USA
Second Half Dempsey Goal Lifts U.S. to a Snowy 1-0 Win Over Poland
March 1, 2006
Clint Dempsey headed home the game-winner early in the second half and the U.S. Men's National Team fought through tough conditions, including a snowstorm in the final 20 minutes, to defeat Poland, 1-0, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The match was played at Fritz-Walter-Stadion, the location of the USA's June 17 World Cup match against Italy. The win improves the USA's record to 4-0-1 during their 2006 World Cup preparations.
In front of 13,395 fans, a majority of whom were U.S. military personnel from Ramstein Air Base, the U.S. wore their new white Nike kits for the first time, opting for the long sleeves, as the temperature dropped to 28 degrees at kickoff. The conditions only worsened throughout the game and the U.S. players seemed to almost disappear behind the snowy backdrop when the storm kicked into full gear around the 70th minute, blanketing the field and players alike. The conditions got so bad, the officials replaced the white game ball with a yellow, high-resolution ball in the 80th minute.
After a sluggish first half that saw few chances for either side, Dempsey snuck his header in at the right post in the 48th minute. On the play, Eddie Lewis crossed the ball in from the left flank for Taylor Twellman who challenged Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc. Boruc's attempted punch clearance redirected off Twellman's head to the well-positioned Dempsey, who held off defender Michal Zewlakow to nod home the game's only goal.
The goal was Dempsey's fourth international strike and his first game-winner for the U.S. MNT. With the assist, Twellman has now scored at least one point in his last three games, accumulating four goals and three assists during that span.
"I was pleased with the win for our team," said U.S. Manager Bruce Arena. "It was not an easy game for either team. The field conditions were very difficult. I thought our team was a little unsteady in the first 30 minutes but in the last 15 minutes of the first half we settled in. It was one of those games where someone had to take an opportunity and we were the team today. We did well to hold on to the lead. A number of our young players really gained from this game tonight. It was an important experience for our young guys and hopefully we can continue to build as we move forward towards the World Cup."
The U.S. has now won four games in a row in 2006, outscoring their opponents 13-2 and posting three shutouts.