U.S. men

Advancement in hand, Americans end Jamaican quest for 2006 World Cup.

By Robert Wagman
SoccerTimes

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Wednesday, November 17, 2004) -- The U.S. began and ended its successful CONCACAF Semifinal World Cup Qualifying round playing 1-1 draws with Jamaica. There was little similarity with the matches.

In Kingston, Jamaica, on August 18, the U.S. put forth an experienced lineup, but was lucky to escape National Stadium with the 1-1 tie when striker Brian Ching, making his third international appearance, scored his first goal for the U.S. to equalize in the 89th minute. While stealing a point in the Group 1 standings was a positive omen for the Americans, the Jamaicans were left to rue the failure to gain the full three points at home. The two lost points haunted the Jamaicans throughout the round and ultimately proved costly.

Tonight, with advancement to the final round already in hand, U.S. coach Bruce Arena was able to use tonight's qualifier against the desperate Reggae Boyz to employ several players with relatively little international experience. Even though Jamaica needed a victory to move into the final round and had a man advantage after the 73rd minute, it could do no better than the 1-1 tie at Columbus Crew Stadium, leaving the Jamaican Federation to recriminations.

The U.S. won Group 1 with a 3-0-3 record and 12 points, joined by second-place Panama (2-2-2, 8), a 3-0 winner over El Salvador tonight, in the final round. Costa Rica and Guatemala, both 3-2-1 with 10 points, advanced to the final round from Group 2. Mexico 6-0, 18) and Trinidad & Tobago (4-2, 12) advanced from Group 3.

Anchored by a few veterans, such as goalkeeper Kasey Keller, midfielder Landon Donovan and striker Brian McBride, the young Americans were loose and aggressive, while Jamaica sagged back and allowed the U.S. to control the midfield and to push the ball forward.

For young striker Eddie Johnson, the third time was a charm. Within 60 seconds around the 14th minute, he whiffed on a point-blank set-up and then drove a hard shot that was saved by goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. Finally, played through by midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, Johnson beat an attempted offside trap and went through alone before curving a nice shot around Ricketts for a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.

Johnson had his fifth goal in the 61 minutes of his international career to that point, but more importantly had recorded his first game-winner in his first start.

"I was just nervous getting my first start," Johnson said. "You have to get good service from the guys around you and they gave me three great chances. I overran the first, the keeper made a good save on the second, and I'm thankful I was able to get the third in."

A turning point came for Jamaica in the 24th minute when midfielder Jermaine Hue replaced injured defender Damion Stewart. Almost immediately, he steadied the midfield with Jamaica triggering its first shot on goal in the 26th minute. A minute later, forward Ricardo Fuller took a throw-in, shook off U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu, stormed into the box and was taken down by midfielder Ramiro Corrales.

Midfielder Andy Williams drilled the penalty kick behind Keller to even matters at 1-1 in the 27th minute.

Play favored Jamaica for the rest of the half, but its possession was mostly confined to the midfield and afforded few quality scoring chances.

Before and after the match, Arena stressed he was playing to win. "This was not about putting Jamaica out, but winning and getting a look at some of the younger players," he said. "We played to win. Getting a point out of a game like this has to make you feel good."

Still, the team Arena put out was defensive in nature with four defenders and two holding midfielders, including Mastroeni, who had a terrific match.

"At the half, Bruce told us we were playing a bit too conservative," Mastroeni said. "He told us to push forward more. But then we went the man down and had to play it out from there."

Jamaican coach Sebastio Lazaroni, who after the match admitted he was not surprisingly on his way out as coach, has developed a reputation for unexpected moves. Tonight was no exception, starting Damani Ralph of Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire at striker over Marlon King of Nottingham Forest of England's second division. He also did not start newcomer Jason Euell, a forward for Charlton Athletic of England's Premier League, after waiting six months for world governing body FIFA to declare him eligible.

Lazaroni finally brought King on in the 68th minute and Euell three minutes later. Both combined with Fuller to give the U.S. some problems over the final 20 minutes. But the U.S., playing with 10 men after defender Oguchi Onyewu was ejected with his second yellow card in the 73rd minute, played solid team defense. Other than when U.S. defender Tony Sanneh slipped on the wet field and Fuller hammered a shot which Keller blocked nicely, Jamaica could not really create any decent opportunities.

"It was a fair result," Arena said. "I don't think Jamaica deserved three points tonight. It was a good experience to be put in a situation like this and to come out on top."

Johnson is one of the less-experienced Americans to make the most of opportunities, such as tonight, when they present themselves. A veteran of four seasons with MLS's Dallas Burn though only 20 years-old, Johnson's five goals in the 134 minutes of his international career have opened some eyes. He left Columbus after tonight's game to spend two weeks training with Manchester United in England before two weeks with PSV Eindhoven, the club that employs U.S. and former MLS midfielder DaMarcus Beasley in the Netherlands.

Forward Taylor Twellman (88th minute for Johnson) -- no rating: Was quick to a ball or two to help kill off the stoppage time.

Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent. E-mail Robert Wagman.