Keller Leads US to Gold
While the US is flush with young talent, Freddy Adu, Landon Donovan, DeMarcus Beasley, the sole reason for the continued rise of the US MNT is their keepers. Kasey Keller was the star in yesterday's 3-1 Penalty Kick victory over Panama for the Gold Cup.
Like Brad Friedel in the 2002 World Cup, Keller manned the goal and shut out Panama during two 45 minute halves and two 15 minute overtime periods. Despite the 0-0 final score, the game was but a defensive struggle. Both Panama and the US made repeated offensive advances, and each had gold opportunities to score. Of course, the game also displayed the two best keepers in the tournament with Panama's Jaime Penedo earning goal keeper of the tournament and Keller earning honorable mention.
As the second overtime period progressed, both teams began to show obvious signs of fatigue and it was clear that both were looking to the penalty kick show down.
Penalty kicks are down in sets of 5, with each team picking 5 kickers. Panama went first and Keller guessed right and denied the shot. The US converted it's first shot. Panama then missed their second, sending the shot over the posts. Panama blocked the US's second shot and Panama made their their. The US made their third to take a 2-1 lead. On their fourth attempt, Panama again missed the goal setting the stage for Brad Davis. Davis, playing in only his second game for the US MNT, sent in the kick for a 3-1 victory.
2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup All Team from the US:
Oguchi Onyewu
Landon Donovan
DeMarcus Beasley
The US MNT next action is August 17th vs Trinidad and Tobago in a world cup qualifier.
Like Brad Friedel in the 2002 World Cup, Keller manned the goal and shut out Panama during two 45 minute halves and two 15 minute overtime periods. Despite the 0-0 final score, the game was but a defensive struggle. Both Panama and the US made repeated offensive advances, and each had gold opportunities to score. Of course, the game also displayed the two best keepers in the tournament with Panama's Jaime Penedo earning goal keeper of the tournament and Keller earning honorable mention.
As the second overtime period progressed, both teams began to show obvious signs of fatigue and it was clear that both were looking to the penalty kick show down.
Penalty kicks are down in sets of 5, with each team picking 5 kickers. Panama went first and Keller guessed right and denied the shot. The US converted it's first shot. Panama then missed their second, sending the shot over the posts. Panama blocked the US's second shot and Panama made their their. The US made their third to take a 2-1 lead. On their fourth attempt, Panama again missed the goal setting the stage for Brad Davis. Davis, playing in only his second game for the US MNT, sent in the kick for a 3-1 victory.
2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup All Team from the US:
Oguchi Onyewu
Landon Donovan
DeMarcus Beasley
The US MNT next action is August 17th vs Trinidad and Tobago in a world cup qualifier.
posted by nhw at 9:30 AM
1 Comments:
In addition to its young talent in the field, the US has talent waiting in the wings at GK. Tim Howard is a future star.
US soccer is definitely on the rise--lots of emerging talent that will continue to make them more competitive internationally in coming years. The 06 world cup could be very interesting...
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