USA Soccer Shows Some Cojones

...And by cojones, I mean they showed courage instead of folding like a cheap lawn chair. Down 2-0 and looking somewhat flat in the first third of the match against Costa Rica, the US had to pull it together to make a comeback. Playing from behind as the home team in RFK stadium outside Washington DC, the US rallied to pull out a last gasp 2-2 draw with the "Ticos" to salvage the game. Though they had already sealed a spot in the 2010 World Cup, the outcome would affect seeding and grouping at the World Cup and future cups.

By 23 minutes in, the US defense had conceded two easy goals by Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz. The defense let him run in on goal both times for uncontested goals three minutes apart. Without striker, Charlie Davies, who had been critically injured in a car accident several night before, the US attack created chances but didn't have the finishing touch. Davies underwent 5 hours of surgery before the game as is expected to be out 6-12 months with rehab, though it is expected he will be able to play again. The US attacked but produced ridiculously poor shots at the end of their advances.

Things looked grim and yours truly thought they'd simply throw in the towel and coast into the World Cup. But they proved that notion wrong, coming out strong in the second half, dominating the game and putting cross after cross into the area. The Ticos repeatedly turned us away, but in the 71st minute, Michael Bradley was able to mop up a rebound scrap off a Landon Donovan blocked shot. All of a sudden there was some hope - but then Oguchi Onyewu, USA's best defender went down after tearing his patella tendon. The US had used all three substitutions at this point of the match and so would be playing with only 10 men the rest of the way.

Costa Rica tried as hard as they could to delay and waste time in the game. Several of their coaching staff, including the head coach, were sent to the locker rooms for delaying and arguing tactics. The Mexican referree announced 5 minutes of stoppage time to be added to the game and in the 94th minute, Carlos Bocanegra streaked into the box on a US corner kick and put a header into the lower corner of the net, securing a draw. It was a great game that for the first time, showed the US had some perserverance in them. I'm proud of the guys and defintely look forward to the World Cup next summer!