Heading into Tuesday’s Copa America semifinal, the U.S. Men’s National Team readily admits they are the underdogs. Facing off with arguably the best player and best team in the world, the U.S. is fully aware that the odds are stacked against them in a one-off setting against elite opposition.
Following a quarterfinal win against Ecuador, the USMNT has earned a matchup with Argentina. Currently ranked first in the latest FIFA ranking, Argentina poses a threat unseen by the USMNT throughout what has been an overwhelmingly positive tournament run.
However, for all of the difficulties that lie ahead, the U.S. remains confident. They sit just one step away from a tournament final, after all. On paper, the odds are all but stacked against them, but on the field, the USMNT believes they have what it takes to bring the fight to Argentina.
“You want to measure yourself and go out and give them a real fight,” said head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. ” I think the team has done tremendously well over the past couple of weeks and got rewarded with getting into the semifinal, but this is now a moment that is not happening so often in your careers. All I well say is to go at them, be courageous. Believe you can do it, absolutely. Every team is beatable in the world, and if you understand the moment right now then, good, go for it.
“There’s been plenty of examples over the last few years of teams that, on a given day, are so committed, mentally, physically, to do whatever it takes to make the game hard on another team that may, on paper, have more going forward than they do and, in the end, are able to make it a difficult day and come out on top,” added Michael Bradley. “That’s what we’ll do. We’ll have a group of guys on the field who are so committed to making the game hard on Argentina, not giving them too much respect and really trying to play the game in a big way.”
When assessing Argentina, it begins, obviously, with Lionel Messi. Widely recognized as, at worst, one of the top two players in the world, Messi has lived up to his billing at the Copa America. After scoring a hat-trick off the bench in the group stage, Messi shined with a goal and pair of assists in Argentina’s 4-1 trampling of Venezuela as form continued into the knockout rounds.
The key to stopping Argentina likely lies with Messi, although it is widely accepted that is near impossible to completely quiet the Barcelona star. With a supporting cast of Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Nicholas Gaitan and Erik Lamela all being shuffled in and out of the lineup, focusing too much on Messi could prove just as suicidal as treating him like any other player.
“I don’t know if you can stop Messi. Obviously there’s going to a belt of attention around him. There always is,” said Matt Besler, who would matchup with the Argentinian star should he earn another start at left back. “It’s a group effort when you’re playing a guy like him. It’s not just one guy. You always need to know where he is on the field, but we have to play our game. You can’t focus too much on the opponent. You have to go out and do the things that you do well as a team.
“They’re certainly one of the best teams in the world, if not the best team. They’re certainly playing very well, so it’s going to be a major challenge for us, but I think we can still be confident. At this point in the tournament, anything can happen. Our mentality is that we have to go out and try and win the game and get into the final.”
The path to the final couldn’t be more difficult, but Bradley insists that the U.S. isn’t content with the progress made thus far. Should the U.S. fall to Argentina, Bradley insists that there is no extra pride in their status as CONCACAF’s final team standing.
Now with a final within grasp, and at least two more games to play, the U.S. wants to end on a high. That process continues with a matchup against the tournament favorites in what has the potential to be one of the biggest achievements in UMSNT history.
“In a competition, in a tournament, there are completely separate rules than in World Cup qualifiers or a regular game or maybe a friendly,” Klinsmann said. “These games are unique. Every game, you have to approach like a final. If you do that and show the same energy, if the crowd is behind us, anything is possible. Yes, we have respect for a wonderful Argentinian side. We welcome their fans, but we’re also ready for them.”
Nico Gaitan is suspended for this match, c’mon Ryan you should know this if you plan on making it big as a writer.
I’m absolutely convinced that this team will compete and make it a game that Argentina will have to win. I think JK likes to roll the dice late, so i think you will see the veterans get the nod in the lineup but will look to sub nagbe/pulisic in to change momentum. The key, as always, is to avoid the early goal. If we can play them to a draw at half, i like our odds to earn a win. Argentina has lots of skill, but what makes us unique is the amount of heart the USMNT always has in these games and the courage to play until the last whistle.
That plan makes the most sense. Let the veterans start the game and absorb the pressure for 65-70 minutes. Then bring in Pulisic and Nagbe to try and shake things up and score a goal late when Argentina are tired, frustrated and maybe a bit reckless as they push for a goal.
If JK brings in Bekkerman and Zusi but still tries to press for a goal from the beginning, it will probably be a disaster. Bradley, FJ and Yedlin will all have their hands full defending word-class opponents. That just leaves Clint and maybe Nagbe if he started, and that isn’t nearly enough offensive firepower.
Zardes is basically where plays go to die — terrible touch, poor passing and vision, no ability at take-ons, and not enough skill to score at this level except on easy dinks like Clint gave him against Ecuador. However, Zardes is the best defender out of all the forwards and his workrate is impressive, so he’s worth half a defensive midfielder.
So it’s either that, or start the likes Pulisic and Nagbe and go for broke from the beginning. Could be really horrible or could be really wonderful. And if we go for it, hopefully JK pulls Zardes. Either way, really excited for tomorrow’s match!
So just because Mexico got embarrassed does not mean there is any real risk of that happening to the us. Argentina is good but it’s not like they are the reigning copa or WC champion. Scoring 4+ goals is rare against someone. Mexico only gave up 7 because they were mental midgets and quit after the 3rd goal and chile kept the pressure up because they were upset by the friendly loss and the insufferable Mexican fans.
The Confederations Cup victory over Spain is probably the only model for a win, but who knows. Argentina’s defence against Venezuela was very careless at times–that game could have seen more goals on both sides. We are missing some key players, but Yedlin can get behind their backs and Dempsey is on a roll. Our history against the teams in knockout stages of the world cup and the copa tournaments is interesting (I’ll exclude Mexico here):
Brazil 1 USA 0 (1994 WC)
Brazil 1 USA 0 (1995 Copa)
Germany 1 USA 0 (2002 WC)
Ghana 2 USA 1 (2010 WC)
Belgium 2 USA 1 (2014 World Cup)
In five matches no loss by more than 1 goal for a -5 goal differential. And then think of Mexico losing 7-0 to Chile!
We just beat Ecuador in a knockout.
Many of you may be too young to remember this,…but I recall watching the USA ‘park the bus’ against Brazil in ’94. It was a dreary affair bordering on embarrassing. I often think it could have been an exciting game had Harkes not been suspended or Rakos not been injured and Bora said,…”hey,…lets go for it.” Point is,…I hope the USA go for it against Argentina. Take it to them. Let Messi play! Attack them as well. Go for it!
Yep, remember that game vividly.
That Leonardo elbow on Tab Ramos was vicious.
I would rather do whatever it takes. Playing an open game against Argentina is suicide.
That 94 team didn’t belong on the same field as Brazil. One thing I remember so well about that game is that even when Brazil were playing a man down, it seemed like they had more players b because of their team speed. Back in that era the two best teams in the world were probably the Brazil first team and their second team. I don’t think Argentina is that dominant, but they probably have the best collection of attackers on one team in history. Here are the yearly club goal totals for this season: Messi 41 goals, Higuain 38, Aguero 29, Di Maria 15, and Lamela 11. But I think their defense has some weaknesses.
Gary,…Brazil were World Cup Champions with Romario, Bebeto, Leonardo, etc. The USA had college players and semi-professional players on the field….of course you could say they didn’t belong. But at that point in the tournament,…the USA had achieved its goal, the knock-out stage,…why not go for it? A year later USA would have its best tournament performance ever in the ’95 Copa. Ancient history but it would have been fun to watch regardless of the score.
I just went to FS1 to make sure what time the game starts tomorrow night and then I read the description……”Kyle Beckerman leads the USA vs. Argentina” Uhhhhh, what? How could that possibly be the person they chose to highlight? Bradley, Brooks, Dempsey I could see, but a guy who has gotten 25 minutes of play time so far, odd!
I think we have an outside chance in this game, and it all depends on how we come out in the first 20 minutes. If we play close to even and do not give up an early goal, the pressure will slowly ramp up on Argentina and we may be able to force a few errors and hit them quickly. I really hope we see FJ in the midfield with Besler at LB, we need something going forward or we will be pinned back too much.
Getting pumped, should be loads of fun!
“Every game, you have to approach like a final. If you do that and show the same energy, if the crowd is behind us, anything is possible.” IF THE CROWD IS BEHIND US, UH OH. Well, maybe if we were playing in Columbus.
CP22 and nagbe should start if JK is seriously planing on attacking Argentina. The previous two games they protected the lead and used veterans and played it safe. With those 2 starting it gives them creativity and fresh legs. CP22 can make those same runs Wood has been doing, he doesn’t have hold up play but I watch most of his Dortmund games and he is very good off the ball moving into space check out his first goal. Nagbe is just so smooth on the ball and could work with Dempsey ahead him very well. Maybe even start kitchen, not sure beckerman can chase all game long on those old legs. Prediction 2-2 Argentina wins in penalties.
Anyone who saw the US beat Spain 2-0 in the Confed Cup knows the recipe. Play a 4-4-2 with two defensive midfielders (Bradley, Beckerman). Play two compact lines of 4, give up the wings and make them beat you on the cross. Put speed up top (Zardes) and look for the counter. It’s no guarantee but it gives them a shot.
In the Confed Cup we had Landon Donovan and Charlie Davies,…who both were true speed merchants. Not sure Zardes offers that kind of dangerous speed. Mind you,…I am not knocking Zardes but Davies in particular had frightening pace.
Zardes is faster than anyone currently on this team. He may be slowed down because of fatigue and the amount of running he does but everyone knows his speed. He is also one of the biggest members of the team, third to Brooks and Cameron He is actually bigger than Altidore. He is also quick as we saw in the run to the line on the goals vs Paraguay. Inside of 18 yard, he cleared almost 2 feet to center the ball to Dempsey.
??? Yeah,…I understand he is the fastest player on THIS team. My point is that while he is indeed fast,…he does not appear (emphasis) to have the kind of speed Donovan or Davies had. I recall the Spanish defenders saying post-game that they recognized immediately that Davies had mad speed and they were giving him 5 yards for good measure.
Yedlin is the fastest player we have.
Zardes is faster than anyone currently on this team.
Zardes probably has the best motor on the team, but I doubt he is the fastest.
I got Yedlin in race against Zardes, but Zardes is a STRONGER runner for sure. On the ball, Pulisic is probably the fastest.
Davies’ gift wasn’t his top end speed but that he could accelerate faster than any defender. When he played the shoulder of the last defender he would beat them to a through pass 99 out of 100 times. He had started to develop his finishing touch just before the crash. I still think we could have made a deep run in 2010 if he had stayed healthy.
Bigger thing was Donovan was world class in launching counters. We don’t have anyone that has his combination of speed vision and skill.
Tomorrow is a great opportunity for those who have had a good tournament so far to keep building on that and cement their place with the national team and possibly better their club situation and for those who have not had such a good tournemnt (Yedlin) to come out and redeem themselves and also do the same. A lot of eyes will be watching
Yedlin has had a good tournament. He was unlucky on the handball, legit could have happened to anyone and he had a one minute interval where he lost his cool he is still very young. He has been solid defensively and dangerous going forward.
I’m torn between wanting JK to go for broke and try to get a result, even if that means leaving ourselves exposed, and wanting to play the prototypical USMNT bunker-and-counter of the old days.
Reading all the comments on SBI the past 36 hours, it’s clear that as a whole, US fans are concerned about getting a similar beating to what Chile inflicted upon Mexico. I think most would gladly take a respectable 2-1 or 3-1 loss.
I’m more of the opinion of going for it, even if that means ending up with a 4-0 type of result. I think that’s the approach JK will take, knowing that we are not expected to compete with Argentina and that his job is no longer is jeopardy.
That Chile-Mexico result was pretty shocking. It doesn’t help we’re missing 3 starters. I’m really hoping to see Nagbe and Pulisic get the nod.
I’m having the same crisis. Ultimately, I have to put aside my dream for this team and deal with the reality. And that reality is that in order to win this game we have to play like the team we are. We have to put our 4-5-1 defensive lineup on the field, absorb Argentina’s pressure, let them commit forward and frustrate them with sound defense. The longer this works to our favor, the greater our chances become, and we may even find ourselves snatching a goal on the counter. The reality is that we do not have a single player as talented as Argentina’s fifth best player. They by all rights should win this game and win it soundly. The only thing standing in their way is how WE approach the game. If WE do our part, there’s no reason we can’t walk away with an upset.
But if we fall prey to this trap where we try to dream bigger than ourselves, to play like the team we want to be instead of the team we are, we will leave ourselves open for easy counters and a drumming is definitely possible. Even if we bunker with 10 behind the ball and play route 1 hoping for a bounce here or there to put us through on goal, we are likely to give up goals–not because of some shameful mark on our team, but due to the reality that Argentina is just that talented.
If we can last the first 20-30 minutes without giving a goal, we will have leveled the odds significantly. To that end, I think we see the back 4 from the first three matches, Beckerman inserted into Jones’ spot and moved back beside Bradley in defense. Nagbe will replace Bedoya and slot into the center of midfield in an advanced position. Zusi will replace Wood and slide into that right side midfield spot. Zardes stays in the lineup on the left, and Dempsey alone up top. 4-5-1 shell that can break into that 4-3-3 when possession changes. I do think Pulisic is a better choice than Zardes or Zusi, but if he was going to have a bigger role Klinsmann would have used him more than as a desperation sub in the first match.
If all goes according to plan that lineup will remain for the first 70 minutes. Pulisic will sub for either Zusi or Zardes as the first attacking change. Wondolowski next, and finally Castillo as we push all numbers into attack.
Leg: I can’t disagree with much of your analysis, except that if we make it to the 70th minute with a tied game, I think JK keeps us bunkered and tries to ride it all the way to the PK shootout. And considering we haven’t Pulisic and Nagbe (not sure why not Nagbe), It’s unlikely that we will see them this game either. It’s likely that Zusi and Wondo are the first subs.
Then again, JK gave Green his first minutes in OT against Belgium, so there’s that…
Hopefully he doesn’t put Deuce as the lone forward, that would be a waste. My preferred lineup would be:
Zardes – Dempsey
Johnson – Bradley – Kitchen – Zusi
Besler – Brooks – Camerson – Yedlin
Guzan
I put Kitchen instead of Beckerman for the simple fact that he is faster and younger and will be able to “keep up” with Messi (whatever that means…) for longer. I’d love to see Nagbe in there, but we need more defensive help.
Zusi won’t be a sub because he is a virtual lock for the starting 11.
Moving Fabian up to midfield is an intriguing option and certainly possible, but I would like to keep Yedlin and Fabian on the outside back spots to make us more dangerous on counter attacks. Nagbe is a true midfielder and is an easy swap for either Bedoya or Jones. That appeals to me much more than starting Kitchen, who hasn’t seen a single minute yet, or changing the lines. I’d have liked to see Kitchen pass and push out Beckerman, but if that was going to happen he would have been used already. He’s just there for the experience.
Dempsey would be a lone forward in my lineup, as he would be in any lineup against Argentina because they will force us deep with possession. It’s just the natural result of playing a better team. It’s not necessarily a waste, we just don’t have a second player occupying the defense. They will have to track our speed running out of midfield which would cause them more problems than a second forward with a stone touch. We would still have Zardes on the field, he would just start deeper than he would against a less talented/attacking team.
GO GO USA