SOCCER : Wynalda’s Goal Lifts United States
Eric Wynalda’s goal in the 67th minute Saturday night gave the United States a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in a Group A game of the Gold Cup soccer tournament at the Cotton Bowl.
Wynalda chipped a shot from short range over the head of Jamaican goalkeeper Warren Barrett, who had come out in an attempt to control the bouncing ball.
In Saturday’s first game, three second-half goals by Eduardo Bennett helped Honduras to a 5-1 victory over Panama.
The United States won for only the third time in 21 international games this year, along with 10 ties and eight losses, but is 2-1 with its complete squad. The other victory was over England, 2-0, during the U.S. Cup in June.
The United States and Jamaica played for the first time since the 1991 Gold Cup. The Americans also won that game, 1-0.
Jamaica turned in a strong performance during a scoreless first half. Although the United States had a 9-7 advantage in shots, Jamaica had the best scoring chance. It came in the 38th minute, when Winston Anglin’s shot from 20 yards hit the right goal post.
“I thought we played well and maybe they were content with 1-0,” said American goaltender Tony Meola, who had four saves. “Because goal differential is so important in this tournament, 1-0 might be a very good result for them.
“Once we scored the goal, we totally dominated and they seemed to sag a little. With our team, the first game of a tournament we’ve been a little suspect. That makes this a great win.”
The United States will play Panama on Wednesday.
In the opener, Honduras, runner-up to the United States in the 1991 Gold Cup, took control in the 50th minute when Bennett beat goalkeeper Ricardo James from point-blank range off a corner kick to break a 1-1 tie.
Honduras, which qualified as Central American champion, increased its lead to 3-1 on Alex Chacon’s kick into the right-hand corner well out of James’ reach.
Bennett scored in the 70th minute on a header off Eugenio Flores’ crossing pass, then added his third goal on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute.
The winner of Group A will meet the runner-up of Group B, which is being contested in Mexico City, on July 21 at the Cotton Bowl. The Group B champion and Group A runner-up will play for a berth in the title game July 25 at Mexico City’s Aztec Stadium.
