It looked like another poor performance away from home was about to cost the USA dearly in their Wold Cup qualifying campaign. But then Eddie Johnson got behind the Antigua and Barbuda defense and headed home from substitute Alan Gordon’s cross in the 90th minute and the U.S. escaped with all three points.
The combination of the US win, and Carlos Ruiz late winning against Jamaica means that the USA and Guatemala have ten points and Jamaica seven heading into Tuesday’s game in Kansas City between the US and Guatemala. A draw in Kansas City will see the US and Guatemala progress to the next stages while Jamaica will be left wondering how they lost their lead at the top of the group.
Eddie Johnson had put the U.S. ahead in the 27th minute when he headed home from a Graham Zusi cross. But once again the American’s could not defend the lead and Antigua tied the game up five minutes later.
The U.S. team hasn’t improved under Jurgen Klinsmann and that has to worry U.S.A. fans heading into the final round of World Cup qualifying. Yes there have been some nice results in Mexico and Italy, but basically the quality of soccer being played by the U.S. under Klinsmann has been poor. Throughout this qualifying round the U.S. has managed just one very good half of soccer in five matches. That is simply not good enough.