Fine Martino Performance Cut Short

By Ben Grossman
Special to MLSnet.com

LYON, France (June 23, 2003) -- A promising first national team start for the Columbus Crew's Kyle Martino was cut short in the 53rd minute of the Americans' 0-0 draw with Cameroon when the midfielder was the victim of a reckless sliding challenge from which he would not recover.

Martino was diagnosed with a severely sprained left ankle and was taken to an area hospital for precautionary x-rays after the match. The x-rays showed no fracture, according to U.S. Soccer officials, but Martino was seen on crutches Monday evening.

His day ended prematurely 53 minutes in when his enterprising run down the middle of the field was cut out in nasty fashion by a late sliding tackle from Cameroon defender Thimothee Atouba, who would be booked on the play.

Martino would not recover, being immediately taken off in favor of San Jose Earthquakes star Landon Donovan.Donovan himself said after the match that Martino had done quite well until the injury.

"I thought he did well," Donovan said. "I thought overall he was very good, he made some chances and then got absolutely killed on that play. I don't know how that's not a red card. If that's not, I don't know what is. I feel bad for him."

The up and coming central midfielder was given his first start by U.S. manager Bruce Arena and responded well from the opening whistle, his distribution keying a solid first half in which the Americans enjoyed a majority of the possession. Martino nearly set up a goal 36 minutes in when his return of a one-two sequence released D.C. United's Bobby Convey behind the Cameroon defense, goalkeeper Eric Kewkeu denying Convey from close range.

"I was very impressed with his performance," Arena said. "I wasn't sure how he was going to take this start. We've seen in the previous two games some of our young players have started the game very nervous and Kyle did not exhibit that at all. I thought he did a very good job. His passing was very good."

Martino continued to show well after the interval, and nearly opened the Americans' account himself on 51 minutes. Taking possession of the ball 30 yards from goal, he stepped up and unleashed a swerving drive from 25 yards out, drawing an acrobatic save from Kewkeu in the Cameroon goal.

Two minutes later, his day would end earlier than expected, but overall, he did enough to impress his manager.

"I think he showed a lot of composure," Arena said. "I was impressed by his ability to get others involved in the game. Hold it, distribute the ball in the right spots in the field, give him credit for that. I'm hopeful that whatever injury he has is one in which he can come back soon so we can continue to get him experience."