- by Tyler Walter, writing from Fairfax, VA
However, note how I said half way. It hit me. The last time the United States national soccer team went up so unexpectedly, and so early was two years back. Yes, I'm talking about the 2009 Confederations Cup final, when the Yanks bagged two goals inside half an hour, stunning Brazil 2-0.
And what followed?
Yes. Brazil would rally and nab a 3-2 victory. The unsettling thought seemed practically inevitable. Before I could complete the entire thought and scenario, the United States' impressive, yet shocking lead, evaporating, as the score leveled of at 2-2.
Rather than being stunned, or unsettled about the Mexican comeback, I just rolled my eyes and subconsciously thought to myself how it was only to come. As the match progressed in the second half and El Tri rallied to score four unanswered goals, the classic problems marring the United States could not have been more evident.
There's a reason for a large coalition of Bornstein haters
Before the match even concluded, the Twitterverse was already hopping on the Jonathan Bornstein hate train. Such angry reactions claiming that Bornstein was the culprit for Pablo Berrera and Jose Guardado's two goals, allowing the Mexicans to draw level with the Americans. Granted, Bornstein's arrival in the match was incredibly abrupt and I'm sure Bornstein was not expecting to get much playing time. If not, none at all. Still, such excuses are not acceptable, and his lack of positioning allowed players such as Guardado, Berrera and especially dos Santos to burn down the right flank of the pitch, time and time again. Now, that's not to say the rest of the U.S. back line is off the hook, nor does it mean that every goal Mexico scored was at the fault of Bornstein. As dos Santos clearly exhibited by back dribbling from Tim Howard and skipping around Carlos Bocanegra, all before chipping the ball above Eric Lichaj exposed the worst of the American defense. If anything it makes the word "horrendous" boldfaced and highlighted.
Soccer games last 90 minutes
Apart from their match against Jamaica, the United States did not play the top of their game for the whole hour-and-a-half. In fact, they rarely even played to their top half of their time. In case anyone needed an explanation, the United States was not up to par for nearly 60 minutes of the match. They were timid the opening five minutes, until they scored the opening goal. From there, they dictated the run of play until Mexico drew things level again. Alas, a total of about 25 to 30 minutes. The trend continued well into the second half, and it wasn't until Mexico made it a 4-2 advantage that the United States went back to dictating the possession of the match and creating goalscoring opportunities. Problem being, there was only 15 minutes remaining, and they had their share of bad luck. That being said, it is relishing to know how scrappy and gritty of a team the United States is, and it represents that classic, blue collar hardworking team, but the question that looms: why can they only come out at their best for only partial minutes. As we saw against Panama, the United States has to be on top of their game the whole time. They did so against a mighty Jamaican side, and cruised to a 2-0 victory, one that might of turned a few heads. The only times their partial play worked was against Guadeloupe and Canada, mainly due to the fact that these teams are far inferior in skill.
Neutralizing one player does not solve the problem
One of the most critical assignments Bob Bradley most likely gave to his defenders was to neutralize Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez. That meant, closing in on him the moment he gained ball possession and stop the flow of passing to him. Well, Bradley somewhat got his wish. Hernandez did not score, and frankly, that surprised me. In spite of the fact the U.S. defense had an extra eye on Chicharito, I would have thought he would have somehow scored. Still, the leaky back line conceded a total of four goals, the most the team conceded in the Gold Cup altogether, and twice the number of goals they conceded in every match prior to the final. The United States defense would have been better off playing a more of a zone defense than focusing on a specific person. I noticed later on that the back line did install more zone play, and it worked. Just like it did from the get go. If anything caused miscommunication to allow the defense to collapse, it had to have been the abrupt switch of removing Cherundolo for Bornstein. You could immediately tell something was not clicking. Consequently, all four of Mexico's goals were scored from their right flank of the field. El Tri realized that it was weaker side of the back line and capitalized on it, rarely bring the ball down the left flank.
In spite of the defense mishaps, the poor gaffes and lack of concentration that doomed the United States, when they had their bright spots, scattered mainly in the start and end of the match, they looked like a menacing team. Personally, I felt their start against Mexico was the best soccer the Yanks had played since the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Compact defense, counterattacking is venomous
One of the most notable things that has made the United States respectable and fearsome has been the ability for the side to counterattack. For the first five minutes of this match, Mexico looked destined to kick it into cruise control and repeat 2009's hellish nightmare. However, the compact defense, mixed with zone play allowed Mexico to rarely penetrate the box, and forced attacks such as dos Santos and Chicharito to stay on the wings. If the two were able to break a cross into the penalty area is was immediately cleared or saved. With my notion on their counterattacking, its first piece of evidence was revealed on the first chance the United States had on goal: a corner kick following the first dangerous attack the Yanks had on El Tri. The sheer speed of Landon Donovan's corner to Michael Bradley quickly saw the ball hurdle into the side netting giving the Mexican defense, but primarily Alfredo Talavera, a sheer expression of shock. In fact, it wasn't until Mexico's head coach, José Manuel de la Torre, took out Carlos Salcido and replaced Salcido with Jorge Torres Nilo, that the Mexican defense was able to cool down and the attack was able to spring into action, negating the shortcomings the defense, but primarily Talavera had early on.
Scrappy and gritty effort and performance
I think with most international teams, as well as club teams, the moment you go down two goals with such little time remaining results in hitting the panic button or mentally shutting down. Not for the United States. If anything, Mexico had play on the top of their game to conclude the match. Seeing from the look on the faces of Freddy Adu, Clint Dempsey and so many others, if a few flaws worked to the Americans advantage, it would have likely resulted in either 4-3 win for Mexico, or we'd be talking about an unbelievable comeback to counteract Mexico's to begin with. That didn't happen, however, there was some luck with it, along with the midfield reacting quickly enough to clear the ball far out of harms way. It's a matter of reflecting on key moments that could have been game changers. For instance, the incredibly aggravating shot Dempsey took that whacked the crossbar and resulted in Talavera catching a nasty case of the concrete shoes. Or Bradley's wicked half volley that only veered inches wide of an open net. They were the few flashes of some bad luck, but sheer determination from a U.S. side that just could not finish what they started.
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| [photo by apasciuto] |
- by Tyler Walter, writing from Fairfax, VA
TV: FOX Soccer Channel, 8:30 p.m. EST
Keys to the Game
United States
- Neutralize Chicharito: It's hardly a secret anymore about Javier Hernandez's ability to put a ball in the back of the net. Seven goals in five matches, he's scored in every single Gold Cup match Mexico has played in, except their match against Costa Rica. And that was hardly a problem. The United States, notorious for a leaky defense has shut out all their opponents thus far in the knockout round. However, the Mexican offense, who has tallied 18 goals this tournament is a completely different animal, and every player will need to be on top of their defensive game.
- Test Talavera: El Tri's back up net-minder has not been tested so much this tournament, and was likely expecting to see this match from the bench. That is, until a doping scandal blown way out of proportion took the American soccer niche by storm. The United States will need to storm out of the gates, in style they did early against Panama and against Jamaica, and hope that Alfredo Talavera is caught off guard. If so, the Stars and Stripes can pull a quick goal early on, and take advantage.
- Make it a midfield match: With all due respect to my home nation and the national team I support, the Mexican national team significantly outpaces us in attacking, and somewhat in defending. However, the American's advantage is in the midfield, and they will need to get Michael Bradley out of their slump if they want to dominate ball possession, create numerous scoring opportunities and perhaps minimize Mexico's. Freddy Adu might get a nod to start the match after his solid final shift in the semifinal win vs. Panama. If so, Adu will need to have a repeat performance.
- Pride and effort: It might be a cliche at this point, but there's a clear reason such a statement would be a cliche to begin with. Ever since their humbling, nearly embarrassing upset loss to Panama, the United States has had to prove (once again) the misleading statements American soccer haters exhibit. In the last Gold Cup final, they were humiliated 5-0 by Mexico. Yes, it was a different group of players, but all and all, it is the same team. Donovan will need to show Bob Bradley why he's the face of American soccer and the starter like no other. Adu will have to show that he's truly back and he didn't have a lucky hot streak. Dempsey, just has to carry his usual mantra. With it a core of rising prospects will have to show Bradley that they are worthy of being on the team for the 2014 World Cup qualifying, and with it, the 2014 squad.
- Long, cross field passes: One of the most eye catching pieces of Mexico's flashy attack is their ability to rapidly move the ball up the pitch. Not necessarily on the pitch, but through a chain of long balls and heavy chip passes. Passes from the defense, all the way up to the strikers. Plus, having a disadvantage in the midfield, it is the best way El Tri can counteract the American midfield.
- Don't let off the accelerator: Some of the issues in the Gold Cup has been Mexico's ability to score quick and fast early on, but then not do much to attack following a rampant start. And against the United States, that's suicide. The United States is renowned as a comeback team that has rallied from incredible deficits before. Mexico top heavy attack will need to continuously tear apart the American back line throughout the entire match and never stop creating chances if they want to squander any hopes of a rally.
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| photo by Kirsten Heimlich |
- by Tyler Walter, writing from Fairfax, VA
Background Information:
US national soccer team vs. Panama in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals
- The USA comes off an impressive 2-0 victory against a talented Jamaica side that had went 3-0-0 in their Group and did not concede a single goal
- Panama ended their match with a controversial penalty kick to tie 1-1 vs. El Salvador and force extra time and an eventual p.k. Shootout, in which the Panamanians were successful in, mounting their most successful Gold Cup since their 2005 run to the finals
- The two sides met in Group Stage of this year's Gold Cup, where Panama pulled off a shock 2-1 upset over the Americans. Tejada scored a penalty kick for Panama while the USMNT's Clearance Goodson scored twice: once for Panama and then one to pull back a goal on the US.
- Panama and the US have an extensive Gold Cup history, especially in recent times. The two met in the 2005 Gold Cup finals, where the U.S. emerged victorious on penalties. The two rematched each other in both the quarterfinals of the 2007 and 2009 editions of the Gold Cup. The US won each meeting by a 2-1 scoreline
Keys to the Game:
USA
- Don't play too casual: It was that style of play that cost the USMNT the chance to have a perfect, and expected, 3-0-0 record in group play.
- Control the match immediately: What caused the US to stumble early on in the game was their lack of putting the match into their own hands. By continous failed opportunities the US allowed opponets such as Panama early on and Guadeloupe to stay in the match and ignite them with confidence.
- Score first and score early: This is the USMNT. Our defense is leaky and our prospects lack inexperience. The US is going to need to bag numerous goals early on and in feverish manner.
- Play on the wings: if you look back on the USA's group match vs. Panama, they allowed the Panamanians to deeply penetrate the ball down the central alley of the pitch. It was deep central field penetration that allowed Panama to earn the opening goal and allowed them to draw a penalty. However, every scoring opportunity that the USA blew against Panama was the result of dishing balls out to the wings and having either Cherundolo or Lichaj make hard runs to recross the ball in the box. Have Jones and Bradley plug up the midfield liekt they have and make sure 'Dolo and Lichaj make those runs.
- Recovery runs: While its incredibly evident that the USMNT is not a team renowned for speed, they are known for good passing and playing in unison. Which means players will need to cover posistions to players making long runs or players who get ousted by an opponent. It will frustrate their opponents like no other.
- by Angel Soto, writing from Rancho Cucamonga, Cali
Canada has always been one of the underachieving teams of CONCACAF and come to try to prove that they belong in the same conversations as Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and the United States as the elite teams of the region. Canada will be a very tough opponent for the US but the United States should be able to handle their neighbors from up north.
Panama is a team that has given the US Men’s National team a few grey hairs in recent history, taking them to a PK shootout in the 2005 final, and giving them a bit of scare late in 2007. Blas Perez is a very highly touted striker for the Panamanians and should be giving Carlos Bocanegra and company something to think about.
Guadeloupe is the Cinderella team not only within the group but perhaps even the whole tournament, they showed well in 2007, going all the way to the Semi-final as they were defeated by a great Pavel Pardo strike as Mexico triumphed. They are not a very well known team, not only in the world but even within the region, they seem to have a great gathering of team speed, but their organization is questionable.
The US are favorites to make it to the final to face their biggest rivals Mexico in the Rose Bowl, both teams stock up well in overall talent, and young talent. But there will be hurdles for both squads to get there as the region mid-tier teams love to spoil their recent dominant rivals.
| No. | Players | Pos. | Club/College | Caps/Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Howard, Tim | GK | Everton (England) | 58/0 |
2 | Spector, Jonathan | D | West Ham United (England) | 30/0 |
3 | Bocanegra, Carlos | D | Saint-Étienne (France) | 87/12 |
4 | Bradley, Michael | M | Aston Villa (England) | 52/8 |
5 | Onyewu, Oguchi | D | FC Twente (Netherlands) | 59/6 |
6 | Cherundolo, Steve | D | Hannover 96 (Germany) | 65/2 |
7 | Edu, Maurice | M | Rangers (Scotland) | 21/1 |
8 | Dempsey, Clint | M | Fulham (England) | 70/19 |
9 | Agudelo, Juan | F | New York Red Bulls | 4/2 |
10 | Donovan, Landon | M | Los Angeles Galaxy | 130/45 |
11 | Wondolowski, Chris | F | San Jose Earthquakes | 1/0 |
12 | Bornstein, Jonathan | D | UANL Tigres (Mexico) | 37/2 |
13 | Jones, Jermaine | M | Blackburn Rovers (England) | 4/0 |
14 | Lichaj, Eric | D | Leeds (England) | 3/0 |
15 | Ream, Tim | D | New York Red Bulls | 3/0 |
16 | Kljestan, Sacha | M | Anderlecht (Belgium) | 26/4 |
17 | Altidore, Jozy | F | Bursaspor (Turkey) | 34/10 |
18 | Rimando, Nick | GK | Real Salt Lake | 4/0 |
19 | Rogers, Robbie | M | Columbus Crew | 10/1 |
20 | Adu, Freddy | M | Rizespor (Turkey) | 15/2 |
21 | Goodson, Clarence | D | Brondby (Denmark) | 8/2 |
22 | Feilhaber, Benny | M | New England Revolution | 38/2 |
23 | Hahnemann, Marcus | GK | Wolverhampton Wanderers (England) | 8/0 |