Wales 0-0 USA: Rob Page held to a goalless draw as he steps in for Ryan Giggs

Fans have been desperate to attend matches ever since they were locked out of stadiums by the coronavirus pandemic, but even the most ardent supporters of Wales and USA would be glad they had to give this one a miss.

With boss Ryan Giggs absent after his arrest earlier this month, his assistant Rob Page was in charge for a match that will not linger in the memory.

Gareth Bale was rested for Wales as both sides lacked punch in attack. Indeed, the first shot on target did not arrive until after the half-hour mark, when Tom Lawrence’s shot from just outside the box was saved by Zack Steffen.

Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie was the class player on show for a US side also containing stars from Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. Yet even with talent like McKennie, Sergino Dest, Gio Reyna and Tyler Adams, Gregg Berhalter’s young side struggled to create chances.

Shortly after Lawrence’s effort, Dylan Levitt’s poor backpass presented Konrad De La Fuente – on Barca’s books like Dest – with the chance to give the States the lead from close range, but he volleyed over the top.

And with half-time approaching, McKennie reached the byline and crossed low for Sebastian Lletget, whose back-heel at the near post was blocked by James Lawrence.

New York-born Valencia teenager Yunus Musah, who is also eligible for England, produced an energetic display on his senior debut. 

Even though he represented the States here, the 17-year-old has played for England from Under-15 to Under-18 level and Gareth Southgate is still hopeful he will eventually pledge his allegiance to them. As this was not a competitive game, Musah still has his pick of USA, England, Italy and Ghana.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Brennan Johnson almost made it a senior Wales debut to remember when, less than a minute after coming on as a substitute, he raced clear, only for Steffen to save with his legs.

At the other end another sub, Ulysses Llanez, came close with a powerful shot from distance that was pushed around the post by Danny Ward.