FUTBLOG: USA 3, Costa Rica 0 in June 4 World Cup Qualifier


The U.S. registers a resounding victory in the second stage of regional World Cup Qualifying, with Landon Donovan the man of the match.

Donovan starts the game right with a 6th minute goal. He feeds it wide, the cross if deflected past Beazley and to Donovan, who fires into the upper right hand corner from 18 yards out to score. For Costa Rica, Rojas is caught offsides several times, the U.S. offside trap is working well today. Ralston and Beazley are working hard in midfield; McBride is once again quiet and is even making errors. Beazey slips in behind the defense in the 31st, forcing a save from Mesa. Solis is passing beautifully for the Costa Ricans, but his efforts are not supported by his countrymen. In the 40th minute, off a free kick, Costa Rica score on a header, but it's called back for offsides. In the 45th, beazley chips in for Donovan, who can't quite control it, and it bounces to the keeper.
In the 47th, a scare for the U.S. as Bocanegra fails to clear, Solis pounces on it and fires, forcing an excellent save from Keller. Aminute later, as the first half is ending, Donovan runs all the way down the right wing to the byline, crosses back, but the shot is wide.
In the second half, Costa Rica comes back hard, coming forward in waves and forcing the U.S. defense to scramble. Keller saves well in the 58th, but the defense looks exposed, and is losing one-on-ones. Beazley almost scores at the other end in the 61st. A minute later, off a throw-in Wolff gets the ball, crosses to a sliding McBride, who heads at the goalie. Mesa saves, but Donovan slips the rebound in for a 2-0 advantage.
Keller saves a Siqueira shot at short range in the 69th. McBride comes alive now, and his reward is an 87th minnute goal following a Donovan cross to Dempsey, who shoots, forcing a Mesa save. Mesa gives up the rebound again, and McBride banks it.

Posted: Mon - June 6, 2005 at 08:29 AM          

©