Wold Cup Qualifying: USA v. Trinidad on Aug. 17
On a beautiful soca-music-filled night in East
Hartford, the United States effectively guaranteed itself at least a playoff
spot for next year's World Cup. The bad news was that the team should have done
better against Trinidad & Tobago, as a much stronger opponent awaits next
month.
The morning after the World Cup Qualifier, I
could still hear the drums. A hundred standing Trinidadian fans had played soca
rhythms before during and after the big game at Rentschler Field in East
Hartford. The weather was beautiful, but to my eyes a mostly-filled stadium was
an even prettier sight.
Most of the fans filling the stadium were rooting for the United States, a nice change from many locales where supporters of the visiting side outnumber Uncle Sam's Army. With the United States standing in second place in the Concacaf standings half way through the second phase of World Cup Qualfying play, a win would put the U.S. tantalizingly close to a berth in Germany next summer.
But Trinidad & Tobago is no walk-over. With several players seasoned in the top English divisions, and the Soca Warriors seeking to move into contention for a coveted spot in the finals, the United States needed to be wary.
The U.S. lineup offered some additional cause for concern. The defense had been entirely reconstituted due to a number of injuries and suspensions to players like Carlos Bocanegra. The offense could lack a little punch as well due to absences.
Hundreds of Trinidad & Tobago fans, many bused from New York City, occupied sections of the stands and made themselves heard with a steady drumbeat of soca-tinged music from their Caribbean homeland.
The game started as well as could be hoped for the United States when O'Brien sent a lovely through-ball to Convey, who quickly crossed to a hard-charging McBride, who tipped it in after just 90 seconds. We all jumped to our feet, and, for a moment, the drums were silenced.
Both sides have some chances in the minutes that follow, as when Donovan slips in behind the defense in the 15th, cuts it back, but keeper Jack gets a foot to it.
In the 31st, Jack mis-hits a clearance, and it goes straight to Donovan, who somehow can't beat the chagrined keeper, who saves low.
A minute later, an apparent Trinidad goal is called back for offsides, actually two players were off on the play. Convey shoots hard twice in short order in the 36th minute.
In the 41st, a poor pass back by Trinidad allows Donovan to get behind Lawrence. The big man yanks Landon's shoulder, just putting him off his stride. The ref gives Lawrence a red card since he was the last man back and Donovan was headed for goal. The free kick is just outside the penalty area, but Trinidad will play the rest of the game with 10 men. It turns out this is not as big of a disadvantage tonight as it could be.
After the halftime break, Trinidad seems perfectly composed. In fact, they seem to be coming forward more, and Jack is in rare form at the back when the U.S. finds extra room. In the 63rd, Convey shoots from 20 yards, but Jack saves with one hand. At the other end a few minutes later, substitute Jones gets around Berhalter, who slides in from behind but avoids a potentially disastrous penalty call.
Jack starts to come out repeatedly on balls into his box, short-circuiting several American attacks. The game has taken a strange turn, as U.S. fans sit on the edges of their seats hoping Trinidad will not equalize. Down by a goal and a man, Trinidad threaten more than their opponents.
Finally, in the 86th, Donovan comes forward with two compatriots. He waits what seems like an eternity, and then passes to a streaking Quaranta. His cross finds Twellman open close in to goal, and the New England Revolution striker hits what looks like his first national team goal. But it's called back for offsides, although most of us in the stands were still celebrating for several minutes before noticing the call. It's a poor call, the replay showing clearly that Twellman was just in line with the last defender. Not that we see the replay in the stadium. Officials there maddeningly block the screen when any replay begins, earning cries of anguish from fans American and Trinidadian alike.
In the final minutes, Convey slides in needlessly late on an attacker and gets a second yellow to make it 10 vs. 10. The minutes trickle away and the U.S. earns the victory. But the home team has raised more questions than it answered tonight, there is uncertainty about its ability to score goals or even keep opponents at bay, especially in midfield. Even as we climb into our cars and drive to our homes around New England, the drums echo faintly in our ears, a reminder of a victory not as sweet as it should have been.
Most of the fans filling the stadium were rooting for the United States, a nice change from many locales where supporters of the visiting side outnumber Uncle Sam's Army. With the United States standing in second place in the Concacaf standings half way through the second phase of World Cup Qualfying play, a win would put the U.S. tantalizingly close to a berth in Germany next summer.
But Trinidad & Tobago is no walk-over. With several players seasoned in the top English divisions, and the Soca Warriors seeking to move into contention for a coveted spot in the finals, the United States needed to be wary.
The U.S. lineup offered some additional cause for concern. The defense had been entirely reconstituted due to a number of injuries and suspensions to players like Carlos Bocanegra. The offense could lack a little punch as well due to absences.
Hundreds of Trinidad & Tobago fans, many bused from New York City, occupied sections of the stands and made themselves heard with a steady drumbeat of soca-tinged music from their Caribbean homeland.
The game started as well as could be hoped for the United States when O'Brien sent a lovely through-ball to Convey, who quickly crossed to a hard-charging McBride, who tipped it in after just 90 seconds. We all jumped to our feet, and, for a moment, the drums were silenced.
Both sides have some chances in the minutes that follow, as when Donovan slips in behind the defense in the 15th, cuts it back, but keeper Jack gets a foot to it.
In the 31st, Jack mis-hits a clearance, and it goes straight to Donovan, who somehow can't beat the chagrined keeper, who saves low.
A minute later, an apparent Trinidad goal is called back for offsides, actually two players were off on the play. Convey shoots hard twice in short order in the 36th minute.
In the 41st, a poor pass back by Trinidad allows Donovan to get behind Lawrence. The big man yanks Landon's shoulder, just putting him off his stride. The ref gives Lawrence a red card since he was the last man back and Donovan was headed for goal. The free kick is just outside the penalty area, but Trinidad will play the rest of the game with 10 men. It turns out this is not as big of a disadvantage tonight as it could be.
After the halftime break, Trinidad seems perfectly composed. In fact, they seem to be coming forward more, and Jack is in rare form at the back when the U.S. finds extra room. In the 63rd, Convey shoots from 20 yards, but Jack saves with one hand. At the other end a few minutes later, substitute Jones gets around Berhalter, who slides in from behind but avoids a potentially disastrous penalty call.
Jack starts to come out repeatedly on balls into his box, short-circuiting several American attacks. The game has taken a strange turn, as U.S. fans sit on the edges of their seats hoping Trinidad will not equalize. Down by a goal and a man, Trinidad threaten more than their opponents.
Finally, in the 86th, Donovan comes forward with two compatriots. He waits what seems like an eternity, and then passes to a streaking Quaranta. His cross finds Twellman open close in to goal, and the New England Revolution striker hits what looks like his first national team goal. But it's called back for offsides, although most of us in the stands were still celebrating for several minutes before noticing the call. It's a poor call, the replay showing clearly that Twellman was just in line with the last defender. Not that we see the replay in the stadium. Officials there maddeningly block the screen when any replay begins, earning cries of anguish from fans American and Trinidadian alike.
In the final minutes, Convey slides in needlessly late on an attacker and gets a second yellow to make it 10 vs. 10. The minutes trickle away and the U.S. earns the victory. But the home team has raised more questions than it answered tonight, there is uncertainty about its ability to score goals or even keep opponents at bay, especially in midfield. Even as we climb into our cars and drive to our homes around New England, the drums echo faintly in our ears, a reminder of a victory not as sweet as it should have been.
Posted: Thu - August 18, 2005 at 07:39 PM
Quick Links
Calendar
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
Categories
Archives
XML/RSS Feed
Statistics
Total entries in this blog:
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Jun 13, 2006 12:00 AM
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Jun 13, 2006 12:00 AM