Wednesday, June 19, 2013

USMNT Nears World Cup Qualification With Win Over Honduras

Last night, the USMNT moved one step closer to qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup by knocking off Honduras, 1-0. Jozy Altidore scored off a nice feed from Fabian Johnson in the 71st minute to put the Stars and Stripes on the scoreboard, and despite not being able to put a number of other chances into the net, the US held on to win its third consecutive qualifer.

Watch Jozy Altidore's game-winning goal

The US dominated play last night, both visually and statistically. Honduras seemed to play for a draw in the first half, often keeping all but one of its players behind the ball and daring the US to come forward. Honduras' best threat of the match came near stoppage time when Tim Howard saved an Andy Najar shot, an opportunity was created by a bad clearance by an otherwise-solid Matt Besler.

The US's started out much more aggressive in the second half, creating chances in the 56th minute (Evans header saved) and 63rd minute (Dempsey header hit the arm of a Honduran defender in the box, but no call was made for what should have been a penalty kick awarded to the US). It seemed inevitable there would be a goal, and the red-hot Altidore was able to convert on his best opportunity of the night.

The US outshot Honduras 13-6, shots on goal 5-1, and had 9 corner kicks to HON's 3.

The Hex standings show the US on top with 13 points, followed by Costa Rica with 11, Mexico with 8, Honduras with 7, Panama with 6, and Jamaica with 2. Each team plays four more matches, so there are loads of points left to play for. The US will mathematically clinch by earning six more points.

That sets the stage for its next two qualifiers, both critical matches in September: at Costa Rica on September 6 and home vs Mexico on September 10 in Columbus, Ohio. If the US wins both, they will rest easy in their final two matches. Obviously, Costa Rica and Mexico are not quite as solidly positioned, so they will be a bit more desperate, promising some interesting drama between the best three teams in the Hex this fall.

NEXT UP: World Cup qualifying does not begin again until the match at Costa Rica on September 6, but that doesn't mean the USMNT will rest this summer. Many of the core players on the team will also represent the Stars and Stripes in the Gold Cup, the regional tournament hosted by the US, which kicks off in July. The first match of the group stage for the US will be on July 9th when they take on Belize in Portland, followed by July 13th against Cuba in Salt Lake City, and Costa Rica in Connecticut.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Stoppage Time Goal Gives USMNT Important World Cup Qualifier Win Over Jamaica

Last night, the Stars and Stripes won a critical World Cup Qualifier in Jamaica, 2-1. Brad Evans scored the winning goal in stoppage time, moments after a questionable goal from the Reggae Boys tied things up (replays showed the goal should have been waived off for offsides). The win puts the US in a tie atop the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Group just shy of the Hex's halfway point.

My three positives from last night's match:

1. Graham Zusi and Jozy Altidore continue to shine
For the second match in a row, Zusi fed Altidore with a beautiful cross, which the enigmatic American forward once again netted for an important early goal to set the tone for the match. Zusi has been stellar for the better part of the last two matches, while Altidore's recent goal production seems to have sparked more effort in all other phases of his game. Zusi will miss the match Tuesday against Panama because he picked up a questionable yellow card late in last night's match. Let's hope someone can bring a similar level of threat to the US attack.

Altidore Goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFdQnBz4mqk


2. Michael Bradley remains the most important player on the pitch
While watching Belgium rout the US in Cleveland in person a couple weeks back, my mind wandered to consider how different the squad would have looked with Bradley in the midfield. Since his return, the US has controlled much more of the ball and the boys have seemed much more composed when threatened in the final third of the field. Clint Dempsey may be the USMNT captain, but Bradley is its most irreplaceable player.

3. The rest of the Hex schedule bodes well for the USMNT
The US plays its next two matches at home, with Panama in Seattle on Tuesday and Honduras in Utah on June 18. Four of the final six matches will be on home soil, which should benefit the USMNT in its quest to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Brad Evans Game-winning Goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8prjW6w-yow