Tie enough to keep U.S. optimistic

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 17, 2000

CANBERRA, Australia -- The smile that plays around the corners of Clive Charles' eyes is growing more noticeable with each game.

The coach of the U.S. men's team is enjoying this little jaunt to Australia. And if his team beats Kuwait on Tuesday, he will make history.

A win would put the Americans through to the quarterfinals for the first time. In 11 previous Olympic appearances, dating to the 1924 Games in Paris, the U.S. men have never advanced that far.

Charles' team got to this point by running Cameroon ragged Saturday and earning a 1-1 tie at Bruce Stadium. Had the United States taken full advantage of all the scoring chances it created, it might easily have won.

"I thought the team showed a lot of courage tonight," said the 49-year-old Charles, his Cockney accent as thick as it was when he left his native London to play in the North American Soccer League 22 years ago.

"It showed a lot of character, playing against a team that is extremely dangerous. I think we matched them and at times outfought them. And certainly we created enough chances to win the game."

Most of Cameroon's players are with leading European clubs, and early in the match, they looked bigger, faster, fitter and more likely to carry the day.

"To be honest, the first 20 minutes they had us on our heels," said Peter Vagenas, who plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and scored the U.S. goal. "They were coming at us from all angles."

Cameroon took the lead when U.S. defender Jeff Agoos brought down Lauren Etame in the 15th minute and Patrick Mboma scored on the resulting penalty kick.

That could have caused the United States to buckle, but instead it fought to get back into the match. It was rewarded in the 64th minute when Daniel Bekono, Cameroon's goalkeeper, upended Josh Wolff of MLS' Chicago Fire as he sprinted through the box. Chilean referee Mario Fernando Sanchez Yanten again pointed to the penalty spot.

Vagenas strode up, grabbed the ball and said he would take the kick.

"I don't designate a penalty-taker," Charles said. "Whoever feels it is the one who takes it."

Vagenas, 22, felt it.

Although the goals are not coming, the United States is penetrating opposing defenses with ease, creating numerous scoring chances.

The goals, Charles promised, will come.

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