune-up before embarking on Copa America in Brazil while the U.S. was in preparation for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Savarino ran onto a ball outside the box from right-to-left and swung a left-footed shot past Zach Steffen. The initial shot struck the post, but Savarino sprung on the rebound while the U.S. defense was caught flat-footed and he fired his putback into the net.
Venezuela would go on to add another goal from Salomon Rondon – his second of the match – in the 36th minute to put the U.S. away.
Savarino, 22, has three goals and one assist with Real Salt Lake this season to give him 16 goals and 17 assists since arriving with RSL in 2017.
Venezuela starts Copa America on June 15 against Peru before taking on Brazil and Bolivia in the Group Stage.
The U.S. opens the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Guyana on June 18 at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, before meeting Trinidad & Tobago on June 22 and Panama on June 26 to close out the Group Stage.
