By Ridge Mahoney
Conclusions about who helped their World Cup cause and who didn't in a 1-1 tie with Jamaica Tuesday night at the SAS Soccer Park were much like the result itself: neutral, ambiguous, even.
In other words, inconclusive.
The Americans scraped and scrambled through a first half during which they were second best and played more cohesively but were seldom dominant in the second half. More than a few of Americans failed to summon the grit required to duel with athletic, daring opponents devoid of distractions.
Any hopes the game would unfold gradually and allow the hesitant Americans to play their way into a rhythm vanished in the fourth minute when Jermaine Hue's through ball split apart the U.S. backline and Teafore Bennett (of the USL's Virginia Beach Mariners) rounded 100-cap keeper Tony Meola to score.
A quick Landon Donovan free kick, a low Ben Olsen shot, and a flubbed Donovan Ricketts save attempt provided the U.S. a fortunate equalizer. The teams traded chances in the remaining 65 minutes of spirited, if disjointed play.
Those assured of spot on the World Cup team – Donovan, Eddie Pope, Josh Wolff, Eddie Johnson, Pablo Mastroeni – played in a benign, competent comfort zone. Most of those still on the bubble weren't any more convincing, although Ben Olsen's work rate and fire stood out.
Pat Noonan got cracked a few times early and hobbled valiantly enough to win the free kick from which Olsen scored. Brian Ching, who replaced an anonymous Taylor Twellman at halftime, held the ball well and linked with his teammates.
Chris Albright got corkscrewed by an opposing dribbler but twice forced sharp saves from Ricketts. Right back Frankie Hejduk let a through ball beat him to set up Jamaica's only goal; he rallied with a stronger second half at left back.
Clint Dempsey moved off the bubble a month ago but erased any shred of doubt he's good enough for the 23-man squad. After missing the debacle in Dortmund while suspended by the Revolution, he came on at halftime to bewilder the Jamaicans with his touch and guile, shook off some shuddering tackles, and dished out a few solid hits of his own.
He also barked at his opponents and the referee a couple of times, but if hot sauce comes as a side dish to this feast of talent, Coach Bruce Arena has to order up.
Sad to say, Steve Ralston, on the fringe at best, failed to raise his stock to the "buy" level. Injuries knocked him out of the winter training camp and friendlies, and in his first action of the year, a few glimmers of good play gave away to a groin injury that forced him off the field, and most likely, out of contention.
John O'Brien gave a ball away late that provided Jamaica with a chance; otherwise, he played a tidy, crisp 23 minutes that included bouncing right up after suffering a harsh foul near the touchline.
SA REPORT CARD
USA 1 Jamaica 1
April 11 in Cary, N.C.
(1=low; 5=average; 10=high)
PLAYER (CLUB/CAPS)
STARTERS:
5 Tony Meola (New York, 100)
4 Chris Albright (Los Angeles, 19)
4 Eddie Pope (Salt Lake, 78)
5 Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado, 46)
4 Frank Hejduk (Columbus, 71)
4 Steve Ralston (New England, 33)
6 Ben Olsen (D.C. United, 33)
4 Pat Noonan (New England, 13)
5 Landon Donovan (Los Angeles, 77)
4 Josh Wolff (Kansas City, 45)
3 Taylor Twellman (New England, 18)
SUBS:
5 Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo, 17)
5 Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards, 15)
6 Clint Dempsey (New England, 19)
5 John O'Brien (Chivas USA, 29)
April 11 in Cary, N.C.
USA 1 Jamaica 1. Goals: Olsen 25; Bennett 4.
USA — Meola, Albright, Pope, Hejduk, Ralston (Dempsey, 55), Olsen, Mastroeni, Donovan, Noonan (O'Brien, 67), Wolff (Johnson, 46), Twellman (Ching, 46).
Jamaica — Ricketts, C.Davis (Demar Stewart, 29), Reid, Daley, Damion Stewart, Morrison (Richards, 59), Campbell-Ryce (Dawkins, 61), Hue, Stephenson (Thompson, 71), R.Johnson (Johnson, 71), Bennett (Sterling, 62).
Yellow cards: USA — Pope 28; Jamaica — Daley 34, Reid 74.
Referee: Jorge Gasso Flores (Mexico).
Att.: 8,093.