Humiliation No Blame On Onyewu
By Nu Mad
Updated Sunday, 1st July 2007
The States took a hammering from Argentina in the Copa America this weekend, but for those Toon fans interested, Newcastle on-loan defender Oguchi Onyewu had nothing to do with it.
Onyewu, who arrived from Standard Liege in January for a spell that was supposed to see him sign a full contract, has not been named in the US squad.
Newcastle turned him down, but apparently Birmingham are set to give him a trial.
Argentina were forced to call upon all of their experience and quality to overcome a weakened United States side and earn a generous 4-1 victory in their opening match in the Copa America.
Veteran striker Hernan Crespo was the hero for the Albicelestes, grabbing a brace.
Eddie Johnson had earned and then converted a penalty within the opening 10 minutes, only for Argentina to hit back through Crespo barely two minutes later.
The wily poacher then capitalised on the brilliance of Lionel Messi to secure three Group C points against the recent Gold Cup winners before Pablo Aimar and Tevez completed the rout.
USA: 18-Kasey Keller (capt.); 2-Marvell Wynne, 3-Jay DeMerit, 12-Jimmy Conrad, 13-Jonathan Bornstein; 5-Benny Feilhaber, 19- Ricardo Clark (17-Kyle Beckerman, 79), 14-Ben Olsen (11-Eddie Gaven, 62), 21-Justin Mapp; 20-Taylor Twellman (8-Herculez Gomez, 69), 9-Eddie Johnson
Subs not used: 4-Bobby Boswell, 6-Heath Pearce, 7-Dan Califf, 10-Charlie Davies, 15-Drew Moor, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 23-Brad Guzan, 25-Lee Nguyen
