Gracious Hosts Help U.S. Team Advance
The United States, having already done the heavy lifting against Portugal and South Korea in previous matches, advanced into the second round of the World Cup Friday despite an embarrassing 3-1 loss to Poland.
The United States team has a few days to get its act together before facing a world-class Mexican team in single-elimination play Monday in Jeonju, South Korea.
Maybe it was revenge for all the Polish jokes, because the Red and Whites thrashed the Red, White and Blues early and often. The previously listless Poles, salvaging a measure of pride on the world stage, put in two against the somnolent U.S. defense in the game's first five minutes. The Americans looked like they wanted to go back in the locker room for a do-over, and things were looking bleak.
Poland's first goal, just 2 minutes, 45 seconds in, came when Nigerian-born Emmanuel Olisadebe headed a corner kick, which goalkeeper Brad Friedel stopped. But Olisadebe put the rebound off the bottom of the crossbar and the ball bounced downward past the goal line for a score.
Less than 60 seconds later, the U.S. had a chance as forward Landon Donovan out-jumped Arkadiusz Glowacki and heading the ball into an open goal. But Chinese referee Lu Jun saw a push foul and disallowed the tally. Poland then rushed upfield, and Pawel Kryszalowicz scored from inside the 6-yard box, beating defender Jeff Agoos, whose World Cup performance has been sketchy at best.
Agoos later went off for offensive substitute Joe-Max Moore. But ultimately the rather tepid U.S. salvage effort, in the form of a second-half strike, did not figure in the team's fate. That was because the feisty South Koreas, playing two men up against Portugal, got a late 1-0 lead and – after a scary final flurry – helped out the Americans by sending Portgual, the group favorite, home for what is sure to be a long four years.
The fans at Daejeon World Cup Stadium, who were mildly supporting the Americans, cheered when Ji-Sung Park made it 1-0 for Korea in the 70th minute.
On the sidelines, Brian McBride, the young U.S. talent whose diving header last week against Portugal gave the U.S. a crucial early victory, did not seem to know what to make of the ovation.
The South Koreans joined co-host Japan in the second round, winning the group. Japan gained a place in the second round by beating Tunisia 2-0 in Osaka, Japan. Both made it for the first time. Both of the Asian teams will have a very tough go if they went to make the final eight: South Korea faces Italy and Japan plays a Turkish team that came within a controversial penalty kick of drawing with the Brazilians in early action.
Belgium, which has shown flashes of brilliance as well as bad lapses throughout the tournament, struggled back from the brink of elimination with two late goals against Russia. The Belgians have perhaps the most unenviable task of all: They must face Brazil, four-time world champions, to open the second round.
Written by PETE BRUSH