By FRANCO PANIZO
The U.S. men's national team entered its match against Italy having never beaten the Azzurri, going 0-7-3 in games dating back to 1934.
That winless streak ended on Wednesday.
The Americans defeated Italy, 1-0, for the first time off a second-half goal from Clint Dempsey in front of small crowd at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris in Genoa. The goal came in the 55th minute when Jozy Altidore brought down a cross from left back Fabian Johnson and played a short pass to Dempsey, who hit a low shot past Gianluigi Buffon for his 25th international goal.
The result marked the U.S. team's fourth straight victory, their second consecutive on European soil and Jurgen Klinsmann's fifth as U.S. head coach. The United States also improved their record under Klinsmann to 5-4-1 with the win.
Playing in their new, blue away jerseys, the Americans put forth a defensively-disciplined performance playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The Italians were whistled for offsides nine times in a game that saw Klinsmann deploy Johnson at left back in his third appearance for the United States.
The hosts still managed to enjoy the majority of the chances in the game, including on a close range effort from Thiago Motta that was kick-saved by Tim Howard in the fourth minute.
Unfortunately for the Italians, the U.S. defense bent but never broke.
Johnson's surging runs forward, Howard's saves and Michael Bradley's command of the midfield helped blank Andrea Pirlo and the hosts in a first half that saw Italy repeatedly try to beat the U.S. defense with balls played in over the top.
The frustration for Italy continued in the second half, as Bradley and central midfielder partner Maurice Edu closed down the space in front of the back four. The United States also benefited from the energy of substitutes Terrence Boyd, who made his international debut in the match, and Jonathan Spector.
That defensive effort allowed the Americans to put together some nice passing sequences against the run of play, including on the decisive one in the 55th minute.
On that play, Bradley hit Johnson with a pass down the left flank before Johnson pinpointed Altidore with a right-footed cross. Altidore took a touch on the ball and then fed Dempsey just inside the top of the penalty area for the winner.
Great win! I really liked the way they tried to pass out of the back and not throw the ball away. Retaining ball possession with better passing especially under pressure is the mark I have noticed from Klinsman’s coaching. This game was a step up for the team, thanks coach!
very much agreed, i couldn’t help but think during the game that, while we we were hanging with Italy with this squad, where we would be at with those 4 in the mix
No. Donovan in for Williams. Take Shea off Chandler at LB and move Johnson to LW.
His contract will let him but Dallas is asking $8 million buyout. Nobody will pay that for his work at left wing todate. I would not play Shea at left wing.
I’d like to add that under Klinsi there is better defensive form and more playing the ball calmly out of back rather than Bradley’s long ball game. Although, Klinsi has yet to solidify his offense style — i.e., transitioning shape from defense to offense in counterattacks — as he said he would. However, Italy is a very good team and probably not an opponent that would facilitate the showcasing of this offense style.
Yeah – that looks like a solid line up – but maybe put Jermaine Jones where you have Edu.
You’re right. Lalas’ criticisms were hardly justified considered the injuries JK had to deal with.
Had them on their heels is a bit of a stretch…
He was out of position. Howard would probably suck at Forward. Not Williams’ fault, and with five players getting hurt a week before the game, JK hands were tied.
The soccerbyives audience is pretty informed about the national team. I’m sure it was a sarcastic joke. If it was on espn then maybe such a comment may not be a joke.
I meant the dufus above Chris. Sorry chris
Michael Bradley looked amazing out there. Passing, calm control even in rushed situations, looking one way and jerkin’ defenders by looking one way and passing confidently in another, namely FORWARD. So refreshing. Just one game but daaaayum son, for that one game you looked world class. Almost seemed like he played controlled angry, was awesome to watch. My question is has he always been as capable as this, and just needed to learn technique and discipline in a place like Serie A? Baby Bradley no more, he was off the CHAIN today. Due props and respect from a Bradley skeptic.
Jozy was shaky first half but no way was Boyd’s hold up play better than Jozy in the 2nd half. He also had a hack move on Chiellini that resulted in a foul and a stare down. Not exactly something that “got under his skin.” Gorgeous play by Boyd on the sideline towards the end, but I dunno, I just thought he looked a little lost and that 2 on 2 was a poor to say the least. I dunno, I shouldn’t comment b/c I’m not normally one to focus on the negative, just was hoping for more I guess with all the hype.
I feel you have forgotten that Bradley let the Us slip from No. 16 in the world to No. 34.
I guess it’s to much to ask if you noticed that the interplay between players has gotten better. The passing game in general has gotten more attacking orientated.
Fabian played well at LB but I would prefer him over Shea at LM. He’s just more polished offensively than Shea and seems to make things happen when he pushes forward.
This guy is just one of those dunces like alexi lalas. Lalas is an absolute moron by the way, overly critical of the team in he middle of and after one of their best ever results. Yes klinnsman wants to be more proactive than Bradley’s teams were, this does not mean we are going to flip a switch and hold 60% possession in games like away in Italy. If you can’t tell that there isa noticeable effort for klinsmann’s usmnt to connect a first pass when possession is won rather than bradleys’ team that exclusively played safe and long unless the counter was on, than you my friend are as ignorant as lalas.
Agreed. In a 4-2-3-1, Bradley tank and Williams would be a CDM pair I would like to see.
Were all you Kljestan sympathizers happy with his outing today?
It didn’t hurt that our uniforms have those white sleeves so it seemed like a white-shirted Italian was always offsides on every close call. The optical illusion of the USA uniform design was genius.
Nope. Weak in possession and almost nothing going forward. He did track back well defensively though, and he worked very hard.
I would have really liked to see Bradley and D-will in the center with Donovan out on the right… too bad!
What do you mean by it showed? His hold up play was better than Altidore’s was pretty much all game. He looked fine, and he even got Chiellini aggravated in the 15 min. he spent on the field by getting physical with him. (One of the best CBs in the world mind you)
Hehe. Damn you autocorrect!
I thought Dolo should have played in front of him, because he has zero attacking skills.
Biff – please never respond to a soccer thread ever again. How can MB not be man of the match and how can you think we have better options over him? I almost never read the comments section bc i have to read comments like yours. I spit out my coffee and i was not even drinking any when i read your thread.
Shea club is FC dallas, people give me a break and stop saying how poor Brek played he had a good game and he is the future. For the USMNT team to get better, MLS is a big part of it. In the future, 5-10 years, you will americans play in the EPL more and MLS. Look at the U-23 and see the mix of european players and MLS.
Bradley, man of match, even .5 better than Pirlo. Jozy had a Jeckel and Hyde performance, going down quicker than a Kardashian in first half, then in second half he stayed upright for a beautiful lay-off. Agree on Williams having a good game but not as a winger. He’s been 3 times on the wing and doesn’t have one decent cross. Even FB’s produce more attack than Williams on the wing. Is Williams becoming Klinsmann’s Bornstein.
All that stuff is fine, I like that he attacks players.
What I don’t like is when he gets the ball and then tries a little flick that no one expects and it just goes right to a defender and suddenly everyone is out of position. He needs to play with his team instead of trying to be impressive all the time.
He did put in good work defensively.
Melancholy, most of what I heard were ‘names I hope are never called up again.’ I was just happy that the names were italian, rather than ‘Lazy out-the-door, Landycakes, Bob Jr.’ and the usual US-fan self-hate. Also everyone was REALLY impressed with Howard, and generally respectful of MB and Deuce.
Shea didn’t have a great game but still managed to send in some dangerous crosses. I think Shea’s issue lately is 1) FCC Dallas played a lot of games last year and he had to carry them, add in all the camps and everything else he didn’t really have an off season, so I think his energy level has been lower lately 2) FCC Dallas asks him to basically be their offense so he has formed habits of really attacking players. At the international level he can’tblaze past with superior speed and they are better at dispossesing him 3) he goes against people he can blaze past/ aren’t good enough to dispossess him regularly at club level. I think it’s time he finds a bigger league so he can learn what works at higher levels of competition and hone his soccer IQ
I can’t believe you guys are complaining. to say that it was a poor performance, you must be an idiot. we were missing half of the squad and it was in Italy. klinsman does not have the players to play a 4-3-3. so to say he is thinking like Bradley is just dumb. we won against Italy in Italy!!!!! what more can you ask for, especially without Donovan. He had to put edu and Bradley to play more defensive of style. come one,what you were expecting 4 goals in Italy. I don’t think so, didn’t you saw how many offside there were in the game.
His dad ISN’T the coach.
It’s ridiculous how many of you let Altidore slide. Yes, he settled the ball, shielded it long enough to find Dempsey and performed a simple layoff. Great. He also lost the ball more times than I could count, and seemed more interested in flopping than linking with his mates or shooting. Lazy as fvck, and I’m sick of seeing him get an automatic start. We should expect more productivity than what we get from him, on both sides of the ball. Boyd had one lame turnover that I recall, but he is far more agressive than Altidore. I hope he get another run. But, in the meantime, let Altidore earn the spot. I’d rather see Gomez or Buddle start before he gets another chance. Peace, out!
PS – no, Ives, it was not a “great play” by Altidore; it was a simple play that we should expect any starting forward to make. Go back and count his turnovers and flops, which were far more representative of his overall game.
How were the Italians reacting to the defeat?
You are kidding right???
How many teams in the world go to Italy and put Italy on their heels at home?
The US had periods where they played very, very well. As the game wore on Italy threw everything at the US.
Several US players had truly outstanding games, including Bradley, Altidore, Dempsey, Johnson,Edu and Bocanegra.
Very nice effort from the whole team. I felt the game was a bit lackluster at first (on both sides) but clearly started to mean more as time wore on. We were a bit lucky following substitutions, as Klejstan in particular gave away a few ridiculous runs at goal, letting the attacker slip behind him uncontested, then failing to apply pressure. Horrible stuff. I continue to wonder what he’s doing in the rotation–a mystery I guess I’ll never understand. But Dempsey shined as usual. Bradley and Edu were great. Edu I always feel is undervalued and an unsung hero on this team.
+1 It truly was a stunning performance. Even the weakest links on the team against Italy didn’t look that bad. It was cohesive and tactical and the defense generally rock solid, and when it did break down quick to react–and thank god for Timmy Howard. Simply amazing performance by the guys, and we were missing five starters. If we would have had Donovan on right wing, Jermaine Jones as holding midfielder, and Chandler in the line-up, I think we could have totally dominated Italy and scored an additional goal or two.
In any case, the performance leaves no doubt in my mind that the USMNT is in much better hands with Klinsmann than with Bob Bradley, although BB, of course, did a good job. And, by the way, the Klinsmann haters who were screaming SOS after our 1:0 loss to France in Paris in November should take note that France kicked Germany’s butt tonight 2:1 in Bremen. At the time I felt that the USMNT performance against France was pretty good, and that a 1:0 loss was not a bad result to be ashamed of.
I can’t believe no one os talking about Shea. I thought he was beast. He was all over the field, making impact plays one after the other.
Thank you, saved me the effort, though I doubt I could’ve put it as well as you did.
I would probably go
Howard
Chandler Onyewu Bocanegra Johnson
Bradley Williams
Donovan Dempsey Shea
Altidore
Allthough I’m definitely a fan of Beckerman, and don’t really want to count Dolo out yet
Kinda hard to develop an attacking style when Klinsi has yet to have a full strength squad
RB. Donovan will play right mid
That sounds too arrogant. But I’m drunk in Italy, so meh.
I am SO glad I went to that game. Even if I was the only US supporter in the South stands (saw the goal from closeeeeeeeeee)…
Two thoughts:
1) Totally legitimate win. Maybe not a dominant display, but beating ITALY in Genoa is pretty impressive, though I felt Shea gave away possession too easily (but he’s young, so it’s not a pressing issue).
2) From the south tribune, the US supporters were crap. I couldn’t afford the US area tickets, but they were quiet and calm the whole bloody match. Full 90 guys… Don’t make ECS show you how it’s done.
This. I personally thought MB was a monster. He was always in the right place, made some fantastic runs that went unrewarded, and was good on the ball a few times when he had to be. I also didn’t see him make a lot of errant passes. Not saying Edu didn’t have a good game but MB’s success in Italy has absolutely translated to the int’l level. (And as Alexi pointed out pre-game he is WAY more disciplined than he used to be: even if Jones were better, which is arguable, he is still a liability sometimes.)
God I hope so. I absolutely fell in love with him when he was playing up there and he really hasn’t looked the same on the left side. Hopefully Fabian keeps looking solid there and lets Chandler can go back where he’s more comfortable.
Michael Bradley haters can suck it long, and suck it hard.
+1
His name is Fabian Johnson