Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
Gay Marriage Vote Puts Heat On Christie
Well, if the American soccer community wasn't fully aware of rising force that is Jozy Altidore, they are now. The New Jersey native tallied a hat trick as the U.S. men's national team got back into the winning swing of things with a 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago Wednesday night in Nashville, Tenn. in a 2010 World Cup qualifier. Altidore scored twice in the second half, as the result never looked in doubt for the Nats, who are alone atop the CONCACAF table with seven points from three matches. That makes four goals in the last two matches for the former New York Red Bull teenager.
Both U.S. goals were the result of some nice passing. The first, in the 16th minute, started on a long ball from Carlos Bocanegra in defense. Brian Ching collected the ball with a nice flick header to an on-running Landon Donovan who crossed it to Altidore, who blasted it back Trinidad keeper Clayton Ince.
Altidore doubled the U.S. lead midway through the second half thanks again to some nice passing. Altidore again took a pass from Donovan, this time at the edge of the area, and snaked past a Trinidad defender and slotted in into the net.
The final goal was almost a gimme when the U.S. broke the Trinidad defense in stoppage time. Donovan had a tap-in himself, but fed it back to Altidore at the top of the penalty area. Alitdore ripped it low to the left through the arms of Ince -- thus becoming the youngest U.S. player to notch a hat trick.
All-and-all, not too bad for a guy who hasn't exactly been playing very much since transferring from Villareal to Xerez on a short-term loan in January.
In the big picture, coach Bob Bradley's decision to play two forwards yielded immediate positive results. The other big change -- DaMarcus Beasley at left back -- seemed to work out okay, too.
That said, the night belonged to Altidore, who might have scored four goals if he didn't miss an open-goal tap-in in the first half. Beside the scoring, Altidore was active enough in the rest of the field to prove he's more than a one-trick-pony.
There have been a lot of would-be saviors for U.S. soccer, so let's collectively hope Altidore isn't another false messiah.
The defense was never tested by due to limp Trinidad performance, so it's hard to go completely ga-ga over the performance. Still, he U.S. doesn't have another qualifier until early June, so Wednesday's result leaves a nice buzz going forward.
Defiant GOP Candidate Could Face Problems Ahead
Washington Gay Marriage Legislation Signed Into Law By Governor Chris Gregoire
House GOP Offers Deal In Big Fight
How Long Will Santorum's Surge Last?
Obama Budget Signals Shift From Austerity Measures To Campaign Promises
Officials Confirm: Prescription Drugs Found In Whitney Houston's Room
Feds Recover Record Number Of Health Care Fraud Judgments
1 In 8 Voter Registrations Contain Errors
U.S. Green-Lights Google's Massive $12.5 Billion Purchase
Syrian Rebels Fight Off Attack On Key Town
WATCH: Fox News Pundit's Disturbing Comments About Rape
Republicans Slam Obama Birth Control Rule, Ignoring State Contraception Mandates
Monsanto Guilty Of Chemical Poisoning Of French Farmer
Topless Protesters Target 'Gas Gangsters'
WATCH: 25 Million Tons Of Japan Tsunami Debris Headed Directly Our Way
Pacifist Activists Deride Bishops Over Birth Control Coverage
WATCH: Anderson Cooper's Hilarious Adventures With Adele
WATCH: Bill Maher Rips GOP Concept Of 'Elites'
Pressure Mounts On Mortgage Giants To Pursue Principal Reductions
Huff TV: WATCH: Arianna Weighs In On Tony Bennett's Call To Legalize Drugs
Downgraded: Moody's Cuts Credit Ratings Of Italy, Portugal And Spain
Wall Street Fears Volcker Rule Will Force Testosterone Monitoring
