in 2004 the U.S. Mens National Team headed to the caribbean for their second leg match against CONCACAF minnows Grenada in the first round of qualifying for Germany '06. They were hot off their excellent showing in the World Cup in '02 and were quite confident having a 3-0 aggregate advantage.
They took a backup squad mostly, still sporting Donovan, but adding in newcomers like Kerry Zavagnin, who was sitting in the stands during the home leg.
The Grenada FA moved the game from their soccer stadium to the cricket ground due to its capacity. The hilly landscape mixed with the small sized stadium meant that residents could see right out onto the pitch from their decks. It was wet, the field did not drain well and the field was a swamp. a through ball with relative pace on it would stop dead in a grassy puddle ready for the taking by the opposition. Grenada playing in front of their home fans put on quite a show. They were defending fiercely and counter attacking with frightening speed.
The U.S. in the end prevailed having scored 3, several in quite mysterious fashion. The Grenada players were able to walk out with their heads held high as they were able to punch in 2 on the Americans loosing and being eliminated by an aggregate score of 6-2.
It may not sound close, but you probably weren't watching the game. This game stands out in my mind as the best I've ever seen period. The environment, the players, the passion, what it mean to players like Kellon Baptiste who has absolutely no club at the time (and doesn't anymore I don't think). Shalrie Joseph was a small timer in the MLS before this match helped vault him into a regular starting position.
If you cannot tell I really like Grenada. I was quite excited to be making them, I am happy to be playing them. I love August's kits and I hope everyone else can appreciate what a crop of talent this tiny little Island has, Because I strongly believe they would have been in the semi's if they could have avoided a few of the relative giants (USA Mexico, Costa rica, Jamaica Trinidad) for just a little longer.
Enjoy guys,
Grenada- with kits and minikits by August