Soccer, Soccer, Soccer, Hey!

Last weekend, the US men's soccer team played El Salvadore in a World Cup Qualifier. While they continually pressured El Salvadore, they rarely came close to scoring. El Salvador's counter-attacking gameplan worked like a charm, and, after 70min, El Salvador found themselves shocking the US with a 2-0 lead.

The second goal woke the US up, and they subbed out ineffective Heath Pearce and Sacha Kljestan and inserted Jozy Altidore and Jose Torres. Those two had an immediate impact, and, thanks to a rejuvenated Frankie Hejduk, the US scored two goals, and the game ended in a draw. Many folks would think the US should destroy a small minnow like El Salvador, but we know that just isn't how things go in World Cup qualifying. Every team, on their home soil, play inspired soccer, and the conditions usually favor the home squad dramatically. Even in 2009, it's no shame to draw with El Salvador. Disappointing? Yes. But not unexpected.

So, it was with renewed determination that the US met Trinidad & Tobago last night in their 3rd of 10 qualifying games. Despite the draw with El Salvador, the US was atop the hex, with 4 points. Mexico and Costa Rica were in second, with 3pts each.

Bob Bradley figured the Heath Pearce experiment at left back was finished, so he tested Damarcus Beasley there. Altidore, on the strength of a strong performance (and goal) against El Salvador, got the nod at striker with Brian Ching. Otherwise, it was the usual suspects for the US. No doubt, the home soil inspired the yanks. They came out on fire, with Ching almost scoring from a sharp angle within 5 minutes. It was Ching again in the 12th minute who took a long pass from Bocanegra and flicked it to an onrushing Donovan. LD chested the ball down and sent a low cross into the box. Altidore was the first to it and buried it home for a 1-0 lead. The US did not ease up. Dempsey and Donovan were zig-zagging all over the field and springing Hejduk and Beasley with heel passes and nifty flicks. Honestly, it was a level of skill rarely seen from the US.

Despite countless chances (including Altidore missing at point-blank range - somehow putting the ball over the crossbar), the first half ended 1-0. T&T came out of the locker room determined to get the equalizer. For about 20min, they brought the game and managed a few shots on goal. Tim Howard, though, was not severely tested, and Jozy notched his 2nd goal of the night on another assist from Donovan. At that point, T&T's already lax defense threw in the towel. They let the US run all over them. A few minutes later, Michael Bradley found himself alone out wide. He passed across the field to Donovan, who, like a good gentleman, waited for the T&T defense to recover, then passed to Altidore. Altidore one-timed the shot low and scored his 3rd of the night. The poor keeper, shellshocked from the constant pressure and with a heavy heart due a sick sister, should've made the save. I felt sorry for him.

Nevertheless, it was a dominant performance by the US. Quite a rebound from the El Salvador game. Donovan, while hardly a factor the previous game, excelled at left midfield. Beasley performed admirably in his first stint at left defense. And Altidore - what more can be said? He's 19 and notched a hat trick. Sublime performance.

Right now, the US is on track for another World Cup appearance. Keep winning the home games and get draws on the road. That's not going to raise to many eyebrows in Europe, but it gets the job done.