US does its job and beats Trinidad
The second half continued with the same theme as the first half, as the US dominated possession. In the 54th minute, second half sub Landon Donovan created the second US goal.
The play originated in the US defensive third when Donovan jumped on a loose ball and broke out of the back. Donovan picked out Ching, who quickly gave the ball back to Donovan. Donovan raced in behind the Trinidad defense, and picked out Johnson who was running all alone at the back post, and just had to tap the ball into the empty net to double the advantage.
The game really bogged down in the midfield following the Johnson goal, as the US emptied its bench. The US continued to control the possession, but lacked any real creativity going forward. As the game wore on, the US seemed content to play out the remainder of the game tapping the ball around the midfield, making the occasional foray into the attacking third.
The US had one last chance in the game in the 87th minute. Donovan and Taylor Twellman worked a clever give and go in the penalty area that worked Donovan loose inside the area. Donovan got a touch to the ball, but Williams made yet another save for Trinidad to keep the score from getting out of hand.
Following Donovan’s effort, the match ended without any more incident. With the win, the US clinched a place in the quarterfinals and needs only a draw Tuesday night against El Salvador to win Group B.
STATISTICS:
2007.09.06: Carson, California USA; Home Depot Center (A: 27000 (Sellout)) TRINIDAD & TOBAGO – USA 0:2 (0:1) USA: Brian CHING (Justin MAPP) 29’, Eddie JOHNSON (Landon DONOVAN) 54’.
TRI: 21-Jan Michael Williams (GK), 2 – Romauld Aguillera, 5 -Keyeno Thomas, 6 -Thomas Nickcolson (24’: 8 – Kerry Baptiste), 11 - Andre Toussaint, 14 - Darryl Roberts, 15 - Andrei Pacheco (81’: 7 – Trent Noel), 16 - Silvio Spann, 17-Seon Power, 18-Densill Theobald (capt.), 20- Anthony Noriega (20’: 13 – Christon Baptiste) Booked: Thomas 51’, Pacheco 77’ TD: Wilhelmus RIJSBERGEN.
USA: 18 – Kasey Keller (GK) (capt.), 5-Benny Feilhaber (46’: 10 – Landon Donovan), 9 – Eddie Johnson (72’: 20 – Taylor Twellman), 11 – Brian Ching (65’: 6 - Michael Bradley), 12 – Jay Demerit, 14 – Steve Ralston, 15 – Frank Simek, 16 – Michael Parkhurst, 17 – Jonathan Spector, 19 – Ricardo Clark, 21 – Justin Mapp Booked: None TD: Bob BRADLEY.
Statistics/Estadísticas ()-Half TRI USA Goal Attempts/Tiros Totales 8 (5) 16 (11) Saves/Atajadas 6 (5) 2 (0) Fouls/Faltas 15 (7) 15 (10) Corners/Tiros de Esquina 4 (2) 0 (0) Offsides/Fuera de Lugar 7 (3) 8 (6).
R: Roberto Moreno (PAN) A1: Daniel Williamson (PAN) A2: Hiran Depico (CUB) FO: German Arredondo (MEX).
Miller Lite Player of the Match: Brian CHING (USA.
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Terra/Concacaf
(EFE)
