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Dempsey Realistic, Relieved At USA Win
The American midfielder thought the USA team did well to claim the win at less than top form.
Sep 9, 2009 11:51:50 PM
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - After a USA win that was too close for comfort, midfielder Clint Dempsey wasn't deluded enough to think that the United States team had played well for the win.
"I didn’t think it was our best game, but we got three points and we’re happy with that," Dempsey said.
No matter how scrappy the win, the three points were the first away victory for the United States, bringing the squad to the top of CONCACAF qualifying.
Dempsey wanted to move on from the Trinidad and Tobago match.
"We’re looking forward to the next game and hopefully we can get another win," said the Fulham player.
Since there remain two matches in the qualifying round, Dempsey did some loose math to judge how close the USA was to booking a 2010 ticket to South Africa.
"I think if we get three more points we go to the World Cup," Dempsey said.
Clearly, however, the USA play needs to improve, and Dempsey had some concrete ideas on how that should happen.
"First half, we were giving away a few balls that we didn’t need to," Dempsey said. "I think just being smart about the passes that we’re giving and trying to get more possession so the team can get more confidence."
The midfielder told Goal.com that the Americans had picked up their performance after halftime.
"Second half is always the better half for us - the first half was a frustrating one," Dempsey acknowledged. "We created some good chances, great goal from Ricardo and then a good ball off Stu to Landon. Landon probably should’ve finished that and then that’s game over. But we’re happy with a one goal lead and happy to get three points."
Allen Ramsey, Goal.com with contribution from Andrea Canales in Los Angeles
"I didn’t think it was our best game, but we got three points and we’re happy with that," Dempsey said.
No matter how scrappy the win, the three points were the first away victory for the United States, bringing the squad to the top of CONCACAF qualifying.
Dempsey wanted to move on from the Trinidad and Tobago match.
"We’re looking forward to the next game and hopefully we can get another win," said the Fulham player.
Since there remain two matches in the qualifying round, Dempsey did some loose math to judge how close the USA was to booking a 2010 ticket to South Africa.
"I think if we get three more points we go to the World Cup," Dempsey said.
Clearly, however, the USA play needs to improve, and Dempsey had some concrete ideas on how that should happen.
"First half, we were giving away a few balls that we didn’t need to," Dempsey said. "I think just being smart about the passes that we’re giving and trying to get more possession so the team can get more confidence."
The midfielder told Goal.com that the Americans had picked up their performance after halftime.
"Second half is always the better half for us - the first half was a frustrating one," Dempsey acknowledged. "We created some good chances, great goal from Ricardo and then a good ball off Stu to Landon. Landon probably should’ve finished that and then that’s game over. But we’re happy with a one goal lead and happy to get three points."
Allen Ramsey, Goal.com with contribution from Andrea Canales in Los Angeles
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