USA Punch Ticket to Brazil, Beat Mexico

2-0

Tonight's World Cup Qualifier against Mexico has been anticipated for several weeks now.  Playing in Columbus, Ohio the United States were again without Michael Bradley in midfield and Jozy Altidore up front.  Eddie Johnson and Kyle Beckerman replaced the two crucial players in this crucial match.  Mexico of course were facing a different form of adversary with a change in head coach coming just days ago.

Mexico got off to a decent start and were close to winning a penalty in the first minute of the game.  Keeper Tim Howard was spared by the referee and the match remained scoreless for the first-half.

The second-half was all USA as the men's national team scored twice, and nearly a third time, while shutting out Mexico.  Earlier in the match Eddie Johnson won a clean header during a corner-kick, but Mexican keeper Corona denied the forward.  Johnson got another chance in the second-half and scored with another clean header from a corner-kick (49').  

Mexico did all they could to get the goal back including using all three substitutes.  However a second goal late in the game by the US ensured the outcome.  Substitute Diskerud was able to fire a cross from the end-line that reached Donovan at the far-post for the final goal of the match (78').  USA had a chance to score one more when a penalty was awarded in stoppage-time, but Dempsey missed from the spot to end the game 2-0 for the US.

The US still have to play Jamaica and Panama to finish off the qualifying stage, but they now have enough points to ensure their place in the 2014 World Cup.

Altidore Scores Hat-Trick in US Friendly

3-4

The US Men's National Team travelled to Sarajevo to play an friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina today.  Team USA had a number of changes to their line-up from their previous match, the Gold Cup final, and got off to a slow start.

Manchester City's Edin Dzeko put Bosnia and Herzegovina in front early in the match when he found space behind the US defense.  His initial shot was saved by keeper Tim Howard, but the rebound came right back to Dzeko and he finished with his second chance (8').  Later in the first-half Ibišević also scored for Bosnia on a second effort corner by winning a header (30').  The replay showed that Ibišević was slightly offsides, but since the game was a friendly, the US did not protest much.

After half-time Bosnia and Herzegovina made four substitutions while the US only made one.  The changes to the Bosnian team opened the door for the United States, especially Jozy Altidore.  First Altidore setup Eddie Johnson with a goal by trapping and laying off a well played ball over the top (55').  Soon after Fabian Johnson was able to play Altidore in-on-goal for his first score of the match (59').

Following the equalizer, the US and Bosnia made more substitutions including Aron Johannsson making his debut for the United States.  Johannsson made a positive impact on the game, creating two good shots on goal.  However it was Altidore who made all the plays for the US.  From a free-kick, Altidore scored his second of the match with a perfectly struck shot, curled into the upper-ninety (84').  Moments later Altidore completed the hat-trick when he scored after being played in behind the defense by Bradley (86').

Dzeko also had one more goal late in the game, finishing with a glancing header to the far-post (90').  The game ended with a final score of 4-3 in favor of the United States.  Bosnia and Herzegovina are not really known as a football powerhouse, but right now they are leading their World Cup Qualifying group and are ranked 13th in the FIFA world rankings.  Although it was just a friendly match, this is a good win for the US as coach Jurgen Klinsmann has shown he can win with a number of different lineups.

US Coast Past Panama in World Cup Qualifier

 2-0

Team USA were lucky to come away with in a win over Jamaica thanks to a late goal by substitute Brad Evans.  Today against Panama, team USA were much more convincing, winning 2-0.

Playing in Seattle, the US had a rather easy time dealing with the Panama attack as they put nothing on target until the final moments of stoppage-time.  Panama were forced to drop back for most of the match allowing team USA to work possession and attack the Central American visitors.

Michael Bradley initiated the first goal of the match when he played Fabian Johnson into space on the left flank.  The winger then crossed the ball to the far-post for Jozy Altidore who finished easily to put the US ahead (36').

After half-time team USA added a second goal when Eddie Johnson was played in behind the Panama defense by a great ball over the top from Geoff Cameron.  Eddie Johnson timed his run perfectly to stay on-sides and finished a clean shot to put the US further ahead (53').

The US are now on top of the CONCACAF group and face Honduras next week.  Nothing is assured, but as it stands the US look like they are destined for a trip to Brazil in 2014 World Cup