September 10,2009 BEST IS YET TO COME Gooch says U.S will improve
Oguchi Onyweu: "We're not playing our best football. There's a long ways to go." Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago -- U.S. central defender Oguchi Onyweu says that the best is yet to come for the U.S. National Team.
"I feel as though we haven't reached our potential yet," he said after the United States defeated Trinidad & Tobago, 2-1, in a World Cup qualifier Wednesday night.
"We're not playing our best football. There's a long ways to go. That being said, we're still winning games. The most important part right now. we're a young team. The sky's the limit in terms of our progression. I think we showed it this summer."
While the U.S. is considered heads and shoulders over many of its CONCACAF foes, Gooch realizes how difficult it is to qualify in CONCACAF.
"Qualifying for a World Cup is never easy, regardless of the opponent," Onyewu said. "Playing in CONCACAF playing in certain conditions is never an easy feat, especially playing a way in Trinidad. But credit to the team for the resilience that we were able to come out of the games with six points."
He was referring to the U.S.'s 2-1 win over El Salvador Saturday.
Gooch battled with T&T forward Kenwyne Jones in front of the U.S. goal for a good portion of the match.
"Two big guys, a physical matchup," he said. "I felt I was getting the worst in the end. It was going both ways but I was getting the calls against me.
"Fortunately we minimized their offensive threats. They didn't have too many shots on goal except for their two free kicks. They were playing at home and they came out flying."
