I made it back juuuuust in time... aren't I daft?
Kick-off imminent, here's is tonight's line-up card:
Howard; Cherundolo, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Pearce, Bradley, Kljestan, Dempsey, Donovan, Beasley, Ching
Bench: Guzan, Adu, Altidore, Califf, Hejduk, Torres
Quick pre-game note: it seems at least two Cuba players have already defected. I'll try to see if that is the full total as of now.
The anthems are done, let's play ball...
1'
Game on.
4'
Cuba turnover in their end allows Donovan to slip Dempsey into the area, but he shoots directly at the Cuba keeper.
7'
Another Cuba giveaway near their box, another Donovan set-up; this time, Bradley side-foots well over from 16.
11'
More sloppy Cuba play at their back, which allows Kljestan to send Beasley through on goal. The Rangers attacker makes no mistake in beating the keeper from the left channel. 1-0 USA!
21'
Beasley takes a stamp, and is slow to get up and around.
25'
DMB is really hobbling on that foot. He may need to come out.
31'
Well... he's not struggling so bad anymore. Beasley corrals Donovan's weak-side diagonal lob and deposits his second of the game. 2-0 USA!
32'
Mere seconds late, Cuba strikes back with a delicious something-from-nothing lob shot in off the bar from Muñoz. 2-1 USA.
38'
More Cuba sloppiness in their half, another Donovan wheel and deal; this time, Bradley forces a save.
43'
Colomé sets Donovan into a tumble and sees his second yellow card. Cuba down to 10 men.
HALFTIME 2-1 USA
The good news for Cuba is it could be worse. Then again, it probably isn't going to get better. I'd expect the 'Nats to stretch this lead after the break... which could give the youngsters on the bench a chance to shine.
--
Okie dokie! I am now suffering the perfect storm: my TV dish reception disappeared, my interwebs are goin' kooky and I am feeling like ick on a stick. I will wait a few to see if one or more of the three clear up to my advantage, but short of that I think it's gonna be white flag/sleepy time.
UPDATE: Okay, I'm throwing in the towel... sorry, guys. If it makes you feel better, Donovan and Ching have scored to make it 4-1 by the 63rd minute. Enjoy the rest of the whitewash.
UPDATE UPDATE: Goals from Altidore and Onyewu in the closing minutes make it a 6-1 final. The USMNT have officially advanced to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with two games to spare.
- Greg Seltzer
[Photo: Getty]
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1 comments:
Jose Francisco Torres was extremely impressive. He's got fantastic touch and passing ability, though we didn't get to see much of his passing range.
I really, really hope Bradley ditches some of the duds (Kljestan, Dempsey, Donovan, Ching) for the Trini game on Wednesday in favor of Davies, Altidore, Adu, and Torres.
Also, I'm somewhat (ok, a lot) happy that Bradley picked up the suspension. Kid needs a break.
I'd love to see something like this against Trinidad:
---------------Howard--------------
Dolo-----Gooch--------Boca---Pearce
-------Szetela---------Edu---------
-------Adu--------------Torres-----
----------Davies---Altidore--------
Speed up top, playmaking in the middle, outside backs pushing up the flanks, solid defensive cover from Edu and Szetela. I also wouldn't be opposed to seeing Califf in there for a change.
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