U.S. ties Russia with late goal

Mix Diskerud gave the U.S. soccer a team a thrilling end to 2012.

Playing just his third game for the Americans, the 22-year-old midfielder scored his first international goal on a 20-yard shot 2:50 into four minutes of injury time, giving the United States a 2-2 tie against Russia on Wednesday in an exhibition game at Krasnodar.

Michael Bradley, who scored in the 76th minute, sent a long ball into the penalty area toward Terrence Boyd.

Defender Sergei Ignashevich tied to clear the ball but his header went on one hop to Diskerud. His right-footed shot took a bounce and spin in off the left hand of goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov.

It was a long ball and I was hoping with all my heart that it would come back to me and it did, Diskerud said. I got a nice strike.

We can compete with very good teams in the world, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. The way our team fought back twice after being down a goal was great. It showed a lot of personality. It showed a lot of character.

This is a young team, and a team that is growing.