- September, 09 2009 -
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PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Ricardo Clark scored the game-winning goal for the United States, which defeated Trinidad & Tobago, 1-0, at Hasely Crawford Stadium on Wednesday night.
The victory temporarily puts the Americans atop the group with 16 points from eight matches, while the Soca Warriors dreams of back-to-back World Cup bids were dashed with the loss.
Clark, who was moments away from being replaced by Stuart Holden, struck for the game-winning goal in the 62nd minute, taking a pass from Landon Donovan and firing the ball to the left of Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Clayton Ince from 25 meters.
Two minutes later, Carlos Edwards nearly equalized for the Soca Warriors, but his rocket from distance was knocked away by United States goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Holden connected with Donovan, who nearly added a late insurance goal. But his chip from in front of goal sailed over the crossbar in the 89th minute.
The United States was lucky to not be down a goal at halftime as the Soca Warriors caught the Americans sleeping in the defensive third on a few occasions.
In the 29th minute, Cornell Glen got in behind the USA backline off a bouncing throw-in and had U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard beat. But the San Jose Earthquakes striker put his lob off the crossbar and the visitors dodged a bullet.
Moments later the Americans pushed up the field and Jozy Altidore, who fended off Trent Noel, unleashed a blast from 30 meters out that Ince pushed aside.
In the 38th minute, Howard was again pressed into action, diving to his right to parry away Noel’s free kick from 26 meters. Four minutes later, Noel had another set piece from almost the identical spot on the field. But this time he put his attempt wide of the near post.
In the opening minute of first-half stoppage time, Altidore played a clever one-two with Donovan and the United States’ all-time leading scorer was one-on-one with Ince. But the T&T keeper kicked out his right leg to insure the game remained scoreless heading into the half.
It was a sloppy performance by the United States, especially in the defensive third, but the Americans leave Trinidad & Tobago with three critical points. Both teams return to World Cup qualifying in a month. Next up for the United States is a meeting with Honduras in San Pedro Sula, while the Soca Warriors will look to pick up the pieces in Costa Rica. Both games will be played on Oct. 10.
