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Happy Friday, folks! The last Friday of January!
Let’s get right to it.
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Good morning to everyone but especially to…
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THE UNITED STATES MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
It wasn’t particularly pretty or impressive, but the United States men’s national team earned a crucial three points in Concacaf World Cup qualifying with a 1-0 win over El Salvador. Antonee Robinson‘s 52nd-minute goal provided the only cushion the USA needed.
It keeps the USA second in the standings. Each of the top three teams automatically qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar, and the fourth-place team will face a playoff.
- 1. Canada: 19
- 2. United States: 18
- 3. Mexico: 17
- 4. Panama: 14
- 5. Costa Rica: 12
The United States wasn’t sharp at all in front of net, scoring just the one time despite an expected goal value of 2.98. Jesus Ferreira missed a pair of great chances, and plenty of other good opportunities either petered out before a shot or resulted in shots that missed the target. Still, El Salvador never posed much of a threat. USA goalkeeper Matt Turner — hours after transferring to Arsenal — celebrated in the best way possible: without having to make a single save.
As for the outfield players who stood out, Robinson earned an 8/10 in our soccer expert Roger Gonzalez’s grades:
- Gonzalez: “Scored the game-winning goal with a solid strike in the box in the second half. Also did so well to win back the ball. Saved his team in this one.“
Next up for the USA is a Sunday matinee against Canada, which you can watch on Paramount+.
Honorable mentions
And not such a good morning for…
USATSI
DRAYMOND GREEN AND KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS
Thursday night’s announcement of the
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Source : cbssports
