Jurgen Klinsmann saw his side fall in Friday’s Copa America opener. Facing off with Colombia, the world’s third-ranked team, the U.S. Men’s National Team was undone, giving this summer’s premier tournament a sour start.
However, despite all that seemingly went wrong, the U.S. head coach saw plenty that went right.
In what turned out to be a 2-0 defeat, Klinsmann said the only difference between the two teams was exactly that: the two goals. It’s a statement that may seem obvious given the rules of the game, but in a match where the USMNT had their share of possession, the head coach felt slightly hard done by the result of Friday’s match.
“We were absolutely okay with the team performance,” Klinsmann said. “Obviously, we got punished for two set pieces in the first half and against such a quality team, it’s very very difficult if you don’t score this one goal to get back into the game and then equalize it. Overall, we were totally even. Obviously when you open up against them, you risk a counter break here and there, which is their strength. Overall I was very pleased with the performance of the team.
“We were very compact. We were technically very well organized and we played it even,” the USMNT head coach added. “There was absolutely no problem at all when they went 1-0 up. We kept playing, kept a rhythm, pushed forward. Obviously that penalty decision had a big impact, but the players coming out of that game see that it’s No. 3 in the world and we can play with them. We can damage them, which didn’t happen at the end of the day, but hopefully next time.”
Just eight minutes in, the U.S. was pushed onto their back foot. A corner kick header from Cristian Zapata served as a blow to the U.S. just several minutes into their tournament run.
If Zapata’s finish was an early right hook, James Rodriguez’s penalty kick just before halftime served as a true knockdown punch. Sent into the locker room 2-0 down, the U.S. were left with a mountain to climb and lacked the attacking gusto to actually climb it.
“Obviously, the penalty decision was a major point in this game. It is what it is,” Klinsmann said. “You cannot change it anymore. He gave a penalty and did not give any in the second on Clint (Dempsey), but that’s the referee’s decision. We try to get back, we needed one goal, and I think that would have changed a lot energy-wise, but we couldn’t create enough chances to get that goal.”
“What do you do when you have that penalty called against you, in your home country,” Dempsey asked. “We’re used to getting those type of calls, even if it’s kind of close, but we keep fighting. We’re used to dealing with these situations.”
It was a night where the U.S. provided little threat to a Colombia team that dared the opposition to break them down. Up a pair of goals, Colombia was more than content to sit back and wait to unleash their vicious counter attack against a U.S. team that lacked any sort of precision in the final third.
Aside from several Dempsey efforts, the U.S. struggled to muster much towards the Colombia goal. Klinsmann called the forward “a warrior” for his efforts, which nearly produced a headed goal only to see a Colombia defender clear off the line.
“In the first half there were some good moments. We weren’t quite sharp enough, or quite good enough to be able to take some little advantages or some half chances and really punish them,” said captain Michael Bradley. “Obviously they, on the night, were ruthless in terms of their ability to know what the game was going to need, and again, close space and make things very difficult and take chances when they came.
“In the next day or so we’ll certainly look and kind of see how we can improve going forward,” Bradley added. “It hurts to go down so early. In a big game, early on in a tournament you don’t want to put yourself behind the eight ball and obviously we did that. The response after that was, again, pretty solid, but we needed to be a little sharper, a little better, a little more ruthless to make something for ourselves.”
Now, the U.S. faces what Dempsey admits is virtually a must-win scenario. A recognizable foe in Costa Rica awaits, and the U.S. knows full well what to expect and what is now expected of them.
The task is now to put the Colombia game behind them, although Klinsmann does see several positives to takeaway from what proved to be a tournament-opening setback.
“I think (the media) put the benchmark on the results,” Klinsmann said, “but I think playing these guys and holding our end with the quality they have, we were absolutely even.
“I think that the players take a lot out of this game and more hunger towards the second game now,” he added. “Obviously, we have our back against the ball. We need three points against Costa Rica, but there’s a lot of positives coming out of here.”
Wow since no one seems to be on the Saturday running commentary I’ll put this here, one goal in three games today, not a great display of soccer in the Americas for the casual fan to get excited about.
No Altidore, Falcao, Neymar, Douglas Costa, Suarez, and now no Messi = No Surprise
Kind of interesting the first goal scored for Concacaf was put in by Uruguay.
Jonny
Long answer, busy day but I would say that I would put Wood at the 9 position and CD behind him. If you agree that BB is a guy who can keep things moving for us then you need to get guys who he links up with. He connects with CD and FJ and it looks like Darlington as well. Just not sure where Darlington would play or the formation. The formation is not as important as the players that are in there. To be honest, I would have to see how these guys link up in training but I don’t think you could go wrong with throwing Pulisic in there because he is a real good connector. Bodoya out wide would be ok but not in the central position. You could even throw in GZ and JJ is you wanted more athleticism but I think you need to have 5 out of 6 guys who are on the same page. Ultimately, a good coach gets everyone on the same page by having a consistent style of play, a fairly consistent lineup and fairly consistent formation. Read between the lines on that one!
Actually, I threw this question out to the boys on board. I wanted to see what you thought and, more importantly, WHY you would play certain guys in certain spots. These are the kind of soccer talks I like to have. So you are up. Give me your team for tomorrow.
I don’t know if you saw it or not, but I had something like this I think on the who should start thread.
————–Wood
——–Dempsey
Pulisic—-Nagbe–FJ
———Bradley
I might of had Jones for Nagbe, just because we need someone coming off the bench if we need a goal late, not sure Jones and Bradley in this formation would really work though. I know you said there isn’t any player to player issue in the locker room, but I don’t think JJ and MB get along particularly well, but they are both professionals who like to win.
It was a well played match and the better side earned the result. However, there is much to be excited about for U.S. fans including:
-Our backline finally looks like it could do without Eddie Pope (meaning he wouldn’t make our starting back 4 with those currently in the starting 11) it’s debatable but these 4 could keep an in-form Pope on the bench.
-We are playing a true 4-3-3 and playing it as it’s meant to be played, not just lining up in a 4-3-3 and then bunkering into a 4-2-3-1. Are we playing the formation and the tactics optimally? Far from it, however, these are the steps the program must take to fully and successfully adopt an attacking style of soccer. We are on the right track but that also means we are less likely to defeat Top 10 teams in the immediacy because we are playing them toe-to-toe and not playing bunker/counter-attack.
-The youngsters didn’t look completely out of their depth. These are the type of games that will greatly pay off deep in World Cup qualifying and in the World Cup itself. Copa America is a major tournament without a doubt, and this being the Centenario brings extra significance. Yet it is important to remember that as excellent as winning results would be in this tournament – it is all about developing the team and building towards success at Russia ’18. Seeing the potential core youngsters get quality minutes and handle themselves well is very important and encouraging as we look toward Russia.
EDIT: On the back 4 with Eddie Pope, if we moved Cameron to the right and slide Pope in the Middle so it was Johnson-Brooks-Pope-Cameron that would be better imo
I’ve been advocating the 4-3-3 since the Columbus Guatemala game, but I can’t help, but feel we didn’t bring the players for it. As I was watching last night Wood doesn’t really seem to be best suited for the wide player role nor do I think Dempsey can at this point. That leaves us with Zardes, Pulisic and Johnson(leaving only Castillo for LB) to play the two wide positions. Its a numbers game, the winger needs to make dangerous runs off of possession from the middle, but we can’t sub on a new legs on each side without playing a true midfielder such as Bedoya or Zusi. Finley has been well off form this season for Columbus, but I now think he should have been included over Wondo because he fits that role.
Good call on Yedlin MTF. The guy is a tease. He has such bad positioning and starting points
Because we’d be so clearly better with with (insert name here) at right back??? If you say Cameron then you need to have a replacement for Cameron in the middle that makes us ultimately stronger with Cameron out right and X in the middle than Cameron in the middle and Yedlin on the right…
Response to Jonny Razor
The 4-3-3 is only effective if your 3 center midfielders are better keeping the ball than their midfield. Would you have started those 3 guys against one of the best teams in the world? JJ and MB just don’t connect. Add Bedoya and you have a WTF lineup. CD looks as if he has checked out mentally as well. Five years of this nonsense can wear on anyone.
Regarding distribution out of the back, for some reason MB (and Beckerman) both #6 come back and take the ball off the the center backs. This limits another forward option out of the back. This falls on the shoulders of the coach. If you want to try to possess the ball against a better opponent you need to pinch your wide guys in so they get touches and are in the right spots to keep the ball moving. Once you get a flow going and players are able to face forward (in a 4-3-3) you get your wide guys to have starting points all the way to the touchline and all the way up on the outside back? this creates a starting point where any player should be able to put a ball behind the defense. This is what a good coach does
Don’t know how to answer any Yedlin question. He is talented but I am not a fan of his soccer IQ
Regarding the other question, why don’t the veterans tell Gulati about the circus in the locker room. C’mon, you didn’t get a nickname like Jonny Razor unless you are sharp. Gulati knows everything. But he has a star fetish with JK (even more intense than Gary Page LOL) and would never fire him. Plus the veteran players don’t like Gulati at all
Sep- Just out of curiosity what formation do you think we should be using based on our roster or the pool as a whole?
Sepp- You had Dempsey-FJ-Bradley-Wood as 4 of your 6, where are you playing Dempsey and FJ. Are they your wingers or in the midfield and then who are your last two?
Klinsmann sounds like a coach who knows he’s likely to be fired and is lobbying to keep his job. “We were OK with the team performance”…”We played them even”…”Obviously the media is looking for results.” Look, I get it. We’re 30th ranked USA going up against third ranked Colombia, and lost on set pieces. In the end though, it is about results. It shouldn’t be about moving up in the rankings, or hanging with the best and only losing by a goal or two. Klinsmann can point to the US players just not being good enough, but I really think there are other managers out there who could get a lot more out of our personnel. Starting Yedlin just boggles my mind. Lots of potential, but the guy is a track athlete right now, good for sprinting up and down the wing and accomplishing nothing. You just can’t convince me he’s one of our best 11 at this moment.
Have to disagree about starting Yedlin. His athletic ability to cover the wing is better for our starting 11 than any alternatives technical superiority over him.
Why is this overrated elementary P.E coach still head of the USMNT when he has shown his incompetence and lack of respect to the players and country. Donald Trump for USMNT coach 2016!
Make the #USMNT great again.
All of Klinsmann’s supporters really just fall back to “he says it like it is” our players aren’t good enough. Alright fine, but does he have any solutions? It’s one thing to point out problems, its another to fix them.
For what it is worth, I worked as a staff coach at US Soccer of a long time. I still work in some capacity for them. Bleed for that shield. I hesitate to say this because there is always a wise guy response which is also why I don’t come on here as much. But again for what it is worth, not many share your optimistic evaluation of the game. Spoke to two staff coaches who were pretty depressed and texted with another staff coach who’s response to the question “What did you think about last night? was “I don’t know where to start”. I know, they should be fired.
Trust me Sepp I am not trying to be a snarky wise guy, we know no one is being fired before Costa Rica, so what did you and your colleagues think should have been done differently in the game? Was it formation, tactics, different players? Most of us on here are just fans and maybe played a little growing up, but would like to hear what some actual coaches think?
Hello Jonny. Honestly, I don’t know where to begin but I will try for a couple of minutes, go to church then try to finish your question.The problem with the game Friday started a long, long time ago with a coach who lost the locker room.More on that later if you want to know the information that I get from an absolute dead on reliable source.
The lineup. If you want Bradley in there then figure out what do you want to get out of him. Despite a bad performance, the guy can put together passes when he plays with other guys who understand the basics of possession. It starts with guys who get their head up when they have the ball. All of this does not happen by accident. It is something a player learns at age 6 if taught correctly. It also starts with a team full of guys who know how to move off of the ball. And the key component to this is having a simple forward option that a player knows will be there without even them having to look. Go back and watch the game and see how many times we have simple forward options. This is a Soccer 101 tactic that this coach obviously does not instill. Look how many times Zardes is a forward option but he has a man on his back.Therefore he is not this simple forward option. Next, after going down 1-0 we never broke them down because our speed of play is way too slow to do that. Some of these guys and their lineups and formations kill me. You can’t play any formation with out simple implementation of basic soccer.
Not trying to put you on the spot Jonny. You seem like a nice guy and not one of the wise guys on this site.
What strategies would you employ to play a 4-3-3 against Columbia and what players would you use?
Be back later.
Sepp man,
1. I agree with you that we are too slow in possession, and that certain guys on the team don’t move off the ball well. Where we disagree is where blame for that lies. Listen, when Zardes was supposed to be learning those things, was JK the coach? Did JK fail to instill quick ball movement 18 years ago when Zusi was but a tot? Are we short of talent at this point in time to compete against Colombia? yep… is that JK’s fault? nope. BTW, when were you a development coach…. just curious.
2. Maybe he did lose the locker room… if he did, then I would expect terrible flame outs on the field as that is usually the result (i.e. US ’98, France 2010, Mexico pre-world cup) so we shall see. That is all I can base my judgment on since I don’t have inside sources and, even if I did, I don’t know whom I would trust since there are probably two camps.
3. you mention that after going down, we never broke them down… I would say this A) you are mostly right… however, our strategy was to play through Dempsey, and their counter was to foul him. Until you make them pay for that strategy, it will continue, making it hard to break them down. B) we did almost break them down a couple times, Dempsey missed by a small margin, there were some poor crosses, and there were some poor touches that prevented it. But… again, playing the number 3 team in the world… saying we didn’t break them down and jumping to the conclusion that JK can’t coach is a large leap.
4. strategies and players… A, I wouldn’t have played a 4-3-3… I would be running a 3-5-2 with the talent we have on this team. The talent is there for 3CBs Yedlin and FJ are proper wings… and wood and dempsey can stay tight on the CBs. That being said, if I had to run 4-3-3 I would have held dempsey off, run wood in the middle with Zardes and Pulisic wide. Bradley, Zusi, Bedoya in the MF and the back 4 we had on the field (against a lesser opponent I might have run Castillo out and used FJ in the MF instead of Zusi). Then as subs I would have the option of adding D or O as the situation called for. Also, I would have brought Miazga, Morris, and Ream (but I am not privy to the information that can make me legitimately question who/why guys were or were not brought).
Finally, as for your friends who are coaches and shake their heads… if they have been coaches for a decade or more… it is their fault that our players can’t pass fast, have poor movement off the ball, and generally are not even good enough to get called into the team. So they don’t get to question JK now or bitch about his coaching when he gets what, 8 weeks a year with a disparate group of 18-35yr olds. Its not his job to teach them that type of stuff during camp. So if they are bad at it… I look at the coaches during those people’s youth a decade ago or more.
Thanks Sepp. I like our 4-3-3 against Concacaf opponents not sure it was the best choice against Colombia, but after all the constant changes understand why we would want to stick with it at this point. I’m not sure we have the right wing players to play the 4-3-3 properly. I like FJ playing up, but as a wing forward maybe is a step too far, and I don’t see anyone in our pool that could have contained Cuardado beside him at LB. I didn’t think we used the fullbacks well enough against Colombia, seemed the CBs carried the ball so far forward they cut off their angles to the FBs and then Bradley would try to squeeze it in anyway and either turn it over or catch Yedlin going the wrong direction. It didn’t seem like we really tried to use FJ not sure if that was by design or not. In my amateur opinion the negative of a 4-3-3 is that it can be really compact and allow defenses not to have to work very hard, I think we need to stretch it sideline to sideline and allow the forwards to cut into those gaps and make the defense react. I would say forwards on the roster Pulisic-Dempsey-Zardes, and midfield of Nagbe-Jones-Bedoya, but that’s with a lot of hindsight, before Friday I probably would have used the same as JK or maybe Pulisic for Wood, bring Wood on for Dempsey in the 60th+.
Bradley really plays poorly when we go down early as he seems to feel he has to force flow, he and Yedlin seem to have no understanding of where D’Andre is supposed to go, which wasn’t exposed in the run ups, but was there.
Hey Gents – just wanted to mark this so I was notified when you posted again because I look forward to a simple intelligent discussion without insults (a rarity here). My two cents… 1) Klinsmann’s player selection doesn’t match up with his formation selection. Dempsey is no CF in a 4-3-3 and Zardes and Wood are certainly not wingers. They were, as has happened far to often during his tenure, set up to fail. What’s worse in my mind is his complete lack of taking responsibility for it. 2) The claim that the game was “even” is incorrect even when looked at superficially. But a slightly deeper look at Colombia’s preferred tactics makes it downright insulting to his players and fan base. Colombia would have conceded possession to some degree, knowing that we have no ability to break them down, regardless of game situation. When they got an 8th minute goal, it made them all the more unlikely to take chances and simply wait for counter opportunities. They could have taken the game to us. They CHOSE not to. Even so they created far more legitimate scoring chances. We had two shots on goal both off set pieces. Literally nothing was created from open play. To try to say that it was an even game is embarrassing. 3) I get it… Colombia is good. I don’t expect to beat them by any means, even at home. My issue is not with this match in particular but with the pattern that persists. It’s not too much to expect our coach to set the team up with players who suit the formation (or vice versa). It’s also not too much to expect some type of in-game adjustments (like Colombia ceding an even greater possession margin by design after the first goal). Klinsmann does neither.
I also look forward to your explanation of “lost the locker room” as it’s something I’ve suspected but we have never actually had any legit confirmation.
Freegle
I like the way you see soccer. CD is not a #9 in this system. I am watching the game over again. I am going to get back to everyone with the # of times that we found a simple forward options and how many times we legitimately got behind them and broke them down.
I was also going to post that the movement of the ball of our team is really slow. That comes down to coaching, sorry. It is a theory, part of the culture and in the blood of good teams and good coaches.
Lost the locker room, here is what I have:
. *The veteran players all wanted to quit numerous times but just could not do it because of pride
*The players think JK is a ‘spacehead’ and he forgets a lot of what he has told them. Basically, they get out on the field and the veteran players make the adjustments for the team. They know that he will not pick up on those adjustments or not say anything
*He once brought a very good MLS player into camp and did not really know his position
*While playing a very good European team in a friendly he left off their best player off in the scouting report
*Never heard conflict among the players. New guys are scared to speak out, veteran players make the adjustments they need to make
*Veteran players have prevented several mutiny situations
For all of the guys who want the ‘true 4-3-3’ tell me who plays in what spots and what teaching points you would instill on the players to make this work
Sepp- I don’t have any reason not to believe what you’ve heard its not far from the SI article my only questions are though if its truly that bad …
1. Why have these veterans not gone to Gulati, I’m sure they all have his number and could set up a meeting if his ineptitude is really that bad?
2. Why does the team play its best when JK is under the most criticism, before the Snowclassico and in Colombus in March? After that game Howard was talking about how much the guys love JK, and how much they support their manager.
Response to Turkey first then Jonny
1. Turk, many of the players that are on the field on Friday know the concepts I am talking about but it needs to be reinforced and nurtured in training. Clearly, it is not. I watched the game over again from the 8th minute (first goal) until the 32nd (second goal) and I saw us break them down (get behind them) only twice and I counted only SEVEN forward passes in our attacking half where players were able to turn and face the field.I worked 14 years in ODP regional staff when ODP was significant and 10 years (pretty recently) with 3 different age group of National teams. I worked with 5 guys who are on the roster for Copa America and I would like to modestly say I think I had a decent impact on one of the players on the roster. Yes we are short on talent to compete with the Top 10 teams in the world and JK deserves some of the blame because he has been Technical Director for 5 years.That is enough time to put a stamp on any program. I put the most blame on Gulati who knows nothing about soccer but continues to have the most significant say in player development
2. JK lost the locker room a long time ago. The difference between France in 98 and now is that the current veterans are really good pros who play for the shield and each other. The guys in France were a disgrace. I have listened to stories from an American legendary player who told me repugnant stories about how the team acted (particularly Lalas and a few other BIG names) France. CD and MB are pros. They hold this locker room together. Annoys me to see people on this forum (like Josh) take apart MB. I know the kid. While he may not be Platini MB (and his old man) are as of good character as anyone I have ever.
3. I get what you are saying but I don’t think we particularly said “let’s play through Clint”. Once the game starts, Turk, the players are on their own. Whatever JK is yelling most of the players tune out. However, we did not have the right players in the right spots nor do we have a culture and philosophy that adheres to breaking teams down.
4. I would have played (and continue to play) possession guys. Zardes and JJ were in there to cover up for Yedlin and FJ. When we have possession guys in there (MB, Clint behind the forwards, CP, Darlington, FJ up higher even Danny williams we can be a decent team. JJ and MB never link up consistently. Read Mike Woitalla’s piece in Soccer America today. Pretty good.
I would disagree with your last statement. The coaches are overwhelmed by the general state of US Soccer in general and this all flows back to the Technical Director. Many of the players also were developed in other countries but the staff coaches in the underbelly only have worked with a few guys that were on the field Friday. MB is one, CD really did not come through the national team program nor did Zardes. In fact, only MB, Pulisic, Kitchen, Horvath, Beckerman ,Orozco and Yedlin (both in their later years) came through US National Youth teams. Other significant guys from youth national teams were Rubin, Hyndmann and Miazga. Watch Pulisic, a natural player that no coach can mess up. Yes the national team head coach in 8 weeks a year can and should absolutely instill a philosophy of play and a culture in training that manifests itself in a team that plays good, consistent soccer. This coach has had 5 years.
If he really thinks this game was even the he has absolutely no idea how to manage a team.
I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT I AM READING!!!!!!
Colombias 2 goals were not given to them… We forget that USA is the host nation and when you play home you initiate the game and take risk. The USA was down 2-0 and sat back for 70 mins of the game. Colombia is up 2-0 vs the host team in a short tournament playing 3 days later. Game over!!! Its up for the USA to press and take risk. Klinsman is just making a joke of the USA federation. Previous coaches have been fired for the same thing but he is still in charge.
We forget that USA is the host natio…so what? that automatically gives you goals? Have you forgotten our record lately:
July 13 2015, Gold Cup Group A United States 1–1 Panama
July 22 2015, Gold Cup semi-final United States 1–2 Jamaica
September 8 2015 , Friendly United States 1–4 Brazil****
October 10 2015, CONCACAF Cup United States 2–3 (a.e.t.) Mexico
October 13 2015, Friendly United States 0–1 Costa Rica****
November 17 2015, World Cup qualifier round 4 Trinidad and Tobago 0–0 United States
March 25 2016, World Cup qualifier round 4 Guatemala 2–0 United States****
…..and yet you can’t believe what? That a top soccer team can beat us 2-0, what did you think when Guatemala beat us (in competition) 2-0? Or that our defense was finally able to neutralized James Rodríguez, Carlos Bacca and Juan Cuadrado? The U.S. were hyper aggressive, won the possession battle and tried to take the game to Colombia. Tried but failed, but they were unmistakably proactive…..so where did you get “sat back” from??
The Dempsey hate is really foolish.
If the coach is satisfied with a 2-0 loss then maybe he should quit. This result was totally unacceptable and I for one think its not good enough
I believe that klinsmann is right about making the game even. Think about this, Colombia is ranked 3rd in the world and even if that ranking is not 100 percent accurate we know they are in the top 10 and they looked like and average team. That’s the statement klinsman is saying that is true. The USA did everything in their power to shut Colombia down and they did by they looking mediocre too. It came down to two lapses in focus, sure Michael Bradley was overwhelmed, and sure he was responsible for the play that lead to the penalty but it was yedlin and Cameron that failed. Honestly Dempsey needs to be out of there two shots on goal is not a great reason to have 90 minutes of sloppy old man, geriatric play.
“We were absolutely OK with the team performance..” –JK
There’s that whimsical English as a Second Language wrinkle rearing up again.
What he meant to say is the “On the whole, we lacked hunger, urgency, high-pressure defense, effective combination play, and any real offensive threat. Other than that, things were OK…..”
Yeah, we were playing the Little Sisters of the Poor Orphanage. Colombia is the 3rd ranked team in the world, doofus. People in their eagerness to lambaste someone will ignore all context and perspective.
“doofus”? Witty, very. I’ve no doubt you positively slay on the 4th grade playground.
Since Colombia is ranked so highly, according to your logic, why even bother playing? Why even get out of bed?
You’re just another apologist for all things–mediocre-to-subpar with the USMNT.
Sometimes I think people are forgetting that we played Columbia….in the manner in which we did. Even after the first half everybody on the sports panel said the score did show the true essence of the game.
Yes we didn’t win but we had chances, we combined well, our defense was solid and we showed we where there to win….not draw or just counter or stay bunkered in.
We got beaten by Panama and Jamaica (minnows) recently and I can understand that but we lose with out heads held high against Columbia and people think the team is mediocre????
I rarely agree with Bizzy, but when I do… I always choose dos Equis…
Well said, bizzy. Original poster says we looked reluctant, but we played a true 4-3-3 and tried to get our outside backs forward. We might have looked technically deficient, but I wouldn’t say reluctant. We might have been able to play higher pressure once the second half settled in about 5 minutes or making one of the first two subs a few minutes earlier, but Klinsmann played in respectably. This was a very good team. Our player pool is what it is. For the first time since Gold Cup 2013, I’m happy with the WAY that the team was set up to play. (Given the magnitude of the tournament, I understood the set up at the the World Cup even if I wasn’t a fan of it). I see reason to be optimistic — not only to see what happens in the next two games, but to see how much we can progress in the coming years. This is what JK said he was going to do from the start. I really wish it had started long ago. If it had, I think we could be much further along than we currently are.
I wonder if when Gary says things like, “Some people have a pre-ordained conclusion and fit things into that to fit what they believe” and “people see what they want to see” he realizes that he is also talking about himself? If you want to guarantee that Gary will reply to your post just say something negative about Klinsmann. He has been apologizing and rationalizing for Klinsmann his whole tenure. Somehow when we all see Klinsmann do something puzzling Gary sees a genious move. If Klinsmann walked up to Gary and slapped him in the face Gary would say “I must have deserved that”.
Now to this actual game. No matter who we played bottom line we lost and that’s not good. We are the home team and we need to at least get out of the group and this loss hurts our chances. For years all US fans celebrated wins over Mexico even though they out-possesed us, out-played us and out-shot us, but to us only the final score mattered. Mexico fans would get defensive and bring up the on the field play but we would just say something like”whatever we won, you aren’t the kings of concacaf Hahaha were better”. What’s my point? Point is this is tournament play and we need points. All that matters are the results. If some of you want to throw Klinsmann and the players a party for losing without looking “that bad” then go ahead but don’t get mad when we roll our eyes at you and make fun.
Eff it:
Pulisic wood bedoya
Bradley nagbe
Beckerman (!!…lol)
FJ Brooks GC yedlin
Howard
Haha 🙂
Look, we played a 4-3-3 against Colombia. We did possess the ball a fair bit, did get after them as much as we could…we definitely did not bunker and try to keep the score down.
We didn’t do enough in the final third, but for more than 60% of the game I thought we were on the front foot. Honestly it was down to Dempsey and Wood – Wood wasn’t playing well, at all, and Dempsey couldn’t quite convert on two glorious chances – one he missed by inches – and Bedoya had another golden chance that got blocked because he rushed it.
Definitely was not even in terms of chances created. Colombia didn’t create anything past that first corner kick, whereas we had 3-4 good chances and should have scored at least once. When you don’t, you start figuring it just isn’t your night.
Disappointing result because I don’t feel it really reflected how the teams played. Agree with Klinsi on that one. Colombia got up two goals they didn’t really deserve, and then cynically and methodically killed the game off…good on them, but it wasn’t like it required much more than competent game managing from the Colombians at that point.
Exactly. A lot of people “see” what they want to see. Last night a bunch of posters were excoriating Demps despite his missing a goal by only inches, having a header saved off the line, making the GK have to make a leaping save, and winning 2 or 3 free kicks close to the penalty box. He actually did more offensively than any other player on either team. This was actually one of the best games we have ever played against a top ranked team in a tournament. Only ones I can think of as comparable are Portugal in 2014, Italy in 2006, and Germany in 2002.
This Colombia team is better than that Portugal team. I would agree with you about the 06 Italy game, but I remember it vividly and I can’t make any judgments about how either team played because the ref ruined the game by handing out so many red cards. as I recall it was 10 v 9 at the end. I think this is the best game we have ever played in a tournament against top opposition.
I just wish we had gotten more 0-0 time to see how we would have played if Colombia hadn’t been sitting back and allowing us possession. I think we played pretty well. To-wit:
1. We didn’t give up any goals from the run of play against the number 3 team in the world.
2. We played a better game, even after going down than we did against concacaf opposition last summer and against Mexico in that debacle in November. Specifically there was space in the Colombia team and we exploited it well. We generated 2 chances from the run of play that on a better day go in, and we had 2 dead ball opportunities that on a different day go in.
3. We didn’t bunker and counter. Oh my god, I would lose to Colombia 2-0 for the rest of eternity if it meant I never had to see us bunkering back and playing kick-ball again. We actually looked like a soccer team in a competitive tournament against top-flight opposition. I have been waiting for this day my whole life. Yeah we lost 2-0, but that isn’t really a huge surprise. It would have been a massive upset if we had won. And normally if we eke one of these out its because we bunkered and countered… so to play toe-to-toe… I am happy, even in the loss.
Finally, I read the boards, and I just have to say that we still have a long way to go educating american fans about soccer. All this whingeing about looking bad… I feel like they didn’t even watch the game.
Great post. Agree about having a long way to go in educating the fans. Unfortunately the US soccer hipster media is making that problem worse.
Agree with this all the way. People are looking for negatives as if we were playing a minnow and played down to them. We looked like we belonged on the same field, and I think people are forgetting how little this group has actually played together. This was the first 90 minutes for the back line together, and they should improve with time. Positive signs if you look for them.
It’s like you are saying everything I was thinking!
Actually, if anything I am a little disappointed in Nagbe who really didn’t put any stamp on the game after he came in. I am hoping that it was just first game jitters, because if that is our game changing punch, then we will be in trouble.
Thinking about it this morning, I think we need to stop starting Dempsey… Just go with Wood, and Zardes with Nagbe high… then bring Dempsey on in the 60th minute for some change…
Pulisic showed well again, and honestly, he might have scored if Dempsey hadn’t tried to shoot that ball at the end. Kid’s the real thing.
Again, spot on! Demps should be our super sub from now on and Wood needs to be in the middle of the attack. Nagbe played better later in the game, but he did not stand out at all. Pulisic plays like he has been here for years, I love his moxy!
Agree with all. I thought Wood and Nagbe looked the most out of their depth…of the rest, Bedoya was pretty weak until the latter stages of the second half, and of course Bradley was having a pretty awful night as he sometimes tends to do against super-elite competition when the ball is really buzzing around. When he can’t put his stamp on the game he gets frustrated, when he gets frustrated his feet turn to brick.
One thing that struck me, though, looking at our lineup, is that almost all the players we rolled out there had spent time in the EPL or Bundesliga 1. Our entire backline and keeper were EPL or B1, 2 of our three midfielders once were B1, and of course, Dempsey. Bobby Wood was B2 and Bedoya was France. Only Zardes was the only “pure” MLS guy in the bunch and he strangely did fine and there were times he turned his guy inside out. Whatever, most of the guys who were struggling – Wood, Nagbe in particular – were struggling because the moment just seemed a little big for them. They’ll grow out of it – Zardes certainly seems to be – but you are always aware that there’s almost always a learning curve with the newer entries and starting against Colombia in Game 1 is definitely throwing them in the deep end.
Not the result we wanted, but it’s obvious Klinsmann has found some guys and has indeed changed our style. Our starting backline is particularly impressive when viewed in totality…I do not know if the USA has ever, EVER had a group remotely that athletic or technical and anybody with even a vague knowledge of soccer could see that the technical ability and ability to distribute out of the back of this group settles everything down in possession.
We’re better than we were 4-5 years ago; a lot better, IMHO. Hopefully the results will soon start reflecting the jumps that were obvious on the field and folks can chill.
—–Wood————Zardes———-Pullisic——-
—-Nagbe————Jones———–Bedoya——
Johnson——Brooks——-Cameron——-Yedlin
———————–Howard————————–
TURKMENBASHY I AGREE……Dempsey is one of our best players but he seems to be hogging the ball and wanting to do it all himself. Its great to be aggressive but sometimes trust your teammates and make runs that open up the game for them. He’s holding on to the ball a little too long and won’t lay it off to others around him, especially in the 18. we need young players with no pressure or image or ego, that can play for each other selflessly and do whats best for the team.
“…….he might have scored if Dempsey hadn’t tried to shoot that ball at the end”, exactly. He did the same thing in the Guatemala game, hogging the ball but unlike Pullisic, Zusi and Altidore were able to get the shots off for goals.
1:58 Zusi scores (almost colliding with dempsey), 2:56 ball “stolen” by Altidore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezD9Sq5eb8Y
Yet, then I hear the Colombian coach talk about how much effort they expended covering Dempsey… and how they just decided to foul him all game… so it makes me wonder whether the team as a whole is as good without him…
Columbia got two goals they didn’t deserve. Yeah a wonderfully timed and executed corner kick that was beautifully volleyed into the corner. What a cheap one.
Care to defend yourself?
An honest assessment of the performance would be: “I thought we were composed and didn’t allow the first goal to rattle us too much. But the Colombians were far sharper, smarter, and far too comfortable playing us. Perhaps if we took more risks by going forward we would’ve pressed the issue and force them to take risks as well.”
The USMNT seems too reluctant to take the risks necessary to get positive results. I was optimistic going into this game because of the shape of the team but what good is that if you can’t even threaten the opposition.
Really, against Costa Rica the US needs to throw caution against the wind and seize the victory.
Nicely said.
And in theory the next two games should be fun. Must wins for both. Should be more attacking soccer. Hopefully
Colombia controlled the game from beginning to end. Despite the possession, which they gave us after minute 8, at no point we looked like we were about to score. They dictated the pace of the whole game. I don’t know where he comes up with this idea.
They scored in the 8th minutes. That allowed them to sit back, pack it in, absorb pressure, then make safe passes when regaining the ball and wait for counter attacking opportunities. When you are in the position they were in so early, yeah you can control the game because you know exactly what the other team is going to do. Don’t you know anything about futball?
Not only were they able to absorb pressure, they also took away our long ball strategy which is one of our main offensive threats. They still gave us a few set plays but let’s get real: we haven’t been too dangerous on those for a awhile.
Why would you ask him “Don’t you know futbol?” His points are pretty good. They gave us possession and a good team would have done a better job of breaking them down. And a good team with a good manager would have made changes at halftime and come out with a different mentality. Instead we chased them around and looked foolish. Gary, I also never heard back from you on the last thread SBI Breakdown when you said the US has never beaten a team ranked as high as Columbia. Didn’t we beat Spain in the Confederations Cup in 2009 and snap their 15 game unbeaten streak? Think they had a decent team back then.
“Don’t you know anything about futball?”
What language are you speaking?
Rob is literally the least person who could give valid, logical info to back up his assinine theorys and comments. When you prove him wrong he just wants to get defensive and call you names. Must be a peach in real life.
“Fiction can be fun”- Ace Ventura
Seems appropo for JK
Fire Klinsmann !!!
How dare you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will take the US to the Copa America Finals and win it all. Just wait and see.
Even?
I could’ve swore I saw Klinsmann in the stadium. Apparently he wasn’t even there.