Sunday, September 6, 2009

USA vs El Salvador- Match Report

Tonight’s CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying match between the USA and El Salvador was a classic example of a regional power struggling to secure a place against a regional spoiler.  The most dangerous thing about El Salvador for the US before tonight’s match was the fact that they had absolutely nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

El Salvador played the role of spoiler splendidly throughout most of the first half.  The USA dominated possession and pressured a lot in the offensive third, but they could not break down the visitors’ defense.  El Salvador did a great job of playing stubborn defense and creating counterattacks, and the makeshift US center defense almost gave the visitors the lead on a few occasions.

El Slavador’s patience paid off in the 32nd minute, after a dismally misplaced Jonathan Bornstien pass found its way to the center and ended up in the American net after a great header by Cristian Castillo.  This goal to me is what ruined the chance for El Salvador, because after that they played like a team that did have something to lose, a victory.

Nine minutes later Clint Dempsey placed a great header into the net off a Landon Donovan free kick.  The best part of the play for me was that Dempsey was the only American that was actually onside.

Jozy Altidore gave the US the lead for good in the 45th minute with a brilliant header off a Donovan cross.  It was very nice to see the US score goals on good soccer plays.

At halftime, El Salvadoran manager Carlos de los Cobos had several words for the head referee.  In all fairness there were several calls each way that were not made.  The official was definitely not good in the first half, but he was mostly fair, which is the more important of the two.

In the second half, the US looked much improved, although it did not produce any more goals.  Two goals should have come though.  In the 58th minute the USA had a terrific build up play that resulted in a perfect pass to Jozy Altidore, who put the ball coolly into the back of the net.  The goal was disallowed however, and I could not hear the announcers where I watched the game, but it had to be either offside or a push against Jozy; either way, it was a terrible call.  Up until then the ref had been letting the players play a physical game, but I didn’t even see any contact much less a push on that play.

In the 71st minute Charlie Davies was fouled from behind in the box, and no penalty was given.  Now, the defender was playing the run perfectly in the box, and then another defender came flying in from the midfield and clipped Davies, who was then taken off.  Now like I said, the ref had been calling the game loose, and without the second defender there is no penalty, and Charlie Davies had a similar looking injury against Mexico last month, but contact from behind like that must be called.

While the US ended up outplaying El Salvador by a large stretch, all credit to the visitors for playing until the last whistle.  On a few occasions it appeared as though the game might be tied, but the US defense held firm (enough).

I still must say that I don’t know why Kyle Beckerman continues to be a first choice sub, and that he sees the pitch at all.  He is a good player in MLS, but when he takes the field for the US team he always looks lost and awkward and he makes some strange decisions.  However, he at least does not make bad mistakes, so he is at least not a liability.

With 13 points the USA is in good shape for qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.  With a win against Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, the US will be almost assured a spot, depending other results.  However this is the most competitive qualifying round in many years, so more points will be necessary than usual.

Come back tomorrow for a rundown of how Madristas fared in their international matches.

Match Report

USA- Tim Howard, Jonathan Spector, Carlos Bocanegro, Chad Marshall (Kyle Beckerman 80′), Jonathan Bornstein, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Benny Feilhaber, Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies (Stuart Holden 72′), Jozy Altidore (José Francisco Torres 84′).

El Slavador- Miguel Montes, José Henriquez, Deris Ariel Umanzor, Ramon Flores (Williams Reyes 74′), Marvin Gonzalez, Manuel Salazar, Arturo Alvarez (Osael Romero 50′), Eliséo Quintanilla (Rudy Corrales 74′), Cristian Castillo, Ramon Sanchez, Rodolfo Zelaya

Goals- Castillo (32′), Dempsey (41′), Jozy Altidore (45′)

Yellow Cards- Flores (9′), Zelaya (75′)

[Via http://keeneysr.wordpress.com]

No comments:

Post a Comment