USL Feature
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – The United States booked its place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil on Tuesday night with a 2-0 victory against Mexico at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, earning a seventh consecutive berth at the biggest sporting event in the world with a decisive win against its biggest rivals. At the forefront were a number of USL alumni, who helped lead the U.S. throughout the final qualification stage known as ‘The Hex’.
In all, 10 former USL players, from the pro ranks through the PDL to the Super Y-League, played a role in helping the United States qualify, with the goalkeeping duo of Tim Howard and Brad Guzan leading the way. Howard, who recorded his 32nd shutout for the United States on Tuesday night, began his professional career with the North Jersey Imperials, while Guzan, whose back-to-back shutouts early in the qualifying campaign included a historic 0-0 draw against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in March, was named the 2004 PDL Goalkeeper of the Year as he prepared to enter the professional ranks with the Chicago Fire PDL.
Jozy Altidore, meanwhile, was a major catalyst for the U.S. attack as he scored three goals in qualification games. The Sunderland striker, who began his youth career in the Super Y-League with Schulz Academy before being called into the U.S. U17 Residency Program at IMG Academy, had three goals in World Cup Qualifiers, part of a standout year that has seen him score seven goals for the national team.
Other PDL alumni also made key contributions, with former All-Eastern Conference selection Geoff Cameron playing important minutes throughout the final qualifying round, most notably in a 2-0 victory against Panama in Seattle this past May. Brad Evans, who played for the Orange County Blue Star, had the dramatic late game-winner that earned the U.S. its first victory in Jamaica in World Cup qualifying, while former Boulder Rapids Reserves defender Clarence Goodson put in a veteran performance at the center of the U.S. backline on Tuesday night in Columbus.
Other important contributions came from former Central Florida Kraze midfielder Graham Zusi, who established himself as a key member of the squad, while defender Michael Parkhurst, who played for the IMG Bradenton Academics in the PDL, was solid defensively when called upon on Tuesday night. Sascha Kljestan, who played alongside current U.S. National Team Coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the Orange County Blue Star in 2003, and Herculez Gomez, who spent time in the A-League with the Seattle Sounders, also played their parts in the team’s success, and will now continue their work to be part of the final 23-man squad that will represent our country at next year’s World Cup.