Ah, spring in the Rockies!
Three days after spring official arrived in Colorado, the snow arrived at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.
The U.S. Men’s National team faced Costa Rica in a CONCACAF World Cup 2014 qualifier in what U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann had called ‘a must win”. The U.S. entered last in the six-team hexagonal after a 2-1 road loss to Honduras.
In a game that will long be remembered for the weather conditions as much as the results, the U.S. team rode a first-half goal by Clint Dempsey and came away with a 1-0 victory, which lifted the Americans into second place in the standings, behind Honduras.
A sellout crowd in excess of 19,000 braved the snow and biting wind that dropped temperatures into the low 20ss. They cheered and chanted throughout, creating the atmosphere that allowed the U.S. to dominate long stretches as the snow covered the field preventing any real soccer from being played.
At times it looked more like ice hockey with a yellow soccer ball.
Nevertheless, when the whistle blew after more than five minutes of added time, the U.S. had secured three points, while the other two games being played in the hexagonal ended in ties. Mexico, the USA’s next opponent, blew a two-goal lead and settled for a 2-2 draw on the road against Honduras. Panama and Jamaica tied 1-1.
“I think the most important part is we have three points and it prepares us for Mexico,” said Klinsmann after the game. “The second half was a battle. It was tough to create a good passing game.
“We wish the conditions would have stayed as they were at the beginning of the game. Overall, great character shown by all the players to fight and just gave everything they had. We want to thank the crowd for the amazing support. They suffered as much as we did.”
The game ended a week of controversy that saw U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann come under heavy criticism by anonymous national team players and other officials, in an article in The Sporting News.
Klinsmann, had to deal with injuries or illness that kept at least seven key players out of the roster for the two games, including goalkeeper Tim Howard. He also left U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra off the roster because he hasn’t recently been playing for his club team and deemed not to be match fit.
Brad Guzan was credited for the shutout, and was solid making four saves in horrible conditions. Dempsey wore the captain’s armband for the first time in his career.
His goal in the 16th minute was the 32nd of his career. He now has seven in this World Cup cycle. The goal originated on a shot by Jozy Altidor that was deflected to Dempsey who knocked in the rebound into an open goal.
Early in the second half play was stopped, and it appeared that the game might be stopped. However, the referee, after conferring with match officials and with the players from both teams, asked grounds crews clear the lined, and let play continue.
The Man of the Match was veteran DaMascus Beasley, who played the entire game at left back. It marked the 13th consecutive years that Beasley has played for the U.S. MNT and it earned his 98th cap.
The win improved the USA World Cup Qualifying unbeaten streak at home to 23 games (21-0-2) and 42-6-12 all-time in home qualifying matches. It also ended Costa Rica’s five-game unbeaten streak (3-0-2) against the U.S.
The U.S. travels to Mexico City to play Mexico on Tuesday, March 26. Last year Klinsmann’s team won at Azteca, 1-0, marking the first victory over Mexico in that venue in 75 years.