US National Team

Bornstein Celebrates "Biggest Goal" Of Career

Jonathan Bornstein talks about the biggest goal in his career after equalizing five minutes into injury time against Costa Rica.

Oct 15, 2009 2:36:52 AM

Jonathan Bornstein, United States, USA, U.S. (ISI)

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Jonathan Bornstein, United States, USA, U.S. (ISI)

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Jonathan Bornstein

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Five minutes deep into injury time of the last World Cup qualifier for both the United States and Costa Rica, Jonathan Bornstein came steaming into the box and powered home a header to dramatically equalize. The look of shock and joy on his face as he reeled away to celebrate may have indicated how rare it is for him to score, but also hinted that the header was "by far the biggest goal I've ever scored."

Bornstein lost his starting spot on the U.S. team this summer when the emergence of Jay DeMerit in central defense shunted captain Carlos Bocanegra over to the left, where Bornstein plays his best ball. DeMerit has struggled with injury of late, allowing the Chivas USA defender to stake another claim at in the starting XI.

Following a rather dreadful performance against El Salvador last month, Bornstein has found his feet again and given more assured performances, culminating in his second ever international goal Wednesday.

"It's pretty funny because when I came into [Major League Soccer], three months into my career, Jesse Marsch told me that left fullback was the spot that the U.S. national team has never been able to get a guy for," the versatile Bornstein said after the match against Costa Rica. "Coming out of college, I played forward and midfield. Bob [Bradley] turned me into a left fullback.

"I always had that in the back of my head, that left fullback is that spot I might be able to get on the national team with. So that said, lately I've had the opportunity to play and I want to make the most of that. For Chivas USA and the national team I feel comfortable out on the field and I feel like I'm playing well."

After playing mostly in midfield for the Goats at the tail end of last season, the 24-year-old has featured in central defense this year for his club side. Moving around doesn't bother Bornstein, though. He sees it as a chance to improve.

"Lately I've been playing centerback, which has also taught me a lot about positionally getting myself in good spots," he said. "I think it's helped me at left fullback when I transition with the national team."

U.S. head coach Bradley knows Bornstein well. Back when he was in charge of Chivas USA, he drafted Bornstein and developed him into the 2006 MLS rookie of the year. Now in charge of the national side, Bradley continues to play an important role in Bornstein's career.

Bornstein discussed what it meant to have Bradley's continued support.

"It means a great deal," he asserted. "[Bradley] originally gave me the opportunity to play at the professional level, gave me the opportunity at the international level, and it means a lot that he calls me in."

With World Cup qualification already assured, Bornstein looked ahead to South Africa 2010. Against Costa Rica, the U.S. once again conceded early and had to dig its way out of the hole. That was one aspect of the team Bornstein wanted to see improve.

"We've gotten a lot of points after we've given up goals and we've had to come back," Bornstein explained. "That might be something we have to work on: putting games away a little earlier. How do you work on that? I'm not sure. I think it's definitely a mentality thing that if we can get right and score early in games, we don't put ourselves in situations like we did tonight."

Shane Evans, Goal.com, with assistance from Zac Lee Rigg in Los Angeles

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