Holden on the bench as United States beat Jamaica at The Office

On Friday night, the United States Men's National Team traveled to The Office, the Reggae Boyz' home ground (also known as Independence Park, but that name obviously isn't as great) for a crucial CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier. The Yanks sat fourth place in the Hexagonal group at the start of the day with a game in hand on both Mexico and their opponents, Jamaica. Three points at the Office would do the USA's hopes of qualifying a world of good.

The Americans would start off well enough, hitting the post in the early going before going ahead midway through the first half. The US breakthrough came from Jozy Altidore header by way of a (beautiful) Graham Zusi cross. Jamaica would equalize on 89 minutes through Bolton Wanderers transfer target Jermaine Beckford but the game was not over yet. Unlikely hero Brad Evans popped up at the death, following a short corner, to seal the points for the Americans and bringing them ever closer to Brazil.

For Bolton Wanderers fans, the point of interest was Stu Holden, who started out on the bench for the Yanks. Many thought that he would see some game time for the US following a concussion to central midfielder Jermaine Jones but Jurgen Klinsmann elected to substitute Geoff Cameron in, denying Holden his best chance of getting into the match. Jurgen Klinsmann confirmed that Holden would would not enter the game on 83 minutes, using Eddie Johnson as his final substitute.

Stu will likely make the bench for the United States' final two qualifiers in this stretch, The Americans welcome Panama to Seattle on Tuesday, 11 June, prior to a week-long break culminating with a qualifier against Honduras at Real Salt Lake's Rio Tinto Stadium.