The USMNT pulled off what some considered to be the unthinkable, a result against England in the most hyped world cup match since the 2002 knockout stage match against Mexico. But how impressive was the draw really?
I will be the first to say that I am grateful and happy that Clint Dempsey and the boys proved me wrong by defending well and scoring on a half chance that went right. And no England fans, just because it was not a great work of skill that does not mean the goal was not a “real” goal. They all count and they are all real!
But now that the marquee match up is over, the question has to be asked how good was the result and what type of indicator is it for the team’s performance in this cup?
In my opinion the draw was huge and very impressive in my eyes. The reason, the way the USMNT attacked the match. They tried to play with England. They simply did not sit in a bunker and launch every ball off the backline. They tried to hold possession and they succeeded in spurts and just enough to keep England off balance for a significant portion of the match.
This was not the win over Spain in the Confederations Cup last year. This was better. Bob Bradley did not resolve to just instruct his team to absorb pressure. They attacked on their terms and instead of just launching balls forward they tried to hold the ball and create. That is the sign of a team that is confident and ready to make a run.
While passing the ball and holding possession helped their attack, it also helped kill England’s momentum. Connecting passes allowed the defense to reset and kept England from establishing a rhythm of just throwing balls at Tim Howard.
Now I am not saying England did not surge, they certainly did. But Bradley’s players stuck to the plan and tried to hold possession. That type of play in their next two matches and goal differential may be determining 1st place in the group for the US and not determining if they advance.
Positives:
1. The defense as a whole gets a big standing ovation. Not only did they show that they are fit but they showed that they are ready to handle the attack of one of the world’s best group of attacking players. Oguchi Onyewu showed that he has recovered enough to be a force in the world cup.
2. Jay Demerit had a great start to his world cup. Rudd Gullit and Alexi Lalas (I wonder if they talk off camera about how instrumental they were in creating the mess that Bruce Arena inherited in L.A.) pointed out just how good Demerit was at holding Wayne Rooney in check. When Wayne Rooney is picking the ball up 40 yards from goal that is a great job and Demerit deserves praise. For a player who is currently out of contract, that is a great individual start.
3. The wing play was very good today, both attacking and defending. Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and Steve Cherundolo worked so well together playing off each other going forward and helping to maintain (more so on the right side than left) defense against some very speedy and talented wingers.
4. Finally, Tim Howard showed that he is world class. Yeah he got beat by an unmarked Steven Gerrard but that happens to the best goalkeepers in the EPL all season. Howard was great the rest of the match and that ultimately got the result for the Americans. Donovan and Dempsey get the acclaim but this team will only go as far as Howard will take them.
Negatives:
1. While the wing play was the highlight of the attack today, Carlos Bocanegra was not great at left back. We all knew he is slower than your average left back but he allowed Aaron Lennon and Glenn Johnson to get around him quite a bit. However, he kept chasing and giving effort. If the USMNT faces speed like that on the wing again in this world cup it will be something to watch.
2. Robbie Findley did not belong on the field today. I understand the guy is fast but his touch and decision making is not at a level high enough for the world cup. Opening the game with speed is one thing but you have to be effective and Findley was not today.
3. As much as I like Rico Clark he was the last negative on the day although most of the negative involves one major play. Rico was very good today holding possession and not committing stupid fouls and turnovers but he simply let Steven Gerrard get away from him and score England’s lone goal. That can not happen. While it did not cost the Yanks a result today it could down the line.
So what does this mean going forward? In my eyes, it is a great start and building block. Now they have to come out and play the same way and look to capitalize on being the better team against Slovenia. With the showing today I am comfortable calling that match an expected three points. I hope the team shows that to be true.
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