U.S. Ties Jamaica as Roster Decisions Loom
In its final match before the 2006 World Cup roster is selected, the United States came from behind Tuesday night to tie Jamaica, 1-1, in an international soccer friendly at Cary, N.C.
A goal by D.C. United’s Ben Olsen off a quickly taken free kick by the Galaxy’s Landon Donovan in the 25th minute was enough to cancel out a fourth-minute goal by Jamaican teenager Teafore Bennett.
The assist was Donovan’s 23rd for the national team, giving him sole possession of the U.S. record he had shared with Galaxy teammate Cobi Jones. Tony Meola played the full 90 minutes and became the first goalkeeper in U.S. history to make 100 international appearances.
The result was of less importance than the performance of individual players trying to make the 23-man World Cup roster.
Galaxy defender Chris Albright enhanced his chances in a couple of ways. He played at left back for the first half and at right back for the second 45 minutes and also had the two best U.S. scoring chances in the second half.
Jamaica goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts barely managed to tip an Albright header over the crossbar off a free kick by Donovan. Later, Ricketts had to fling himself low to his right to make a one-handed save on the goal line off a sharp downward header by Albright.
Chivas USA midfielder John O’Brien played the last 30 minutes and looked comfortable. New England Revolution winger Steve Ralston came off with a left groin strain in the 55th minute, and his World Cup chances now appear slim.
U.S. Coach Bruce Arena will name a 35-man preliminary roster today and his final roster on May 2.
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Last year it was Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid coming to play the Galaxy at Home Depot Center.
This year it will be Spanish champion FC Barcelona coming to play another major international team at the Rose Bowl or the Coliseum as part of a doubleheader also featuring a Major League Soccer match between Chivas USA and the Revolution.
Soccer United Marketing, the international arm of MLS, today will officially announce that the doubleheader will be played in Los Angeles on Aug. 6 and that Barcelona will bring its leading players, including Brazil’s Ronaldinho, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Mexico’s Rafael Marquez, Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o and the Netherlands’ Mark Van Bommel.
It is possible that Barcelona’s opponent will be Chivas de Guadalajara, although the Mexican club might be tied up in Copa Libertadores play at that time.
Chivas USA drew 88,816 to the Coliseum last Aug. 10 when it played the Galaxy as part of a doubleheader also involving Chivas de Guadalajara and Club America of Mexico.
Whit Haskell, Chivas USA’s senior vice president and general manager, says he expects a similar crowd this time around.
“To have arguably the best club in the world come into our backyard ... and to be able to offer that as part of a doubleheader to our fans is a thrill,” Haskell said.
“We’re working on the heels of an enormously successful [doubleheader last year]. We want to deliver marquee soccer events, and this is undoubtedly that.”
Defending champion Barcelona leads the Spanish league and is expected to clinch its 18th title within a few weeks. It also has advanced to the semifinals of the European Champions League, along with AC Milan of Italy, Arsenal of England and Villarreal of Spain.
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Tickets for the Mexico-Venezuela friendly match at the Rose Bowl on May 5 will go on sale today.
Prices start at $25 and can be purchased through ticketmaster.com and by calling (213) 480-3232 or (877) 244-8271.
The game will mark Mexico’s final tuneup before this summer’s World Cup in Germany, where it has been put in a four-team group that includes Angola, Iran and Portugal.
Jones reported from Los Angeles.
