- by Angel Soto, writing from California
Bob Bradley decided to start Robbie Findley up top alone and with five midfielders that included, Robbie Rogers, Eddie Gaven, Brian Carroll, Logan Pause, and Alejandro Bedoya. The defense was experienced with Brad Guzan, Jonathan Bornstein and Clarence Goodson leading the way for the back. Eric Lichaj earned his first start for the USA as did New York Red Bull Rookie, Tim Ream. Many expected MLS veteran Nat Borchers or Jonathan Spector to beat out Tim Ream for a start and to the benefit of the US, it was quite an experience for the young centerback.
First Half
In the first few minutes, South Africa came out with a fury against the US trying to bring the raucous crowd more into life. The United States was able to settle down and calm the storm of the South African attack. Tim Ream was beaten a few times in the first 20 minutes that had captain Brad Guzan step up and become a hero, and Guzan was up to the task. The first US opportunity came in the 22nd minute when the young Aston Villa fullback, Eric Lichaj ran up the right flank able to keep the ball in bounce to find Eddie Gaven who slid it to the leftwinger Robbie Rogers who hit a low driven hard shot straight to the South African goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune. In the 26th minute the United States had a golden opportunity when it had a free-kick about 25 yards away from goal, and the young squad decided to try to desguise a trick play that went begging. Alejandro Bedoya kept the South African defense very worried; as the first half wore on, the US flanks were outplaying the South African wings and the US center mids disrupted anything that came through the middle. Even though the US midfield had been outplaying a more experienced South Africa midfield, Robbie Findley created nothing dangerous to give the South African defense any nightmares. He would receive the ball in promising positions but he would simply turnover the ball without ever threatning the home sides defense or goal. The first half ended quite unfavorable for either team as no team took the true iniciative of the game. This played into the hand to the young US squad as their confidence grew as the game wore on.
Second Half
Bob Bradley made some changes at the break bringing in Kansas City's young striker, Teal Bunbury for the very disappointing Robbie Findley. He also took out the most experienced player with the team in Jonathan Bornstein, for Jonathan Spector, who did not improve a mediocre performance that Bornstein had brought out. The US kept South Africa at bay for the first few minutes of the second half even creating a possible opportunity as a clearence from Lichaj had reached Bunbury who slipped to Bedoya who found space and over hit a throughball to Gaven was would have been alone against the South African keeper. The first true chance came in the 55th minute as Eric Lichaj came up on the flank again and chipped a pass to Teal Bunbury who on a half turn laid a hard low shot that Khune was able to keep out. The half chance was almost good enough to break the score. A minute later Eddie Gaven released a long distanced shot that went straight to the South African keeper. in the 58th minute South Africa had half chance as Davide Somma was sent a throughball but Eric Lichaj and Clarence Goodson were too atletic and fast to avoid and stopped him in his tracks. In the 60th minute Bradley decided to step away from the 4-2-3-1 formation and brought in 17 year old Juan Agudelo for Robbie Rogers to spark an attack and switch to a 4-4-2 formation. Right from hims inclusion the US front attack looked dangerous and would prove to be a very important substitution for Bob Bradley. in the 65th minute South Africa had a chance as Jonathan Spector turned over the ball again but the shot went wide of Guzan's post. in the 67th minute Tim Ream was taken out for Nat Borchers who had a very good debut, shaky at first but later controlled Somma for the rest of his playing time. Steven Pienaar's lone chance came off a Jonathan Spector turnover, who then recovered in time to only conceive a corner. In the 78th minute the 4th player to receive his debut for the United States came in, as Alejandro Bedoya was subbed out for Mikkel Diskerud. Mikkel Diskerud made an immediate impact as he was able to open up the midfield making diagnal rns in front of the strikers. On one occasion it worked perfectly as Diskerud was positioned almost as a striker when, Juan Agudelo slot him a through ball, and with a bit of craft and skill "Mix" was able to slot a perfect pass to Agudelo who put it past Khune up to the crossbar and fell into the net to bring the US in front. At 17 years of age, Juan Agudelo is the youngest player in US soccer history to score a goal in a game! In the 87th minute, the youngster who was born in Togo, Gale Agbossoumonde came in for the veteran, Clarence Goodson. The United States was able to hold on to a surprising 1-0 win away in a hostile environment in South Africa with a young squad.
Overall
Juan Agudelo and Mikkel Diskerud have shown what potential they have, and could be important players sooner rather than later. Teal Bunbury showed that he can deserved his call up as he was able to open up the stubborn centerbacks that had muted Robbie Findley. Eric Lichaj could be giving Bob Bradley a good problem, who may now be second on the depth chart behind Steve Cherundolo, who is quite a bit older. Tim Ream looks like he has potential and it seems like all he needs is more chances to display his talents. Again with Mikkel Diskerud, he's shown his skill set, although it was just a flash, but he also showed great defensive ability. Jonathan Spector looks far away from his best form, who would have that a year ago that Spector would be third on the depth chart for right back. He played left fullback today but he struggled with clearences and would turnover the ball too easily into the United State's half. Brian Carroll, Eddie Gaven and Logan Pause were the unsung heroes, they struggled in the second half a bit but they controlled the midfield not giving the South African Centermids anytime; Steven Pienaar was shut down and unheard of. Alejandro provided an offensive spark in the first half, as did Robbie Rogers but, they both died down in the second half. Clarence Goodson showed great leadership and can definitely contend to take a starting spot from Carlos Bocanegra or Oguchi Onyewu. Brad Guzan also showed great leadership and it helped his young defense that grew confidence as the game grew on. Jonathan Bornstein was decent, not impressive, but he looks to be the better option than Jonathan Spector.
