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CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier: US Squeezes by Barbados
Despite winning the home leg 8-0 last week, a lone goal is all the USA can muster in a 1-0 win in Barbados on Sunday.
Jun 22, 2008 8:57:09 PM
Barbados 0 - 1 United States
A week after scoring its most lopsided victory ever, the Untied States managed only a single goal against an inspired Barbados squad bolstered by its home crowd. Eddie Lewis' tally in the 21st minute was the difference, and with the win, the U.S. advances on aggregate, 9-0, to the semifinal round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
Playing without regular starters Landon Donavon, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, and Pablo Mastroeni, the U.S. team started off slowly, looking like it would rather be on the Barbadian beaches than in Kensington Oval. Brad Guzan made his second straight start in net, and seven players made their first appearance in a World Cup qualifier, including starters Jay DeMerit, Sacha Kljestan, Drew Moor, and Danny Szetela.
While the Red, White, and Blue dominated possession, the Barbadian side battled much harder than it had the previous week in California, making it difficult for the Americans to string passes together. Poor touches and inconsistent passing also plagued the U.S. side throughout the match.
Twenty minutes in, Lewis, who sported the captain's armband, slid the ball between Alvin Rouse's legs after receiving a great pass from young Freddy Adu.
After the goal, the United States continued to press but failed to produce any results. Barbados had its best chance of the first half in the 41st minute, when Mark McCammon flicked a header to Jonathan Nurse inside the box. As Nurse released a shot, Drew Moor slid in and knocked it away.
The game saw the Barbadians renew their attack after halftime. In the 57th minute, Rommelle Burgess drilled a shot from nine yards out, only to have it clang off the crossbar. Twenty-eight minutes later, John Parris appeared to score for the home side after McCammon and Guzan collided while going for a long cross, but the ball was pulled out of the net when McCommon was correctly ruled offside.
The United States joins Guatemala, Cuba, and the winner of the Trinidad & Tobago and Bermuda series in the semifinal round. The Americans open group play against Guatemala on August 20.
-- Noah Davis, Goal.com
A week after scoring its most lopsided victory ever, the Untied States managed only a single goal against an inspired Barbados squad bolstered by its home crowd. Eddie Lewis' tally in the 21st minute was the difference, and with the win, the U.S. advances on aggregate, 9-0, to the semifinal round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
Playing without regular starters Landon Donavon, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, and Pablo Mastroeni, the U.S. team started off slowly, looking like it would rather be on the Barbadian beaches than in Kensington Oval. Brad Guzan made his second straight start in net, and seven players made their first appearance in a World Cup qualifier, including starters Jay DeMerit, Sacha Kljestan, Drew Moor, and Danny Szetela.
While the Red, White, and Blue dominated possession, the Barbadian side battled much harder than it had the previous week in California, making it difficult for the Americans to string passes together. Poor touches and inconsistent passing also plagued the U.S. side throughout the match.
Twenty minutes in, Lewis, who sported the captain's armband, slid the ball between Alvin Rouse's legs after receiving a great pass from young Freddy Adu.
After the goal, the United States continued to press but failed to produce any results. Barbados had its best chance of the first half in the 41st minute, when Mark McCammon flicked a header to Jonathan Nurse inside the box. As Nurse released a shot, Drew Moor slid in and knocked it away.
The game saw the Barbadians renew their attack after halftime. In the 57th minute, Rommelle Burgess drilled a shot from nine yards out, only to have it clang off the crossbar. Twenty-eight minutes later, John Parris appeared to score for the home side after McCammon and Guzan collided while going for a long cross, but the ball was pulled out of the net when McCommon was correctly ruled offside.
The United States joins Guatemala, Cuba, and the winner of the Trinidad & Tobago and Bermuda series in the semifinal round. The Americans open group play against Guatemala on August 20.
-- Noah Davis, Goal.com
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