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PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad -- Fifteen years later, the United States still knows how to spoil Trinidad's party.
Eddie Johnson kept up his incredible run of goals when he scored in the 30th minute, Eddie Lewis boosted the lead early in the second half and the United States beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 Wednesday in the opener of the final round of World Cup qualifying.
Kasey Keller, who made a 23-hour trip from Germany on Monday to get to the game, made several outstanding stops, including a sliding save on Leslie Fitzpatrick on a breakaway eight minutes into the second half that denied a tying goal. Keller also made several fine stops in the first half on Stern John and Dwight Yorke, playing his first official game for T&T since June 2001.
Angus Eve scored Trinidad and Tobago's goal in the 89th minute on a shot that went in off Keller's hand.
Less than three weeks ago, the Americans didn't even know if they would have their top players or would send a team of minor leaguers because of a labor dispute. But an interim settlement ensured the regulars would be on the field through 2005, and the 11th-ranked U.S. team imposed its will on Trinidad and Tobago, ranked 61st.
Ash Wednesday usually is a beach day in this Caribbean nation, where the Carnival celebration that ends the previous night is huge. But the steel and samba drums were sounding for the Soca Warriors in the searing 90-degree heat at the Queen's Park Oval, with T&T hoping to continue the celebration and exact revenge for the November 1989 loss to the Americans that denied it a berth at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
Johnson then struck in the 30th minute, just as Paul Caligiuri did 15 years ago in the famous qualifier at nearby Hasley Crawford Stadium, a game that put the United States in soccer's top event for the first time since 1950.
Coming down the right flank of the 80-yard-wide field, Steve Cherunoldo crossed the ball into the penalty area and the 20-year-old Johnson, with no defenders near, headed the ball into the net. Goalkeeper Neil Shaka Hislop had no chance.
Johnson, who plays for Dallas in Major League Soccer, has six goals in just four international appearances and became the first player to score in each of his first four games with the U.S. national team. He matched William Looby (1955) and Brian McBride (2001) as the only player to score in four straight games and with six goals in qualifying already has tied Willy Roy for third on the career scoring list in qualifying behind Earnie Stewart (nine) and McBride (seven).
Nine minutes into the second half, Johnson passed the ball to Landon Donovan, who gave it to Lewis for a left-footed shot from about 23 yards out that easily went in.
The United States, which plays its next qualifier at Mexico on March 27, is 22-0-8 against North and Central American and Caribbean rivals since a September 2001 loss at Costa Rica. The Americans haven't lost to a Caribbean opponent since a 1994 defeat in Trinidad.
Notes
MF Clint Mathis was among the five players on the 23-man roster who did not dress. Also trimmed were GK Joe Cannon, D Jimmy Conrad, M Ben Olsen and F Brian Ching. ... Eight of the starting 11 players for the Americans are based in Europe, where they are in the middle of their club seasons, with only defender Eddie Pope, midfielder Carlos Mastroeni and forward Eddie Johnson from MLS.
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How about that!? A 20 yr old kid filling up the net for the Nat's! Just wait until the 2010 WC when Donovan and Beasley are still under 30, Johnson will be 25, Adu will be 20...then you look at other kids like Quaranta, Szetela(sp?) and Gavin(who all will be in their 20's as well).
The US's national team program is paying dividends already, we'll be good in 2006 but great in 2010.
Oh, it's on now. We have another shot to go deep in the tourney this next World Cup. I'm still firmly behind my prediction that we win by 2010. Heck, if all goes right, we could even win it this year. We're the best team in our zone, and we're on an undefeated run that's incredible. Bring on the world, baby!
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The Arizona Cardinals...hitch a ride on the bandwagon while there's still room!!!
and
Break the circle of suck, Bidwill, or feel my wrath--Stout, 26 Feb 2006.*
*--Note: this part of Stout's signature line is on hold. It has not yet been deleted, but once the Cardinal's make the playoffs, it shall be removed. Thank you, and I now return you to your regularly sheduled thread.
The team will be looking for revenge against Mexico. Mexico beat the US to prevent them from playing in the Olympics. Great start, especially since it was a road victory.
The team will be looking for revenge against Mexico. Mexico beat the US to prevent them from playing in the Olympics. Great start, especially since it was a road victory.
Yeah, even though it is Trinidad and Tobago, a win on the road in qualifying is good stuff.
Yes, I was upset we didn't make the olympics, but now I'm rather happy. Olympics, schmolypics. The World Cup's what really matters, and if that loss fuels a victory in Azteca, then so be it.
__________________
The Arizona Cardinals...hitch a ride on the bandwagon while there's still room!!!
and
Break the circle of suck, Bidwill, or feel my wrath--Stout, 26 Feb 2006.*
*--Note: this part of Stout's signature line is on hold. It has not yet been deleted, but once the Cardinal's make the playoffs, it shall be removed. Thank you, and I now return you to your regularly sheduled thread.
The team will be looking for revenge against Mexico. Mexico beat the US to prevent them from playing in the Olympics. Great start, especially since it was a road victory.
Yeah but that wasn't our senior side, that was the U23's, Mexico haven't beaten our National team since 2001, haven't scored on them in like 5 straight games either.
I do worry though because our record in Mexico against Mexico is terrible, with no wins and 1 tie in our entire history. Hopefully that ends next month.
We are the class of our region and we have to show that to the rest of the world.
Yeah but that wasn't our senior side, that was the U23's, Mexico haven't beaten our National team since 2001, haven't scored on them in like 5 straight games either.
I do worry though because our record in Mexico against Mexico is terrible, with no wins and 1 tie in our entire history. Hopefully that ends next month.
We are the class of our region and we have to show that to the rest of the world.
I know...that's why the loss and failure to reach the Olympics is no big deal in my book. I hope we march into Mexico and dominate them. My opinion is that we at least get a tie, unless the refs completely screw us over (which just may happen). We've got something like a 21 match unbeaten run, and I don't see it ending now.
__________________
The Arizona Cardinals...hitch a ride on the bandwagon while there's still room!!!
and
Break the circle of suck, Bidwill, or feel my wrath--Stout, 26 Feb 2006.*
*--Note: this part of Stout's signature line is on hold. It has not yet been deleted, but once the Cardinal's make the playoffs, it shall be removed. Thank you, and I now return you to your regularly sheduled thread.
We came out of the T&T match with a healthy team for the most part.
If I was Arena I would suggest it might be time for Reyna to follow Friedel off the international stage, he just isn't durable enough to be reliable (neither is O'Brien unfortunately)..Donovan is playing that attacking MF position very well and with the emergence of Eddie Johnson we have another goal scoring threat. I'd also make a change up front and put McBride on the bench and start either Brian Ching, Josh Wolff, Taylor Twellman or Alecko Eskendarian, McBride was a complete non-factor at T&T and really hasn't done much since 2002, his best soccer is behind him.
I really hope we beat Mexico, I hate their national team on the same level I hate the Cowboys, Raiders, Lakers and Yankees.
We came out of the T&T match with a healthy team for the most part.
If I was Arena I would suggest it might be time for Reyna to follow Friedel off the international stage, he just isn't durable enough to be reliable (neither is O'Brien unfortunately)..Donovan is playing that attacking MF position very well and with the emergence of Eddie Johnson we have another goal scoring threat. I'd also make a change up front and put McBride on the bench and start either Brian Ching, Josh Wolff, Taylor Twellman or Alecko Eskendarian, McBride was a complete non-factor at T&T and really hasn't done much since 2002, his best soccer is behind him.
I really hope we beat Mexico, I hate their national team on the same level I hate the Cowboys, Raiders, Lakers and Yankees.
Agreed on all fronts!
Man, it was nice in the last World Cup when we played Mexico. The refs had no bias, and the Mexicans were called for every cheapshot they gave us. It was sooooo funny to see them whine all about it. Can't cheat? D'oh!
__________________
The Arizona Cardinals...hitch a ride on the bandwagon while there's still room!!!
and
Break the circle of suck, Bidwill, or feel my wrath--Stout, 26 Feb 2006.*
*--Note: this part of Stout's signature line is on hold. It has not yet been deleted, but once the Cardinal's make the playoffs, it shall be removed. Thank you, and I now return you to your regularly sheduled thread.
I'll be watching the US team playing agains my National team... I know your team is good and all... but don't count out Guatemala and Costa Rica... we could give you guys a little trouble.
Man, it's going to be so fun to walk into Azteca this month and bring home at least a point!
__________________
The Arizona Cardinals...hitch a ride on the bandwagon while there's still room!!!
and
Break the circle of suck, Bidwill, or feel my wrath--Stout, 26 Feb 2006.*
*--Note: this part of Stout's signature line is on hold. It has not yet been deleted, but once the Cardinal's make the playoffs, it shall be removed. Thank you, and I now return you to your regularly sheduled thread.
In that case, I seriously hope it's the US, T and T, and Guatemala for the automatic bids, and whoever the sixth team is for the playoff. Costa Rica can stay at home for all I care, just to let some other teams get there for the first time, and I HATE those whiny cheap-shot artists Mexico. I hope we waltz into Azteca and beat them good.
__________________
The Arizona Cardinals...hitch a ride on the bandwagon while there's still room!!!
and
Break the circle of suck, Bidwill, or feel my wrath--Stout, 26 Feb 2006.*
*--Note: this part of Stout's signature line is on hold. It has not yet been deleted, but once the Cardinal's make the playoffs, it shall be removed. Thank you, and I now return you to your regularly sheduled thread.
In that case, I seriously hope it's the US, T and T, and Guatemala for the automatic bids, and whoever the sixth team is for the playoff. Costa Rica can stay at home for all I care, just to let some other teams get there for the first time, and I HATE those whiny cheap-shot artists Mexico. I hope we waltz into Azteca and beat them good.
Here in Central America there's this kind of hate towards Mexicans and Costa Ricans. They are walways complaining and they are so full of themselves.
Here in Central America there's this kind of hate towards Mexicans and Costa Ricans. They are walways complaining and they are so full of themselves.
Man, the last World Cup was so enjoyable. The Mexicans kept up their dirty, foul, cheating ways, and since we weren't playing in their own backyard, where they could influence the officiating, they were called EVERY TIME. Oh, it was music to my ears to hear them whine like little babies!
Go USA!!! Go Guatemala (except when playing us )!!!
__________________
The Arizona Cardinals...hitch a ride on the bandwagon while there's still room!!!
and
Break the circle of suck, Bidwill, or feel my wrath--Stout, 26 Feb 2006.*
*--Note: this part of Stout's signature line is on hold. It has not yet been deleted, but once the Cardinal's make the playoffs, it shall be removed. Thank you, and I now return you to your regularly sheduled thread.
)!!!
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