USA beat St Vincent and the Grenadines 6-0
Despite the fact that USA put in a good performance, this was pretty much expected. At the end of the day, USMNT took care of business in every department and aside from a 5 minute spell in the second half, the home team never really bothered them. An important factor to take away is that Klinsmann really has a few offensive weapons at his disposal, and this is without Dempsey or Zardes. Bobby Wood is incredibly consistent, Kjlestan is an assist king and Bedoya fits in his role very nicely in the middle of the park. But I have to say, today was all about Pulisic. He was on the field for 15-20 minutes and really caused so many headaches. At 17-years-old, in a domestic league that prides itself on developing young players...the sky is the limit.
That’s it from me. Have a great Labor Day Weekend, everyone!
End of match
90+3 min: Peep! That’s it! USA demolish SVG 6-0.
Goal! SVG 0-6 USA (Pulisic 90+2)
90+2 min: What a goal by Pulisic. Just outside the box, he hears the defender about to bump him and he takes a beautiful shot outside the box. Nothing the keeper could do. This kid is the real deal.
90+1 min: A great chance for SVG as Edwards hits one from a tight angle on the left hand side but it just goes wide. For once, it wasn’t offside.
90 min: We are going to have three minutes of added time.
85 min: As the game winds down, the key here is for USMNT to avoid any injuries. It’s been a good performance by the US, but remember, this is an island with a population of 103,000. And...there could have been a few chances where they could scored, so USA still has a lot work on. Trinidad and Tobago will be a tougher match.
A good read by Caitlin Murray on why Kljestan really should have made this team sooner.
As I said, the only problem with Sacha Kljestan making the #USMNT roster is that he didn't make it sooner. 🤔 https://t.co/EMtxLNVQvx
— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) September 2, 2016
Updated
Here’s the fifth goal.
GOOOAAAAL!!!@ussoccer combines for a fifth goal. #Russia2018 https://t.co/hK43Dl5mNo
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 2, 2016
Goal! SVG 0-5 USA (Kljestan 78)
78 min: Ok, this is weird. This time, it’s Pulisic from the left hand side crosses it in and finds...yup, you guessed it, Kljestan, who scores.
Here’s the kid’s goal.
GOOOOOAAAAL!@cpulisic_10 nets a fourth for @ussoccer. 0-4. #Russia2018 https://t.co/ZciAVHb7o0
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 2, 2016
75 min: We’re having a water break. It’s been a good day at the office for USMNT. By the way, Jordan Morris replaces Altidore.
Some history made today.
Pulisic becomes the youngest #USMNT scorer in World Cup Qualifying history at 17 years, 349 days. #USAvVIN, 4-0, 72'
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) September 2, 2016
Goal! SVG 0-4 USA (Pulisic 70)
70 min: Well, Klinsmann must be patting himself on the back right now. Kljestan, with the ball on the right hand side, sees Pulisic running inside the box, and gives him the ball who nets it in. Both subs create havoc almost immediately.
Great ball from 1940s French spy Sacha Kljestan on Pulisic's goal.
— Andrew Das (@AndrewDasNYT) September 2, 2016
66 min: As expected, Klinsmann makes some changes and rejoice, New York Red Bulls! Kljestan replaces Bedoya and Pulisic in for Johnson. For SVG: Patrick replaces George.
64 min: A great chance for Zusi as he receives the ball on the right hand side inside the box thanks to a lovely dinked ball by Altidore. Zusi’s shot gets blocked.
60 min: Bobby Wood has been practically invisible this half. Klinsmann should start thinking about changes, with the added reason that they have a bigger game next week against the group leaders.
56 min: This is just cruel. Another goal by SVG but again it’s clearly called offside. I tell you what. The last five minutes have been all about the home team. USA playing dangerously.
53 min: George jumps on Yedlin and it’s a horrible foul. Given the number of fouls he has committed today, he’s lucky to still be on the field. Slater replaces James for SVG.
50 min: A goal from SVG is disallowed! Chaos inside the box as as Guzan looks to collect but can’t handle and SVG pounces and taps it in but linesman has his flag up for offside. The home team complains but replay clearly shows it was the right decision.
49 min: Good to see that SVG are not giving up as they look to attack from the left hand side. A long ball inside the box is collected by Guzan.
45 min: Peep! And we’re back!
One celebration necessary.
When you score your first international goal on the day your daughter is born, you celebrate accordingly. #USAvVIN pic.twitter.com/dzgT0XkfTl
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) September 2, 2016
Well, folks. It’s 3-0 and we can pretty much say this one is going as expected. The Americans are just too much for this tough albeit tiny island. SVG are athletic and willing, there is no doubt, but the issue lies within the fact that they’re just not good enough to truly hurt USA. They can, however, help matters by reducing the foul count. Some of the tackling has been horrendous and I’ll be surprised if they stay with 11 men on the field at the end of 90 minutes. Time will tell. I’ll be back for the second half.
45+1 min: Another free-kick from the left-hand side of SVG’s box goes nowhere and it’s half-time. Jozy Altidore’s goal means he passes Eric Wynalda as 3rd in all-time scoring list. Wynalda is fuming somewhere, I bet.
Straight outta Kung-Fu.
Penalty!!!!
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 2, 2016
Bobby Wood taken down and @ussoccer with a chance to make it three! https://t.co/zelCtCZKrV
Goal! SVG 0-3 USA (Altidore 43)
43 min: And this one is all over. Altidore smashes it in and scores his 35th goal for the US.
Updated
42 min: Penalty to USA. Richards with a cynical foul on Wood, who’s just getting it all today!
“Dad, remember when I was born?”
“Sure, honey. I scored a goal in the Caribbean.”
GOOOOAAAALL!@MattBesler half volleys @ussoccer to a 0-2 lead. #Russia2018 https://t.co/2WPEvlTFxx
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 2, 2016
38 min: Some sloppy passing by SVG’s defenders cause Altidore to steal the ball but then gets cleared for a corner, which goes nowhere. USMNT keep focusing on the possession and seem quite happy to see this half out. Samuel - from Sounders’ second team - seems to be in discomfort. Gordon brings down Wood and it’s a yellow card.
Updated
This is great. Congratulations to Matt Besler.
Have a day, Matt Besler! His first #USMNT goal on the day his baby girl Parker was born.
— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) September 2, 2016
32 min: Both teams take a water break and SVG are furious at that second goal, and rightly so to be honest. It was a poor clearance that should never have happened. Vincy Heat have to stop giving away silly fouls in their area.
Goal! SVG 0-2 USA (Besler 31)
31 min: USA get a free-kick and as it enters the box, it gets cleared by SVG, but the clearance goes as far as Besler who waits on the left hand side to pounce and nicely finishes with his left foot.
Here’s the goal. Apologies to anyone outside of the US if you can’t see this one.
GOOOOOAAALL!
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 2, 2016
Bobby Wood with a fantastic curler puts @ussoccer ahead 0-1. #Russia2018 https://t.co/flJKvGaNjm
Goal! SVG 0-1 USA (Wood 27)
27 min: Great interplay between Johnson and Wood as he shoots just inside the box, first time, and curls it with his right foot. A possible deflection helped the ball on the way in and that’s Wood’s seventh goal for USA.
24 min: Another cross by SVG but again, it’s an easy take for Guzan. Beckerman gets fouled and the home team has to be a little careful here. Their tackling is flirting with recklessness. USA keep the ball but just can’t find the back of the net.
20 min: Another free-kick for USA and Zusi takes it. It comes down to Johnson but the shot gets blocked. SVG are clearly looking to counter at any given opportunity but they just can’t get the support from their midfield when they do.
16 min: SVG are beginning to impose themselves a little bit more on the game as they take some half-attempts inside USA’s box but nothing the defensive unit will worry about. Yedlin gets fouled by George as he gets brought down from the back. George gets a yellow.
Updated
12 min: Yedlin gets booked.
I told you, the steel drums were awesome.
You had me at 'Steel Drum' National Anthem. #USAvVIN
— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) September 2, 2016
Who else thinks all Copa America participating teams should have had option of using steel drums for their national anthems? #USAvVIN
— Unusual Efforts (@UnusualEfforts) September 2, 2016
St. Vincent and the Grenadines brought out the steel drums for today's national anthems. #USAvVIN pic.twitter.com/9oyBkwUf0k
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) September 2, 2016
10 min: The US keep attacking, especially from the left hand side, but can’t find an opener (yet.) Bobby Wood made an earlier claim for penalty as Stewart bumped into him in the box but ref is not buying it. USMNT get a corner but Altidore fouls Christopher and it’s a free-kick to SVG.
6 min: As expected it’s all USA right now as they control most of the possession, especially on the left hand side. Altidore gets fouled just outside the box and it’s a free-kick to the US. SVG clear it and quickly counter (man, they are fast) but a cross from the right hand side is picked up by Guzan.
Updated
2 min: What a chance for Bobby Wood! It should have been 1-0. Johnson with a great pass from the left hand side and breaks the center backs apart but Wood on his left foot can’t power it well enough and keeper claims the ball. What a chance!
1 min: Peep! And we’re off. SVG kick off. Also, there will be water breaks in each half today.
Here come the players. Both wearing their home kits: Vincy Heat in yellow and blue shorts, USMNT in their mainly white jerseys with blue sleeves. The pitch really looks like an ankle turner. Here’s hoping we don’t see any injuries. The national anthems are played, with caribbean drums. That’s great. I don’t know if it means anything to you or not, but Jozy Altidore is the only player who doesn’t have his hand on his heart. Grant Wahl actually interviewed him and there’s a reason for it.
Now the national anthem for Vincy Heat. Again, such a nice touch to play them on steel drums. We’re ready to go! Next time you hear from me it will be kick-off.
Players leave the pitch and get ready to re-enter for the national anthems and kick-off. It’s a hot day in the island. 91F (33C) with 70% humidity.
The backdrop of this venue is beautiful. Nothing like the southern Caribbean painting a soundtrack to a World Cup qualifier.
Here is the starting XI from St Vincent and the Grenadines. I owe you one, Jeff.
Here is the SVG lineup and subs. Starting XI is first 11 names but in no particular order. #USAvVIN pic.twitter.com/JCvSsQSWB1
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) September 2, 2016
Just a reminder on how the table looks. Statistically, the hosts are done but make no mistake, they will be playing for a historic win. If USA wins and T&T win tonight against Guatemala, Klinsmann’s squad go through the final round.
A look at CONCACAF Group C ahead of USMNT vs. St. V&G. pic.twitter.com/Nu9jsHp9pY
— CBS Sports Soccer (@CBSSportsSoccer) September 1, 2016
Still searching for Vincy Heat’s line-up. In the meantime, this pitch might be an issue today. The midfield battle should be interesting...
Ball control will be challenging in midfield this afternoon #USAvVIN #usmnt @beINSPORTSUSA @ESbeINSPORTS pic.twitter.com/Ya06hRqwVz
— Julian Gonzalez (@juliantvreport) September 2, 2016
Starting at left back, FC Dallas’ Kellyn Acosta makes his debut for USMNT.
#USMNT Starting XI (R to L): Guzan; Yedlin, Cameron, Besler, Acosta; Zusi, Beckerman, Bedoya, Johnson; Altidore (capt.), Wood #USAvVIN
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) September 2, 2016
Hello and welcome
Hello everyone, and welcome to a crucial semi-final match in Concacaf’s World Cup qualifying round between USA and St Vincent and the Grenadines. After four games, Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad sit on second place with seven points. A victory today – combined with a win from Trinidad and Tobago over Guatemela – will guarantee a spot in the final round of qualifiers, also known as “The Hex.”
This is the first time the US Men’s National Team will be playing in this southern Caribbean nation. Last year in St Louis, USA won 6-1 thanks to a brace from Jozy Altidore and goals from Bobby Wood, Fabian Johnson, Geoff Cameron and Gyasi Zardes. This time around they will have to do without the latter (injured for the rest of the season) as well as Clint Dempsey but the timing seems to favor America as Altidore - who will captain the team today - is in fine form, scoring five goals for Toronto FC in the last seven matches. A possible partnership with Bobby Wood alongside an eager Jordan Morris makes for an interesting encounter.
Despite the fact that playing away from home always offers a higher level of difficulty for any team, this should really be a game where the US takes all three points - anything less than that is a huge failure. This doesn’t mean that Klinsmann should take them lightly, it is after all a historic occasion for the island as they have announced half a day off for all citizens so they can watch the game. Their team will do everything in their power to make it extremely difficult for the visitors. St Vincent and the Grenadines - known as Vincy Heat - are an extremely athletic group and blessed with pace and despite the fact that they can’t qualify for the next round, a victory against the US would be an incredible achievement for this small island nation. According to a 2013 Census, the island’s population is 103,000 - that’s basically the same as Tyler in Texas.
PS: Watch out for Morris’s teammate, Oalex Anderson. The 20-year-old Seattle Sounders attacker scored the only goal for Vincy Heat when they lost 6-1 last year.
I’ll be back with line-ups and kick-off.
