Wed Oct 15 22:33:35 2008

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Yorke's PK helps T&T stun USA

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Port of Spain, Trinidad (Sports Network) - Dwight Yorke converted a penalty kick in the 79th minute to help Trinidad & Tobago earn a vital 2-1 win over the United States in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday.

Russell Latapy opened the scoring in the 62nd minute for Trinidad, but the United States came back with a goal from Charlie Davies in the 75th. However, Jozy Altidore was called for a foul inside the penalty area just minutes later, and Yorke converted the spot kick to give his team three massive points.

The Americans have already secured a spot in the final qualifying round, but Trinidad took a big step towards joining them as their win, combined with Guatemala's surprising 2-1 loss to Cuba, puts Trinidad up three points on Guatemala with just one game left.

The USA now holds an all-time record of 14-2-3 against Trinidad, and they will finish up this round of qualifying against Guatemala on Nov. 19, while T&T will meet Cuba.

The first half produced little in the way of chances with the Americans failing to put a shot on target while Trinidad generated one good opportunity.

The chance came in the 17th minute from a corner kick as the ball was floated into the middle of the box and a scramble ensued. Dennis Lawrence ended up getting a good look at goal from eight yards but he thrashed the ball over the crossbar.

The visitors continued to struggle offensively in the second half and Trinidad grabbed a surprising lead in the 62nd minute.

Carlos Edwards took a pass on the right wing and carried the ball into the box before chipping it back towards the penalty spot. He found Latapy at the back post 12 yards from goal and the veteran sent a left-footed volley off the woodwork. The ball sailed past the diving Brad Guzan in the American net, but it came back off the post and struck the keeper in the back, redirecting the ball into the net.

The Americans had shown very little in attack up to that point, but they responded with 15 minutes to play to level the match.

Maurice Edu dribbled the ball towards the penalty area and had it knocked away by a Trinidad defender. It fell into the path of Altidore and he slipped the ball to the front of goal for Davies, who knocked it first-time into the net.

It didn't take long, however, for the hosts to regain the lead as Altidore was called for pulling the jersey of a Trinidad player inside the box on a corner kick just three minutes later.

Yorke then stepped to the spot to take the crucial kick and he sent Guzan the wrong way, sending the home supporters into a frenzy.