Off-field issues settled, El Salvador now gathers for World Cup tilt against USA

March 26, 2009

El Salvador recorded an important victory last week and it wasn’t on the soccer field.

Earlier in the week 23 players left training camp for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier, protesting the non-payment of bonuses for reaching the CONCACAF final round.

The players returned to practice on Sunday after an agreement was reached with the El Salvadoran Football Federation.

Federation president Rodrigo Calvo told the media that "the parties reached an agreement which is satisfactory for both."

"Everything’s settled," El Salvador captain Sanchez added.

It is too early to tell whether the strike would bring the players together or tear them apart.

But if the strike has lasted any longer, the El Salvadorans seriously would have jeopardized their chances against the United States in San Salvador on Saturday night.

The Cuscatlecos already dropped two poings, needing to rally for a 2-2 draw at home with Trinidad & Tobago on February 11. Despite being rescued by two goals in the final 11 minutes by 22-year-old midfielder Osael Romero, El Salvador is 0-2-2 in its last four matches, which includes a poor run in the Central American Nations Cup.

Its task is especially daunting considering that four days after playing the United States, it must travel to Mexico for another qualifier April 1.

The Salvadorans are winless in their last 12 games (0-2-10) against the United States, and haven’t scored in six games against their rival, since a 4-2 loss on Nov. 16, 1997. Its only win in 18 games against the U.S. was 2-0 in a friendly in San Salvador on February 19, 1992. In six World Cup qualifying matches, its has lost four and at best drawn the other two.

"If we feed on positive ideas . . . we can have the confidence to make a good game," coach Carlos de los Cobos said. "We cannot play with fear.”

The U.S., on the other hand, has the momentum of its 2-0 win over archrival Mexico on February 11. Coach Bob Bradley has called in 10 starters from that match, including the scoring hero of the game, his son, midfielder Michael Bradley (two goals), and midfielder-forward Landon Donovan.

Donovan has scored the most goals in U.S. team history (37) and is one short of tying former international Brian McBride for the most in World Cup qualifying (10).

Donovan is one of four players on the U.S. roster who participated in the Americans’ most recent qualifying match in El Salvador, a 2-0 semifinal-round victory on October 9, 2004. The others are defender Frankie Hejduk, midfielder DaMarcus Beasley and forward Eddie Johnson.

A win in El Salvador would give the U.S. two victories with a match at home — against Trinidad & Tobago in Nashville, Tennessee — next on April 1.

“The games against El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago represent a big opportunity to solidify our place in the group," coach Bradley said. "We had a fantastic team effort against Mexico, and if we put in the same type of performance we are confident of being able to get results.”

U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard is suspended for the game after accruing his second qualifying yellow card against. Mexico. Brad Guzan is likely to start with Marcus Hahnemann as his backup.

The roster will be bolstered by midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, who is back after serving a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation.

By Michael Lewis

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