WCQ: Antigua & Barbuda 1 – USA 2

Eddie Johnson scored both goals on a troubling night for the United States against Antigua & Barbuda.  Johnson opened the scoring in the 20th minute at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.  Antigua & Barbuda equalized in the 25th minute, and the USA seemed unable to put together attacking moves on the tiny field in North Sound.  With the game in stoppage time, Johnson scored the winner.  The USA hosts Guatemala on October 16th in Kansas City.

“The field was very small,” Johnson said. “We’re a good team pressuring up high and using our pace and creativity in attack. This pitch doesn’t allow you to play that way. It’s very small, it’s hard to run in behind, it’s hard to stretch their back four when they sit really deep. We knew it was going to be a tough game. These games aren’t easy. It’s a 90-minute game and we were able to do it tonight.”

— GAME REPORT —

Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Antigua & Barbuda
Date: Oct. 12, 2012
Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier – Semifinal Round
Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium; North Sound, Antigua
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Attendance: n/a
Weather: 81 degrees, muggy

Scoring Summary:                1              2              F
USA                                       1              1              2
ATG                                       1              0              1

USA – Eddie Johnson (Graham Zusi)                     20th minute      
ATG – Dexter Blackstock (Peter Byers)                   25
USA – Eddie Johnson (Alan Gordon)                     90

Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 6-Steve Cherundolo, 21-Clarence Goodson, 20-Geoff Cameron, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.); 19-Graham Zusi (16-Sacha Kljestan, 78), 14-Danny Williams (13-Jermaine Jones, 56), 4-Michael Bradley, 18-Eddie Johnson; 8-Clint Dempsey, 9-Herculez Gomez (17-Alan Gordon, 73)
Subs not used: 2-Michael Parkhurst, 5-Kyle Beckerman, 7-Maurice Edu, 11-Joe Corona, 12-Brad Guzan, 22-Nick Rimando
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

ATG: 18-Molvin James; 5-Marc Joseph, 17-George Dublin, 11-Quinton Griffith, 20-Akeem Thomas, 19-Luke George, 3-Zane Francis-Angol, 14-Randolph Burton, 16-Peter Byers (9-Stefan Smith, 89), 13-Tamorley Thomas, 23-Dexter Blackstock
Subs not used: 1-Brent Mohammed, 21-Keita De Castro, 22-Hazel Pyle, 4-Karanja Mack, 8-Troy Dublin, 12-Moses Ashikodi, 10-Tevaughn Harriett, 7-Kimol Alexander
Head coach: Tom Curtis

Stats Summary: USA / ATG                                         
Shots: 11 / 10
Shots on Goal: 4 / 2
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 7 / 2
Fouls: 11 / 11
Offside: 4 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
ATG – Tamorley Thomas (caution)                           61st minute
USA – Jermaine Jones (caution)                               62
Officials:
Referee:                       Neal Brizan (TRI)
Assistant Referee 1:       Dion Neil (TRI)
Assistant Referee 2:      Ionut Bordieanu  (CAY)
Fourth Official:              Christophel Stewart (CAY)