US Spoils Trinidad Carnival

On This Day in 2005, the Eddies Each Score as the US Remains Unbeaten in World Cup Qualifying

The United States opened the final round of World Cup qualifying for Germany 2006, riding a wave of dominance in CONCACAF. Bruce Arena's squad hadn't lost to a regional opponent since September 2001 in Costa Rica, compiling an impressive 22-7-0 (WDL) record during that span. 

However, their preparation hit turbulence in early 2005 when a labor dispute between U.S. Soccer and its players led to three weeks of missed training for MLS-based players and the cancellation of planned friendlies against Sweden and South Korea. The team's newest weapon, 20-year-old Eddie Johnson, had spectacularly burst onto the scene, becoming the first player to score in each of his first four national team appearances.

The Americans arrived in Port-of-Spain amid the festivities of Carnival, with the February 9 match scheduled for an afternoon kickoff at Queen's Park Cricket Club instead of the national stadium. Arena started eight European-based players, banking on their mid-season fitness in the 90-degree Caribbean heat. The strategy paid dividends in the 30th minute when right-back Steve Cherundolo pushed forward and delivered a precise cross to an unmarked Johnson in the penalty area. The young striker's header flew inside the right post, catching the keeper off guard by his own admission.

The pivotal moment came early in the second half when goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who had made a 23-hour journey from Germany just two days prior, rushed out to smother Leslie Fitzpatrick's breakaway attempt. The save preserved the lead; minutes later, in the 54th minute, the Americans doubled their advantage. Johnson initiated the sequence, combining with Landon Donovan before Eddie Lewis curled a left-footed shot from 23 yards into the right corner. Though Angus Eve would pull one back in the 89th minute with a sharp cross deflected off Keller's hand, the Americans had secured the vital road victory.

"When you write the story of this game, there were a bunch of reasons why we couldn't be successful today," Arena reflected afterward. "We never agreed with that. I think the way our team pulled together over the last couple of weeks to be ready to play this game under difficult conditions – travel, field conditions, the heat, everything else – it turns out to be a fantastic result."

The win positioned the U.S. perfectly for the remaining nine matches of their qualifying campaign, with home-and-away series against Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago ahead. Their next challenge would come on March 27 in Mexico, followed by a home date with Guatemala in Birmingham three days later. For Johnson, who wouldn't turn 21 until the following month, his sixth goal in just four appearances highlighted his remarkable emergence and the expectations ahead.

"Bruce told me it's only going to get harder," Johnson said. "I'm not going to score in every game. It's about taking advantage of the chances you get."