All about some experimentation this time out as I try Dempsey on the left side of midfield, get Donovan another match at forward and take a look at the youngster Okugo, who I have been criticized roundly about for putting him on the 23 man squad. We close at home and want to put on a show, so we will go attack.
| 10/15/2013 | World Cup Qualifying: USA 5-2-2 (2nd) VS Jamaica 4-1-4 (4th) |
| Record vs Opponent 1-0-0 | Att: 25,000 | Favorite: USA |
| GK - Howard | Mid - Beckerman, Dempsey ©, Zusi, Bedoya |
| Def - Beasley, Besler, Okugo, Fiscal | ST - Altidore, Donovan |
| Summary | MOM - Luton Shelton Jamaica |
| 8 - A Beckerman giveaway is costly as Luton Shelton gets onto a long ball and nets it 0-1 |
| 9 - Another giveaway by Bedoya deep and only a diving save by Howard keeps it out |
| 14 - What the hell, Dempsey this time, Shelton to Jones wide open, amazing save by Howard |
| 15 - Okugo gets a yellow card |
| 26 - Beasley to Altidore, a great pass to Zusi and he is stoned from point blank range |
| 45+1 - Shelton is all alone again and walks in on Howard, who makes another great save |
| HT - Landon Donovan is acting like a bitch after I rip him, so Johannsson comes on |
| 67 - Fiscal puts a long cross into the box and Zusi settles it, then scores to equalize 1-1 |
| 68 - Chandler on for Fiscal and Holden on for Bedoya |
| 80 - A rare mistake by Howard, who hesitates allowing Jason Johnson to blast a cross in 1-2 |
| Final | USA - 1 | Jamaica - 2 | USA scoring |
| Shots | 7 | 15 | | Zusi (3) |
| Target | 2 | 9 | | |
| Poss | 47% | 53% | | |
| Booked | 1 | 0 | | |
| What an absolute crapfest, Howard was insane in the first half, but made a huge mistake on the last goal, allowing the Jamaican player to get to the ball, when he could have beaten him if he was decisive.Still, the blame lies with a completely uninspired effort by our midfield and Donovan's pouting as the loss drops us to third in the group |
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Other group scores
Costa Rica 2 Honduras 0 (Honduras had 3 players sent off, a little home cooking you think?)
Mexico 2 El Salvador 1
Despite the loss to end it, the players leave in good spirits and we will get back at in November with a friendly against Wales