|
|
U.S. Rookies Dominate Grenada
In their Gold Cup debut, an inexperienced U.S. National Team didn't disappoint with a 4-0 win.
Jul 5, 2009 3:37:25 AM
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Experience is invaluable. For the U.S. Men’s National Team in Saturday’s CONCACAF Gold Cup opener, they put a relatively inexperienced roster on the pitch and dominated in a 4-0 win over Grenada. After the Confederations Cup, head coach Bob Bradley called in new players to camp. They didn’t disappoint in their debut.
“It's important to start the Gold Cup the right way," Bradley said. "There were a lot of good things – a good team effort and four different guys scoring goals. All those things are important as we start the tournament.”
U.S. captain Steve Cherundolo, who earned his 52nd cap, led a mostly inexperienced squad, which featured 11 caps shared by seven players. Three players made their first appearance for the USA, including Stuart Holden and Logan Pause, who both started, and Seattle Sounders midfielder Brad Evans, who entered the game for Cherundolo in the 63rd minute.
Robbie Rogers stole the show with two assists and a goal. But he wasn’t the only youngster to impress. In their debuts, Holden tallied a goal and Pause an assist.
“Robbie got involved in the game early,” Bradley said. “He did a good job to set up the first goal. He found good spots. He helped us create chances. It’s a good night for so many of our players.”
The Americans dominated all aspects of play. They recorded 25 shots to three by Grenada. They held the Spice Boyz to one shot on goal, which Troy Perkins grabbed for the save.
It was a good night for the USA. But the Americans still have to play Honduras and Haiti in the first round of group play.
“It was a great team effort,” Freddy Adu said. “We haven’t been together for a long time. We applied our game plan tonight. It’s not a bad start. We’ve got more games to play. We have to prepare ourselves mentally for that.”
The USA continued to dominate in Gold Cup play. They’ve now outscored opponents 85-26, while posting a record of 35-4-5 all-time. Grenada head coach Tommy Taylor was pleased that his club made the tournament but said they have a lot of work to do.
“When I came here with West Ham in 1970, the USA was where we are now,” Taylor said. “When they [Grenada] are at home they are the big fish on the island. They came over here and they’re a tadpole. I told them welcome to the real world. The next two games are very important for us.”
The Americans tallied two goals per half. They could have had more, but Bradley said he wanted the team to focus on what’s important – winning a good match, while respecting the opponent.
“We said at halftime that there is a professional way to finish this game that involves discipline and knowing to respect the opponent, and in a good smart way knowing how to finish the game,” Bradley said. "We also understand that this is the first round and there are three games to play. Those are all important lessons and things you want to take from tonight."
Next up for the Americans will be Honduras. The U.S. Men topped Honduras in a World Cup Qualifier 2-1 at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 6th. Just over a month later, the two teams will face off again, only this time it’s a different squad. Prior to the U.S. game vs. Grenada, Honduras head coach Reinaldo Rueda was asked how he felt about the roster.
“It’s still a team I give a lot of respect,” Rueda said. “They’re very intelligent players, who deserve respect.”
The U.S. players know they’ll have to pick their game up when facing a talented Honduras squad. The two teams share the group lead with one win apiece.
“It was a really good start,” Pause said. “Any time you’re in a tournament like this you want to get three points in the first game. Our next challenge is a big one.”
The USA heads to Washington, D.C. where the club will take on Honduras on Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on the U.S. Men and the CONCACAF Gold Cup, go to Goal.com's U.S. Soccer page.
“It's important to start the Gold Cup the right way," Bradley said. "There were a lot of good things – a good team effort and four different guys scoring goals. All those things are important as we start the tournament.”
U.S. captain Steve Cherundolo, who earned his 52nd cap, led a mostly inexperienced squad, which featured 11 caps shared by seven players. Three players made their first appearance for the USA, including Stuart Holden and Logan Pause, who both started, and Seattle Sounders midfielder Brad Evans, who entered the game for Cherundolo in the 63rd minute.
Robbie Rogers stole the show with two assists and a goal. But he wasn’t the only youngster to impress. In their debuts, Holden tallied a goal and Pause an assist.
“Robbie got involved in the game early,” Bradley said. “He did a good job to set up the first goal. He found good spots. He helped us create chances. It’s a good night for so many of our players.”
The Americans dominated all aspects of play. They recorded 25 shots to three by Grenada. They held the Spice Boyz to one shot on goal, which Troy Perkins grabbed for the save.
It was a good night for the USA. But the Americans still have to play Honduras and Haiti in the first round of group play.
“It was a great team effort,” Freddy Adu said. “We haven’t been together for a long time. We applied our game plan tonight. It’s not a bad start. We’ve got more games to play. We have to prepare ourselves mentally for that.”
The USA continued to dominate in Gold Cup play. They’ve now outscored opponents 85-26, while posting a record of 35-4-5 all-time. Grenada head coach Tommy Taylor was pleased that his club made the tournament but said they have a lot of work to do.
“When I came here with West Ham in 1970, the USA was where we are now,” Taylor said. “When they [Grenada] are at home they are the big fish on the island. They came over here and they’re a tadpole. I told them welcome to the real world. The next two games are very important for us.”
The Americans tallied two goals per half. They could have had more, but Bradley said he wanted the team to focus on what’s important – winning a good match, while respecting the opponent.
“We said at halftime that there is a professional way to finish this game that involves discipline and knowing to respect the opponent, and in a good smart way knowing how to finish the game,” Bradley said. "We also understand that this is the first round and there are three games to play. Those are all important lessons and things you want to take from tonight."
Next up for the Americans will be Honduras. The U.S. Men topped Honduras in a World Cup Qualifier 2-1 at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 6th. Just over a month later, the two teams will face off again, only this time it’s a different squad. Prior to the U.S. game vs. Grenada, Honduras head coach Reinaldo Rueda was asked how he felt about the roster.
“It’s still a team I give a lot of respect,” Rueda said. “They’re very intelligent players, who deserve respect.”
The U.S. players know they’ll have to pick their game up when facing a talented Honduras squad. The two teams share the group lead with one win apiece.
“It was a really good start,” Pause said. “Any time you’re in a tournament like this you want to get three points in the first game. Our next challenge is a big one.”
The USA heads to Washington, D.C. where the club will take on Honduras on Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on the U.S. Men and the CONCACAF Gold Cup, go to Goal.com's U.S. Soccer page.
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.