¶The United States can advance to the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying with a win or a tie against Guatemala on Tuesday night in Kansas City, Kan (7 p.m., ESPN2). A loss could complicate things a bit, if Jamaica posts a big win over Antigua and Barbuda, and that is naturally what the glass-is-half-full crowd has focused on since Friday’s lackluster, last-minute win at Antigua.
¶Here are the relevant possibilities, via U.S. Soccer:
¶U.S. Win¶U.S. wins Group A with 13 points and qualifies for final round
Guatemala finishes with 10 points and must await result of Jamaica-Antigua¶U.S. Tie¶U.S. finishes tied with Guatemala atop Group A with 11 points and both countries qualify for final round¶U.S. Loss and Jamaica Tie or Loss¶Guatemala wins Group A with 13 points and qualifies for final round
U.S. finishes in second place in Group A with 10 points and qualifies for final round
Jamaica finishes in third place (with 7 or 8 points) and does not qualify for final round¶U.S. Loss and Jamaica Win¶Guatemala wins Group A with 13 points and qualifies for final round
U.S. and Jamaica finish tied on points with 10 each and qualified team is determined with tiebreakers (see below)¶TIEBREAKERS: Here are the tiebreakers if two teams are equal in points:¶a) Greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
b) Goal difference in all group matches;
c) Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches;
¶So there you go. Enjoy the game. If you can. And cling to the positives if you can’t: the United States is unbeaten in qualifiers in Kansas City (though there have been only two, in 1968 and 2001), and it is unbeaten against Guatemala (12-0-6) in 18 matches since a 1-0 loss in 1988.
¶Meanwhile, a few prematch comments from a couple of key figures in the U.S. camp:
¶Jurgen Klinsmann on the match:
“The team is ready and aware of the situation: we need to get the game done and qualify for the next round.”
“The team is ready and aware of the situation: we need to get the game done and qualify for the next round.”
¶On his decision not to call in any reinforcements despite losing several players from his original roster:
“We think this group gives us enough options to deal with those problems that have come up, whether it’s injures or a yellow card. We feel like we are strong enough to take care of Guatemala tomorrow night with the players that are here.”
“We think this group gives us enough options to deal with those problems that have come up, whether it’s injures or a yellow card. We feel like we are strong enough to take care of Guatemala tomorrow night with the players that are here.”
¶On what he expects from Guatemala:
“It could be a defensive one, it could be that they come out with more offensive ways. No matter how they build their shape, they will be very physical, they will run and fight for every ball. It’s the game of their lives really. The way they played their game with Jamaica was the first 20 minutes they ran after everything on the field. We are prepared for that.”
“It could be a defensive one, it could be that they come out with more offensive ways. No matter how they build their shape, they will be very physical, they will run and fight for every ball. It’s the game of their lives really. The way they played their game with Jamaica was the first 20 minutes they ran after everything on the field. We are prepared for that.”
¶On the idea that a tie will suit each team, carrying both through to the next round:
“Our approach to the game is clear: We want to win. You only can win a game if you attack and go forward, and that’s what we’re going to do. We are not looking for a tie.”
“Our approach to the game is clear: We want to win. You only can win a game if you attack and go forward, and that’s what we’re going to do. We are not looking for a tie.”
¶Michael Bradley, on the lessons from Friday’s narrow win at Antigua and Barbuda:
“We still look at the win the other night as a big win. We’re honest enough with ourselves to look at things and say ‘this needed to be better,’ or ‘our response after going up 1-0 should have been more aggressive – could have been to try to put the game away.’ But I can assure you the mentality and the spirit within the group are really good.
“We still look at the win the other night as a big win. We’re honest enough with ourselves to look at things and say ‘this needed to be better,’ or ‘our response after going up 1-0 should have been more aggressive – could have been to try to put the game away.’ But I can assure you the mentality and the spirit within the group are really good.
¶“A quality of a big team is also to be able to come away with points and come away with wins on days when maybe you don’t play your best, when the conditions aren’t the most perfect.”
6:23 P.M. U.S. Lineup: One Change
¶Jurgen Klinsmann made one change to his lineup from the Antigua game, sliding Carlos Bocanegra back into his more customary spot in the middle and inserting Michael Parkhurst at left back. Clarence Goodson sits.
¶Starters: Howard; Cherundolo, Cameron, Bocanegra (capt.), Parkhurst; Zusi, Williams, Bradley, Johnson; Dempsey, Gomez
¶Subs: Goodson, Kljestan, Beckerman, Edu, Corona, Gordon, Guzan, Rimando.
7:25 P.M. Quite a Start: 1-1 After 10 Minutes
¶Carlos Ruiz stuns the crowd in the sixth minute by getting behind the defense like he’s on a breakaway drill and stabbing a shot past Tim Howard after rounding him, but the Americans quickly answer. Zusi curls in a corner, Gomez heads it sharply at the near post into the goalmouth, where Bocanegra rams it in from five yards.
7:33 P.M. And Now the U.S. Leads
¶Dempsey, sliding a half-step in front of his defender, pops an Eddie Johnson cross over the line in the 18th minute. Almost a Panenka while sliding on the ground: tough finish.
7:53 P.M. Oh Boy, 3-1 Now
¶Dempsey gets his second in the 36th minute, a let’s-just-be-sure tap-in on a Michael Bradley shot that may have been going wide.
¶Now it’s Guatemala that looks to be the odd team out; Jamaica’s up, 2-0, against Antigua.
9:09 P.M. Full Time: U.S. 3, Guatemala 1
¶What a difference a few days makes. The United States is through to the final round of World Cup qualifying in Concacaf with its dominant performance in Kansas City. Jamaica goes along for the ride, too, with its win over Antigua and Barbuda. Mexico, Panama, Honduras and either Costa Rica or El Salvador will complete the hexangonal.
¶Share your thoughts on tonight’s match in the comments — like, should two-goal Clint Dempsey shave before every match now?
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar