It wasn’t the most attractive performance by any means, but the U.S. Men’s National Team will extend their Copa America stay at least one more match.
The 10-man USMNT defeated Paraguay 1-0 on Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field courtesy of Clint Dempsey’s first-half winner.
It took almost half an hour to find the back of the net, but Dempsey put the U.S. on the board in the 27th minute after a flurry of opportunities to open the match. Gyasi Zardes played in a low cross from the left end line and picked out Dempsey, who calmly finished from close range.
While Paraguay found much of the game’s possession, the U.S. utilized the counterattack to perfection throughout the evening.
The U.S. backline continued to serve as a strength for most of the evening, but Jurgen Klinsmann’s team suffered a massive blow in the early moments of the second half.
Right back DeAndre Yedlin was sent off in the 48th minute after picking up two yellow cards in a span of two minutes. Michael Orozco came in to replace the 22-year-old defender, while Dempsey was sacrificed up front in the U.S. attack.
Even down a man and facing wave after wave of Paraguay attacks, Brad Guzan and John Brooks stepped up to save the USMNT. The U.S. goalkeeper made several key saves, including a double save late in the match, while Brooks starred with a series of goal-saving tackles.
With the win, the USMNT advances to the quarterfinals and will await results from several other matches to determine their opponent, while Paraguay is eliminated from the tournament.
Sometimes the soccer gods smile. If Yedlin had not been sent off, the US would probably have lost this game. They would have continued to push forward,leaving loads of room at the back and Paraguay would have taken advanatge. As it was Klinsmann was forced to do the right thing and have them sit back and absorb the pressure.
I would have more faith in Orozco on the right then Castillo on the left. Yes Orozco is slower, but defensively he usually is in good position.
I agree – not crazy about either of them but Castillo has been pretty terrible in his USMNT appearances.
So now that we know we are playing Ecuador/Peru… most likely Ecuador… and I mean, if Brazil blow their game intentionally to come in second I’ll be pissed… who do we start at Right Back? Oroszco? Can he play against the Valencias or Montero? I dunno. This will be the US’s biggest test since Belgium.
Isn’t there a scenario that leaves Brazil out if they lose? I don’t think they can afford to play to lose.
Yes, if Ecuador wins and Brazil loses to Peru, then Brazil is out. A Brazil-Peru tie keeps Brazil in first.* The most likely scenario where Brazil comes in second requires Ecuador to lose or tie to Haiti, and then Brazil (in the later game of the day) could lose to Peru and end up second.
* = unless Ecuador beats Haiti by more than 6 goals.
Another option would be to move FJ to right back and then start either Castillo or Besler at left back. Not ideal but most likely whoever we face in next round will have at least one player suspended on yellow card accumulation.
Thank you Costa Rica!
Wonderful Wonderful Cosa Rica! Also, special thanks goes to Colombia’s arrogant coach, Jose Pekkerman. After the match against the USMNT, he said Colombia could have scored 2-3 more goals. Too bad you didn’t, eh Jose? Have fun with Brazil. It’s even better that Colombia lost because Pekkerman was equally arrogant against Costa Rica, resting several of his best offensive players and then scrambling to substitute them in just after half-time (James Rodriguez, Cuadrado).
So, anyone watching the Costa Rica / Colombia match? As of right now USA looks like it’s going to avoid Brazil.
Following it on ESPN.com, but for some reason baseball is on FS1. Did it get moved to Fox proper or something?
FS2
I don’t know if there are any more games on FS2 (which I and many others don’t get) but I believe all games are on Univision so brush up on your Spanish.
Doesn’t that mean Argentina instead of Mexico in the semis though?
I’m not sure, I think it’s going to be tough whatever happens, but it would be nice to win our group and go to play in Seattle.
Given the refereeing, I might rather play argentina than MX. At least argentina is an average team +messi. I feel like the US plays better when it can just shut someone off with athletics and play 10 v 10… i.e. Portugal. Like start Beckerman, tell him not to leave Messi’s side wherever he goes, hand in pocket and play with his balls style of man marking. If he gets a first half yellow… who cares, you just sub him off at the half for Jermaine. Vs. MX where their team is better and you have to be fighting terrible refereeing the whole game. I have seen how this edition of the USMNT deals with a crap ref… and it ain’t pretty.
Nice cross from Zardes, but oh my goodness, he kills chances. Sometimes it’s like his feet actually repel the ball.
With road games in Central America and Azteca on the horizon in the Hex, Woods and Yedlin have to keep themselves under control. We can’t have guys sent off on the road in WC qualifying.
Who is Woods?
No guts no Glory….there’s nothing like (in a horrible game like this) watching your team play their hearts out, stand together and dig deep in the face of adversity.
Yedlin’s yellow cards were 20 seconds apart, bone-headed to the max. And I forgave Zardes after that cross and goal, but then he became club-footed all over again…
What was most shocking about Zardes’ fluffs today was that he actually had a first touch… but then it was like he was so suprised that he didn’t kick it too far that he just forgot that he still had to shoot.
No reason for Zardes to touch that pass. It is infront of you, take the shot. You can get away with that extra touch in MLS, not at the international level.
Agreed… but I think he has been working so hard on one thing (first touch) that he was only thinking about that… and so the other options didn’t even cross his mind in the moment. Which.. BTW, he managed a couple good first touches… so good for him.
Books was awesome! A clinic on defending. He is Eddie Pope-ish in an Onyewu body. But I do have to ask one question……… Are we really positively sure Jones is 34??? He sure ain’t playing like it for club and country. We questioned Adu’s “real” age for years. Now it is time to question JJ’s hahahahahaha
Yedlin’s 2nd yellow seemed deserved (came in late + he has to be more careful after he just picked up a yellow)
Gyasi on the counter is a turnover machine. Woods gave Zardes a great pass to spring him and he doesn’t even get a shot or a cross off.
Frustrating game but glad the USMNT won
That said, I don’t see how they are going to beat Brazil
Might not have to if Costa Rica can pull this upset
Pass was a little late, but even an unapologetic Zardes fanboy like myself thinks he should have done better there
Of course the first goal was 95% Zardes so maybe you should lay off, and with Wood out for the next game, he’s starting next week too.
Wood not out next game
Sorry, Jason Davis on Espn.com said he was, but I guess that was his first yellow. Either way Zardes is starting.
Any yellow cards picked up during the group stage are forgiven going into the next round. Woods is still good, Yedlin will not be so lucky. Orozco will do well just needs to practice his crosses.
forgiven after QF… not before.
Bedoya, Brooks, Johnson, Wood, Bradley, Jones and Orozco all picked up one yellow at some point during the group stage. Not sure where this confusion about Wood having two came in (saw it on Twitter too).
Basically, if they don’t get cleared until after the quarters (which would be weird, but Copa is chock full of that), the U.S. could be facing some trouble if they get through to the semis with that many guys sitting on yellows.
Did Guzan earn himself a better transfer tonight?
Him and Brooks both I feel like did.
Great game, but the team has to control there temper. Woods yellow was not necessary. I am not going to even go into that bone headed play by Yedlin.
I like the piss and vinegar. Shows growth of passion and confidence.
Piss and vinegar didn’t change the outcome, but cost us a starting back in the quarter final. You are every bit as naive as Yedlin on this one.
Yedlin owes us all a beer…
Lol???
Their*
While you are correct, that ref was horrible and not even close to fair, calling us on fouls that he let Paraguay get away with. I was hoping he’d have to come off with his injury since anybody else would have been better.
I was waiting for the piss poor officiating to get us. blam. But our guys were totally hot headed too. They need to learn to chill a bit.
Also… thank god for Costa Rica. I shudder to think about Oroszco against Brazil.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Personally I have higher expectations than getting out of a not particularly difficult group. The US is the second best team in this group so at home we should expect to make it through. If we lose in the quarters (especially since it isn’t going to be against Brazil) then I think this is a par showing at best.