USL Feature
Friday, November 13, 2015
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Seattle Sounders FC 2’s Oalex Anderson scored a stunning opener, but St. Vincent & the Grenadines fell 6-1 to the United States on Friday night in FIFA World Cup Qualifying at Busch Stadium.
Anderson struck in the fifth minute as a turnover gave him space on the left side. The S2 standout, who had four goals in 16 USL appearances this season, drifted into the penalty area and fired a low shot into the right corner to give the visitors a shock early lead.
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The advantage wouldn’t last long, as a clever passing combination created space for former PDL All-League selection DeAndre Yedlin on the right, and he centered for Bobby Wood to head home from the top of the six-yard area.
The U.S. added two goals in three minutes around the half-hour mark as Fabian Johnson’s free kick from the top of the penalty area deflected off the top of the defensive wall and past SV&G goalkeeper Winslow McDowall. Two minutes later, Jozy Altidore eluded his marker at the back post of a corner, and headed home a near-post flick to make it 3-1 at the break.
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Anderson was a bright spot for SV&G when the side got on the front foot, but the U.S. dominated possession and added to its lead six minutes into the second half when PDL All-Conference selection Geoff Cameron headed home. Fellow former PDL standout Gyasi Zardes, who was a one-time LA Galaxy II loanee during the 2014 USL season, added a fifth with a good finish from the right side of the penalty area seven minutes later. Altidore added a sixth with 16 minutes to go.
The second round of the group stage is set for Tuesday night, when Anderson and SV&G will return home to face Guatemala. The U.S. will visit Trinidad & Tobago looking to add to its opening victory.
