Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
PHILADELPHIA- If the U.S. men's national team was looking for a challenge in its send-off series finale against Turkey, it got just that as it had to rattle off a shaky start to post a 2-1 victory at Lincoln Financial Field.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey scored second-half goals off Landon Donovan assists, erasing a 1-0 deficit after Arda Turan netted on a counterattack in the 27th minute.
"In terms of what you want out of a send-off game, I think today was very good," said head coach Bob Bradley. "There's a lot of things on the field to build on. A real good push when we got behind. And at the end, a good hard fought win against a good team. In that regard, it accomplished a lot today."
The United States started the match slowly and found itself on its heels for much of the first half. Turkey did not enjoy much of the possession, but combined creative passing with quick counters to create its chances.
After missing several opportunities to score, Turkey took a deserved lead just before the half hour mark. Jonathan Spector lost possession near the Turks' penalty area, which allowed the visitors to attack on a quick counterattack. With no one covering for Spector, Colin Kazim-Richards played a ball to Turan on the left flank. Turan raced towards goal and slotted his shot past Tim Howard for the lead.
"When we were trying to attack certain spots and the ball turned over, they were quick to take advantage of it," said Bradley. "Counters come two ways. They come when you think there is an advantage and you're trying to press it forward, which is an important part of the game. And it comes when the reactions after the ball turns over aren't what they need to be."
The Americans did not muster a shot on goal in the first half, but the sluggish attack received a boost at halftime when Robbie Findley and Jose Torres were subbed in. Both players allowed the United States to become more dynamic on offense, and the result was a Jozy Altidore equalizer in the 58th minute.
Altidore scored when Findley played a beautifully-floated ball to Donovan, who took a deft first touch to round goalkeeper Volkan Demirel before playing the ball across the middle. Altidore got on the end of the pass and tapped in easily from close range.
"I think (Donovan) could have put the ball in himself, but he was aware that Jozy was in there and it was an easy tap in," said Findley.
The United States took the lead 14 minutes from time, as Dempsey received a Donovan pass, muscled off a defender and finished from close range with a shot that went between Demirel's legs. The goal was Dempsey's 18th for the national team.
"I got a little bit lucky," said Dempsey. "I knew it was going to be a 50-50 challenge with the defender so I didn't want to go in too hard because I didn't want to kick the ball away from me or let the goalie pick up, so I tried to absorb the hit and I was able to get a good bounce."
The United States almost built on its lead, but shots from Torres and Dempsey banged off the right post. The 2-1 lead would hold regardless, and the Americans will now look to carry over the momentum from the win to South Africa.
—————–
What did you think of the United States' 2-1 win? Who impressed you? Who are you concerned by?
Share your thoughts below.
I disagree. I am a huge fan of LD, but I have noticed a couple things about him over the years:
1) He is not a “great” defensive player. Average, at best. But my guess is that most coaches tell him to concentrate on his offense. It is best to have a defensive mid support him or have a defensive-minded back on his side.
2) He will win headers about 5% of the time (and that’s probably generous).
England isn’t technical?
the second half was good. Torres, Holden and Cherundolo were all dynamic additions to the game. If I’m the coach Cherundolo is the starter at right back, w/out a doubt. Holden needs to be on the field somehow, playing either in the playmaker role or out on the wing if Dempsey goes up top. But he needs to play. Same w/ Torres, who is not as dangerous as Feilhaber is when Feilhaber is going well. But he’s better defensively, and he is so consistent. if I’m basing it on this game, he’s my starter at defensive center midfield, unless the team is extremely athletic, then Rico must be in there.
Bornstein simply can’t compete at this level. I feel bad for him, b/c he plays really hard and he’s a good player, but he just doesn’t belong at this level and it shows.
I was just as surprised as everyone else by Robbie Findley’s inclusion, but everyone’s gotta hand it to Bradley, Good Choice. he’s fast as hell, and doesn’t allow the defense to creep up and pressure our guys. And he’s a lot better than I thought. he’s been good from what i’ve seen in MLS, but I guess the games he’s played for the US recently just really turned me off to him
DeMerit was a monster… what are you talking about?
Stephen, Spector is having a brief run of poor form in what has otherwise been a successful international career. Jonathan Bornstein has yet to show that he is capable of playing outside of CONCACAF with any kind of competence.
If you speak that naively again I’ll ask Ives to put you in a time out.
Since you think BB is clueless about Torres read this:
From Grant Wahl
“Torres is making plenty of defensive improvements, though. He told me after the game that he has spent time watching the way Bradley moves in the midfield to win balls and make tackles. Torres also admitted that while every player has to adjust when moving from his club to the national team, he has to adapt more than most to Bradley’s preferred style when he leaves Pachuca, his Mexican League team.
“The pace of the game is always quicker, faster,” Torres said. “So when I come in, in two or three days I’ve got to be right on target. I have to be fast on the ball, get the ball moving and make tackles. But I’m starting to get the rhythm of the game. Today Bob told me I did great on closing gaps and moving the ball.”
Torres is just 22 and needed time to develop. BB saw that.
I’ll give credit to Gooch. He was better than I feared, but the real reason our defense looked better in the 2nd half was that our offense was much better.
We controlled the ball more and consistently threatened their goal, so Turkey could not send numbers forward like they did in the 1st half.
Also, defense starts with the forwards. Jozy was disappointingly lazy in the first half. I bet he got an earful at halftime. Findley immediately demonstrated what it means to play team defense as a forward.
Let’s take it from this angle: You have seven defenders on the roster. Even with your plan to have Beasley drop back, you need another player. We had eight defenders and we used them all in 2002 through the Q’final game. We were stretched thin. (Injuries, suspensions, exhaustion.)
This is a marathon and it’s taxing on the players.
So given this, hoping the team goes deep in the tournament, knowing you need another player after you drop Bornstein, whom do you bring?
Looking forward to your answer.
You fool! Don’t you know the players engineered all this?
Anything good= players
Anything bad = BOB
BB is responsible for the Gulf Oil spill disaster, the economic crisis and engineered the North Korean tensions to take attention away from his bad management at the World Cup. He also convinced Arizona to pass that law because he hates latinos.
“Feilhaber should not have made this team so easily.”
When Bob announced his 23 I don’t recall him assigning the players numbers so that you knew how “easily”, they made the list. Maybe it wasn’t like “All players below 70 get cut and Benny had a 90.”
If the last few weeks have taught you nothing else they should have taught you that no one outside Bob’s inner circle knows how secure or immune a player is. Remember how Ching was one of Bob’s “boys”? How about Sacha?
Maybe Benny just barely made the cut. I would have left him off the list and taken Robbie Rodgers to replace JB at left back.
The fact is the evidence indicates that Bob has a pretty good idea of what he is doing. It’s just that he isn’t explaining his reasons to any outsiders and the gossip girls among you all can’t take it.
I think Donovan was in front of Spector because he tracks back so well to help cover on D. (Except the Arda Turan breakaway). Having Donovan in front on the wing encourages the Outside back to overlap. Since Boca was never going to be high up the field for extended periods, the switch was only natural.
Now, had Arda been playing the right wing Lando would have been on the left to help cover against the “Dangerous Turk”.
Not harsh at all. Bornstein was being bent over. The 79th and 80th minute almost undid the game for the yanks. Guess who was marking (NOT) the danger man?
BornSTANK.
My thoughts on the game are similar to many of yours. Torres looked CLASS today, and if he goes on tackling and spraying the ball like that, he wont be at Pachuca long, but may end up in Spain. Clark looked well off the pace, along with Spector (although it is the fault of the covering mid to get back ahem Benny). Feilhaber is a nice choice off the bench, but I think the attack is more lethal and the defense more solid with a Torres, Bradley, Donovan, Dempsey midfield. Onyewu looked good, as did Demerit. I think Clarence Goodson is a decent option, but he doesn’t communicate as vocally as the others and seems tentative at times. JB played poorly. Findley impressed.
——-Altidore——-Findley——–
Donovan—Torres—-Bradley—-Dempsey
Bocanegra—Demerit—Onyewu—Cherundolo
I want to see how Gomez plays in a starting role, but would rather see him as a super sub. If a player goes down in CM, Edu is a nice box to box player capable of filling in well. The real danger is on the flanks if Carlos Bocanegra or Cherundolo go down with an injury. Not stoked about JB or Spector at the minute.
I saw that too. good call.
Bornstein had a shaky play almost every time Turkey went his way! Spector was bad, but Bornstein choked again. I’m not a Bornstein hater, just really disappointed with his play of late. The US better find two good LB’s after this World Cup, because Boca is aging.
Charlie had an awful first touch. And he may have just lost his job with the US if Findley keeps it going. Or, Jozy could flame out,leavingf an opening for his good friend.
Okay, Findley did impress me. I was one of the Findley haters I will admit. He proved me wrong and I hope he keeps it up. The first half was not good, but the second half was great.
They did it on their own don’t you know?
Anything good, it’s the players deciding to do it.
Anything bad, it’s Bob’s fault.
Agreed, Gooch looked much better than than the Czech but let’s not kid ourselfs, the center backs had less to do because of the changes at RB and midfield. Gooch is improving, but I don’t think he is ready for the England game. Don’t agree? see Cities comments above.
“But it is any central mids job to put himself in good position, and for a player whos “specialty” is defense rico sure didn’t appear to be that effective in that respect.”
No offense k.j. but I am sick of people posting who think they know exactly what Bob told Rico to do today.
What you really mean is you think Rico didn’t do the job you would have asked him to do, never mind what HIS coach told him to do. There was a guy named Claude Makelele who made a great career out of playing like Rico did today and if you talk to the europeans (Chelsea, Real Madrid, France,) they think of Makalele as a prototypical defensive midfielder of the late 90’s.
Watching him was about as exciting as watching a bus driver but he always got the job done and won a lot of games.
Thank you City, you saved me from having to write a response.
Don’t mean climate — Edu is used to physical, knee-cracking football. I am not questioning Torres’s toughness but I don’t think he would play as well against England.
I think Buddle is more layed back than Jozie, jozie impressed me in the second half with him coming back to get the ball and helping out on defense.
What evidence do you have that Torres can provide this lift for the entire game? He’s never done it.
Torres is everyone’s golden boy and Findley is one of BB’s “boys” so you all hate to give Bradley credit but the fact is Torres
didn’t do it alone, It’s a team game.
Findley’s insertion stretched the field, lessening the pressure on the midfielders like Torres; this is the much sought after “Charlie” effect.
Dolo and Gooch steadied the defense, especially up the right side which also helped lessen the pressure on the midfield.
Turkey were more noticeably worn down than the US towards the end of the game. Two possible reasons for this, they haven’t been staying in shape for the World Cup and the US is renowned for it’s fitness and conditioning.
Torres is coming along just fine but the US will need 14 players on game day not just one guy.
You hit the nail in the head, I also think Edu is better suited for the England game. we will be bending but not breaking for that one. I just think the game is going to be more physical for Torres to handle. Torees should get the start for the other 2.
Madmax — you’re totally right about Edu-Torres in the Czech game. I was wondering how Edu-Torres would look as part of the first XI; I should have been clearer.
Gene — usually Bradley gets his foot on a lot more balls and applies tighter pressure to opposing mids than he did today. He didn’t have a lot of disruptive (to them) or creative (for us) touches today. He has to play smart and avoid cards, obviously, but his play today was softer and flatter than usual.
FF
None of what you said makes much sense.
I’m sure Gooch is not 100%. But those examples you cited for proof, well, I’ve seen Gooch make those errors when he was 100% physically.
Also even at 100% or whatever number you choose, the US has no one player who is ready to face Rooney. Shutting him down will be a team effort. And Crouch is an awkward proposition for any defender. He is tall and he is long and he does hold and shield the ball well but he’s not particularly strong in the air. Ask any English football critic. Or better yet just watch him for a while.
I’m sick of these % figures. The only US defenders who 100% are Dolo, Goodson and JB. So if you want all our defenders to be 100% we’ll have to play 3-5-2.
The World Cup is always full of players who are less than 100% but it’s like the playoffs, you just have to deal with it.
Not sure what you’re talking about re: Onyewu in the 62nd minute. A.) Kazim was subbed out in the 61st. B.) In that very minute was Onyewu’s great body sacrificing sliding save. Maybe you have the wrong guys or the wrong time?
Why Can’t Edu Play CB?
Where is the logic behind this. Silly. You have no evidence that this boost is purely the cause of coming in late in the game. Why should we not assume he could provide it all game. Certainly couldn’t be worse than Clark.
False. You clearly didn’t watch everton
Yes! Perfect
I like this lineup. Allows us to put our best players on the field.
Agreed!!
“loaded”? What’s so loaded about asking someone why you played better in the second half? That’s about as routine as it gets.
You guys just don’t want to give Bradley any credit for picking Findley or making the changes that changed the game for the better. You want to give it all to Torres so you can talk about how Bradley is an idiot for not playing him more when it is clear that Torres has been acclimating and improving over time with the USMNT at the pace set by Bradley. Gringo said so himself. Go look it up.
something interesting: a good friend of mine who’s Turkish and who was at the game told me before the game that most Turks think their back line is shakey (though their midfield is strong). Did it look to you all like the Turkish back was at all shakey?
Now that’s really reaching. Just because something is plausible does not mean it’s true. I hope you are not a supreme court judge.
I too am a major Altidore fan but must agree his form and todays game wud suggest that perhaps he is not the right player to lead the attack in SA. Gomez and Findley maybe a combination worth considering. Sorry to say, but I dont see what Jozey adds at this time.
I thought Torres was the best player he has earnt his place.
We still have a few players who I think they cud leave at the airport.
I’m surprised that no-one is considering Edu for right back.
Climate could be a factor but what this shows is a good problem- a bit of depth in the center.
yes….finaly somebody gets it….
altidore is a bit suspect..changes game to game…if he is lackluster…bring in gomez, findley, buddle….off the bench…
bornstein was drafted by bb. back in the mls, hence the special treatment despite his poor play…
spector subs for outside backs…goodson for cb. edu subs for midfeild…. thats the best team we have…..
Commando Lando,…when I read your post,…all I could think of was Jeff Agoos faking a calf injury to get out of his nightmare of a World Cup in 2002! Thank goodness he did!
Can Edu play out wide on defense? Bocanegra does, why not Edu on the other side of the back four?
Who are you? Sir!!
😉
That’s exactly it.
That’s my blood singing.
Ummmmm, huhhhhhhhhh!
And put this in your decision algorithm and general gestalt of the overall situation:
Torres plays for Pachuca.
Pachuca is the largest city (not that big) in the state of Hidalgo, along the Eastern Sierra Madres Mts. Hidalgo is the poorest state in Mexico. The hillbilly, stick shack, gob smacking poverty you see in Hidalgo is stunning.
Pachuca is a silver mine town – since before the conquest. A hill with many secrets.
The English mine owners in the late 19th and early 20th century brought Welsh, Scotts and Irish miners to work the silver lodes beneath Pachuca.
Pachuca thus – IS THE MOTHER BED OF SOCCER FOOTBALL IN MEXICO.
And the shine that radiates through that young man (Panchito Torres)- of light, of straight pure blue-white light, searching and removing all the meanings of the color sunshine.
Some day, learn his second last name.
Good things brothers, good things, good things are coming.
And some day if you have the time, all y’all – go visit our little town – the sleepy college burgh we grew up in, in central NJ, in Mercer County, where Washington put his foot down and gave notice to the Red Coats – this OUR HOME!
Where Italian, Welsh (Cymru) and Scotts stone masons built one of the most beautiful university campuses IN THE WORLD.
And if you find the time, and the inclination, please, please, please – go visit the state of Hidalgo – there is a 16th century trail of Augustinian monasteries and missions along the Eastern Sierra Madre mountain chain – they were abandoned by the Catholic Church – because the Augustinians were sharing the profits with the Indians and teaching them, to sing, to read and write and develop cottage industry with European and Native craft and art…..
……………there are hand painted frescoes from the freakin’ 16th century, well preserved – and the local Mexicans still go and pray in the chapel(s) and churches and monasteries – every day,……waiting and waiting for the Augustinian friars to return.
USA, USA, USA, AAAaaaaahhhhhhh – freeeeeeee – caaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
Freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom…….
except for the Edu being part of the old guard…
More than a tad harsh but what do you expect from internet blow harsh. Bornstein will always be a hero to me after seeing that goal at RFK.
Best comment in weeks. I’d also like to ask, wasn’t Findley playing slightly injured for the Holland match? That might explain why the folks in charge didn’t lose faith in him while the folks in the arm chairs were sobbing at the sight of him in the final 23.
The Dempsey-Boca left side scares me a little. I think they both played well today and I think that Boca is a solid LB and probably will/should start there, but Dempsey is known for his defensive lapses.
Beasley/Holden over there, Donovan on the right, and Dempsey up top (still not ready to give that up, especially if Torres starts).
There were also other adjustments that helped the midfield D. Also, JFT tracked back to help on counters, something lacking in the first half. However, I do like Dolo better at right back. In fact I like Holden and Dolo together on the right side because they work better together both ways, bit I understand that LD and Dempsey need to be on the field.