The U.S. put out a more attack oriented line-up with Jonathan Spector at right back and Benny Feilhaber in central midfield in a game that one would expect them to carry.
In the end the U.S. did create alot of chances and could have scored five goals but allowed El Salvador to remain in the game and almost conceded a late goal.

U.S. go down: El Salvador struck first in the 31st minute. Lets break this down:
1.) A poor clearance turned back into the middle from Jonathan Bornstein was a poor choice
2.) The second mistake was that three players sourrounding Zelaya were hesitant and did not close him down nor even attempt to tackle
3.) U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard’s positioning has to be questioned as Castillo headed home over Jonathan Spector

U.S. a bit shaken and vulnerable after this goal for a few minutes but would tie it through Clint Dempsey great run and not even close to even being a question if he was onside although four other U.S. players were in an offside postion when the ball was delivered and then get a stoppage time goal from Jozy Altidore all set up beautifully by Landon Donovan. Donovan detractors can’t even begin to think of this national team without his influence. The response from the U.S. was swift and the goal from El Salvador pushed their buttons.
A Jozy Altidore goal was called back due to a foul on Clint Dempsey as he played the ball forward. I am assuming he showed his studs and came in with a straight leg…..

The U.S. would create tons of chances but in the end could not finish off El Salvador comfortably. El Salvador almost produce a goal late to tie it and the U.S. needed a huge save from goalkeeper Tim Howard. Three points in the bag and a step closer to South Africa. Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden was a second half sub and produced a stunning cross to Jose Francisco Torres whose header was saved by Montes.

EL SALVADOR DESERVE CREDIT

Give credit to Carlos de los Cobos the coach of El Salvador who has clearly made this squad a more organized and competitive squad. This coach has had an influence working with few resources. Arturo Alvarez was clearly ineffective due to an injured hamstring but de los Cobos elected to start him anyway after a week he did not even train.

FINDING THEIR WAY TO UTAH

Even putting the game in Sandy, Utah was not a deterrent for fans of El Salvador who made it in numbers…..Makes you wonder about the 200,000 living in Houston and how they can be tapped into by the Dynamo!
Who performed well for the U.S. in your opinion and how was the overall collective effort?

BRAZIL BIG IN ARGENTINA TO THE TUNE OF 3-1

Brazil put a huge blow into Argentina 3-1 at the home of Rosario Central……Brazil is clearly superior in South America while Argentina by bringing on Diego Maradona as a manager reminded us how poor decisions can be made from federations of the top soccer playing countries in the world. Luisao (23), Luis Fabiano (30) and Fabiano again (66) provided goals for Brazil . The only way I could see Argentina endangering their trip to South Africa was to roll the dice hiring a manager like Diego Maradona. Will he get fired after this loss?

MEXICO crush Saprissa Stadium myth

Superior in all facets, Mexico crushed Costa Rica playing some great football on a poor surface in Costa Rica. In fact Mexico right now is playing the most fluid football in Concacaf.
Gio Do Santos scores onces and sets up goals by Guille Franco and Andres Guardado. C Blanco plays well and hits the telling ball on the first goal.
They play some wonderful football on this poor surface and win 3-0… Javier Aguirre after a shaky start in the Gold Cup has put Mexico back on course and again is a coach making a big influence. Still boggles my mind that the clowns who made the decision to hire Sven Goran Eriksson still have a job in Mexico …….Mexico hitting all cylinders with little influence from Nery Castillo and Omar Bravo…..The environment has clearly humbled the singular Castillo ……

THoughts on these and other qualifiers wanted from you the fanatico?

Thanks to FIESTA and Rodrigo Deluna for “Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis………MARK WEST PINOT NOIR and Kirk Helberg ..the best selling Pinot Noir in Texas and DANISH INSPIRATIONS Furniture and my friend Jan Christensen!!!!