photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - If Oguchi Onyewu's recent string of performances for Sporting Lisbon wasn't a sign that he's getting back to top form, his outing against Honduras likely was.
Having not played for the U.S. men's national team since a 4-0 loss to Spain in a June friendly, Onyewu ended his international hiatus by coming off the bench at halftime to replace the injured Michael Orozco Fiscal at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday. His main objective: to help the United States maintain the 1-0 lead it had taken over the Catrachos in the first half off a goal from Clint Dempsey.
Onyewu did just that, showing glimpses of the player that was a lock to start every game for the U.S. team back in 2009. His aerial presence was on display almost immediately after he stepped onto the field, and although the defense did give up chances with him on the field, his physical style of play helped the Americans keep a tricky Honduras attack off the scoresheet.
"I was just happy to be back on the field with the national team after not playing in the summer with the Gold Cup and the last few camps not being called in because of my lack of playing on club level," said Onyewu. "As of lately, my condition, my form has been peaking, so I'm just happy to be back and be progressing as I am."
As solid as he was defensively, Onyewu almost put the game away for the United States in the 66th minute.
After Dempsey got a shot off following a clever stepover, Honduras goalkeeper Donis Escobar made a diving save, the rebound falling to Onyewu. But rather than knocking the ball into the open net, Onyewu volleyed it over the crossbar.
"I was off balance and leaning back," said Onyewu. "I probably was in my head celebrating before I kicked it and it went high. But I'm not a striker and I'm just happy to get the victory more so than scoring a goal."
U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmman was likely just as pleased with the 1-0 result, as it marked the first win for the team since he took over back in July.
But after the game Klinsmann made sure to point out that Onyewu needs to continue to get playing time with Sporting CP, especially since that's been tough for him to do for long stretches since suffering a devastating knee injury back in October 2009.
"He's physically looking okay; he still has a way to go," said Klinsmann. "He needs to play a whole year through, every week in and week out games, and we just hope that he stays healthy and gets that rhythm. Then he's a huge asset for us, there's no doubt about it."
Onyew agrees. Playing in his first camp under Klinsmann, the World Cup veteran admits that a main difference from now and recent months is that he's injury-free. Onyewu also acknowledges that while practice is beneficial, nothing helps as much as getting into games regularly.
While that might seem like the obvious explanation for his improved form, it is also at least part of the reason for his current mood.
"I'm happy right now. I think I'm in a good place and a good position to get back to where everyone esteemed I was prior to my injury," said Onyewu. "Definitely on the club level, we've been having a great run of games and fortunately I've been a part of all those games, so I'm hoping to continue in that run."
If Onyewu continues to demonstrate that same kind of ability on the international level, it shouldn't be long before he earns his first start under Klinsmann.
