By Jo-Ann Barnas – Detroit Free Press
DETROIT – For coach Bob Bradley and his U.S. men’s national soccer team, the bottom line was this: What they didn’t come close to doing last weekend against world champion Spain was resoundingly achieved Tuesday night in their opening game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup at Ford Field.
The U.S. won a game it had to win, fending off spirited but lesser-skilled Canada, 2-0, to extend its unbeaten streak in group play of the biennial tournament to 26 games (24-0-2).
In a display of power and poise, the Americans showed from the get-go they had no trouble shaking off Saturday’s 4-0 defeat in a friendly game against Spain in Foxborough, Mass.
With goals by Jozy Altidore in the first half and Clint Dempsey in the second – and behind superb goalkeeping in the game’s latter stages by Tim Howard – the U.S. extended its unbeaten streak against Canada to 14 games. It last lost to its North American neighbors in 1985.
“Now we have to build on it because it’s only going to get harder from here,” said Altidore, who assisted on Dempsey’s goal.
Bradley said: “For confidence, it’s a good game for Jozy. The movement that led to the first goal and the ball cross for Clint’s goal – both great plays.”
The victory was also the USA’s first of the year after draws against Chile and Argentina, and losses to Paraguay and Spain.
Howard shined in goal for the U.S., deflecting two second-half shots by Canada’s Ali Gerba, including one from point-blank range.
“Howard was absolute magic,” Canadian coach Stephen Hart said. “I almost clapped on the save.”
Unlike the game against Spain in which Bradley limited time for his regulars and used six subs, he went with a more experienced lineup against the Canadians. He also had a healthy Landon Donovan – who didn’t play last weekend because of illness. Captain Carlos Bocanegra was back as well after sitting out the Spain game.
“They pressed us early and got the early goal,” Hart said. “We weren’t getting the ball forward; we were very predictable. I thought when they had the ball, we didn’t give enough pressure.”
Both teams seemed discouraged during the match at how the ball reacted on the natural grass surface that was trucked in for the game. The ball had little bounce; footing also appeared to be a problem.
By 11 p.m., workers had already begun the process of removing – and composting – the field to begin setting up for Ford Field’s next event: Saturday’s Taylor Swift concert.
The U.S. continues group play this weekend against Panama at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa before rounding out group play June 14 against Guadeloupe in Kansas City, Mo.
