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U.S. Can Learn Lessons Even From A Win
After the match U.S. players spoke about learning lessons, even from a winning effort.
Sep 10, 2009 12:40:14 AM
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad- It was a long time coming. After three away matches in the Hexagonal, the U.S. had collected only one point from a miracle comeback against El Salvador. Twice the team had tasted bitter defeats, and the road to South Africa was looking longer and longer.
But Wednesday night at Hasely Crawford Stadium the U.S. turned that trend around, at least in some ways.
Judging by the first half it would've been hard to imagine the U.S. claiming all three points. Showing little in the way of an attack and on the ropes for much of the half, the U.S. was fortunate to go into the break still level.
But as the second half began, the tide began to turn. The U.S. slowed the pace of the match, held possession for long stretches, and did well to keep Trinidad from finding room on the break. Though at times the Soca Warriors still looked dangerous, Tim Howard's goal was rarely threatened. When Ricardo Clark smashed home his eventual game winner in the 62nd one could almost hear the life drift out of the home crowd.
Still, it was a learning experience for the U.S. team that star winger Landon Donovan referred to as still being "very young" after the match.
"We want to make sure that we take something out of every game, whatever it is," Donovan told reporters. "We'll go back and look at it and learn a lot."
One major cog in securing a vital three points was the play of center back Oguchi Onyewu. Despite having not played in a match since the August 12 qualifier in Mexico, Onyewu was tasked with shutting down Kenwyne Jones, one of the few players in the region that can match the big defender physically.
While his game couldn't be described as perfect, Onyewu certainly handled the task of limiting Jones' chances on goal. Goalkeeper Tim Howard described the match-up as a "tussle", and at times it looked closer to a wrestling match.
"Neither one of them like to back down," Howard said. "I think you saw that a couple of times. There were some fouls, but you also saw, I think, Gooch got the better of him."
While holding a clean sheet and fighting off a physical striker like Jones is always something to be proud off, Onyewu was candid in saying that the team was at it's best on the night.
"I feel as though we haven't reached our potential yet," he said after the match.
And that assessment rings true. The U.S. showed moments of good play against Trinidad, and will be proud of the result, but the realism is that there are still some issues to address before an all-important two match run to close out the hex.
"When we got the ball obviously we were trying to slow the game down a little bit and get a breather by playing through our midfield," Onyewu said. "I think throughout the whole field we could've done a better job possessing the ball and passing the ball and giving everybody a little rest. But you can't be perfect every game. So you take the lessons from this game and hopefully build on them for the next one."
The "next one" will be a huge one for the U.S. Costa Rica's third loss on the hop opened the door for the Red White and Blue to clinch a spot in South Africa with a win against Honduras in their next outing on October 10.
While a loss in that match wouldn't be devastating ( the U.S. could also qualify with a draw against Costa Rica in the final match of of the group) the U.S. would be well served to have their ticket punched before the final day of the Hex.
Allen Ramsey, Goal.com
For more coverage of the U.S. National Team visit Goal.com's dedicated page.
But Wednesday night at Hasely Crawford Stadium the U.S. turned that trend around, at least in some ways.
Judging by the first half it would've been hard to imagine the U.S. claiming all three points. Showing little in the way of an attack and on the ropes for much of the half, the U.S. was fortunate to go into the break still level.
But as the second half began, the tide began to turn. The U.S. slowed the pace of the match, held possession for long stretches, and did well to keep Trinidad from finding room on the break. Though at times the Soca Warriors still looked dangerous, Tim Howard's goal was rarely threatened. When Ricardo Clark smashed home his eventual game winner in the 62nd one could almost hear the life drift out of the home crowd.
Still, it was a learning experience for the U.S. team that star winger Landon Donovan referred to as still being "very young" after the match.
"We want to make sure that we take something out of every game, whatever it is," Donovan told reporters. "We'll go back and look at it and learn a lot."
One major cog in securing a vital three points was the play of center back Oguchi Onyewu. Despite having not played in a match since the August 12 qualifier in Mexico, Onyewu was tasked with shutting down Kenwyne Jones, one of the few players in the region that can match the big defender physically.
While his game couldn't be described as perfect, Onyewu certainly handled the task of limiting Jones' chances on goal. Goalkeeper Tim Howard described the match-up as a "tussle", and at times it looked closer to a wrestling match.
"Neither one of them like to back down," Howard said. "I think you saw that a couple of times. There were some fouls, but you also saw, I think, Gooch got the better of him."
While holding a clean sheet and fighting off a physical striker like Jones is always something to be proud off, Onyewu was candid in saying that the team was at it's best on the night.
"I feel as though we haven't reached our potential yet," he said after the match.
And that assessment rings true. The U.S. showed moments of good play against Trinidad, and will be proud of the result, but the realism is that there are still some issues to address before an all-important two match run to close out the hex.
"When we got the ball obviously we were trying to slow the game down a little bit and get a breather by playing through our midfield," Onyewu said. "I think throughout the whole field we could've done a better job possessing the ball and passing the ball and giving everybody a little rest. But you can't be perfect every game. So you take the lessons from this game and hopefully build on them for the next one."
The "next one" will be a huge one for the U.S. Costa Rica's third loss on the hop opened the door for the Red White and Blue to clinch a spot in South Africa with a win against Honduras in their next outing on October 10.
While a loss in that match wouldn't be devastating ( the U.S. could also qualify with a draw against Costa Rica in the final match of of the group) the U.S. would be well served to have their ticket punched before the final day of the Hex.
Allen Ramsey, Goal.com
For more coverage of the U.S. National Team visit Goal.com's dedicated page.
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