What’s the best way to describe the U.S. national team’s 1-0 loss to Spain on Wednesday? Let’s call it promising, if not quite yet good enough.
Yes, Spain dominated possession for long stretches and created the better chances, but the U.S. played well in the first half and the U.S. defense was also able to thwart most of Spain’s chances and hold up pretty well against a dangerous Spain attack. Save for Xavi’s jaw-dropping run for Spain’s lone goal, and a Xavi free kick and Marcos Senna shot off the woodwork, Spain was unable to break down the USA back-line.
We also saw Freddy Adu enjoy a very good showing in 45 minutes of action before leaving at halftime with an injury. I have a story coming today on ESPN.com about Adu’s performance against Spain which basically states that Adu showed he is ready to take on a bigger role with the national team. If he can play on Sunday like he did on Wednesday I think Bob Bradley will have a hard time keeping Adu out of the U.S. lineup for the qualifiers.
There were complaints from the match as well. Michael Bradley had a strong first half but tired in the second half and should have been replaced with 20-25 minutes left in the match. Clint Dempsey’s recent funk continued and Josh Wolff’s ineffectiveness (some would say uselessness) was on display again, but I think Dempsey looks tired and I think Wolff will soon make way for the MLS contingent of attacking prospects (we can only hope).
Then there was Eddie Johnson. Johnson worked hard and had a promising first half, but as has become the norm with Johnson, he just flat wastes good chances. As the target man in a 4-2-3-1, Johnson was supposed to get into position for chances, which he did, but he also wasted them with weak shots or poor passes (and an extremely weak header on a beautiful cross from Eddie Lewis).
As frustrating as Johnson can be, he still has the tools to potentially be useful come World Cup qualifying, at least the next two rounds anyway. He has the speed to blow buy lower level CONCACAF defending, but has shown repeatedly that he can’t be counted on against top competition. At least not yet (if ever).
I also think the "Over the Hill" gang, otherwise known as Eddie Lewis and Frankie Hejduk, still merit call-ups. Lewis is playing at a high level right now and should get playing time in qualifying while Hejduk is a good back-up for Steve Cherundolo at right back.
So in short, the defense was good but the attack, aside from Adu, just wasn’t good enough. Hopefully the infusion of players like Landon Donovan (if healthy), Jozy Altidore and Kenny Cooper will help things on Sunday, and in the upcoming rounds of World Cup qualifying, but as it stands right now the U.S. attack just isn’t good enough.
What did you think of the Spain match? Share your thoughts, complaints, highlights and lowlights below.
gimmi- and i agree that id love for that to happen… but long has it been since we were capable of summoning our starting XI all the time… now with players playing in MANY MANY leagues, its tough to get everyone we want… and trying to keep a positive relationship with the clubs makes it even harder….
—————–x———–x————-
personally if LD was going to be “injured” for all three games id much rather have his spot available for someone else…. Zizzo or Holden perhaps?? funny how he was “injured” for england, then made the flight and was available for the TFC game but didnt play and came back to spain where he was “injured” again…. pehaps he’s in it just for the $$ you get for making the roster of the USMN?? i wouldnt like to think that, but common, if you’re injured drop off the roster after england….
Brett
That was me just speaking from a fans point of view, I just want to see our best skilled players playing together aganist the best in the world; because its important for our growth and chemistry.
johnson tucked his head down on lewis’ cross just like my nine year olds that are afraid of the ball. is that what you want from a striker inside the six?
Posted by: PKTaker
Exactly right PKTaker- it was embarassingly bad form by EJ on that free header
Ives- I think you are RIGHT on. Question is, how do you egt ADU, Donovan, Altidore on the field at the same time. Do you play Donovan out wide on right (where i TRULY think he is most effective) and sit Dempsey? Or can you play dempsey and Altidore up top, and play Adu and Bradley in the middle witha 4-4-2?? I would love to see how we match up in a competetive game with Adu and Donovan playing at their best!
Also, any word on Adu’s injury?? Can he play Sunday?
I agree completely with you Ives. Johnson was a waste out there. It’s so frustrating, but he keeps proving the nay sayers right time and time again.
I also thought that, besides Adu’s great play which has been addressed enough, I thought Pearce play very well. I think that was one of the other more encouraging things to take from the game. It does seem as he is/has solidified his spot at LB and that is HUGE going into WC qualifying. One less position to have question marks about.
I know we do this way too much, but…
—-Altidore—Dempsey—-
Beasley—-Adu—–Donovan
———Bradley———
Pearce–Gooch-Boca–Cherundalo
———Howard———
that gives me hope. Especially with the defense’s showing last night.
Great analysis Ives, but left out the fact that Bradley played Beasley who clearly isn’t entirely match fit. I also thought that Edu and Bradley had shockers, terrible matches from both. I hope we aren’t that defensive against lower opposition. Mastroeni should have got more time, he is a veteran, and he can still play at a high level.
Here would be my best starting XI for the upcoming year of qualifiers.
—————Altidore————–
Beasley——Adu—-Donovan—Dempsey
—————Bradley—————
Lewis—–Gooch—-Bocanegra——Dolo
————–Howard—————–
Subs – Guzan, Pearce, Hedjuk, Mastroeni, Edu, Rogers, Johnson
brooklynfootie- MB should have been subbed off… but i wouldnt go so far to question his status… he does a dirty job, and most the time he does it well… come when we have a full starting XI you’ll see how efficeint they can be….
as for your second question the only answer i can think of is this: in case of injury?? especially with the likes of Beasley who’s just coming off an injury.. then you have all the euro players who are tired and worn from the previous season.. but outside that, i have no idea :-/
Gimmi, age-eligible players cannot be prevented from going to the Olympics, so Villarreal can’t ban Altidore from going. Now, if Altidore decides that he would rather go to Recreativo Huelva to start getting acclimated to his new team rather than playing in the Olympics that would be his choice, though I can’t see how he would skip the Olympics.
Josh and gimmi – its not a factor of whether USMN games are more impt then MLS games, its the fact that BB and the USSF has to keep face with ALL clubs regardless of quality of league… alot of the players you’d love to see are either being called up for olympics or are fighting injuries… you people never seem to accept this… why would a club be willing to pay a guy big $$’s if he’s going to miss half their games due to National duty??? thats always been LD’s problem is he misses out on half the season and LA has to pay for it… id agree if the olympics werent around the corner
and lets not forget all you people crying for Jozy to play are also the people crying that jozy’s “unfocused” and playing “poorly” compared to last season… make up your minds will you?? why would you want an “unfocused” and “out of form” forward leading you against 3 of the top teams?? personally i think the lot of you are crazy for thinking both… choose a side and stick to it…
quite simply said, we dont have the depth as many TOP nations do… so stop complaining…
Ives–
According to the US Soccer Web site, Kenny Coope is not in the 2008 player pool. Is this accurate?
This was a nice match to watch, Spain is so technically sound and has such a great passing game. The best thing about the USA was how they looked more and more confident as the first half went on. They stood tall. The second half subs changed the game for the worse from the USA’s vantage. Two questions that linger for me. Why was Michael Bradley left on? – he started getting sloppy – it was the first time I questioned his coach’s son status. Second – why doesn’t Bob Bradley use his full complement of subs in friendlies?
——–Donovan——–
Beasley—Adu—Dempsey
—Bradley–Mostroeni—
Pearce-Boca-Gooch-Cherundolo
———Howard———
I know Donovan isn’t a true striker, but given the lack of depth at the forward position I think we should do whatever it takes to ensure that our best attackers are all on the field. I see Altidore and Cooper as the next best options up top, followed by Ching and even Twellman. Eddie Johnson shouldn’t even be a consideration against quality opponents such as England, Spain, and Argentina, but I do agree w/ Ives that he brings something valuable to the table against weaker CONCACAF opponents
Bingo. I quite agree with everything you said in that article…so I guess I’ll be on my way now.
The U.S. did okay the first half but didn’t really create any scoring chances. Freddy Adu played well and I agree he’s showing he deserves to be on the field. Eddie Johnson and Josh Wolfe are a waste.
The second half the U.S sucked! There was no offense the second half. Not one player ran at Spain, no one created any scoring chances. Spain toyed with the U.S. and the Spanish subs played much better than the U.S. It’s impossible to win games when you play most of a half playing defense in front of your goal. I could tell by watching the game it was only a matter of time before Spain scored. Unfortunately the U.S. didn’t make any kind of real effort to tie up the game. Michael Bradley should have come out of the game much sooner. Why he didn’t is beyond my knowledge I can only hope it’s not a case of a coach watching after his son. And Clint Dempsey did nothing. If he continues playing that way maybe it’s time he starts on the bench.
I’m still wondering if Bob Bradley and U.S. Soccer are doing MLS a favor by not calling in more MLS players. I wonder if Jimmy Conrad wouldn’t do a better job than Carlos Bocanegra. Or why Altidore,Kenny Cooper, or Brian Ching aren’t called in favor of EJ, Wolfe, and Jaqua. They certainly couldn’t do any worse. Hell at this point I’d take Ante Razov,Jovan Kirovski and Edson Buddle over the strikers Bob Bradley called in to the games against England and Spain. I’d also take Shea Salinas from San Jose over Dempsey since he probably couldn’t do any worse and might be hungry enough to at least play hard.
As bad as the U.S. defense can play and did play in the second half against Spain the U.S. needs attacking players. It was missing Donovan, and Beasley gets a pass because he’s still returning from injuries. Adu showed he belongs. I think there are some quality players in MLS that would have played better than that mess Bob Bradley put on the field against Spain and England. And if that doesn’t work maybe it’s time to change coaches and bring in a top European coach who can motivate the players and help elevate their game.
The one thing Johnson has going for him is that he’s in Europe. He will have to work hard, compete and improve or get dropped.
I wouldn’t plan on Johnson improving, but it could be a bonus. Especially considering the empty cupboard of forward options.
It’s not like he doesn’t have talent, and I think that’s why so many get frustrated with him.
BrianK- MB burned out at the 70th min, b/c he’s cover alot of ground with little help… he’s expected to aid in the attack, cover the middle and cover defenders who get burned…. he’s not a star yet, but showing promise… and will continue to improve… his sloppy tackles came towards the end of the game when his tank was bordering empty…
disappointed with the result?? im stoked… we managed to keep a quality side at bay and managed to create opportunities… the only reason we broke down in the 2nd half is b/c we lacked any player with creativity… we lacked players who were willing to take their man on the dribble, but rather pass it off to a man who’s already under pressure… we need Adu and/or LD controling the middle, thats why we did so well in the 1st…
Doug- LD is injured… Altidore has been struggling with injuries of lately, no need to expand on them especially with the trade coming up… Cooper has club duties and hopefully will see 1st team this sunday against Argies…. Rogers is in the same boat as Cooper… and lets not forget the Olympics…. alot of the players people want to see will be attending the olympics… so we dont want to draw the players out for every meaningless friendly and then big tournys… we have to respect the club…
=—=—-=—=—-=
while everyone is down on wolff and EJ (even i am jumping on the Wolff should never play bandwagon :-/ ), you cant blame BB for bringing them up… he wanted players who have experience… nothing like throwing out inexperienced youthful prospects against the top nations… i mean if you truely are disappointed with how play was these past 2, do you truely expect it to be any better with the likes of Davies, and other youthful forwards in europe?? without the options of our top forwards (Cooper, altidor, LD, etc…) we really have our hands tied behind our backs
we arent the Spains and Argentinas of the world in this sport… we dont have Depth and experience in every position.. except the positives from the game, notice the players who shouldnt play again and move on.. its freaking spain and we competed for a good chunk of the game and created chances…
This is coach Bradley thoughts on spain.
‘They didn’t create that many chances”
Well coach did we?
Also,
Ives, do you think Villareal will release Jozy for the olympics?
I agree with most of what you said, especially Dempsey looking tired. He has had a long couple of years of almost non-stop action since the start of the 2006 MLS season.
I also agree that Lewis and Hejduk have proved their worth over the past couple matches (It was extremely weird to see him wearing 27 and 5 on his shirt over the pass two matches. I know it’s because Califf locked down the two shirt before Hejduk was called in, as Hejduk would normally be given that number, but it was still weird).
I also think Altidore or Cooper finishes those chances Johnson missed, especially the point blank header.
Lewis and Hejduk have been bright spots, inndeed, in both games.
If only some of our younger players played with the hustle taht Frankie does…and if only Frankie could cross like Lewis!!!
Agree with everything you say, Ives but you say it much more diplomatically! Adu was great. I said it last week and I’ll say it again – he’s teh only offensive minded midfielder we have and he has IDEAS. Edu was solid too. On to Sunday…
Great analysis, Ives.
Best 11 for the qualifying based on current form (sorry Clint).
Altidore
Beasley – Adu – Donovan
Bradley – Edu
Pearce – Boca – Onyewu – Cherundolo
Howard
Everyone here knows this wasn’t our full team. Also to much credit is given to countries that haven’t won a trophy since LBJ was in the White House. The USMNT is a work in progress and will always be.
Freddy has earned his spot, from here on out.
i think Dempsy also was hurt by the tigh officiating. he seemed to always get called for penalities on his physical challenges that would fly fine in England.
If only EJ had a shot..
McGillicuty – Ya, that would be THE lineup, but mine is more a dream – if Bradley decides to let the boys play against the biceleste and not just sit back and create a dangerous counter. but thanks either way!
To me MNT games are much more important that MLS games, and I dont care if its friendly or not. Our best players need to play together.
The frustrating thing for me is we never seem to put a full strength squad together for games like this. I get the availability issues, but I think that until the first choice players play games against top competition, the USA will always be an early exit in competitions.
hey ives, i like your approach to EJ here much better than the match thread. i think my comments (though on the wrong post) reflect agreement.
i completely disagree that we should be calling up frankie hejduk, though. certainly not this weekend against argentina. that’s a nightmare waiting to happen. we all saw what happened as soon as spain realized what the weakest link was along our back line.
as for beasley, my favorite player on the national team, he’s in wary danger of no longer being a sure call-up to the national team. dempsey offers much more offensive upside than damarcus, especially if, say, LD is injured 😉 but we’ll see as i think we are about one attacking/wing midfielder away from making it more difficult to include him.
just for kicks, though, i wonder how hard it would be to convert beasley to a wing back. for example, what if for some reason we had to play a formation with 5 backs, or even some variation on a 4-3-3? i think that would be an interesting tactical experiment for special circumstnces, and would allow much more attacking flexibility given the growth of some of our younger attacking players (whom bradley inexplicably continues to refuse to play together).
just a thought…
also, EJ is done, for now. He cannot be called up again until he starts scoring for Fulham. Think about it, the last time he played 90 minutes at club level was for the KC Wizards. How can you stay sharp when you are racking up DNPs or “did not dress” for the worst team in the BPL. He’s visibly lazy, mentally and physically, in games, he’s a classic 60 minute player. Notice on the header chance he seemed more concerned with sticking his head in there and gettin a kick in the teeth than getting as strong header on goal. If that happens in the last 10 minutes of a world cup qualifier or world cup game, i think we wouldve heard more of this. Lets see what Kenny Cooper can do. Bigger and stronger than EJ. Smarter, in better form, traditional target man for LD, Adu, or Dempsey to play off of.
Any insight as to what the injury Adu picked up?
I think the game made the case for Adu being a bigger part of the picture, and for continuing the search for our offense. But I also think Spain was playing this one fairly gently. Somewhere around the 20th minute I said to my girlfriend “Spain is going to simply decide to score a goal late, and win 1-0.”
I was disapointed with the result. The way the team wilted in the second half got me down,…although had EJ put his chance away it probably would have fired up the team and opened Spain up a bit.
As it stands,…the quality of our opponent exposed our considerable weakness. We simply do not have the players to play teams of England’s and Spain’s class. Argentina will confirm that notion.
Sad to say, I am very disapointed with Bob Bradley. Having Josh Wolff in the squad, let alone playing him is a mystery. I would be one to vote that he is useless. Furthermore, Adu’s 1st half performance against Spain confirmed that Bradley wasted a chance to start Adu in the England match and give the USA some offensive spark. Also, I know that Hejduk is a good dressing room guy but why get him on the field at the expense of your most accomplished defender? Finally, Mike Bradley? He just doesn’t look athletic enough. His penchant for late tackles will kill the team and if he is burning out at 70 minutes at the age of 20,…what is he going to be like when he is 28? I am officially doubting Bob Bradley.
Pearce has definitely put a strangle hold on the LB spot he played extremely well last night. Dolo needs a break just like Demps. Would like to see how Frankie Simek would do against this opposition, too bad he is hurt!!! I actually agree that Lewis is playing well, but find that he is too slow. Could see starting him and then replacing him with Rogers/Beasley. Feilhaber paired with Adu, Rogers, and Bradley in the Mid field with Donovan and Altidore up front. Dempsey, Beasley, quslity back ups in mid field.
If Dave Martinez takes out Cooper and places in Edu as a holding mid in a 4-5-1 he probably has the Argentina lineup down (assuming Landycakes and Jozy are healthy enough to play). Man it would have been nice to see a class stiker like McBreezey at point yesterday. 2-1 USA?
I said yesterday we needed Beaz in there instead of Lewis and I was wrong. Lewis should be starting at left mid until Beaz is all the way back. That cross was a thing of beauty and he is probably our best set piece taker. Eddie should have buried that or at least put a shot on goal and forced a save by their keeper.
Ives, great post.
I question the tactics in the 2 matches so far. Granted, no one could really expect the US to post any wins in this stretch of 3 games. Whats stopping Bradley from throwing out DMB, Adu, Donavon, Dempsey, Altidore, all at the same time. Its time for the US to focus more on attack and scoring goals against top notch teams. We know we can light it up against Guatemala, St. Lucia, and Barbados, but if the US is really serious on advancing in S. Africa like they did in S. Korea, they will need to figure out to score against teams likely to be part of world cup
We looked pretty darn decent in the first half. I think w/ Freddy and Donovan in the lineup we are legitimately dangerous in attack against any side.
I think Gooch and Boca got husband-and-wife’d on the Xavi goal. You can see they are right next to each other and both hesitate for that split-second when normally they would close out. Don’t mean to take anything away from the goal though.
Another thing with Johnson is that he showed speed enough to get to balls before Spain’s defense could, but instead of just keeping the pace and continuing to move forward, he cuts back and stops. Let the ball do the cut back with a cross back into the middle, your running forward will open up space. Cutting back like he does, allows the defender to catch up or square up cutting off passes and momentum in the attack. It’s sad that a guy with his speed is more willing to cut and stop than to run freely forward.
======Altidore===Cooper=====
===========Adu==============
Lewis====Bradley========Lando
PEARCE===BOCA====Onyewu===DOLO
=========HOWARD==============
We should have fun with this. Youngsters up top, Lewis and Lando with the crosses, Bradley/Clark/Edu in the middle behind Adu.
Works for me.
For an Argentine/American, I am super excited about this Sundays game. Im taking pictures of everything.
you’ve pretty much hit the nail on the head Ives…
my only complaint with most people who posted on the match thread was the bashing of MB… but you worded it pretty well by stating he got tired and needed to be subbed… i also blame alot of him and edu getting tired on the fact that we had no creativity in the midfield the 2nd half with the absense of both Adu and LD…. they eliviate most the pressure by taking on alot of it themselves and creat opportunities… without them, MB and Edu had too much ground to cover with little help
Ives. Have say I agree with all of your comments. Dempsey needs a couple of weeks rest for sure. Hope he does not play against Argentina. Johnson sure can fins himself in scoring positions a lot when supplied with quality passes BUT he sure can miss those chances!!! It is unforunate that is the case because if he put 25% of his chances in the net he would champions League quality. As it is he will struggle to get playing time at Fulham. Adu was pretty darn good. BB Should try and partner him with another player that sees the field like he does (Feilhaber?)We would actually be dangerous with that duo on the field together. My opinion of course. Beasley should be rested. Mike Bradley should have come off early. Demerit should be playing more!!! Robbie Rogers should be given a look against Argentina on the left Mid Field. Lastly Ives, why has NEVIN SUBOTIC not been called into the Senior mens Team?????????????????????
You took a lot of flak for your comments on EJ during the commentary yesterday, and hopefully everyone will appreciate your approach here. I have to agree that EJ can certainly torch lower CONCACAF teams, but most definitely does not have the mental fortitude/skills to challenge on the world stage. He doesn’t have what it takes, but there aren’t a plethora of players that do. Unfortunately because of Bradley’s cowering to MLS teams, we won’t know what any other players might have done in these tough away games. At home vs. Argentina is NOT the same battle ground. (Although there may be more Argentina fans then USA fans, but still.)
I don’t think Spain was really trying in the first half last night, and the post match comments from their coach seem to support that view.
Adu must start every game w/out question from this point forward. Spain took some shots at Adu, but I don’t remember feeling any were intentionally malicious. And this is something Adu will definitely have to deal with on the field.
Dempsey looks mentally shot. It was a grueling campaign for Fulham this year and after all that stress to have to go through more training w/out a break has to be taking its toll. Given the different positions he has been asked to play for club and country over the last year, I don’t find it too surprising he seems a bit lost on the field currently.
Paul, I’m giving Johnson the benefit of the doubt in terms of being able to have an impact against the Barbados’ of the world. That’s about it. I stand by my opinion that he was awful against Spain and is essentially useless against anyone but the weakest of opponents. I really do hope he proves me wrong, but I feel like we’ve been waiting for that proof since 2006.
Regardless of the final score, we just looked like boys playing against men. I also think this was merely a tune-up for Spain, going through the motions, and that we would have been in real trouble (like we may be Sunday) if they wanted to really get stuck in.
johnson tucked his head down on lewis’ cross just like my nine year olds that are afraid of the ball. is that what you want from a striker inside the six?
As usual, Ives is spot-on with his observations. My only quibble has to do with Eddie Johnson. Unlike Adu, who needs only to wait for his field awareness to catch up to his undeniable skills (and who is still a teenager, it must be recalled), I am not convinced that, besides his speed and strength, he even has the tools, in the sense of soccer skills, to make a difference. In Ives’s own words, against Spain his first touch was “tragic,” and he was “a turnover machine.”
Why didn’t Jaqua dress last night?
Ives, I think you it the nail right on the head with your article. Adu was the bright spot and the defense held their in the first half. Overall as a team we did ok, as a team they didn’t do nothing special or created any scoring opportunities worth talking about. We just held our own against one of the powerhouses in the world ready to play in Euro 2008 tourney.
the spain game calmed me down big time after the england nightmare. Adu needs to be “in the hole” behind the stikers. I really hope we get to see donovan and adu on sunday. Frankie still has a place on this team folks
Freddy Edu sounds good, i.e., offense like Freddy and defense like Edu. We could use that player.