Clint Dempsey's first-half goal stands up -- and voila, the USA has six points from the group from the first two games, and hasn't even played a home game yet. Discuss the match in Havana...
right where we want to be. 2 games on dimly-lit, unmowed fields in front of hostile crowds with poor referees and we grind out two wins.
Obviously the three points are the most important. Onyewu was very good tonight. And Timmy continues to prove he is amazing. The 1-0 scoreline was utterly predictable, and some of the play out there was shocking, but it is what it is, and we will move on. There is no point in arguing for the next five days about it. Nothing has changed since we saw Guatemala. So just bring up those threads about all the positive/negatives about the US play and apply them here and you are good to go.
Oh, and the bandanna Americans took their bandannas off and getting pictures taken. Not too bright guys. United States 2-0-0 6pts 2:0 +2 Trinidad & Tobago 1-0-1 4pts 4:2 +2 Guatemala 0-1-1 1pt 1:2 -1 Cuba 0-2-0 0pts 1:4 -3 September 10th: Trinidad & Tobago @ United States in Chicago Cuba @ Guatemala in Guatemala City
I wish we could get a more experienced defensive midfielder to play with one of the more inexperienced guys. I know Michael Bradley has 22 caps already but he is still very young and sometimes gives away fouls he doesn't have to. I think Mo would be better to sit on the bench for a more calming presence to sit in the midfield with M. Bradley. I'm not sure who though as Mastro can make plays that are just as rash.
I'm not sure I'd call that crowd hostile. The atmosphere resembled a training session for the most part.
A good result under somewhat strange and difficult circumstances - bad pitch, weird lighting, trying to get out before the hurricane hits. Good to see Dempsey contributing again. Beasley was active but very rusty. Donovan always looks so much better in the middle. In the driver's seat in the group now with two away wins. Not a ton of goals, but found a way to get it done on the road at two challenging venues. Couldn't ask for much more.
How was this crowd hostile tonight? I don't think I heard any whistling (i.e., booing) from the fans, who really quieted down in the second half. Whenever the cameras panned to the crowd, they looked pretty subdued.
USA vs. Cuba post mortem Athletic save by Howard maintained the US lead. Decent play by the back four, but Cuba's forwards didn't look that dangerous. The midfield did what it needed to do to notch the win, but its play was uninspired. Edu's touch seemed a bit off today. Bradley has to keep his head better. Ching by himself up front won't score us goals against quality competition, so hopefully his deployment there alone will not be repeated. Last, what else does Beasley have to do to play himself out of a position after this game? Will it take a red card? Man of the Match was . . . ? custar
Another sloppy game by the US. But at least it's three points. Cheers to those people who went to support the US and are probably there illegally.
Glad for the win, hope the team and the ESPN folks and the bandanna Americans all make it out before the hurricane hits!!! Can't wait for Wednesday!!!
So as terrible as Cuba was, the only sub we could put in was Kljestan? Man, I can't wait until we have this locked up and we can see some new faces because despite a win against what looked like a varsity team, I'm just tired of seeing them play down to their competition.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with the referee in Guatemala city, he was the fairest referee to us in Central America I have maybe ever seen. Other than the blown penalty call, the referee tonight was alright. He didn't have a shocker by any stretch of the imagination.
Re: USA vs. Cuba post mortem This team was built to grind out a road result, not light it up. 6 pts. after two away matches. 'nuff said.
Dimly lit, poorly mowed... but in this case just an "away" crowd rather than hostile. Don't know if you really meant hostile... butas far as I could tell the home fans were supportive of their team, but well behaved to visitors on field and in stands. Nothing like Mexico, or anywhere in central America. Hats off to the bandana Americans too. I'm glad some red/white/and blue made it to the game.