On This Day in 2016, the US Opened World Cup Qualifying with a Convincing Away Victory
The momentum from Copa America Centenario still coursed through the United States national team as they prepared for the resumption of World Cup qualifying in September 2016. Fresh off their historic run to the semifinals on home soil, Jurgen Klinsmann's squad carried a newfound confidence into the CONCACAF semifinal round, knowing that advancement to the hexagonal stage—and a clearer path to Russia 2018—was within their grasp.
The Americans arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with several key absences. Clint Dempsey, the tournament's breakout star from Copa America, was sidelined with an irregular heartbeat. Captain Michael Bradley sat out due to yellow card accumulation, while defender Michael Orozco remained suspended following his red card in the Copa America third-place match. The travel logistics alone presented challenges—the team's charter flight couldn't land directly at the island's E.T. Joshua Airport due to runway limitations, forcing a detour through Barbados and requiring players to transfer to smaller aircraft.
Despite the obstacles, Klinsmann viewed the match as an opportunity to continue developing the depth that had served them well during their summer breakthrough. Bobby Wood, whose pace and movement had troubled defenses throughout Copa America, was eager to build on his momentum after completing a transfer to Hamburg and scoring in his Bundesliga debut.
On a sweltering September 2 afternoon at the Arnos Vale cricket ground, with steel drums providing the soundtrack for both national anthems, the Americans wasted little time asserting their dominance against the 156th-ranked hosts. The opening goal arrived in the 28th minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Wood. After Jozy Altidore nearly lost possession while trying to beat a defender just outside the penalty area, he managed to work the ball wide to Fabian Johnson, who poked it back out to Wood. The Hamburg striker curled a precise 19-yard right-footed shot to the far post, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Christopher Lemus.
Four minutes later, the Americans doubled their advantage through an unlikely source. Matt Besler, making his 36th international appearance, found himself in the right place at the right time when Graham Zusi's chipped free kick led to a defensive miscue. Nazir McBurnett's headed clearance attempt fell directly to the defender, who chested the ball down and knocked it home with his left foot from four yards out. The goal carried special significance for Besler, whose wife Amanda had given birth to their first child, daughter Parker, just hours before kickoff. As his teammates surrounded him in a rocking-the-cradle celebration, the emotion was palpable. The defender had told Klinsmann that morning he was in the right frame of mind to play despite the extraordinary circumstances.
"It's already a special day, but I wanted to make it even more special and play in this special game," Besler would later reflect.
Altidore capped the first-half scoring in the 43rd minute, converting a penalty kick after Wood was fouled while streaking into the penalty area. The goal, his 35th for the national team, moved him past Eric Wynalda into sole possession of third place on the American men's career scoring list, behind only Landon Donovan and Dempsey. The second half belonged to the next generation of American soccer. Klinsmann introduced Christian Pulisic and Sacha Kljestan midway through the period, and the pair combined to devastating effect.
Just five minutes after entering, Pulisic found the net with a clinical finish off a Kljestan pass, becoming the youngest player in U.S. history to score in a World Cup qualifier at just two weeks shy of his 18th birthday. Seven minutes later, the roles reversed as Pulisic turned provider, delivering a cross that Kljestan tapped home for his first international goal in six years. The veteran midfielder, recalled after a lengthy absence from the national team setup, savored the moment of redemption. Pulisic wasn't finished. In the second minute of stoppage time, he completed his brace with an 18-yard strike off another Kljestan assist, capping a remarkable 24-minute cameo that announced his arrival on the international stage.
The 6-0 victory moved the United States into prime position to advance to the hexagonal stage of World Cup qualifying. With their superior goal difference over Guatemala and only needing to avoid a catastrophic defeat against Trinidad and Tobago in the group finale, the Americans had effectively secured their passage to the next round. More significantly, the match served as validation of the progress made during Copa America Centenario. The team's depth had been tested and proven adequate. Wood continued his evolution into a reliable scoring threat, Besler showed the character that made him a World Cup veteran, and Pulisic provided a tantalizing glimpse of American soccer's future.
For Klinsmann, the comprehensive victory represented another step forward in his vision for American soccer. The confidence gained from competing with South America's elite during the summer was translating into clinical performances in qualifying, setting the stage for what promised to be an intriguing hexagonal campaign. It was clear that the entire program was maturing, building on the foundation laid during those memorable three weeks in June when they had dared to dream big on home soil.
No comments:
Post a Comment