photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann talked earlier in the week about starting this jampacked summer by defeating Scotland in an exciting manner.
Klinsmann got just what he asked for.
Led by a hat-trick from Landon Donovan, the United States defeated Scotland, 5-1, in front of 44,438 fans at EverBank Field on Saturday night. The result extended the Americans' winning streak to five games and was the biggest victory in the Klinsmann era.
"Obviously we are very pleased with how things went tonight, with a wonderful start, with two early goals that I think that set the tone," said Klinsmann. "The team kept the rhytm throughout the entire game, kept the tempo going, the energy was high."
The United States dominated the game from the forefront and jumped out in front when Donovan knocked in his own rebound in the third minute of his first game with the team since last Septemeber. The Americans doubled their lead eight minutes later, as Michael Bradley one-timed the winner on a volleyed effort from distance into the top corner past an outstretched Allan McGregor.
"We came out, we wanted to impose ourselves on them, and try with how we play to put them on their backfoot," said Bradley.
Scotland pulled one back in the 15th minute when a Kenny Miller header bounced off of Geoff Cameron's chest and into the back of the net. But the Americans continued to push the tempo, and their reward came in the second half.
Donovan knocked in his second goal of the match at the hour mark with a composed finish inside the penalty area, and he completed his third career hat-trick for the United States five minutes later with another close-range finish.
"I don't want to be mistaken for not caring, I care," said Donovan. "I like being a part of this team and I'm a professional and I know how to do my job, I've been doing this a long time. Tonight was one of those nights where most things went right."
Jermaine Jones, who assisted on two of the five goals, capped the scoring with a header in the 70th minute.
"Tonight you saw many elements of what we're always talking about and what we're trying to, step by step, to develop," said Klinsmann. "It's a fast-paced game, there's tempo in it, there's one-two kind of touch combinations through our midfield as fast as possible, finding the forwards up there, having pace, build up from the back, no long balls. All those elements I think you saw today."
The Americans next take on Brazil on May 30 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
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What do you think of the United States' 5-1 win over Scotland? Excited about how the team is playing? Who impressed you?
Share your thoughts below.
GW +1 Also recall, BB did “orchestrate” a defeat of Spain in the Confed. Cup, and had Brazil reeling by the end of the first half in the same tournament. So BB can do things with players not quite as good as some Klinsmann has at his disposal.
Too many woulda’ coulda’ statements and lots of theorizing about things of which you have no first (or even second)-hand knowledge. MB was younger when Arena first called him into an USMNT camp, and when his dad was coach, but no one with even an inkling of sense really thought Michael was not one of the best midfielders in the USA. He was successful in the Netherlands, joined a team in Germany that did not in the end value him as much as they originally thought and Aston Villa simply had no real need for him to shake up the lineup for a half-season trade. Despite those two seasons, he continued to improve while on the USMNT. If you can find it watch the USA-Argentina game from 2011; while Bradley will never be confused for Messi, he certainly had a better day tham Messi did and Michael was responsible for a lot of Messi’s troubles on that day.
So much improvement in any endeavor comes not in an even smooth pace, but more often in fits and starts with some off-days. Attributing any of that to a specific event is simply too unrealistic to be even close to accurate. It is all more about process than more tangible results.
Deuce was just pissed that LD widened the goal gap between.
It’s not that difficult, really. Torres comes out for Deuce. Jose was playing as an attacking left wing (though he tucked in a lot), and Deuce is an attacker. End of story. Torres doesn’t play destroyer like Mo does, and Mo was sharp as hell last night.
Me too, if we would have had an acceptable back-up to Dolo, we would have won that game.
It’s really hard when you cannot hear yourself and it does not help that the Anthem is one tough song to sing.
Still, I would have thought she would know that and be a little better prepared. I muted it as soon as she sang the first line because you knew right away where this was going. I feel bad for her but I’m sure everyone will understand.
I’m sure JK is not losing sleep over it.
Holden’s next appearance will be for Bolton in their preseason games for the 2012-2013 season in the Championship. That should be in a few months from now.
I’m guessing, if he shows well, the soonest JK will call him up would be sometime towards the end of this year. More likely, it will be in 2013.
I doubt JK wants to get too far ahead of things.
Knee injuries are unpredictable. Remember how long it took Gooch to get back to form and I think Stu’s injury was worse.
We should be well into the Qualifiers by time Holden gets back.
That is a long time in soccer terms. People lose form, people get hurt, etc., etc.,
It is a nice problem to have people waiting in the wings. This assumes Stu completes his recovery and does not get hurt again. I doubt his World Cup hopes can survive another major injury so I hope it goes well for him.
CD’s response is not at all indicative of a bad blood with LD. The interviewer’s question assumed that LD shares his career prospects with CD? The two guys live on different continents, play in different leagues, and CD has a wife and kids. Do you think they take the time to call each other on Sunday evenings to check in?
All CD is saying is that he doesn’t know LD’s thoughts on his career. CD’s apparent awkwardness was in response to the fact that he was asked a stupid question on live TV and had to cover it, not due to any relationship issues with LD. He event went as far to specify LD is a “good guy”. They are grown men with their own lives.
You do realize people can be fake? This guy in my class hated me secretly and I had no idea, but he accepted my friend request on Facebook And we would talk to each other in class all the time. I did not sense that he hated me. Later, I found out he though I was annoying and could not stand me.
i don’t think we’ll see boyd or cameron start next game. easy answer is deuce for boyd. torres, donovan, and dempsey as a swapping in and out front line WITH bradley and jones backing them up AND excellent crosses in the box from full backs to deuce’s head is an incredible thought to have.
all that said, it would not surprise me if klinsi wanted to play a 4-4-2 or move deuce to a deeper role. if that is the case, someone else in addition to boyd must make room.
ditto
see, that is just evidence. they hate each other. jk
no, john harkes! : )
no problem, this is a media / fan invented problem, not, a real one. y’all just need to shut up about it, quit bringing it up, and ask the media to do the same! : )
Just for a moment I had this flash of a chain gang coming out of the tunnel.
I’m sorry these shirts suck.
like wut? where is line up?
biff,
AS I wrote:
“You are a noted BB hater and are entitled to your opinion but you have no way of proving that.”
“This obsession lowers your credibility and casts a shadow on what might be otherwise intelligent commentary.”
Of course you are free to post whatever you want ( actually whatever Ives allows you to).
However, I am also free to respond to that
(to the extent that Ives allows me to). If you are comfortable with what you have written you should have no problem whatsoever defending it.
Happy Memorial day.
I’m not going to attempt to respond to all of the many silly allegations you have made in that post. But I will respond to the one that best sums up your style in the above comment: No, GW, I do not plan on commenting on Mrs. Bradley, who I am sure is a fine lady, but is not involved in soccer. (That is the one comment you made that does kind of p!ss me off.)
In my comments on nepotism and Bob Bradley’s coaching skills, I was responding to previous posts, simply giving my opinions. I remained on topic. I wasn’t name-calling or commenting on how they look or hitting below the belt the way I sometimes see guys like Beckerman or Klinsmann or Donovan or others treated. Nepotism and BB’s coaching skills are hardly new topics and my responses were not mean-spirited.
Let me get this straight: Are you saying I am not allowed to comment on Michael Bradley or his father — both involved in soccer, by the way — unless you approve? What’s next, GW, are we going to have a Beckerman faction of complainers who wail every time Beckerman is criticized until only comments are allowed about Beckerman that are approved by his faction? And then we can have factions for Klinsmann and Donovan and Jermaine Jones and Robbie Rogers–all with veto power? And can’t forget Timmy Chandler–he’s probably got a least a half dozen remaining supporters ready to flood the board if he is criticized. Man, this board would be just peachy under those guidelines, a virtual mutual admiration society love fest with only comments allowed that have not been vetoed by one faction or another.
It’s obvious that Donovan and Dempsey are damn competitive with one another. Both want to score for the US. I think it’s a great tension to have.
yeah baby! good call
Agreed. Can’t explain that to some though. There is an evolution of this team that Bradley’s infuence was critical to…he made the USMNT believe in itself again after the debacle of 2006!
JK has kept it moving, and frankly, the level of skill now available is at least the next generation and level.
not Bradley’s fault Sunil could not land JK after the WC cycle, which would have been ideal, but I’ll take where we are 🙂
I’ve been saying Landon should’ve stayed at forward his whole international career. Hopefully he stays up top with Dempsey. Very excited to see what happens during qualifying.
yeah baby! I love Landon’s effect on the team. It’s dramatic. Without him, the USMNT cannot counter…they have not countered effectively under Klinsmann until last night! And last night it was devastating.
“But no way in heck, even with the same players at the same skill levels, would BB have ever orchestrated a great performance like we witnessed last night.”
You are a noted BB hater and are entitled to your opinion but you have no way of proving that.
BB’s time with the USMNT had all sorts of restrictions and limitations that no longer exist for JK.
More important, the book is not closed on BB. He is still evolving as a manager and is doing great work in an impossible situation with Egypt. For that matter, MB is also evolving as a player. Why can’t you just leave them alone?
I’m happy with JK but even he has stated his respect for BB.
Most of your comments are consistently colored by attempts to find ways to link whatever is wrong with the USMNT to either Bradley and by never missing a chance to run either Bradley down.
Did they run over your dog or something? When will you go after the Mrs.Bradley? Does MB have any siblings you can attack?
This obsession lowers your credibility and casts a shadow on what might be otherwise intelligent commentary.
you’re right. and Michael is!
No I agree, that’s kind of the point of the post-trolls gtfo. Remember when Landon beat Clint in the FA Cup? Opposite deal.
seems Torres’ defensive responsibilities leak outside, but he’s in the middle calling for the ball in the attack…on one side of the middle it’s Paco and on the other it’s Michael making the run into space in the middle looking for the ball to unlock the D
awesome stuff last night. Paco tires, but who catres? play him hard until he does then sub him off…no problem
in the first half when everyone is fresh, Torres’ skills add a lot to the party and vs. Brazil will be key early to keep everything calm I think. Once he tires, sub him out for one of the numerous other excellent choices at his spot.
I agree with almost all of this except the Dempsey for Boyd part simply becasue Klinsmann has been pretty clear he likes Clint in the hole, not as the target man
But who knows? it’s fun to think about!
Torres had a great first half, not so much the second half after that super hard foul he took from behind.
If Dempsey is healthy, perhaps straight for Boyd. Dempsey as the target forward will be interesting. He’s great in the hole though, and has said Klinsmann likes him there too. That would mean not a straight swap with Boyd.
Being at the game I was truly impressed with Jermaine Jones he was pretty much running all night. His mindset seemed different than the others. He gave me the impression that he is the type of player who would break a player’s leg just to win the ball back for his team and if that is what it takes then so be it mentality. Donovan seems to have found his mojo. A great game and I was impressed with the play of Boyd. He too was all over the field pressing and cutting off passing lanes. The play of Jones and Bradley together looked good and they seemed to have moved to a higher level than in games past. Although I liked Fabian Johnson making some lethal runs up the left side it is clear from his footwork on the one v one defending that he will need more time to get this right. I would not be surprised if Brazil tries to isolate him and then go at him on one v one situations. Even with this he is a steep upgrade from Bornstein and Pierce.
Jerome,
You should have finished off your post by callin TDL “Liar , Liar, Pants on Fire”.
That would have made it perfect.
It’s interesting that JK has found a way to fit Torres in on the flanks.
JFT is basically the attacking version of the role Williams played against Italy.
In the Italy game, the much maligned Williams was there to keep the Italians from overrunning us in the midfield and to give our defense an outlet so that they would not have to hump out long clearances that would pinball back into our defensive third.
Williams has much better touch on the ball than most people realize and of course, JFT excels in that area.
Against Brazil I see Dempsey for Boyd and if Clint’s groin is iffy ( is there such a thing as a MINOR groin injury? I don’t believe that.), Jozy or Herc for Boyd.
“Plus he’s surprisingly firm and adept at defensive challenges. ”
That is because he is primarly a defensive midfielder for Pachuca.
Which is why, assuming the rest of the lineup stays as is, you drop Boyd for Dempsey.
Torres played a particular role for this game. If you still need that role played , you let Torres do it not anyone else.
And the last time I checked Dempsey is better at dominating the attacking final third and scoring than Boyd, so you let him do that.
Howeever, Brazil is a stylistically different team from Scotland so I’ll be curious to see how JK plans on attacking them.
The lesson of this game was that rather than focusing on good (or bad) perfornmances by one or two players, it the way the entire team played that counts and remains memorable.
That is what JK has been screaming from the rooftops for months now.
Maybe now that he has an example to point to you can see and understand for the US to get anywhere it has to be a TEAM game not an individual game.
+1 Nice response, I did not think of it like that.
IF/When Holden returns to form the player most likely to be sacrificed will be Jones. At 30+ years I think he moves to the bench and bumps Beckerman off the squad. Edu played the distroyer very well, Bradley & Holden are both very good Box to Box midfielders. Torres passing and quick movements add another dynamic to the squad.
My favorite thing about the situation is that all of them (Jones, Bradley, Edu, Torres, Holden, & Williams) are interchangeable and provide similar qualities, while adding something special against different opponents.
Jones, Bradley, Edu = Best against physical sides.
Torres, Holden = Best against quick counter attacking sides.
Well, sure, buy Landon is better than Clint…
😉
And how bad were those new shirts? The white back and the light numbers were horrible.
Brazil might be the test, but to my mind it’s the expendable game now… It a friendly and for as much of an ego boost it is to punch above weight class, no one will care about that performance if we drop a qualifier.
It will probably take Holden a year to get his mojo back. We probably won’t be able to make a case for himself until summer of 2013.
Tremendous effort. I’m surprised more pole aren’t among note of the night Gomez had. He played a role in both goals after he came on and really delivered. Hope to more of him, either as a super sub or starting next to Jozy with Dempsey and Donovan behind as attacking midfielders.
wow, could not have said that better. do you mind if I print that out and frame it?
(and I feel the same about Klinsmann and USWNT coach Pia Sunhage. She needs to move on after the Olympics this summer and I hope Klinsmann moves on after Gold Cup 2015. Klinsmann’s stock is no doubt skyrocketing right now and I can see him going to a one of the big European teams in three years (with the exception of Bayern)
noticed, but reading bocanegra’s lips he said something to the effect they couldn’t for some reason or another…
That was the worst national anthem I have ever heard. I was squirming in my seat for her. But, I wonder if it had to do with the nbc sound equipment distorting the sound? The bagpipe guys sounded off too, and the crowd didn’t seem to notice. I find it hard to believe that someone could be THAT bad.