In front of a sell-out crowd at Giants Stadium, the United States and Argentina played one of the most thrilling 0-0 draws one could ever witness. And only the heroics of goalkeeper Tim Howard kept the U.S. in the game, while the crossbar saved the Argentines.

First Half

As thundershowers sporadically cooled off the 78,682 fans sweating on a blistering hot day in New Jersey, both teams came out looking for a result. Julio Cruz and Sergio Aguero nearly created a goal in the 5th minute. Aguero loosed Cruz in behind the defense on the left side, and Howard had to be sharp to save his fiery shot. The rebound fell back to the Inter striker, but Howard swatted away his second attempt, as well.

Clint Dempsey (USA), Lionel Messi (Arg), USA v. Argentina, June 2008 (ISI)

Cruz again came close in the 28th minute, running on to a Lionel Messi throughball. Alone on goal, Cruz was again stymied by Howard, who slid to make the save.

Just before the break, the U.S. had its best chance of the first 45. Clint Dempsey swung a cross in from the right side, and Eddie Johnson rose to meet it with his head. His shot had some pepper, but it went straight into Roberto Abbondanzieri's hands.

A minute later, still before the whistle, Messi played Cruz in alone again, and Howard stuffed him one more time. Something had to chance in the second half, or eventually Howard would break.

Second Half

That something came soon after the restart. The U.S. had a new urgency about them. And almost immediately, took the initiative. Landon Donovan's corner kick from the left side was met by Oguchi Onyewu's head, but the powerful shot caromed tantalizingly off the cross bar.

U.S. keeper Tim Howard is catch of the day with Argentines buzzing around his goal all night at Giants Stadium as Americans earn draw with world's top-ranked team.

Being outplayed now, the Argentines resorted to fouling, and the Americans gave it right back. In the 60th minute, U.S. midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, most famous for his red card against Italy in the 2006 World Cup, was shown a second yellow for unsporting behavior and sent early to the showers.

In the 67th minute, DaMarcus Beasley played Johnson in on goal. As a roar went up in the stadium, Johnson's heavy touch went too far and Abbondanzieri was able to clear it with a sliding save.

In the 84th minute, Javier Mascherano received his second yellow card of a studs-up tackle on Donovan. A minute later, Donovan sprung Sacha Kljestan down the right side. The Chivas USA midfielder cut back to the inside, but his shot was deflected just over the bar, preserving the shutout and the Argentines' blushes.

The U.S., which improves to 1-9-1 against #1-ranked teams, now goes on to face Barbados in World Cup qualifying next Sunday, June 15, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Argentina take on Ecuador at home next Sunday and Brazil the following Wednesday.

Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 6-Steve Cherundolo, 22-Oguchi Onyewu (23-Jay DeMerit, 61), 5-Danny Califf, 15-Heath Pearce (7-Eddie Lewis, 78); 4-Michael Bradley (26-Maurice Edu, 46), 25-Pablo Mastroeni; 8-Clint Dempsey (19-Freddy Adu, 61), 10-Landon Donovan (capt.), 17-DaMarcus Beasley (2-Frankie Hejduk, 91+); 9-Eddie Johnson (12-Sacha Kljestan, 74)

ARG: 1-Roberto Abbondanzieri; 3-Gonzalo Rodriguez, 4-Nicolas Burdisso (2-Martin Demichelis, 46), 6-Gabriel Heinze, 13-Pablo Zabaleta (8-Javier Zanetti, 77); 5-Fernando Gago, 7-Maximiliano Rodriguez (20-Fernando Cavenaghi, 74), 14-Javier Mascherano (capt.); 9-Julio Cruz (19-Lisandro Lopez, 64), 11-Sergio Aguero (15-Ever Banega, 88), 18-Lionel Messi (17-Jose Sosa, 46)

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