World Cup Qualifying: Bermuda out after 2-0 loss

Khano Smith's Bermuda got the job done on the road with a 2-1 win against Trinidad and Tobago last weekend, but couldn't complete the upset at home, falling 2-0 tonight to loss the series 3-2 and fall out of contention for a place in the 2010 World. Smith started the match and was subbed out in the 78th minute with Bermuda already down 2-0.

Trinidad & Tobago will join the United States, Cuba and Guatemala in Group A of CONCACAF's semifinal round of World Cup Qualifying.

Fulltime: US 1 - 0 Barbados

After what was a fairly uneventful first half, the US lead Barbados 1-0 (9-0 on aggregate) thanks to an Eddie Lewis goal. Barbados has had a few opportunities, but the US defense has been able to prevent Barbados from testing 'keeper Brad Guzan. The second half was much of the same, though Barbados managed a few shots, both sides didn't cause many problems for their opponent's keeper.

The US took the lead in the 22nd minute, when a deflected pass from from Freddy Adu found the run of Eddie Lewis. The Derby County winger ran into the box and slotted the ball through the legs of 'keeper Alvin Rouse for his 10th international goal.

Left back Heath Pearce made a run into the offense and picked up a great pass from Adu in the 37th minute. At the top of the box, Pearce sent a right footed shot just wide of the target.

DaMarcus Beasley had an opportunity two minutes before the half after Eddie Lewis sprung him free down the right flank with a great cross. Beasley, alone in on goal, was incorrectly ruled offsides.

Barbados finally threatened in the 58th minute when Emerson Boyce received the ball from Mark McCammon in the box. Boyce beat Guzan, but saw his shot bounce off the crossbar and back into play.

The US rarely threatened throughout the rest of the match, while Barbados went forward a bit more, but never forced Guzan into a save.

The US next travels to Guatemala on August 20th for the first match of the next round.

World Cup Qualifying: Grenada fall 3-0 to Costa Rica

Shalrie Joseph played the full 90 minutes as Grenada's hopes of advancing in World Cup Qualifying came to a crashing halt. After drawing 2-2 last weekend in Grenada, the "spice boyz" fell 3-0 on the road to Costa Rica to be eliminated from contention for a place in the 2010 World Cup. While the result is bad for Joseph and Grenada, it may be good for the Revolution: had Grenada advanced, Joseph surely would have missed many more games for the Revs later this season.

Mansally plays for Gambia in 1-0 loss to Algeria

Abdoulie "Kenny" Mansally got his second appearance for the Gambian National Team today in a 1-0 loss to Algeria today, coming off the bench in the 87th minute. Mansally made his debut off the bench over the weekend.

Gambia now sit 3rd in Group 6 of World Cup Qualifying from Africa. Gambia must finish at least second to have a chance of advancing to the next round.

For more information on Mansally's appearances for Gambia, including their U-17 and U-20 teams, visit FIFA.com.

Weekend World Cup Qualifiers - Revolution player involvement

Sunday:
Trinidad & Tobago 1 - 2 Bermuda: The Revs' Khano Smith started and went the full 90 minutes for Bermuda, tallying an assist on John Barry Nusum's first goal with a nice cross. Trinidad & Tobago were heavy favorites in the match, especially since they were playing at home.

USA 8 - 0 Barbados: Matt Reis was on the bench, but saw no time after his surprise call-up due to Tim Howard's injury.

Saturday:
Gambia 1 - 0 Algeria: Kenny Mansally entered the match in the 73rd minute for his Gambian National Team debut. The win pushes Gambia from 3rd into a tie for first with Senegal in group 6.

Grenada 2 - 2 Costa Rica: Shalrie Joseph played the full 90 minutes in Grenada's shock tie with Costa Rica. Grenada at one point led 2-0, but a 49th minute red card to Ricky Charles dashed their hopes of a stunning victory.

Final: US 8 - Barbados 0

The final scoring summary, in what turned out to be the US' largest victory ever was as follows:
Scoring:
USA – Clint Dempsey (Carlos Bocanegra) 1st minute.
USA – Michael Bradley 12.
USA – Brian Ching (Pablo Mastroeni) 20.
USA – Landon Donovan (free kick) 59.
USA – Clint Dempsey 63.
USA – Eddie Johnson (Heath Pearce) 82.
USA – Own goal (Daryl Ferguson) 86.
USA – Brian Ching (Steve Cherundolo) 89.

New England's Matt Reis never entered the match.

Halftime update: US 3 - Barbados 0

A first minute goal by Clint Dempsey off a Carlos Bocanegra pass put the US on top and it has been all USA since. Michael Bradley doubled the lead in the 12th minute after a flurry in the box, and Pablo Mastroeni deflected a long shot off Brian Ching's back in the 20th minute for the final goal of the half.

Freddy Adu came in for an injured Mastroeni in the 26th minute.

Tune in to Revolution Recap on WNRI AM1380 at 7:05PM (or at RevolutionRecap.com) after the match for post-game analysis on this match and the Revs - Houston match from Thursday as well as looking forward to the Revs - New York match on Wednesday.

US line-up out for World Cup Qualifier vs. Barbados

Tim Howard is out injured, so Brad Guzan gets the start. Apparently Bob Bradley wasn't confident enough in Dominic Cervi as the Revs' Matt Reis is on the bench.

The US starting line-up is as follows:
USA: 18-Brad Guzan; 6-Steve Cherundolo, 5-Oguchi Onyewu, 3-Carlos Bocanegra, 15-Heath Pearce; 10-Landon Donovan, 12-Michael Bradley, 4-Pablo Mastroeni, 17-DaMarcus Beasley; 11-Brian Ching, 8-Clint Dempsey

Shalrie Joseph and Khano Smith called up to national teams for World Cup Qualifying

Shalrie Joseph (Grenada) and Khano Smith (Bermuda) have been called up for their countries' World Cup Qualifiers this weekend. The two join Kenny Mansally (The Gambia), who has already missed the past two Revolution matches, on the absence list for this Thursday's match in Houston, and likely the following two matches as well.

The Gambia plays at home vs. Algeria on Saturday, Grenada plays the first leg of stage 2 of CONCACAF Qualifying at home against Costa Rica on Saturday, and Bermuda, also in the first leg of stage 2 CONCACAF Qualifying, plays in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.

The Gambia currently sits in 3rd place with two points in Group 6 of the African Confederation behind Senegal and Algeria. With a match in Algeria on the 20th, Mansally likely won't be available for the Revolution until they face Toronto on June 28th. The Gambia started qualifying with draws against Liberia and Senegal. Mansally was on the bench for both matches, but didn't play in either.

Grenada advanced to stage 2 with a 10-0 win against the US Virgin islands in the first round. Joseph started and played 64 minutes in that match. The second leg against Costa Rica will take place on June 21st, meaning Joseph, who has been on the field for every minute of every match this year, may also be unavailable for the Revs until their match on the 28th.

Bermuda advanced to stage 2 with a 4-2 aggregate win over the Cayman Islands. Smith played in both first round matches. Their second leg against Trinidad and Tobago is on the 22nd, so Smith too could also be out until the 28th.

Additionally, Taylor Twellman will be out again on Thursday due to his ankle injury and Gary Flood, the clear replacement in Joseph's absence, is doubtful with an ankle injury of his own.