Grenada not scared of U.S. in World Cup qualifier
COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the United States, today’s World Cup qualifier against Grenada may be little more than a formality.
For the Caribbean island nation, however, the second-round game is immensely important.
“We’ve never got this far,” midfielder Shalrie Joseph said Saturday before heading out to practice in pouring rain. “It’s the biggest game in the country’s history.”
Grenada won its first-round matchup, outscoring Guyana 8-1 over two games. The Americans, who advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, had a bye in the opening round of qualifying for the 2006 tournament in Germany.
Joseph is one of just five professional players on Grenada’s roster. The others play in local leagues, most working as office clerks and a couple as construction workers. Atkinson Neckles, an 18-year-old midfielder, is still in high school.
“It’s a different level, different level of funding, different level of professionalism,” said Jason Roberts, comparing Grenada’s team to his club, Wigan Athletic of the English first division. “But, of course, playing for Grenada is something that’s totally with your heart.”
Grenada’s team is nicknamed the “Spice Boyz.” Grenada is second only to Indonesia in nutmeg exports, and the nutmeg fruit is featured on the country’s yellow, green and red flag.
In 1983, U.S. forces invaded Grenada because Washington feared the island had grown too close to Cuba.
American midfielder Landon Donovan was 1 1/2 at the time of the invasion. He laughed when asked what he knows about Grenada.
“I read an article, so I know a little bit, but not too much,” he said. “I know they’re small and they’re a Caribbean country.”
The United States is ranked ninth in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, down one spot. Grenada is 138th, up from 145th in May.
The Spice Boyz say today’s game at Columbus Crew Stadium — the first between the United States and Grenada — will give exposure to one of the smallest countries in the Western Hemisphere.
“America is obviously a massive superpower, so for us as a small country to go out and play on the same field as them is a big deal anyway,” Roberts said. “But for us to go out and beat them would be even better.”
Grenada players expect plenty of fan support. Although the country has about 93,000 residents — about one-eighth the population of Columbus — more than 200,000 Grenadians live in the United States.
“The joy of Grenada possibly going to the World Cup is shared by every Grenadian, home and abroad,” said Roland Bhola, the country’s minister of sports.
For some Grenadian players, the game is an opportunity to get noticed by Major League Soccer or college coaches.
Ricky Charles had 18 goals and 16 assists last year for South Carolina-Spartanburg. Today’s game, in effect, will be his MLS tryout.
“That was my main goal for college, to play for the MLS, basically,” he said. “But nothing has worked out for the moment so hopefully after tomorrow’s game, something will happen to me.”
The home-and-home, total-goals series moves to Grenada next week at the 15,000-seat Cricket National Stadium.