The long-anticipated 2014 FIFA World Cup debut of the United States of America took place today in Tampa as the Yanks took on underdog sensation Antigua and Barbuda. The rain put a damper on the festivities, but the group favorite Yanks did not mind in the opening of the match. Many spectators and pundits wished to take Antigua lightly, but the Yanks knew better. A series of nine early corner kicks for the USA led to one goal on a scramble pushed home by the boot of captain Carlos Bocanegra. With seven minutes left in the half, Dexter Blackstock had a look at an equalizer, but USA centerback Clarence Goodson made a great sliding block of the shot along the wet pitch. Landon Donovan was brought down in the box late in the half, and the penalty kick was converted for a 2-0 USA lead at the half.
Antigua's leading scorer Peter Byers was substituted onto the pitch just beyond the half hour mark, and it took him but two minutes to latch onto a ball, drive up the American defense, and whip a goal into the net to cut the lead to 2-1. However, the USA restored order on a play that involved multiple rebounds and an alert Herculez Gomez who slotted home an open finish for the 3-1 scoreline that would serve as the final tally. Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James was absolutely amazing on this night and is a huge reason why the margin of defeat was not more severe than two goals. The left ankle injury to left-footed left back Jose Torres will be worrisome to the Yanks as they head to Guatemala next Tuesday.
Jamaica and the Reggae Boyz played host to the Chapines of Guatemala in Kingston. The action was not the most riveting, but five minutes from time the Reggae Boyz had something to celebrate. Demar Phillips took a shot from outside his box that bounced and took a funny hop that ate up the goalkeeper and went in for the opener. Jamaica led 1-0 at the break.
Off the second-half kickoff, Luton Shelton broke up the left side of the pitch and laid a ball off to Ryan Johnson, who with his second touch coolly slotted the ball through the final defender and the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 Jamaica after only fifteen seconds. Shelton nearly had one of his own after a long-range shot hit the crossbar and flew up and back into play. Guatemala scored in second-half stoppage time after a good rebound from a shot that also hit the crossbar was nodded home with a looping header. Jamaica win 2-1.
Goals
United States of America
Carlos Bocanegra 6
Clint Dempsey 43 PK
Herculez Gomez 71
Antigua and Barbuda
Peter Byers 64
Jamaica
Demar Phillips 40
Ryan Johnson 46
Guatemala
Dwight Pezzarossi 90+2
Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/06/08/us.antigua.barbuda.recap.ap/index.html#?sct=sc_t2_a3
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120609/sports/sports11.html
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBDrYBSxniY (USA v. Antigua)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FmYbHoIGf0 (Jamaica v. Guatemala)
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