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| Sunday, March 3, 2002 02:00 EST |
USA rolls in Seattle exhibition
[Associated Press]
SEATTLE -- Clint Mathis and Landon Donovan each scored two goals, and the U.S. soccer team continued its strong play with a 4-0 victory over Honduras in an exhibition match Saturday at Safeco Field.
Clint Mathis, left, who scored twice for the United States, and Honduras' David Carcamo watch the ball.(AP) |
The U.S. team, sporting a new jersey that it will wear in the World Cup, was made up primarily of MLS and domestic-based players who are battling for positions on the 23-man World Cup roster.
The United States played cohesively and was in control from the outset.
"We're playing well, and when we get everybody healthy and on the field at the same time and together for an extended period of time, we can be a dangerous team," coach Bruce Arena said.
"As for our World Cup roster, nothing has been determined at this time. My next concern is getting ready for Ecuador next week."
Mathis, a member of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, nearly had a three-goal game, but his free kick from 20 meters hit the crossbar. He now has five goals with the U.S. team, while Donovan raised his total to four.
The scoring of Mathis and Donovan marked the first time the U.S. team had two players with multiple-goal performances since Dec. 5, 1993, against El Salvador.
The United States dominated play early and charged to a 2-0 lead.
The U.S. team also missed a pair of early scoring chances.
"I was disappointed in our first 43 minutes," said Arena. "Although we were leading 1-0, I thought we had a chance to have it 2 or 3-0 at that point."
Honduras was outshot 11-3 in the match.
The U.S team opened the scoring on a header by Mathis in the 14th minute. On an indirect free kick, Jeff Agoos went far-post on the cross to Brian McBride, who flipped it past Victor Coello. Mathis headed it into the lower left corner.
A few minutes earlier, Coello appeared to have injured his right knee while stopping a shot from Brian Maisonneuve in front of the net.
The U.S. team increased its lead to two when the 19-year-old Donovan took a pass from Chris Armas, dribbled left around Coella, and scored from 5 meters.
Armas moved past a pair of Honduran defenders about 25 meters out
on the play before pushing it forward to Donovan.
Donovan added to the lead in the 59th minute, showing his speed on a breakaway by outrunning two defenders and moving left, around the goalkeeper.
The final score came 8 minutes later as Mathis redirected a pass
into the lower right corner.
Goalkeeper Kasey Keller came up with a big save in the 28th
minute, denying Honduran forward Saul Martinez on a breakaway.
Keller made a sliding stop 10 meters in front of the goal.
"Even though it appeared to be an easy game, I think the save Keller made was a big one," Arena said. "He did another outstanding job and continues to challenge to be the No. 1 goalkeeper for the World Cup."
Keller, a native of Lacey, Wash., about an hour south of Seattle, recorded his 28th career shutout. He is second on the U.S. team career list behind Tony Meola's 31. Keller also has a 16-match unbeaten run in the U.S., dating back to Feb. 21, 1998.
Keller, called back to his team, Tottenham Hotspur, in England, will not be available to play against Ecuador next week.
"I'm very disappointed about not being able to play next
week," Keller said. "The team seems to be reacting well when I am
in goal. I want every opportunity that I can to show Bruce that I
am ready to be the No. 1 in the World Cup."
A crowd of 38,534 watched the first soccer match at Safeco
Field. The last international match in Seattle was a 1-1 tie
between the United States and Russia at the Kingdome prior to the
1994 World Cup.
The U.S. team and Honduras split the previous two meetings, with each team winning on the road.
The U.S. team raised its record to 5-1-1. The Americans' next match is against Ecuador in Birmingham, Ala., on March 11.
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