COLUMBUS, Ohio — The U.S. Men’s National Team did not just turn in a big bounce-back performance in World Cup Qualifying on Tuesday night.
It delivered a perfect response.
The U.S. entered this week’s World Cup qualifier against Guatemala under severe scrutiny, the result of a flat and brutally inept performance in an embarrassing defeat to Los Chapines last Friday in Central America. The loss not only had the Americans sitting uncomfortably in third place in their group, but also left them with the realization that another letdown could cost them their World Cup dreams.
Rather than wilt under the pressure, the U.S., as it tends to do, responded. Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and his players put forth the type of commanding showing that is expected of them every time they face a largely-inferior CONCACAF nation. The final result? A 4-0 win at Mapfre Stadium that, at least for the time being, righted the ship on the journey to to Russia 2018.
Naturally, there were only positives to take away from this victory. The character demonstrated was that of the U.S. of old, and so too were the fight, hustle, and determination.
Here are some of the biggest things we learned from the game:
OLD GUARD STILL NEEDED ON ROAD TO WORLD CUP
Let’s face it. Clint Dempsey, Kyle Beckerman, and Graham Zusi are all long shots to make it to Russia in a little more than two years’ time because of their age.
Nonetheless, they all demonstrated on Tuesday just how important they still are to the U.S. cause.
The Americans delivered strong performances all across the board vs. Guatemala, but some of the most notable ones came from veteran players that had been written off by media and fans alike. Yes, Guatemala is not the fiercest foe, but the impacts that Dempsey, Zusi, and Beckerman had all played key parts in the impressive overall showing the U.S. enjoyed.
Dempsey was active and aggressive from the onset as the false nine in the three-man front line, and that paid off with his 12th-minute opener. Zusi, meanwhile, helped keep the ball moving as the U.S. midfield overmatched Guatemala and Beckerman did the dirty work in front of the back four to .
The three players all proved that they still have enough left in the tank to play a part in this qualifying process, and that should come as no surprise. Older players help guide teams throughout every four-year cycle before they eventually hit their expiration dates and make way for the next wave of talent.
Dempsey, Zusi, and Beckerman’s times are not up. Not yet, anyway.
ZARDES AGAIN EFFECTIVE VS. CONCACAF TEAM
Gyasi Zardes’ touch might be poor and he might not have the technical skills to consistently be a threat vs. top nations, but what he does have is the physical tools to to cause CONCACAF teams fits.
Zardes showed that against Guatemala on more than one occasion, and it is not by coincidence that he had assists on two of the Americans’ goals. He made a darting run that drew the attention of two defenders before the ball crashed off of him and into the path of Dempsey for the opener, and also got in behind to receive a pass he failed control properly but that fell to Zusi for the U.S.’s third tally.
Aside from those plays, Zardes constantly used his speed to stretch the Guatemala back four. The opposing defenders had to stay on their toes for fear of getting beat by Zardes’ speed, and that helped keep Guatemala’s back line deep and unable to put more pressure off the U.S. midfield.
Some observers might still think Zardes does more harm than good, especially when he starts, but his athleticism will come in handy vs. teams in CONCACAF. Former U.S. forward Eddie Johnson had his share of success in qualifiers and his bread and butter was simply being a better athlete than most of his opponents. Zardes can fit that role, bad touch or not.
U.S. FANDOM REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
Soccer might still be growing in this country, but one needed to only look at the extreme measure some fan (fans?) took to display their unhappiness with Jurgen Klinsmann before the game to see how much the sport and its supporters have developed.
A plane with a banner that said “#FireKlinsmann” flew overhead prior to Tuesday’s match, and it underlined just how much fandom in the United States is maturing. Never before have U.S. aficionados been so irate at a coach that they have made such a public protest to express their displeasure. Sure, Bob Bradley was the target of much wrath towards the end of his tenure, but no one ever took such a drastic approach to try and call for his ouster.
Think about that for a second. Someone (likely) paid hard-earned money to fly an anti-Klinsmann banner over Mapfre Stadium. That is something that you might be more accustomed to hearing about in Europe or South America, where pressure is usually high and fans’ happiness hinges every result, but it happened here because of Klinsmann’s poor results as of late.
Klinsmann may or may not have been aware of the banner, but he nonetheless sounded a bit sensitive to the recent scrutiny has been receiving from fans and media during his postgame interview. He seemed to be feeling the pressure, and that is phase in the evolution of the game in this country because people are starting to care more and more about what happens on the field.
PERFORMANCE NEEDS TO SERVE AS BASE FOR COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO
If we are being brutally honest, the U.S. is all but through to the final round of qualifying. Two matches still have to be played, of course, but they are more than favorable for the Americans given that one is against Group C piñata St Vincent & the Grenadines and the other at home vs. Trinidad & Tobago.
The U.S. should have little to no problem getting the necessary points to move into the Hexagonal, which is why the Copa America Centenario will serve as the true gauge for where the team stands two years before the World Cup. The Americans are likely be pushed to their limits in that one-off tournament, and will need to continue to show the characteristics they had on Tuesday in order to avoid an early exit on home soil.
Klinsmann and his players got back to basics against Guatemala, bringing heart, energy, tenacity, and togetherness to the field from the opening whistle. More talented opponents like the ones on the schedule this summer are sure to provide stiffer tests, but the U.S. will always have a fighting chance to grab a result if it plays like the confident team that fought hard for 50-50 balls and worked nonstop on Tuesday.
I can’t believe it. Even SBI is recommending sending a player (Zardes) who couldn’t keep a ball at his foot even if it was coated with glue, saying that a player like that would help going to the WC. Again, speed and strength is what’s needed. Isn’t that the old way of selecting players to go the WC? Where has that gotten us. Someone says “he is still young, he can learn to control the ball or even to successfully pass the ball eventually”—but shouldn;t Zardes and players like Zardes (alot of American players) shouldn’t they have learned these training techniques when they were 8 to 17 years old? Our soccer experts give high marks for scoring, like Altidore got a 6 for scoring a goal but couldn’t control or pass the ball the rest of the time. Do we only want players that are speedy, strong and can score one goal but do nothing else right? I think we should blame all the American coaches that don’t teach the basic fundamentals of soccer as the culprits that have brought us the players we have today in the USMNT. May the soccer gods help us.
Let me make something clear, to score goals you need the ball. You don’t need a lot of the ball to score but when you have the ball skilled intent of knowing what to do with it is critical for scoring goals.
In the Guatemala game the US controlled the match by pressing hard on the ball. Guatemala wanted to play out from the back and rarely played long balls. Guatemala continually turned the ball over under relentless pressure from US. Either errant passes or balls simply played out of bounds by Guatemala. The USMNT gameplan of high pressing was pretty much how most top Euro and S. American teams play the US. Forcing a team to play low percentage balls to unskilled on the ball players. Clean up 50/50 balls and control the game having a majority of the ball.
Zardes and Zusi were outstanding pressing the ball all over the field. In fact all of the forwards and midfielders did a great job chasing the ball. Forcing Guatemala wide and uncertain play on the ball created turnover after turnover. Great team effort but what happens when an equal or greater opponent deploys the same gameplan on the USMNT? Players like Zardes,Zusi,Bedoya etc get exposed for their lack of skill on the ball. These guys always give great effort and willing to run and chase all day. However, in the final third and the run of play rarely deliver ball skills for finishing, beat a player on the dribble, or make unlocking pass. Their intent is there but delivering dangerous balls is lacking. Often these guys make a move by playing the ball into space and out hustle or out speed the opponent to the ball then their next touch or cross fails. In the USMNT team player pool you can almost count on two hands the number of players who can consistently beat a player on the dribble and retain possession;Bradley, Dempsey, Wood, FabJohnson, Nagbe, Cameron, Altidore, Johannsson, Jones, and maybe two or three others. CoPA America will really test the US player pool. Seeking team cohesion on the ball with intent starting from the back and into the final third is what elmintates players like Zardes and Zusi against good WC opponents and makes them a detriment against great WC opponents.
Think of it this way how does a team gameplan against the US? One thing for sure is run out hard to defend certain players when they have the ball. Expecting that player to turn the ball over from defensive pressure. Even if that players athleticism shines one defender was beat the defense can absorb but more then likely the US players next move or decision will not be a dangerous one.
A nice summary. And this is the problem facing anyone coaching the US. All this talk about best formation and who should play where is sort of ignoring the dead elephant in the room. The US has trouble competing against skilled teams, which is why we struggle even with Costa Rica and Panama. You don’t create top international players over night. We have seen occasional flashes from some US youth players, but it will probably be 2022 before we can begin to play the way Klinsmann would like. Even that might be too soon.
Agree with a lot of these points, except about Zardes. I thought he was awful last night. His run on the first goal was a good one – no doubt. I don’t think you can give him credit for the second goal; he was in the box, yes, but had Zusi (or Dempsey) not been there, it would’ve been just another failed opportunity. Ultimately, his touch is so atrocious that the ball pings off his feet farther than he can catch up to it. How many times did he run himself to the end line, without any final product?
He’s still young; presumably he’ll get better, but at this point, I wouldn’t want him starting.
Overall I’m not arguing with zardes coming off the bench for now but it’s odd when you mention ‘what if player x wasnt there?” …. Well you could remove one player from a ANY goal sequence and it would drastically affect the outcome. Remove Dempsey from the first goal and what do you have? Nothing. That doesn’t mean the run wasn’t good etc. his touch on the second wasn’t great but his run allowed the play to happen and a goal came from it. Work on his touch and the rest of his game is pretty good. Not the best shot accuracy in the world but he’s solid whether it’s a ground shot, volley or header.
He shouldn’t be cast to purgatory, merely the bench as second sub
Zardes’ best play was when he intercepted a pass in the US third, raced up the right flank, outrunning everyone, cut toward the middle and made a great through pass to Dempsey. Dempsey was in one on one with the keeper, but, for some reason didn’t shoot, tried to move to his left and this allowed the defenders to get to him and take the ball. This is the kind of benefit that Zardes brings. He can cause fits for any defense. I still maintain that most of his critics just haven’t seen enough of his play. Season before last he scored 14 goals in MLS, 2nd most by an American in the league as I recall.
Dempsey will be in Russia, hopefully no longer as starter. However he can still give you 20 minutes off the bench. I would think. I’d at least want the option anyway, even at 35.
Zusi will only be 31, (same as Nguyen) if he can find his form again and keep contributing then why not. I think service from him and Fabian really got the best out of Jozy in 2013. It’s easy to say player X Y or Z will step in by then but lets see who earns it first.
However Jones and Beckerman will be 35 and 36 and play positions that have to cover so much ground. Finding there next in line does seem like a pressing issue.
Cameron and Williams imho will be the two called in for Cdm I hope. Cameron being the veteran and Williams being the groomee
Another option for the US at deep lying Mid would be a) Bradley if the US crop of young attack minded midfielders can find a foothold (hydemen, Zalahm, Green, Pulisic ect) b) Acosta. Acosta plays there for FC Dallas and plays there well. After the U23 showing, it is clear he is so much better than Trap.
interesting to observe slowleftfarm all over the board after the Guatemala loss but absent in US victory.