Final-round berth assured, US goes with youth
The Associated Press
Published October 14, 2008 at 6 p.m.
Updated October 15, 2008 at 2:03 p.m.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (AP) _ The kids are taking over.
Its berth in the final round of World Cup qualifying already assured, the United States its going with youth in Wednesday night's match against Trinidad and Tobago.
Two-thirds of the players on the 18-man roster are 24 or younger. Fourteen have made 10 appearances or fewer with the national team.
"I am very lucky to be where I am, at such a huge club like Rangers, and to have the national team experience that I do," said 22-year-old midfielder Maurice Edu, spending his first season in the Scottish Premier League. "This is only my second year as a professional, and it's important not to get distracted, to just keep focussed on growing and developing as a player. There is so much more I need to add to my game."
After Saturday's 6-1 victory over Cuba at Washington clinched advancement, U.S. coach Bob Bradley released eight of his 11 starters to return to their clubs. A young roster is likely to be picked for the last American match of the semifinals, against Guatemala on Nov. 19 at Commerce City, Colo..
The U.S. starting lineup could include Jozy Altidore (18), Freddy Adu (19), Jose Francisco Torres (20), Edu, Sacha Kljestan (23) and goalkeeper Brad Guzan (24).
Marvell Wynne (22), son of the former major league baseball outfielder, was on this year's U.S. Olympic team with Adu, Altidore, Edu, Guzan and Kljestan.
"The fact that I can say I'm an Olympian for the rest of my life is something that can never be taken away. I'm very excited about it," Wynne said. "Every generation has been getting better and going up in the world rankings. More talented players are coming out all the time. More Americans are playing soccer, and a number of them are going over to Europe to play. That can only be good for the future."
Even though the roster has changed over in recent days, the players aren't strangers.
"A lot of the guys know each other from other levels and some of us played together in the Olympics but the newer guys have jelled in straight away as well," Edu said. "The comfort level on and off the pitch is great. It's more relaxed at meal times. When you're bored in your room, you can go and spend time with a friend and talk, reminisce, that sort of thing. And I think that friendship helps you perform better on the pitch, as well, going the extra yard for each other."
While the United States is 4-0 in the semifinals and on a six-match winning streak, Trinidad and Tobago is 1-2-1, tied with Guatemala at five points but trailing on goal difference (plus-2 to minus-1). The Soca Warriors close next month at Cuba (0-4).
"This is a very important game for them. They're going to come out and fight hard. It's going to be a battle," Edu said. "We won't be taking them lightly, at all. It will be important for us to execute our game plan. If we do that and play to our potential, it will force them to worry about us."
The U.S. team is 14-1-3 against Trinidad, including 9-0-2 in qualifying. The hot, moist weather will require an adjustment for many of the players.
"I think we need to try to slow it down, play our game and open them up like that, not let them get too comfortable on the ball," Wynne said. "We also have to be wary of set pieces, with some of their big guys coming up from the back."
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