US reaches Gold Cup quarterfinals
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United States' Eric Lichaj (right) and Guadeloupe's Mickael Tacalfred fight for the ball during their CONCACAF Gold Cup match at Livestrong Stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, on Tuesday. Dave Kaup / Reuters |
The United States edged Guadeloupe 1-0 on Tuesday to set up a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal clash against Jamaica.
The result meant Canada, which drew 1-1 with Group C winner Panama, is eliminated from the tournament after being moments away from securing passage to the last eight before Panama's Luis Tejada equalized.
The United States needed to win or draw against Caribbean side Guadeloupe, which is not a full member of FIFA due to its status as a "department" of France.
After a poor start in its defeat to Panama on Saturday, Bob Bradley's US side opened strongly and took the lead with a ninth-minute blast from 25 meters out by striker Jozy Altidore.
However, the US wasted at least half a dozen clear chances to extend its advantage with Clint Dempsey the main culprit.
Dempsey missed an easy chance when he headed a Landon Donovan cross wide from close range. Donovan missed a good chance himself - scooping the ball over the bar from a promising position before Dempsey hit the crossbar on the hour with a good strike.
The biggest miss of the night, however, came in the 76th minute when Fulham striker Dempsey was picked out just meters from goal but took too long to set himself for a shot and was robbed of possession.
Skipper Carlos Bocanegra was pleased with the victory but warned his team would need to be much more alert against the Jamaicans, who have a 100 percent record in the tournament.
"We are happy with our start to the game and with the result. I think our shape needs to get better and improve as the tournament goes on," he said. "We need to be sharper. When we create chances, hit the target more. Be sharper defensively. Later on, after the group stages, you pay for those mistakes."
