When the schedule for the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was announced, many felt four points out of the first three games would be an acceptable haul. Of course, they expressed hopes of winning all three, but a win, a loss and a tie would be a scenario they could work with.
Well, that is exactly what the U.S. got for their efforts in the opening games of the Hexagonal. But those four points didn’t come from projected results.
What had been expected to be a win or a tie on the road in Honduras, turned out to be a 2-1 loss. The expected win over Costa Rica turned out to be just that, but came in a driving snow storm in Colorado on a goal by Clint Dempssey.
The tie came in Mexico City. Scoreless at Azteca, where the U.S. have won but once. Good for the U.S., but bad for Mexico, which collected its third draw in three final round games, and dropped down the standings.
That’s the good news for the U.S. men. They are back in the game. In fact, it is an all-new ball game.
The even better news is that Jurgen Klinsmann used a roster filled with young, inexperienced players, forced into action because of illness or injury to 7-9 players who otherwise could have been on the field for the U.S.
Young defenders Omar Gonzales and Matt Besler proved to be solid against Costa Rica and against Mexico. DaMarcus Beasley proved that he can still play and was a warrior. Little-used goalkeeper Brad Guzan proved to be a more than adequate backup for Howard, out with injuries.
There wasn’t a lot of offense in those games, but weather was a factor in the former, and Mexico’s defense was a factor in the latter.
In Colorado, the grounds crew battled the snow accumulation that threaten stoppage in the second half against the Costa Ricans. They didn’t stop and the U.S. got the win on Dempsey’s first half goal. Costa Rica protested the result, but CONCACAF let the result stand.
Panama leads the standings after three games with five points. The U.S. is tied for second with Honduras and Costa Rica with four points each. Mexico has three points, and Jamaica brings up the rear with two. Too close, too soon, to call!
“It wasn’t a pretty game,” said Dempsey, speaking postgame in Mexico City. “They had most of the ball. We had to grind out a result.
“It wasn’t pretty, but credit to the boys. We were difficult to break down. We conceded a lot of free kicks and corner kicks, but we still did a good job of preventing them getting a goal. Four points from two games, and looking where we are in the table, is great.”
Going into the final round, the U.S. found a schedule that had the team on the road for three of the first four games. Next up is a trip to Jamaica on June 6, where the U.S. lost in the last qualifying round.
After that, four of the last six games will be on U.S. soil. Big advantage!
More good news is the health of the missing players. Goalkeeper Tim Howard and defender Steve Cherundolo are back playing again. So are Fabian Johnson and Tim Chandler. Jose Torres has recovered from a mild hamstring pull.
Jozy Altidore continues to light it up with record-setting goals in Holland. Landon Donovan is back with the Los Angeles Galaxy and says he hopes to play for the USA again…..soon.
Only Jermaine Jones, who was injured against Costa Rica, is struggling to recover and get back on the field.
The ups-and-downs of a long qualifying run remind us that it is a process. With the top three teams in the final six-team home-and-home series advancing, and the fourth getting a play-in possibility, the U.S. will qualify for a seventh consecutive time.
After the draw with Mexico, a Mexican journalist asked Klinsmann in Spanish if the result was a victory for the Americans.
“No, it’s a tie,” Klinsmann replied with a smile. “We came here believing we had a chance to win this game, but are very pleased.”
Not pleased were Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and his teammates. He was held without a goal for the third straight game. Mexico had its chances, but came up empty, and Mexico settled for a third consecutive tie.