Clark’s Goal Puts U.S. a Step Closer to World Cup

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — The United States moved within a win of its sixth straight World Cup appearance, beating Trinidad and Tobago, 1-0, on Wednesday night on Ricardo Clark’s goal in the 62nd minute.
The United States failed to win its first three road qualifiers this year and played a listless first half against the Soca Warriors. The Americans went ahead when Clint Dempsey played the ball wide to Landon Donovan, who cut the ball back to Clark.

Clark took a touch and let loose a bending 30-yard shot that swerved past goalkeeper Clayton Ince. It was only the second goal in 25 international appearances for Clark, a midfielder for the Houston Dynamo of Major League soccer. He also scored against Paraguay in the Copa America two years ago.

“It’s huge,” Clark said. “It gives a little bit of space when things are getting tight in our group. We knew we had to come out in this game and get a win.”

Donovan also assisted on both United States goals in Saturday’s 2-1 win over El Salvador at Sandy, Utah. He holds United States career records with 41 goals and 41 assists in 118 international appearances.

“He’s just a machine out there, man, he’s on his game,” Clark said. “He’s just a big-time player doing big-time things.”

The United States (5-2-1) moved into first place in the final round of qualifying matches in the Concacaf region with 16 points, 2 ahead of Honduras (4-2-1) and 4 in front of Mexico and Costa Rica (4-3), pending results in games played later Wednesday.

At the time Clark scored, United States Coach Bob Bradley was getting ready to replace him with Stuart Holden.

“I had a feeling that it was going to be me,” Clark said.

Bradley then decided to leave Clark in.

The United States could clinch when it plays at Honduras on Oct. 14. The American team closes the qualifying round four days later at home against Costa Rica in Washington.

The top three teams in the region qualify for the World Cup, and the No. 4 nation goes to a playoff against the fifth-place team from South America.

Trinidad and Tobago, which made its first World Cup appearance in 2006, was mathematically eliminated from qualifying for the 32-nation field in South Africa next year.