This past weekend was a tough one for me and those I call my Boston kinsman. On Sunday, my beloved Red Sox were eliminated in a terrible series against the Angels and to top off my Sunday night, the Patriots fell in overtime to the Broncos. Looking back on my weekend in sports, the only result that is keeping my head up is the US Men’s National Team 3-2 victory over Honduras. While not many people in the country, including myself, were able to watch the game due to TV rights, the highlights tell the story of a gutsy comeback mixed with a little luck.
The main storyline to come out of San Pedro Sula, Honduras was Manager Bob Bradley’s choice to start MLS forward Conor Casey over fan-favorite Jozy Altidore. The result of Bradley’s decision: the man looks like a genius. With a World Cup birth on the line, Casey exploded in the second half for two goals – his first for the National Team in 14 appearances. Less than two minutes into the second half Julio Leon put Honduras on top 1-0. The result seemed to strike a chord with the US men, who remember all too well about allowing a quick second half goal to Brazil in the Confederations Cup Final in June. Possibly drawing from their experience against Brazil, the US did not panic and calmly resumed the match determined to equalize the score.
Casey struck first for the US when he challenged Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares to a 50-50 ball in midair. Beating Valladares’ hands to the ball, Casey tapped it in with his head in the 58th minute. Seven minutes later, off the combination of two quick passes from Charlie Davies and Landon Donovan, Casey touched the beautiful pass from Donovan clear of the last defender and pushed the ball past Valladares to put the US on top 2-1. Donovan would add a goal off a beautiful free kick, bending the ball around the four-man wall, after catching Valladares cheating to his right.
In the 78th minute, things got a little scary when Leon added his second goal for Honduras. To add to the drama in the 87th minute, Stuart Holden committed an inadvertent handball in the US box, setting up a penalty kick for Carlos Pavon. Luckily for goalkeeper Tim Howard who guessed the wrong direction, Pavon pulled a Roberto Baggio (World Cup ’94 reference for those of you who remember) and sailed the shot over the crossbar. Moments later when the whistle blew, the US men began to celebrate.
Watching the clips of Casey’s goals, I could hear the silence of Bradley and Casey haters alike. Both figures have lately become unjust punching bags for media members and bloggers. For the columnists and experts who have bashed the US team throughout the qualifying period, they answered you in style. They came from behind on hostile and foreign soil to win on Saturday. They are World Cup bound. Bob Bradley (who owns the best record in US Soccer history) should take pride in this moment, as I’m sure he will. For all those who questioned whether he was the right man for the job, I hope he takes pride in knowing he pushed the right buttons, made the right tactical choice, and player selections to silence his critics… for now.
Congatulations to the US Men’s National Team. South Africa bound in 2010. Watch the highlights of the USA v. Honduras match below.
Next opponent: Costa Rica. Wednesday night, 8pm ESPN2. More to come…
The main storyline to come out of San Pedro Sula, Honduras was Manager Bob Bradley’s choice to start MLS forward Conor Casey over fan-favorite Jozy Altidore. The result of Bradley’s decision: the man looks like a genius. With a World Cup birth on the line, Casey exploded in the second half for two goals – his first for the National Team in 14 appearances. Less than two minutes into the second half Julio Leon put Honduras on top 1-0. The result seemed to strike a chord with the US men, who remember all too well about allowing a quick second half goal to Brazil in the Confederations Cup Final in June. Possibly drawing from their experience against Brazil, the US did not panic and calmly resumed the match determined to equalize the score.
Casey struck first for the US when he challenged Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares to a 50-50 ball in midair. Beating Valladares’ hands to the ball, Casey tapped it in with his head in the 58th minute. Seven minutes later, off the combination of two quick passes from Charlie Davies and Landon Donovan, Casey touched the beautiful pass from Donovan clear of the last defender and pushed the ball past Valladares to put the US on top 2-1. Donovan would add a goal off a beautiful free kick, bending the ball around the four-man wall, after catching Valladares cheating to his right.
In the 78th minute, things got a little scary when Leon added his second goal for Honduras. To add to the drama in the 87th minute, Stuart Holden committed an inadvertent handball in the US box, setting up a penalty kick for Carlos Pavon. Luckily for goalkeeper Tim Howard who guessed the wrong direction, Pavon pulled a Roberto Baggio (World Cup ’94 reference for those of you who remember) and sailed the shot over the crossbar. Moments later when the whistle blew, the US men began to celebrate.
Watching the clips of Casey’s goals, I could hear the silence of Bradley and Casey haters alike. Both figures have lately become unjust punching bags for media members and bloggers. For the columnists and experts who have bashed the US team throughout the qualifying period, they answered you in style. They came from behind on hostile and foreign soil to win on Saturday. They are World Cup bound. Bob Bradley (who owns the best record in US Soccer history) should take pride in this moment, as I’m sure he will. For all those who questioned whether he was the right man for the job, I hope he takes pride in knowing he pushed the right buttons, made the right tactical choice, and player selections to silence his critics… for now.
Congatulations to the US Men’s National Team. South Africa bound in 2010. Watch the highlights of the USA v. Honduras match below.
Next opponent: Costa Rica. Wednesday night, 8pm ESPN2. More to come…
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