By FRANCO PANIZO
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The U.S. men's national team entered its Group C finale against Guadeloupe needing a result in order to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.
The Americans got just that, beating Guadeloupe, 1-0, in front of a sold-out crowd at Livestrong Sporting Park. The win gave the Americans a second-place finish in the group due to Panama tying Canada 1-1 in the first game of the night, and it also set up a quarterfinals match against Jamaica in Washington D.C. on June 19.
Jozy Altidore was the author of the game's lone goal, receiving a pass from Michael Bradley and blasting it from distance into the back of the net in the ninth minute.
The Americans could've added to their lead on a bevy of chances throughout the game, but poor finishing, specifically from Clint Dempsey, kept it close.
"Overall good," said head coach Bob Bradley of his team's performance. "It's certainly a game that at the end we still feel like we should've finished the game earlier. We had good chances to get the second goal."
As it has so often in recent games, the United States almost fell behind early. Following a free kick, a clearance from Landon Donovan bounced off of Clint Dempsey and fell to Stephane Zubar. The Guadeloupe defender shot the ball and saw it smack off the crossbar.
The U.S. team responded through Altidore's strong finish and never looked back. Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo and new left back Eric Lichaj helped stimy the Guadeloupe attack, which was without its leading goal scorer, Brice Jovial.
"Mentally we were better," said Donovan of the difference between the Guadeloupe and Panama game, which the Americans lost 2-1. "We didn't the start the game well against Panama and that was a major error. Tonight we played better and I expect us to continue to get better."
The Americans nearly doubled their lead in the 24th minute, as Dempsey received a cross from Cherundolo unmarked. Dempsey's headed effort went wide, however.
The misses piled on in the first half, with Dempsey continuing to miss and Chris Wondolowski having a good look saved by Franck Grandel.
Things didn't change for the better in the second half. Donovan skied a would-be goal over the crossbar early on, Altidore had a shot from close range blocked and Dempsey continued to mis-fire.
Dempsey's biggest miss came in the 76th minute when substitute Alejandro Bedoya played a ball across the six-yard box that Dempsey attempted to take two touches on rather than knocking it in with one. As a result, Guadeloupe was able to make a last-gasp tackle to clear the ball away.
"Tonight I wasn't good enough with my chances. I couldn't buy a goal," said Dempsey. "The ball played across (from) Bedoya I should've hit it first time. I thought no one was on me. I thought could take two touches. Wrong decision on my part."
The Americans didn't find a second goal, but it managed to claim three points by closing out Guadeloupe with a strong defensive effort.
The U.S. team also avoided any suspensions in the quarterfinals, as the six players that entered the match with yellow cards did not get booked.
"It wasn't a perfect by any means. We still have a lot of work to do before our next game," said Cherundolo. "But we created chances, didn't give up too many and they're a tough team to beat so it was a good performance."
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What do you think of the United States' win? Who impressed you? Do you see the Americans defeating Jamaica in the quarterfinals?
Share your thoughts below.
OMG stop typing that.
Linking the ball doesn’t require tremendous speed. It requires quick feet and mind. Players must position themselves properly and continuously.
Do Xavi and Iniesta come across to you as speed burners?
I have a one question rebuttal for Dempsey’s perceived lack of drive in this tournament.
Who else on the US team scores the goal Dempsey did against Canada?
Where is your harshness for Donovan. Dempsey hit the crossbar, atleast attempted a shot on goal when the goalkeeper made a bad pass out of the back. He attacked Guadaloupe when he had the ball. Donovan has the goalkeeper 15 yards out of the box when he receives the ball and the thought of shooting never even crosses his mind. Donovan beats his man out wide and rather than continuing on toward goal, unabated, he dumps the ball back into the middle to a man with two players covering him. If he continues to attack the goal he stretches the defense. You are hung up on one play. Had that play not happened you probably forgive the header, which really wasn’t far off the mark.
You think BB should tear into Dempsey for a bad play? Wow, you’re some kind of sports psychologist savant.
He was POY for Fulham, he wasn’t fighting for a spot every game. His spot was very secure one Mark Hughes knew him.
Said in your best “leave britney alone” imitation I presume
I figure Gulati and most of USSF should be replaced. Then Bob.
Bravo!
for what? I thought this hole using proper grammar thing was a mute point these days
Oops,
Sorry
I didn’t see a deflection, I don’t think the defender touched the ball.
I loved it the couple of times Jones would look up to a searching diagonal ball 60 years accross the field and the camera wouldn’t even have Lichaj in the picture, and I’d wonder, what the f’, but then there he’d be. Danny Alves doesn’t always have the best positioning but it is his threat on the offensive end that keeps teams from attacking him – hopefully Lichaj can develop some of those abilities.
AWESOME PERFORMANCE AGAINST SOCCER SUPER POWER GUADALOUPE…OVERWHELMING….NOT!!!!!! But if you just ask our soccer geniuses Bunker Bob and the Economics Professor….
After reading some obervations up top:
A) Jozy’s goal was not deflected. Watch the replay. Amazing goal – Top play on sportscenter!
B) The chance Guadalupe had was a botch by Bradley – shouldnt have let that ball in. Donovan actually had a good, last second reaction toe-poking it out best he could. Clint happen to be in the way, but a bang-bang play. Things like that happen in the box when you let the ball initially bounce. Error: Bradley
C) Anyone think Jones totally manhandled their midfield? Great game.
D) Group play over: its been awhile since we played CONCACAF teams that have noname, all-heart guys that treat this as a World Cup and do not have a scouting report, adjustment over. Fresh tournament now – have a few days off for the guys to regroup. The way I look at it, let Mexico pump up their confidence level with killing minnows. I love a cocky Mexico. Everyone knows that we are a better, focused, team when we are underdogs. Unfortunately, we will continue to have nail-biters because we bring down our game to others.
Hey, the optimistic view is that our guys will not be complacent – already being humbled early on. I’ll take that wakeup call in group play over the knockout stages any day. With all that said, we lose to anyone other than Mexico, I think a coaching change is in order before qualification begins.
CONCACAF warm-up games are over, bring on Jamaica!
good buildup play time and again with lots of interchanging, good final balls time and again…no finish time and again.
we need Clint to start finishing. he puts himself in excellent positions but hasn’t finished. we know he can, so I believe he will
my feelings on Wondo are different; he puts himself in excellent positions but hasn’t finished. until he proves to himself he can do it at this level, which means scoring a goal, it’s hard to believe he will
JJones was exactly who we need him to be…under control and all over the field. With Michael last night, they dominated play in there. Dolo was perhaps man of the match.
No, I’d feel better if I could have an intelligent, rational soccer conversation with people on this board without it always ending in “Bob Bradley sucks and should be fired” or “This player sucks and shouldn’t ever again wear a US shirt.” It’s ridiculous and makes it hard to take anyone here seriously. Once again, it’s possible to criticize without being an a-hole. But with your reply of “sunshine and lollipops…” it’s apparently out of your range to not be a condescending pri*k. I hope that works out well for you in life.
this BS is utterly un-American. that’s all. go off on me however you like, but this fake bravado is weak
The problem is that Wondo is basically Twellman 2.0 (no special skills or tools), he needs time to acclimate to the faster pace, if he even can, and he’s not that young. He’s not ready to contribute immediately and he’s not young or toolsy enough to bother developing. I’m not sure why we bother playing him. There’s no big upside there like some other forwards in our pool like Bunbury.
Exactly
disagree – Lando was all over the place and made some nice set ups. He just didn’t finish and his crosses were off. He was definitely active, though.
We need a coach that expects his players to give their best for the entire game , not players who play for 10 minutes and show what they are capable of and then disappear.We need a coach that will bench players when they are not playing balls out.We need a coach that when players come for training , they know that they have to earn their spot every minute of training and game not players because of who they are ,where they play, or how many caps they have expect to play regardless of their performance on the pitch. We need a coach that plays players who play balls out,with pride and a passion for 90 minutes for their country and the people they represent. We need a coach that the players respect and play above and beyond what they do for their club teams. We need a Vince Lombardi type of soccer coach.
I think one of the biggest complaints was that, we scored before the 20th minute, and after that, we became lacksidasical. We sat back and there was little effort for 70+ minutes, which is disappointing. I wonder how dangerous we would have looked if we had put more effort. I was also disappointed that Bobbo didn’t make substitutions earlier. Guys like Jones, Alitdore, Bradley, Dempsey, and Donovan looked absolutely exhausted at around the 70th minute. Would’ve been nice to win against Panama, because they looked like they could’ve used more time off.
That being said, lets slaughter the Reggae Boyz
Interviews do not equal truth. I gave an interview in college gushing over my college coach and I thought he was a idiot. IT’s just what you do unless your name is Charles Barkley. Around the world other national teams have played more games than US players and they still seem to win and kick the crap out of low quality opponents. Mexico for example looked exhausted… actually they didn’t.
Where was Captain America? i think its safe to say that the US is at a stand still or even regressing. sure the Confederations cup was great, but look at where we are at now barely qualifying to the next round behind panama. I wish the US press was as ruthless as the Mexican press, Bradley would have been gone, Sunil needs to go also. Start fresh and get ready for WCQ….
Let’s put all our American spirit behind the Jamaicans and hope they can do us the favor of forcing Bradley’s exit. This game was worse than the previous howlers against Panama and Spain. The USA form is completely off, an utter joke, and the team is not prepared to play at the NCAA level. We’ve got plenty of fine players, even with Donovan become a dinosaur in front of our eyes, but they’ve tuned Bradley out; he can’t inspire them anymore. They’ve got to be given leadership (and knowledge) they trust AND respect. Bradley must go or we’ll be suffering for three years these silly results.
Was at the game last night and the corner was taken right in front of us. It wasn’t Dempsey or Donovan; it was the coach’s son. For some reason Bradley let the ball go by. The corner was headed right for his midsection and for some reason he turned and let it go. Howard was coming for it so I have to assume he called Bradley off. That’s what started that whole chain of events.
…and if you can say Turkish second division is nowhere near the quality of MLS….lol, you know nothing about soccer (think about…players rather stay/develop over there than come here)
It means that if someone from NYRB can be a game changer (against a team that beat the US) then someone from West ham or Rizaspor can be also, regardless of if your other options play for villa, blackburn or rangers..
..”how you player not WHERE you play”
Because sports isn’t an intellectual or rational pursuit. Go read your Hegel and Kant and let us complain in peace.
Sunshine and lollipops, rainbows and happy things…feel better?
show me where I say to fire Bradley or where I say Dempsey sucks? Yeah some people go overboard, and then the lot of you gets just as indignant in responding. Now, if its silly to get emotional about a soccer game, surely it more absurd to get angry about the people getting angry. Oh wait, let me respond with my superior logic and reason; let me lay out my point in the geometic fashion of Spinoza, seriously guys I’m smart because I use logic. 0100100100101001
Heart, commitment and organization will only help you so much. At the end of the day you need pure soccer instincts and our players don’t got it yet.
But to carry your point how disgusting was it that Jozy pointed to his name on the back of his shirt when he scored but he wouldn’t put his hand on his heart during the anthem.
He has has been the most consistent so far without a doubt.
I thought Jones played well. He still has some inconsistent periods and commits some fouls in bad spots. When he is on, the combination of tackling and passing that he offers from that position is the best that the US has ever had at that position. He stopped a lot of counters and had some killer long passes. While there is still some things to be worked out, I really like the midfield combo.
It would have been great as a US fan to see the team crush an opponent, however, the only thing that matters is that when the final whistle blows – we have scored one more goal than our opponent. The US did what it needed to advance. I don’t care how they win as long as they win. The US is capable of playing much better but none of these games can predict the outcome of the next match. Go USA !!!!! I personally think the team could improve with some new coaching blood but there is no way I will ever cheer against our team.
Two game winning goals in three games is a good showing. One could make an argument that it is even more impressive with the team being out of synch.
I agree. Jones really disrupted their attack and made some great long passes going forward. I thought he looked like the Jones I used to see on the youtube videos.
You guys are gonna laugh, but I have actually liked what I’ve seem from Klejstan in then GC. He hasn’t been super flashy or spectacular, but he has done what he needed to do. I would like to see more of Wondolowski and Bedoya also.
+1 Nice. I give Dempsey the pass too. There has to be something wrong with Donovan.
Agreed
We’re missing the heart and killer instinct of guys in the past. Too many of these guys now assume they will win because they play in the Premiership or wherever. I miss guys like Cobi Jones and Joe-Max Moore who left everything they got on the field. I don’t see that much anymore.
As little as a fan as I am of Adu, I want to know how much he wants this. Would it hurt to give him 10 minutes when Donovan seems afraid to take a shot and Dempsey can’t hit anything but advertising.
I’m sure Adu is just tearing it up in training right now and BB because he is so profoundly stupid and stubborn refuses to play him even though he will call him up – I’m positive that is happening.
That or he doesn’t look very good training.
Highs and lows? More like manic depression if you ask me. Soccer by Ives USMNT fans need to take a lithium.
Um, his “toe poke” clearance was actually heading well away from danger except Dempsey failed to get out of the clearance’s way and deflected the ball into a dangerous area. That was more Dempsey’s fault for being unaware (and probably stoned again, as usual) than Donovan’s.
Question: Why was Adu called up if he can’t even dress vs Guadeloupe? If he’s so bad as some say, what’s he doing in the fold? If he’s better than some say, why can’t he buy a minute of playing time? I don’t know the answers here. I just wonder what the point of the selection is/was. But US selections are like reading the entrails of slaughtered pigs.
Do you really blame the players for not respecting him? Almost every player has surpassed BB in terms of playing ability and level. Why would you listen to a guy who has not gotten anywhere higher than his own subordinates?
Would you respect your own manager at work if they were no more qualified than you to be in that position? End of story.
A good team wins even when they can’t finish…the US won tonight despite horrible finishing.
Yes, Dempsey should have scored more goals but how on earth did he get into the position to have those chances!!!! It was because he hustled out there. I don’t understand how missing goals translates into lack of enthusiasm. Now, you may have a valid point on Donovan’s recent games…..
Yes, we got the result, but had to play guys like Jones and MB for almost the entire game. This is what happened in the WC, poor finishing and slack defending in early games puts us in trouble and we always have to play close ones with the starters getting no rest.
And like I said below, which Caribbean team got a single point, besides Jamaica (who won the Caribbean cup). The whole region, again besides Jamaica is not good in this cycle.