MNT Opens 2018 World Cup Qualifying with 6-1 win Against St. Vincent in St. Louis
, Missouri (Nov. 13, 2015 – Jozy Altidore tallied a brace as the U.S. Men’s National Team kicked off 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying with a 6-1 victory against St. Vincent and the Grenadines in front of a crowd of 43,433 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines struck first, with a goal from Oalex Anderson in the fifth minute. The U.S. equalized through Bobby Wood six minutes later before Fabian Johnson put the team in the lead in the 29th minute. Jozy Altidore tallied two, while Geoff Cameron and Gyasi Zardes completed the scoring in the 6-1 rout.
Darlington Nagbe and Matt Miazga made their senior U.S. MNT debuts, coming in for Fabian Johnson and Geoff Cameron, respectively, in the 64th minute.
The U.S. MNT travels to Trinidad & Tobago to face the Soca Warriors at Hasely Crawford in Port of Spain on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 6:30 p.m. ET on beIN Sports and NBC Universo. Trinidad & Tobago opened semifinal round qualifying with a 2-1 victory against Guatemala in Guatemala City on Friday night.
Goal Scoring Rundown:
VIN – Oalex Anderson, 5th minute: St. Vincent and the Grenadines opened the scoring early in the game, pushing forward up the left flank. U.S. defender Geoff Cameron intercepted a pass up the sideline but the ball fell to Oalex Anderson who collected and headed toward the center. Anderson took a few touches before sending his shot to the right side of the goal. USA 0, VIN 1
USA – Bobby Wood (DeAndre Yedlin), 11th minute: The U.S. responded six minutes later with Gyasi Zardes played a ball from the right to Michael Bradley just outside the U.S. penalty area. The MNT captain slipped DeAndre Yedlin to the end line where he cut back a cross to find Bobby Wood at the six-yard box where the Union Berlin striker nodded his header past Winslow McDowall. USA 1, VIN 1
USA – Fabian Johnson, 29th minute: Jozy Altidore earned a dangerous free kick opportunity when he was fouled just outside of the penalty area. Fabian Johnson stepped up and saw his right footed effort deflect off of St. Vincent forward Reginal Richardson and into the back of the net. USA 2, VIN 1
USA – Jozy Altidore, 31st minute: Fabian Johnson looked to play his corner from the right to Jermaine Jones at the near post, but St. Vincent’s Seinard Bowens attempted clearance looped up in the air and fell to an unmarked Jozy Altidore at the back post. The U.S. striker easily headed home his 30th career international goal. USA 3, VIN 1
USA – Geoff Cameron (Bobby Wood), 51st minute: Fabian Johnson tried a similar set piece play to Altidore’s goal, sending his corner from the right to Bobby Wood at the six yard box. Wood flicked on a header towards the Geoff Cameron who placed his follow-up header inside the right post. USA 4, VIN 1
USA – Gyasi Zardes (Jozy Altidore) 58th minute: With the U.S. controlling possession throughout the match, Geoff Cameron played the ball out of the back for Jozy Altidore. Altidore turned and played Gyasi Zardes into the box before the winger put his effort through the legs of Winslow McDowall. USA 5, VIN 1
USA – Jozy Altidore (Jermaine Jones) 74th minute: Following a good combination at the top of the box between Jermaine Jones and Gyasi Zardes, Jones played a ball into the area for Jozy Altidore. Altidore held up before turning his defender and firing a shot which deflected off of St Vincent’s Kevin Francis. USA 6, VIN 1, FINAL
By: Mario
