TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Holden's Goal Gives U.S. 1-0 Win

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 8, 2008

TIANJIN, China - As if the U.S. men's soccer team didn't have enough trouble scoring goals, it faced a handful of additional challenging elements in its Olympic opener Thursday.

There was the steaming heat that kept players from maintaining full effort for long stretches. There was the dense smog that nearly covered the top of Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium and made playing even more uncomfortable. And there was a Japanese team whose plan of attack was to sit back defensively and score via the counterattack.

With all that working against the U.S. men, they still managed to do something they haven't since May 21: score a goal.

And that goal was enough for the Americans to defeat Japan 1-0 and take a much-needed three points in the opening match of group play. The U.S. is considered a long shot to make it out of its group, which also includes Nigeria and strong medal contender Netherlands.

The U.S. plays the Netherlands on Sunday.

"The other two teams are going to be tough, so it's a great feeling for us to start out with a lot of confidence and three points," said Stuart Holden, who scored the goal. "It gives us a platform to build on going into these next two games."

The U.S. scored less than three minutes into the second half.

Right back Marvell Wynne made a lengthy run up the right side before attempting a cross. Japan's Hiroki Mizumoto deflected the pass, but the rebound wound up at Holden's feet. Holden sent a low, hard shot toward goal. The ball was slowed by goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa, but it had enough zip left to crawl across the goal line for the only score of the game.

"I think that's the first goal I scored that hasn't hit the back of the net," Holden said. "It barely made it over the line, but they all count the same."

It was the first goal in five matches for the U.S. team, which is made up of the national under-23 team with three overage additions.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT