World Cup Soccer Qualifying : U.S. Finds Best Shots Against Guatemala Only Worth a 0-0 Tie
Either the U.S. soccer team has developed an exciting, aggressive offense for its last two World Cup qualifying games or its opposition has not been forcing the action. But to determine which is the case will require a review of the videotapes. Despite all of the activity around the goal, the scoreboard reveals nothing.
That was the case Sunday, when the United States outplayed Guatemala to a 0-0 tie on a soaked field at the Mateo Flores National Stadium that was better suited for growing rice than for playing soccer.
Showing 16 shots for the United States to seven for Guatemala, the game summary looked similar to the one last month, when the United States outshot El Salvador, 19-5, at Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
The difference in the two games is that the United States managed to score in that one on a shot by midfielder Hugo Perez in the 62nd minute for a 1-0 victory.
On Sunday, the flamboyant but seldom healthy Perez was out of action, as he has been for all but one of the United States’ six qualifying games this year, and none of his teammates could find the net with the ball. Because there were so many excellent chances that were not converted, some of the more frustrated U.S. players reacted to the result as if it were a loss.
Nevertheless, it counts as a tie in the standings of the North and Central American and Caribbean region (CONCACAF), moving the United States one point closer to its first berth in the 24-team World Cup final since 1950. Two points are awarded for victories, one for ties.
The United States remains in third place in the region, which will send two teams to Italy next summer. One of them will be Costa Rica, which has completed its schedule in the five-team, round-robin tournament with a 5-2-1 record and 11 points, two ahead of Trinidad and Tobago (3-1-3) and three ahead of the United States (3-1-2). Because of the U.S.-Guatemala tie, Costa Rica clinched its first berth ever in the World Cup.
The other CONCACAF representative will not be determined until the United States’ final game on Nov. 19 against Trinidad and Tobago at Port of Spain, Trinidad. Trinidad and Tobago cannot improve its position before then because it has only that one game remaining. The United States has two games remaining, including one at home at St. Louis Nov. 5 against El Salvador.
El Salvador (0-4-1) and Guatemala (1-4-1) have been eliminated from contention.
Upon reflection, perhaps the U.S. players will feel better about Sunday’s tie. But they were disappointed after the game because they had been hoping, perhaps even expecting, to earn the two points that are awarded for victories.
None of them would have been so confident earlier in the year, when the Guatemalans figured to field one of the region’s strongest teams. But when it became apparent that they would not, the coach and most of the players were fired. Only one player who was on the field for Guatemala’s 2-1 loss to the United States in June at New Britain, Conn. appeared Sunday.
The local media devoted little space to the rematch, calling it a consolation game for Guatemala. The fans were equally disinterested.
The 8,000 who showed up at the 45,000-seat stadium saw the home team take two early shots against a late-starting U.S. defense, then take only five more the remainder of the game.
That could have been because the Guatemalans were content to play for the tie, which appeared to be the case in the second half, but it is more likely that they were discouraged by a U.S. defense that was difficult to penetrate once the players warmed to the competition.
Tony Meola, the University of Virginia sophomore who appears to have established himself as the No. 1 goalkeeper ahead of former UCLA Bruin David Vanole of Manhattan Beach, had to make only four saves, only two of which seemed particularly threatening. The defense in front of him was a match for virtually every Guatemalan assault.
Meantime, the U.S. offense spent a great deal of time in front of Guatemala’s goal, particularly in an 11-shot first half, without capitalizing.
“It was similar to last month against El Salvador,” U.S. Coach Bob Gansler said. “We controlled the action. We held the other team in check and we created some opportunities. But the scoreboard tells the tale. We don’t convert.”
Considering that the United States has scored only five goals in six qualifying games, it was suggested to Gansler that his players have developed a mental block.
“After you go to the well so often and you come up dry, you begin to second-guess yourself a little bit,” Gansler said. “But you’ll have to ask the players if they have a mental block.”
Forward Bruce Murray, who came closest to scoring for the United States with two shots on goal from inside the penalty area during a flurry late in the first half, said the U.S. players simply are kicking the ball where the defenders are. In baseball, that is called hitting in bad luck.
“How many times can you hit a goalkeeper right in the face from two feet out?” he asked. “That’s happened about eight times in the last three games.”
Murray is the United States’ most dangerous forward, but he had to leave with 16 minutes remaining because of a bad back.
Besides Perez, two others midfielders, Tab Ramos and Eric Eichmann, were sidelined while serving mandatory one-game suspensions because they have received two cautions for unsportsmanlike play in qualifying games this year.
In 43 international games, Perez, Ramos and Eichmann have scored nine goals. In 208 internationals, the U.S. players on the field Sunday have scored 10 goals.
The United States could have used one goal Sunday, but as it is, players will try not to dwell on their missed opportunities, both in the game and in the standings.
