USA tops CONCACAF group enroute to South Africa

October 15, 2009

In a pulsating final qualifying match in the CONCACAF qualifying match , USA tied 2-2 with Costa Rica to top the group of six nations vying to qualify for the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010. On a rainy night at the Robert F Kennedy stadium in Washington D.C, the Americans came back strongly to tie the Costa Ricans. What was more amazing was that the Americans were down to 10 men on the pitch for the last 7 minutes of regular playing time and the 5 minutes of added time.The win came in front of an extremely bouyant home crowd, of a little more than 26000.

Coupled with the 2-2 draw secured by Mexcio against Honduras, the win gave the USA top spot in the CONCACAF group, with a total of 20 points. Second-placed Mexico and Honduras in third place grabbed the two other automatic qualifying spots for the finals in South Africa. It was heart-break for the Costa Ricans who were just 30 seconds from an automatic berth, when Jonathan Bornstein headed in an equalizer in the 5th and final minute of added time tie the match.

The Costa Ricans had a comfortable 2-0 lead through the first half and were looking favorites for the automatic qualifying berth. The Americans came back a different outfit after the break and the first salvo in the 72nd minute from Michael Bradley who slotted in rebound from Landon Donovan’s shot and Bornstein’s final hurrah in injury time completed the amazing comeback. Costa Rica will now have to play Uruguay, the fifth placed nation in the South American qualifying group.

Team USA was in an jubilant mood prior to the match after having beaten Honduras away from on Oct 9th and with that win, had also clinched the qualifying spot for the 2010 finals. The only things at stake here for them were the top spot in the hexagonal CONCACAF group and the chance to keep the unbeaten home record at home in the qualifying competition.

The Americans had to play with 10 men for the last seven minutes of normal time and five minutes of stoppage time, after they lost Oguchi Onyewu, who sustained a left patellar tendon tear and could not replace him as they had used all three allowed substitutes prior to this incident.

After a bright start which saw both teams have half chances and a couple of saves of decent saves by the goalkeepers, the Costa Ricans scored twice in the 21st minute and the 24th minute to shock the home crowd. Bryan Ruiz picked up a pass on the left hand side of the penalty area and cut into the six yard box past Onyewu. He scored through Howard’s legs for the Costa Ricans opener. Just three minutes later, Ruiz smashed in a beautiful shot from almost 19 yards out with his left foot into upper left corner, giving Tim Howard no chance.

The Americans had chances before the half-time whistle, but they could not slot in the opportunities. The Costa Rican goalkeeper, Keilor Navas was in his elements throughout the match and he kept a Donovan free-kick out in the 28th minute with his fists, like he did with many of team USA’s punts into the box.

In the second half, the Costa Ricans seemed content on keeping their two-goal advantage and this turned out to be the wrong strategy. Team USA had a number of chances in the first few minutes of the second half, but a combination of poor finishing and fine reactions from Navas denied them time and again.Coach Bob Bradley made his three substitutions in the 63rd, 69th and 79th minute, bringing on Jose Torres, Rogers and Kenny Cooper in place of Feilhaber, Holden and Casey respectively. During this frantic period. team USA got its first goal as Rogers crossed from the right to Bradley, who headed it into the air. Donovan cut across a defender and shot from approximately 14 yards out. Navas parried the ball, but Bradley was at hand to slot the ball into the roof of the goal.The frenzied last few minutes were marred by the ejection of the Costa Rican coach, who had an heated exchange with the fourth official just as the game moved into injury time.

The goal that sent Costa Rica home in despair came from Jonathan Bornstein, who powered in a header from six yards out into the right corner of the net from a well-directed corner kick from Rogers just thirty seconds before end of the alloted 5 minutes of stoppage time. When the referee blew the whistle a few seconds later, the Costa Ricans looked shell-shocked and they left in tears.Team USA were celebrating with their fans, as they topped the qualifying group for the second straight time, again edging out Mexico.

So onward to South Africa! Hopefully, the good run continues for Team USA in 2010!

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