US bounce back with Venezuela win
27 May 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
Even without the services of captain Claudio Reyna, a new-look USA defeated Venezuela 2-0 in front of 29,000 fans on Friday night in Cleveland, Ohio.
A goal in each half from Brian Ching and Clint Dempsey saw the Americans put behind them their humbling defeat by Morocco three days earlier and steady the ship before heading to Germany and taking on their tricky Group E opponents Italy, Ghana and the Czech Republic.
With nine changes to the side that lost out to Morocco on Tuesday night, the new-look Americans went on the attack from the off and both Ching and Josh Wolff went within inches of scoring in the opening minutes.
The South Americans' goal came under heavy pressure in the first quarter-hour alone, with Reading winger Bobby Convey causing major problems up the left flank. Young striker Eddie Johnson and Wolff both looked in the mood as well, buzzing around the attacking third in the hunt for goals.
Although the visitors looked like threatening only on counterattacks, the Americans themselves were less than clinical in front of goal and from their handful of good chances created in the first 30 minutes, they rarely made goalkeeper Javier Toyo work.
All that changed in the 36th minute, though. Just seconds after spurning a golden chance, MLS leading scorer Ching appeared at the near post where he volleyed home an inch-perfect cross from Convey to give the States a precious lead and bring an end to their brief goal drought.
Ching nearly doubled the lead ten minutes after the break. This time a nice bit of service from Chris Albright on the right picked out the big Hawaiian, who could only watch as his stunning volley was turned away by the sprawling Toyo.
The hosts continued to pour on the pressure as the second period wore on, but Venezuela did threaten on the break. Giancarlo Maldonado nearly caught the US defence out in the 60th minute, but his weak shot let him down after he did so well to beat the offside trap.
A few second later Edgar Jimenez forced Tim Howard into a nervy save from distance as the tide looked to be turning. Juan Arango's 63rd-minute free-kick tested Howard again but the Everton-bound keeper pulled off the save of the match to tip the ball away for a corner.
The US rode out the storm and doubled their lead with a brilliant piece of football at the other end in the 68th minute. Some clever approach work from second-half substitute Landon Donovan freed Johnson down the right side and his classy cross was met by a diving header from New England Revolution revelation Clint Dempsey.
The US will play their last pre-finals friendly against Latvia in East Hartford, Connecticut on Sunday before heading to their FIFA World Cup base camp in Hamburg. They open their Group E account against the Czech Republic on 12 June in Gelsenkirchen.
After picking up a hamstring strain on Tuesday night, captain Reyna is not expected to play before the USA meet the Czechs. Craig Berhalter, who was called into the squad on Wednesday to replace the injured Cory Gibbs, did not take the field against Venezuela.
