US Men Bounced from Olympics

Americans Eliminated from Beijing in First Round

August 13, 2008

Two days after squandering a 2-1 lead to Netherlands in stoppage time, the US men saw one of their own sent off in just the third minute before falling behind 2-0 in an eventual 2-1 loss to Nigeria on Wednesday.

The loss, coupled with the Netherlands’ 1-0 win over Japan, sends the Americans home from Beijing before the second round. Nigeria earned first place in the group.

Freddy Adu and US National Team were eliminated from the Olympics Wednesday. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

“It’s disappointing, there’s no question about that,” said U.S. coach Peter Nowak. “We played so hard tonight, and we can’t express our feelings in the right way now. Soccer can be a cruel game. I am very proud of the effort these players put in. They left everything on the field and never gave up.”

Goals from Promise Isaac and Victor Obinna on either side of halftime gave the Nigerians a lead that proved too much to overcome, despite a Sacha Kljestan penalty kick conversion in the 88th minute and a flurry of U.S. chances in the waning moments, including a header from substitute Charlie Davies that agonizingly struck the crossbar.

The U.S. was at a disadvantage early in this one when, in the third minute, defender Michael Orozco was harshly shown a red card following an elbow to Solomon Okoronko. Down to 10 men, the team shifted formation by moving Robbie Rogers to left back and dropping striker Jozy Altidore into left midfield.

After sustained pressure, Nigeria was finally able to break through the U.S. defense in the 39th minute on a nice bit of individual flair. A ball over the top put Obinna alone against Revs’ back Michael Parkhurst. The striker managed his way around his mark and slotted a pass across the goal. With Guzan diving and Robbie Rogers sliding to defend, team captain Isaac found a gap between the two and tapped home the first goal of the match.

Victor Obinna collected the ball in the 66th minute and used some fancy footwork to create space for a cross. His low driven effort deflected off Benny Feilhaber and screamed towards goal, forcing an incredible reaction save from Guzan to keep the U.S. hopes alive.

The U.S. chances for advancement took a major blow in the 72nd minute when reports from Shenyang indicated that the Netherlands had scored against Japan. The U.S. had a chance to advance to the quarterfinals even with a loss, but needed Japan to win to do so.

With the U.S. putting a massive effort into tying the game, Nigeria eventually found the opportunity to double the lead in the 79th minute. A nice through ball played Obinna into the penalty area once again on the left side of goal. Parkhurst slid over to cover, and a nice cutback by Obinna earned him time and space to shoot. With no pressure, he calmly curled a shot to the far post past the helpless U.S. ‘keeper for the 2-0 lead.

The substitution of Davies, a product of Boston College, for Stuart Holden injected new life and speed into the U.S. attack, setting up an exciting and excruciating climax to the match. In the 87th minute, Rogers used a cut back off a corner kick to deliver a curling drive towards goal that just skimmed past the reach of two U.S. attackers. Moments later, the U.S. earned a penalty when McBride cleverly chipped a ball into the box for an onrushing Maurice Edu. The U.S. defender was tackled at the top of the area on a reckless challenge from Nigeria goalkeeper Ambruse Vanzekin, the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Kljestan calmly converted the ensuing penalty, halfinf the score to 2-1.

In the final minute of regulation time, the U.S. earned a free kick 30 yards from goal on the left flank. Second-half substitute Dax McCarty swerved a delivery into the crowded area, where Davies twisted to head a powerful drive that caromed off the cross bar. A minute later, Davies found himself one-on-one 18 yards out, striking a low effort that Vanzekin dove to collect.

U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT:

Scoring Summary:
NGA – Promise Isaac (Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi) 39th minute
NGA – Victor Obinna (Ebenezer Ajilore) 79th
USA – Sacha Kljestan (penalty) 88th

Lineups:
USA: 18-Brad Guzan; 2-Marvell Wynne, 6-Maurice Edu, 15-Michael Parkhurst, 3-Michael Orozco; 14-Robbie Rogers, 7-Stuart Holden (9-Charlie Davies, 77), 16-Sacha Kljestan, 8-Danny Szetela (5-Dax McCarty, 69); 17-Brian McBride, 12-Jozy Altidore (10-Benny Feilhaber, 46)

NGA: 1-Ambruse Vanzekin; 2-Chibuzor Okonkwo, 5-Dele Adeleye, 15-Efe Ambrose; 6-Monday James, 8-Sani Kaita, 10-Promise Isaac (capt.) (16-Victor Anichebe, 72), 12-Ebenezer Ajilore (17-Emmanuel Ekpo, 85); 7-Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi, 9-Victor Obinna, 11-Solomon Okoronkwo (14-Peter Odemwingie, 68)

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