Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Union’s Bedoya steps up for Team USA
CHESTER >> The United States national team faced a do-ordie imperative when it convened last week for its latest rounds of World Cup qualifiers.
As the team returns from Panama City Wednesday, it’s job done in securing four points from two matches, the U.S. clawing its way out of the basement in the CONCACAF Fourth Round. Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya played a significant role in those two results.
Bedoya entered in the 18th minute of last Friday’s 6-0 thrashing of Honduras in San Jose, replacing goalscorer Sebastian Lletget, who departed with a foot injury that will cost the L.A. Galaxy player four to six months on the sidelines. Bedoya assisted on Michael Bradley’s strike from distance in the 27th minute and had a frontrow seat to the show put on by Clint Dempsey and Christian Pulisic in the rout.
In Tuesday’s 1-1 draw in Panama, Bedoya was Bruce Arena’s first sub, coming on in the 69th minute for Darlington Nagbe to calm down an increasingly stretched game.
“I thought he did very well against Honduras in a unique spot where you’re called upon after an injury to go out and perform,” Union manager Jim Curtin said Wednesday. “I thought he really stepped up and gave Bruce a big effort. I think he’s a guy now that it’s clear that Bruce trusts and really believes in.”
Bedoya has earned 59 caps for the U.S., which has risen from the basement of the Hexagonal to fourth place with four points from four games. With six qualifiers left, the U.S. occupies the intercontinental playoff spot, which would meet the fifthplace team from Asian qualifying to advance to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Bedoya is among a veteran nucleus that Arena, in his first qualifiers of his second stint at the helm, leaned heavily upon for two musthave results. (Panama’s only goal Tuesday was scored by former Union midfielder Gabriel Gomez off a scramble in the box in the 43rd minute.)
Bedoya wasn’t the only Union player on international duty, with Warren Creavalle earning his third cap for Guyana against Martinique, a 0-0 draw. Creavalle’s callup wasn’t made official until last week, with the Golden Jaguars’ schedule comprised of friendlies cobbled together since the nation was eliminated from Caribbean Cup qualifying.
Creavalle hasn’t played for the Union this season, trailing Derrick Jones in the pecking order and hobbled by a hamstring injury early. That made the minutes against Martinique more valuable.
“We thought it would be good in the international window for Warren to go and represent his country,” Curtin said. “It’s the ultimate honor.”
Creavalle is due back in Philly Thursday, with Bedoya to return Wednesday and train Thursday. Both are available for selection Saturday against D.C. United.
••• NOTES >> Jay Simpson (rib contusion) is training fully and fit for Saturday, though he’s unlikely to supplant the hot hand of CJ Sapong in the lineup . ... Midfielder Chris Pontius used the hiatus to acclimate to a broken right hand, suffered in the Orlando game. He’s sporting a hard cast, and while Curtin classifies the injury as “annoying” above all else, it won’t preclude Pontius from playing his former team Saturday. “People don’t realize the amount that you use your hands in this game, whether it’s grabbing for every little advantage, shoulder-to-shoulder stuff, pulling a jersey,” Curtin said. “You don’t have the same kind of grip, so it does bother him. It’s not something that will keep a professional soccer player who is as hungry as Chris is out of a game, but to say he’s 100 percent, no.” ... Josh Yaro has returned to running, and while he retains some stiffness in his upper body after surgery for a separated shoulder in February, Curtin is encouraged by the progress . ... Maurice Edu’s status remains in question. Curtin said the medical staff will meet Wednesday to read a new set of scans on Edu’s broken leg and either set a timeline for healing or determine a new course of action. Edu hasn’t played for the Union since Sept. 2015.