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Sweet revenge U.S. defeats Guatemala 1-0 in World Cup qualifier
WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The United States got one back today against Guatemala, this time in front of a raucous, sold-out RFK Stadium crowd of 51,996, snatching a 1-0 victory with a brilliant goal in the 71st minute from Brian McBride that came when the U.S. was a man down. "This was certainly a great win under the circumstances," said coach Bruce Arena. "Give Guatemala credit. They played a great game. We thought we would have more chances, but we didn't." It was not a convincing win but a necessary one, and it moved the U.S. into a vastly more secure position in their World Cup qualifying group. McBride's strike came following Eddie Lewis' ejection in the 65th minute. Started by Jovan Kirovski in midfield, substitute Cobi Jones took a pass and coolly lofted it left to a streaking McBride. McBride one-timed it on the half-volley, poking the ball into the lower left of the net past a startled Edgar Estrada.
"The goal had to come some time," said McBride. "I got a great ball and was able to put it through." The Americans held on and moved into second place in their qualifying group with seven points, two behind Costa Rica. Costa Rica won its match against Barbados earlier in the day, effectively eliminating the island nation. Guatemala sits third with four points. The top two teams in the group advance to the final qualifying round. Ostensibly playing their most talented lineup -- only the injured Chris Armas was absent -- the Americans failed to impress for most of the match. Frequently formless, they never really seemed to settle in and play a confident match. The only true standout for the U.S. was the mercurial Claudio Reyna, who got little support despite excellent playmaking. "This was a pretty scrappy game," explained Jovan Kirovski. "We knew that if we didn't get a goal early on it was going to be tough. But we felt comfortable and we knew what we were doing. Now we can relax a little because we got these three [points]." The U.S. also took two big blows. The first was Lewis' ejection for elbowing Fabricio Benitez, forcing the Americans to play a man down for the better part of the second half.
A clear foul that occurred after he had only been on the field eight minutes, Lewis' action was especially inexplicable considering that he had space on Benitez to collect the ball. It was the second damaging foul committed by the Americans. Earnie Stewart was carded in the 42nd minute and will be ineligible due to accumulated cards for the next match against Costa Rica in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 11. Another big blow was a potentially serious injury to Reyna, who was tackled awkwardly by Everaldo Valencia in the 76th minute. He had to be removed and will be examined further. A static first half ended scoreless with choppy play prevalent. The Americans were gifted with space and time but did little with it, knocking the ball back and forth in their own half of the field and never really connecting on runs. Joe-Max Moore and Reyna teamed up well, providing the two best chances of the first half. But Reyna's 19th-minute strike was turned back and Moore's 25th-minute sizzler went just over the crossbar. Guatemala, essentially playing a bunker game, fared little better, challenging the Americans only once and collecting an unsettling number of blown passes.
Miami Fusion midfielder Martin Machon impressed in midfield for the Guatemalans, steering the counterattacks effectively and exposing frequently out-of-position defender Tony Sanneh on the wing with the aid of Everaldo Valencia. Guatemala also provided a few late scares. Benitez got off a clean header with three minutes left that uncomfortably recalled the late goal the U.S. suffered in its first leg against this squad. However, Kasey Keller, rock-solid as always, managed to stifle and hold the ball. Box scoreScoring: U.S. - Brian McBride (Cobi Jones) 72nd minute. Lineups: USA - 18- Kasey Keller; 17-Tony Sanneh (13- Cobi Jones, 57), 3-Gregg Berhalter, 23-Eddie Pope, 6- David Regis; 8-Earnie Stewart (7-Eddie Lewis, 57), 5-John O'Brien, 10-Claudio Reyna (Capt.) (Carlos Llamosa, 77), 19-Jovan Kirovski; 20-Brian McBride, 9-Joe-Max Moore. GUA- 1-Edgar Estrada; 3-Erick Miranda, 4-Luis Swisher (20-Fredy Garcia, 74), 6-Julio Giron; 17-German Ruano, 10-Juan Manuel Funes (11-Guillermo Ramirez, 64), 7-Fabricio Benitez, 19-Everaldo Valencia, 16- Martin Machon; 15-Juan Carlos Plata (18- Mario Acevedo, 37),14-Dwight Pezzarossi. Misconduct Summary:
GUA - Julio Giron (caution) 20th minute.
Referee: Ulises Rangel (Mexico)
© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP
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