Lalas and Kirovski on target, but second striker slot in Sampson’s lineup is still up for grabs Some questions answered and a big dilemma up front. That was the net result of the U.S national team’s two-game tuneup to the June 29 clash with El Salvador. Steve Sampson’s team rounded off its preparation swing with a 2-1 win over a physical Israeli team that ended the evening with nine men on the field in Jacksonville June 17. Alexi Lalas scored a rare international goal to give the U.S. the lead in the 28th minute. Rarer still, it was scored with his foot. Jovan Kirovski extended the lead with a well-struck shot from eight yards in the 68th minute. Israel scored a late consolation goal seven minutes from time through Moshe Glam, who brushed off a challenge from Mike Burns and put the ball through the legs of substitute keeper Juergen Sommer. “It went very well,” said Sampson of the two-game tuneup: A scoreless tie against Paraguay followed by the Israel victory. “I’m very pleased with most of what I saw, especially against a very defensive-minded team that largely played with only one player up front. We created a number of opportunities and I was happy with that.” As with the Paraguay game, it was the homegrown players ù and Kirovski ù that shone, with the token midfield bone thrown to an exile. Chad Deering got the start this time, and was every bit as unsuccessful as Dario Brose had been against the Paraguayans. Like Brose, Deering was substituted at halftime. By then the U.S. had the lead. Cobi Jones was fouled outside the area by David Amsalem. Jeff Agoos swung in the free kick and Lalas, who had managed to break free of shirt-tugging markers, beat out the onrushing Eddie Pope to stab the ball home from the far post. Kirovski, a halftime sub for Deering, began and finished the move that led to the second U.S. goal. He played a wide ball to Pope on the left, and the D.C. United defender laid a square ball across the goalmouth that Lassiter failed to connect with. The ball rolled to Wynalda, whose shot bounced off Amsalem and landed neatly into the path of Kirovski, who slotted the ball home from eight yards. “Jovan has played very well and I’m very surprised, given that he’s not played much first-team soccer this season,” said Sampson. “He’s been in a wonderful training environment and he has matured tremendously both physically and technically since January. His confidence is pretty high at the moment.” Also high is John Harkes’ confidence. The continuing presence of Mike Sorber enables the U.S. skipper to move forward. The finishing leaves something to be desired ù a late effort flashed across the goalmouth ù but the intent is there. “Sorber has earned that position,” said Sampson. “He’s played very well. He allows the other midfielders much greater freedom, allows them to apply tremendous pressure in the midfield and he’s very good at channeling possession away from the central defenders. “Lalas has been playing with a much greater level of confidence, Burns is playing a lot better than he was at this time a year ago. John continues to play exceptionally well in midfield. In fact, every single player who I had question marks over this time last year, has come through for me.”