A Good Start

I optimistically predicted that the USA would come away from yesterday's World Cup qualifier at Trinidad & Tobago with a draw. I'm happy to have been proven wrong, as the US dominated the first 60 minutes enroute to a 2-1 victory in Port-of-Spain. It was a great performance overall, far better than I thought the team capable of under the circumstances. My thanks to coach Bruce Arena and the players for a job well done.

Yesterday's game was merely the first of 10 the US will play in this round. With the win, the Americans are tied for first in the six team qualifying group with Mexico, who earned a huge 2-1 win at Costa Rica. Guatemala and Panama played to a goalless draw in the other match. Once qualifying is completed, the top three teams will advance to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, while the 4th place finisher will go into a two game playoff with an Asian team for a chance at a World Cup berth. The next US qualifier is Sunday, March 27th at Mexico.