Last night in Hartford, Connecticut, the U.S. Men’s National Team lost 4-2 in a friendly World Cup warm up match against the Czech Republic. Nothing particularly friendly happened on the pitch. In fact, the match had the familiar unfriendly feel of non-friendly U.S. matches.
The U.S. fielded a largely second string side, leaving out starters Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra and Michael Bradley, giving Bob Bradley and U.S. fans an opportunity to learn more about players on the cusp of the World Cup squad. So what did we learn? Well, I learned that Bocanegra apparently hasn’t eaten for months the way he was attacking those chicken wings in the important people suite during the match (thank you ESPN camera guy). Here are a few other things I learned:
The U.S. still has only two ways to attack: In a 4-4-2, the U.S. currently has two dynamic, central midfielders with the ability to create and make decisive passes, Benny Feilhaber and José Torres. Last night, Torres got the start, displaying some nice touches and glimpses of vision and tidy distribution often lacking out of our midfield. Both players know how to find space, can possess the ball, and have the ability to see and play dangerous balls going forward. They could be great assets to the U.S. if the team knew how to use them properly.
The U.S. typically likes to play with two relatively defensive, central midfielders. Chances are that against England on June 12, those two central miidfielders will be Michael Bradley and Maurice Edu. In our 4-4-2, our outside midfielders are responsible for attacking, creating, and helping out defensively. Against England, they will have more defensive responsibilities than usual given the potency of England’s attack. Landon Donovan, and one of Stuart Holden, DaMarcus Beasley or Clint Dempsey will likely occupy the outside midfield roles.
This system generally gives us two attacking options: 1) Counterattacking from the wings; and 2) Hoofing the ball up to a forward as an outlet, hoping that the receiving forward can control the ball and play in the supporting midfielders, or alternatively, if it’s Jozy Altidore, turn and beat the defender with pace. Both of these attacking options relegate the roll of our two central midfielders to defensive or holding duties, which makes practical sense with Bradley and Edu as neither are dynamic enough to quickly turn in traffic and play in probing balls to the forwards or wingers. Don’t get me wrong, both are great players, but neither of them are playmakers, per se.
Given the predictability of our style of play, good teams will close down the wings and make our backs and central midfielders beat them. We’ve seen over the years how frustrating it can be when our two attacking options aren’t working. We have other options, but unfortunately, we aren’t so good at using them.
The problem is that even when we introduce a Feilhaber or Torres, we still play as if we’re playing with two relatively defensive midfielders, often bypassing their creativity even though they have a better eye for playing penetrating balls and dictating the tempo of the game. It’s as if the U.S. hasn’t thought through how to change the tempo or play to the strengths of a a varied set of midfielders. It’s a problem that will come to haunt us in South Africa, not if, but when our two attacking options fail to meet the demands of a match.
Players like Feilhaber and Torres have the ability to use Donovan and Altidore in slightly different ways than we’re used to seeing them. Feilhaber and Torres have the ability to take the creative and distribution duties away from Donovan, for example, and allow him to focus on making dangerous runs. Similarly, Altidore at times needs to be more than an outlet. But being more than an outlet requires smart distribution from midfield. Sometimes you need to give the creative responsibility to others to unleash the ability of attacking players. The U.S. needs to spend time working on this option because it will need it to advance in South Africa.
Herculez, Herculez, Herculez (clapping): In my book, Herculez Gomez should definitely go to South Africa. In fact, in the remaining friendlies (assuming he makes the cut), it will be interesting to see what Gomez and Altidore look like together. Last night, he at least did enough to bypass Eddie Johnson on the depth chart.
The reason why Gomez should make the final roster is simple. He has the momentum, and in tournament play, momentum matters. Furthermore, Gomez had a half to make his case, and in that half, he did what you want forwards to do — score. In comparison, given years of opportunities to impress, Eddie Johnson has consistently underwhelmed. Now is the time to transition to a player like Gomez who led the Mexican League in scoring and just showed that he’ll work just as hard for the U.S. national team. Oh yeah, and I’ll say it again, he scored last night in his only real opportunity to shine. He took his chance and that should matter.
For what it’s worth, I’d also take Edson Buddle, sacrificing a midfielder along the way, not literally of course. Yesterday, Buddle showed a tremendous work rate, outshining his first half partner, Eddie Johnson. But that’s not the only reason why I’d select him. Removing Johnson from the equation, if you take a look at the remaining forwards (Altidore, Gomez, Ching, and throw Dempsey in), Buddle alone has the qualities to replace Altidore’s pace, power and workrate, which is essential in not only getting behind defenses, but also in pressuring defenders. It would be a mistake, again, given his momentum, to pull the cord now. Please, not now. His pace and power could come in handy in South Africa.
Proposed Final U.S. World Cup team: So here’s my final 23 who should go to South Africa:
Goalkeepers (3): Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann
Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Oguchi Onyewu (if healthy), Jonathan Spector, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Jonathan Bornstein
Midfielders (8): Landon Donovan, Maurice Edu, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, DaMarcus Beasley, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Torres, Ricardo Clark
Forwards (5): Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Herculez Gomez, Brian Ching, Edson Buddle
***
We’ll find out how close I am this afternoon, once again on ESPN.
I am with you on all this. But if Gooch isn’t any healthier (or better positioned) than he was last night when Jun 12 rolls around – this will all be moot.
The US spent a lot of time last night, having just won the ball, booting it out of defense and right over the midfield to the forwards. The ball ended up coming right back – and this was against a Czech team playing their 2nd/3rd stringers. I know that USMNT will have our best on the field in South Africa, but that lack of confidence in moving the ball from defense to attack was just a *bit* scary.
Excellent analysis about our attacking options and I agree about Buddle/Gomez as well. I thought Rogers did a lot for his cause last night as well. Our defense scares me right now though.
30f – If I was the coach, and clearly I’m not, I’d consider not even starting Gooch on current form, especially against a Rooney. He’s simply not mobile enough now, and to be honest, always struggles against players like that. He can always mark out a Borgetti, but Rooney or even a marauding Gerrard is a different proposition.
Rick – Thanks! I also thought Robbie looked good out there, but probably a case of too little too late. I do think DeMerit has put in a number of good performances at CB though. But it’s not pretty back there, that’s for sure.
Having been at the game, one of the most distressing things to see is how poor Jonathan Bornstein played. And yet, not only did he make the team, our troubles at left back are so substantial, that he might actually play. Quite simply he is a terrible liability, and I would rather have ANY other defender or even another player (Beasley) play out of position than let this kid in the game.