Gomez free-kick fires USA past Jamaica
Reuters - Wednesday 12 September 2012, 03:57
A curling free-kick from Herculez Gomez
gave the United States a much-needed 1-0 win over Jamaica in
their CONCACAF region World Cup qualifier in front of a
passionate crowd in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday.
The U.S, who suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Jamaicans in
Kingston on Friday, are now tied on seven points at the top of
group A with Guatemala and Jamaica with two games remaining in
the phase.
With only the top two from the group progressing to the
final round of qualifying, the U.S still have plenty of work to
do in October's games away to Antigua and Barbuda and at home to
Guatemala.
But their task would have been much tougher had they not
taken the maximum points from Tuesday's game.
U.S coach Jurgen Klinsmann made five changes from Friday's
defeated line-up and brought in some much-needed width with
Graham Zusi on the right and Jose Torres on the left while Danny
Williams was given the main defensive midfield responsibility.
The switch worked well with the U.S. dominating possession
heavily in the opening 45 minutes and only the woodwork and
great keeping from Dwayne Miller leaving the visitors on level
terms.
Zusi made an instant impact hitting the bar with a shot from
the edge of the area in the sixth minute and then 14 minutes
later Steve Cherundolo saw his low shot deflected, forcing a
great save from Miller who tipped the ball against the post.
Miller was again down close to foil Zusi at the back post as
the U.S camped inside Jamaica's half but he was just a
bystander as a thundering strike from Williams crashed against
the post.
The breakthrough finally came 10 minutes after the interval
when Gomez curled a free-kick inside Miller's left-hand post and
while the keeper should have done better, few could argue that
the Americans deserved their lead.
With the advantage in place and the Caribbean side showing
more attacking intent as they searched for an equaliser, the
U.S struggled to create more chances but it was a night that
was all about picking up three crucial points on the road to
Rio.
"It was important for us to regroup after what happened in
Jamaica, we knew it wasn't our best performance," said Gomez.
"It wasn't always pretty but I think we did the job well,"
added the striker.