THE GOOD ...
- RESILIENCE: More than anything, this game (and, quite honestly, the entire World Cup campaign) was a testament to a never-say-die attitude from the US team. They faced any number of obstacles, both created by themselves (see 0-2 Slovenia at half) and imposed upon them (see Coulibaly, Kouman). But they continually dug in, stayed in the game, and ultimately got rewarded for it.
- UNSUNG HEROES: Landon Donovan will rightly get all the glory for netting the game-winning and group-winning goal. But Jozy Altidore had one of his best 90 minutes, demonstrating speed and a deft touch. While Donovan definitely "wrote the future" with his goal, we may also have seen a glimpse of the future with Altidore. Also checking in with a great performance was Jonathan Bornstein, called into duty with Bob Bradley's brave decision to bench Oguchi Onyewu. After a less-than-stellar qualifying campaign, Bornstein acquitted himself very well helping to keep the Algerian attack at bay.
- JUSTICE: Sure, soccer is a game for drama queens and prone to hyperbole. But Donovan's stoppage-time winner really gave us what was the right result. Not only did the US advance and get the glory of winning the group, but by finishing first they get put into a four-team group with Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea instead of Germany, Argentina, and Mexico. Sure, every game is tough, but I think if you shot Bradley full of truth serum he'd be pretty happy with his draw. Although, how could would a USA-Mexico quarterfinal match be ...
THE BAD ...
- THE WIDTH OF THE CROSSBAR: That's how close the US was from having yet another calamitous start to a World Cup finals game. Good grief, guys, how hard is it to get through the first 15 minutes of a game without killing the people cheering for you?
- THE FOLKS WITH THE WHISTLES: At least this time it was defensible. Once again, the US has a legitimate goal taken off the board. This time, it was early in the game, when Clint Dempsey had a strike erased for an offside call when replay showed he was even with the defender. It was a close call, to be sure, and that stuff happens. But, boy, it seems like it happened a lot to the US in group play.
- THE SKIN OF THEIR TEETH: As the story unfolded, Donovan scored and the US team get to be the heroes of the country. But don't forget, they were about 150 seconds away from being eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage. It's not that far off from their performance in the Confederations Cup last year, when they needed to hammer Egypt and get help to advance to knockout competition. Yes, it's a great result, but it was razor-close in getting there.
... AND THE REASON WE WATCH THIS GAME IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I said after the Slovenia game that if you weren't a soccer fan after that game, there was something wrong with you. After this game, if you aren't a soccer fan, you're just plain dead. This game had everything - massive emotional swings, villainous decisions going against the heroes, near-misses, and the final, dramatic ending. And it couldn't be better for the growth of the game in the United States. Thanks to ESPN's relentless promotion, and the US performance, the group stage games drew massive television ratings and delivered. Now, we'll have at least another week of soccer stealing the national spotlight in the US.
THE BIG PICTURE
At the start of the competition, we expected England and the US to advance. England and the US advanced. Should we look at this result as merely the expected coming to pass? Of course not, and it was the way the result occurred. For US fans,
THE NEXT GAME: United States v. Ghana. As if the Yanks needed motivation for a World Cup knockout round game, it was the Black Stars that ended their 2006 World Cup in the groups with a controversial penalty kick call. Ghana sets up very similarly to Algeria, lacking a true single goal-scoring machine but possessing a lot of quickness and danger throughout the squad. Yes, they haven't scored from open play, but it doesn't mean they won't be a very dangerous opponent.
FEARLESS FORECAST: Most observers would say that the US has achieved their reasonable objective at this year's World Cup by making it out of the group. That means the US will be able to play without fear, as they're already playing with house money. They can come out loose and aggressive against a Ghana team that sets up in a very similar manner to Algeria. Look for almost the same lineup, with the exception of Edson Buddle or Robbie Findley starting up front instead of Herculez Gomez, and for the US to convert on some of the chances missed against the Desert Foxes. US 2-0 Ghana, equaling the American's best performance at a World Cup.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Happy/Sad: USA - Algeria
For the US fan watching the Algeria game Wednesday morning:
YOU'LL BE HAPPY IF:
- THE US DOESN'T COLLAPSE EARLY. It's becoming almost cartoon-like in its' predictability. After conceding in the fourth minute against England, the black-comedy buzz around the establishment at which I was watching the Slovenia match was that they'd better not let the Charlie Browns score early. Oops. Algeria has shown the least amount of firepower in Group C, but that doesn't mean they're not capable of scoring and putting the US in (another) hole to start the game.
- GOOCH IS READY TO GO. Particularly with the first goal against Slovenia, defender Oguchi Onyewu looked off the pace of the game. Given the length of time he's been out of action with injury, some rustiness would be expected. But the US will need their star defender to be alert and ready to go from the opening whistle against the Desert Foxes.
- BRADLEY GETS THE MIDFIELD RIGHT. Coach Bob Bradley has been tinkering with the midfield, starting a defensive Ricardo Clark against England, a more creative Jose Torres against Slovenia, and subbing Maurice Edu for Torres when he needed a spark in the second half. Given that the US could advance even with a draw, and given his innate conservatism, I would be surprised if Clark doesn't get the nod, with Edu coming on if the US needs some attack.
YOU'LL BE SAD IF ...
- ENGLAND SCORE BEFORE THE US. The US has a two-goal advantage over England in their group standings, meaning if everything stays the same then the US would advance over England. Even if everything else remains the same, if England score early and get up on the Charlie Browns, there will be added pressure on the US to push forward and score.
- THE US THINKS THE SLOVENIA SECOND HALF MEANS THEY ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING. It was a phenomenal second-half performance against Slovenia the US put in, maybe the best I've ever seen from an American team. But if the US thinks, in any way, that performance did anything other than give them an opportunity, then they're set up to come out flat again, go behind again, and have to go to the well again for a miracle comeback. It was pretty tough to imagine the US fighting back once from a deficit - it's even more tough to imagine them doing it again.
- ALGERIA FIND THEIR MOJO. While they've been the worst of the four Group C teams so far, it's not like Algeria haven't had their moments. They had quite a bit of the run of play against Slovenia, and had their chances against England. If the Desert Foxes are able to get a toe-hold into the game, they could cause the US some real heartache.
YOU'LL BE HAPPY IF:
- THE US DOESN'T COLLAPSE EARLY. It's becoming almost cartoon-like in its' predictability. After conceding in the fourth minute against England, the black-comedy buzz around the establishment at which I was watching the Slovenia match was that they'd better not let the Charlie Browns score early. Oops. Algeria has shown the least amount of firepower in Group C, but that doesn't mean they're not capable of scoring and putting the US in (another) hole to start the game.
- GOOCH IS READY TO GO. Particularly with the first goal against Slovenia, defender Oguchi Onyewu looked off the pace of the game. Given the length of time he's been out of action with injury, some rustiness would be expected. But the US will need their star defender to be alert and ready to go from the opening whistle against the Desert Foxes.
- BRADLEY GETS THE MIDFIELD RIGHT. Coach Bob Bradley has been tinkering with the midfield, starting a defensive Ricardo Clark against England, a more creative Jose Torres against Slovenia, and subbing Maurice Edu for Torres when he needed a spark in the second half. Given that the US could advance even with a draw, and given his innate conservatism, I would be surprised if Clark doesn't get the nod, with Edu coming on if the US needs some attack.
YOU'LL BE SAD IF ...
- ENGLAND SCORE BEFORE THE US. The US has a two-goal advantage over England in their group standings, meaning if everything stays the same then the US would advance over England. Even if everything else remains the same, if England score early and get up on the Charlie Browns, there will be added pressure on the US to push forward and score.
- THE US THINKS THE SLOVENIA SECOND HALF MEANS THEY ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING. It was a phenomenal second-half performance against Slovenia the US put in, maybe the best I've ever seen from an American team. But if the US thinks, in any way, that performance did anything other than give them an opportunity, then they're set up to come out flat again, go behind again, and have to go to the well again for a miracle comeback. It was pretty tough to imagine the US fighting back once from a deficit - it's even more tough to imagine them doing it again.
- ALGERIA FIND THEIR MOJO. While they've been the worst of the four Group C teams so far, it's not like Algeria haven't had their moments. They had quite a bit of the run of play against Slovenia, and had their chances against England. If the Desert Foxes are able to get a toe-hold into the game, they could cause the US some real heartache.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
YTG Re-View: USA 2-2 SVN
THE GOOD ...
- THE SECOND HALF: Well, cripes, where were those guys when the game kicked off? Right from the start of the second half, the US came out with energy, determination, and desperation. Well-deserved desperation, mind you - being down 2-0 to a team from a country half the population of Brooklyn will do that. But if the US could play with that kind of energy throughout the tournament, they could beat anyone.
- MANDON: In the time between the Slovenia and the Algeria game, I was planning a thought-provoking column on whether Clint Dempsey was a better player than Landon Donovan. Apparently, Landon heard about it. No disrespect to Dempsey, a player I love, but Donovan took charge of the game and willed the US to a point (and, if there was justice in the world, three points). It's Donovan's world now, and we're all just renting space.
- DONOVAN THE HEADHUNTER: I know it's dovetailing a little bit on the point above, but Donovan's goal was a tone-setter not only for the goal itself but for the manner in which it was struck. In the six-yard box, Donovan was one-on-one with the Charlie Browns' keeper, and hit a rocket up to the top of the goal. Rather than attempt to save it, the keeper basically protected his head and tried to survive the shot. Talk about making a point.
- PUSHING THE RIGHT BUTTONS: When Bob Bradley made two substitutions at the half, I wondered if he was pushing the panic button. Instead, bringing on Benny Feilhaber and Maurice Edu for Jose Torres and Robbie Findley helped the US get back on their front foot and take the game to the Charlie Browns. As much as the first half can be laid on his doorstep (see below), Bradley has to be given a lot of credit for the comeback.
THE BAD ...
- THE FIRST HALF: The second-half performance of the US was a sight to behold, but it masks to some degree the disastrous first half they played. Oguchi Onyewu's marking of the Slovenian striker who scored the first goal was lax at best, and on the breakaway second goal it appeared the back line was either praying for offside or simply missed the attacking player completely. And how you miss a guy in a shirt as ugly as Slovenia wears is beyond me.
- THE MAN IN THE YELLOW SHIRT: Yeah, there's no escaping it. The ref blew it, and not just on Edu's non-goal goal. In the second half, Bradley was off and got taken down by the last man for Slovenia, who mysteriously did not see a red card. Findley got a yellow for the temerity of playing the ball with his head - and that yellow means that Findley is out for the Algeria game. The US made a lot of problems for themselves, but they were robbed of one of the great World Cup comebacks of all time with the ref's performance. Let's hope it doesn't cost them a spot in the knockout round.
- ALARM CLOCKS: Look familiar? It was the same concern I had after the England game. Once again, the US started the game slow, tentative and - dare I say it? - flat in a World Cup finals game. For it to happen once is disturbing. For it to be a regular occurrence is simply unacceptable. The game plan against the Charlie Browns had to be to get on them early, score, and make them chase the game. There was no evidence at all the players put that into place.
... AND THE WELCOMING TO THE CLUB.
Dear America: Welcome to soccer. American sports fans have been watching this World Cup more than ever before, and now they have a real understanding of one of the "traditions" of the game - getting hosed in a massively important game by a bad call. Sure, England won the World Cup in 1966, but it's Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal that really is what English fans rally around. Now, American soccer fans have their own moment, a "Foul of Nothing" they can talk about for years to come. If the US advance from the group, then US fans will have some other memories to savor. But if they go out on Wednesday, US fans will have their own Maradona-like villain to blame for generations to come.
THE BIG PICTURE.
Thanks to England's 0-0 draw with Algeria, the US holds its' destiny in its' own hands. A win over Algeria (the only team in the group to lose a game) means the US will advance to the knockout rounds. A win coupled with an England win over the Charlie Browns (which you still have to think is likely even after seeing England's tepid performance against the Desert Foxes) means the US will almost certainly win the group and get the second-place team from Group D. No great shakes, as that could be Ghana (who knocked the US out of World Cup 2006 in group play), Serbia (everyone's darkhorse), or Germany (res ipsa). Even a tie keeps the US hopes of advancing alive, as they'd go forward if England lost to the Charlie Browns or tied them and scored two or less goals than the US did in the game.
THE NEXT GAME: United States v. Algeria. A win-and-you're-in game for the US, which at halftime against Slovenia seemed unlikely to get. Still, the US is in for a fight - perhaps literally - against Algeria. The Desert Foxes are a scrappy side that held a powerful England attack goal-less. If the US comes out flat - and we've get to see a US team NOT come out flat in the World Cup - they could find themselves in trouble. If the US, however, brings the energy and the chip on their shoulder that a "daylight robbery" should give them, then the US should take care of business on their own.
FEARLESS FORECAST: United States 2-1 Algeria. The US finally bring energy in the first half, get an easy goal, and win a relatively comfortable game against an Algeria team that runs out of gas after their slugfest with England.
- THE SECOND HALF: Well, cripes, where were those guys when the game kicked off? Right from the start of the second half, the US came out with energy, determination, and desperation. Well-deserved desperation, mind you - being down 2-0 to a team from a country half the population of Brooklyn will do that. But if the US could play with that kind of energy throughout the tournament, they could beat anyone.
- MANDON: In the time between the Slovenia and the Algeria game, I was planning a thought-provoking column on whether Clint Dempsey was a better player than Landon Donovan. Apparently, Landon heard about it. No disrespect to Dempsey, a player I love, but Donovan took charge of the game and willed the US to a point (and, if there was justice in the world, three points). It's Donovan's world now, and we're all just renting space.
- DONOVAN THE HEADHUNTER: I know it's dovetailing a little bit on the point above, but Donovan's goal was a tone-setter not only for the goal itself but for the manner in which it was struck. In the six-yard box, Donovan was one-on-one with the Charlie Browns' keeper, and hit a rocket up to the top of the goal. Rather than attempt to save it, the keeper basically protected his head and tried to survive the shot. Talk about making a point.
- PUSHING THE RIGHT BUTTONS: When Bob Bradley made two substitutions at the half, I wondered if he was pushing the panic button. Instead, bringing on Benny Feilhaber and Maurice Edu for Jose Torres and Robbie Findley helped the US get back on their front foot and take the game to the Charlie Browns. As much as the first half can be laid on his doorstep (see below), Bradley has to be given a lot of credit for the comeback.
THE BAD ...
- THE FIRST HALF: The second-half performance of the US was a sight to behold, but it masks to some degree the disastrous first half they played. Oguchi Onyewu's marking of the Slovenian striker who scored the first goal was lax at best, and on the breakaway second goal it appeared the back line was either praying for offside or simply missed the attacking player completely. And how you miss a guy in a shirt as ugly as Slovenia wears is beyond me.
- THE MAN IN THE YELLOW SHIRT: Yeah, there's no escaping it. The ref blew it, and not just on Edu's non-goal goal. In the second half, Bradley was off and got taken down by the last man for Slovenia, who mysteriously did not see a red card. Findley got a yellow for the temerity of playing the ball with his head - and that yellow means that Findley is out for the Algeria game. The US made a lot of problems for themselves, but they were robbed of one of the great World Cup comebacks of all time with the ref's performance. Let's hope it doesn't cost them a spot in the knockout round.
- ALARM CLOCKS: Look familiar? It was the same concern I had after the England game. Once again, the US started the game slow, tentative and - dare I say it? - flat in a World Cup finals game. For it to happen once is disturbing. For it to be a regular occurrence is simply unacceptable. The game plan against the Charlie Browns had to be to get on them early, score, and make them chase the game. There was no evidence at all the players put that into place.
... AND THE WELCOMING TO THE CLUB.
Dear America: Welcome to soccer. American sports fans have been watching this World Cup more than ever before, and now they have a real understanding of one of the "traditions" of the game - getting hosed in a massively important game by a bad call. Sure, England won the World Cup in 1966, but it's Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal that really is what English fans rally around. Now, American soccer fans have their own moment, a "Foul of Nothing" they can talk about for years to come. If the US advance from the group, then US fans will have some other memories to savor. But if they go out on Wednesday, US fans will have their own Maradona-like villain to blame for generations to come.
THE BIG PICTURE.
Thanks to England's 0-0 draw with Algeria, the US holds its' destiny in its' own hands. A win over Algeria (the only team in the group to lose a game) means the US will advance to the knockout rounds. A win coupled with an England win over the Charlie Browns (which you still have to think is likely even after seeing England's tepid performance against the Desert Foxes) means the US will almost certainly win the group and get the second-place team from Group D. No great shakes, as that could be Ghana (who knocked the US out of World Cup 2006 in group play), Serbia (everyone's darkhorse), or Germany (res ipsa). Even a tie keeps the US hopes of advancing alive, as they'd go forward if England lost to the Charlie Browns or tied them and scored two or less goals than the US did in the game.
THE NEXT GAME: United States v. Algeria. A win-and-you're-in game for the US, which at halftime against Slovenia seemed unlikely to get. Still, the US is in for a fight - perhaps literally - against Algeria. The Desert Foxes are a scrappy side that held a powerful England attack goal-less. If the US comes out flat - and we've get to see a US team NOT come out flat in the World Cup - they could find themselves in trouble. If the US, however, brings the energy and the chip on their shoulder that a "daylight robbery" should give them, then the US should take care of business on their own.
FEARLESS FORECAST: United States 2-1 Algeria. The US finally bring energy in the first half, get an easy goal, and win a relatively comfortable game against an Algeria team that runs out of gas after their slugfest with England.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Happy/Sad: USA - Slovenia
For US fans looking forward to Friday's USA - Slovenia match:
YOU'LL BE HAPPY IF ...
- THE US SCORE. Sure, that seems like the most screamingly obvious thing to say, but there's more to it. Slovenia is Slovenian for "defense," so even in a neutral setting the Charlie Browns will set up to stop you from scoring first. With their win against Algeria and three points in the bank, it's even more likely that the Slovenians will park the bus (with the Colorado license plate, of course) in front of goal and play for the point against a superior US team. The US, on the other hand, really needs to get all three points from this game to keep their knockout round fate in their own hands, so scoring will be at a premium. If the US irresistible force overcomes the Slovenian immovable object, the US will be in great shape in this game.
- THE MIDFIELD IS INVOLVED IN THE OFFENSE. To score, the US will need their midfielders (particularly their central midfielders) to be part of the attack. Against England, Bob Bradley set up his midfield defensively by putting in Ricardo Clark instead of Jose Torres. That, of course, backfired spectacularly when it was Clark who lost Steven Gerrard in the fourth minute for England's only goal. If Bradley selects Torres over Clark, it will be a clear signal that the central midfield will be attack-first instead of defense-first, which will be critical for the US chances to get all three points.
- HOWARD IS HEALTHY. US goalkeeper Tim Howard, the slam-dunk Man of the Match against England - took a vicious boot to the chest from Emil Heskey in the first half against England. He played the whole game, and all reports are that he will be good to go against the Charlie Browns. But if the US will be playing for the win, the Slovenians will be looking to hit them on the counterattack. They'll get their chances, and it will be up to Howard to keep them out. If he's healthy, he should be up to the task, but it could be scary if the Heskey injury makes him a half-step slower or hesitant.
YOU'LL BE SAD IF ...
- ALTIDORE IS ABSENT. Again, this game will turn on the US offense versus the Slovenian defense. Jozy Altidore, with his size and speed, will be crucial for the US attack to be successful. If the Slovenians are successful in neutralizing the big man, the US is going to struggle to get the three points they need.
- THE FULLBACKS STAY BACK. Steve Cherundolo has been getting a lot of playing time in the US defense, and performed admirably to keep England to one goal. But an offensive contribution from 'Dolo would play a big part in a US breakthrough tomorrow morning.
- THE SNOOZE ALARM DOESN'T GO OFF AGAIN. A huge US bugaboo in World Cup competition has been allowing the early goal. While the US showed admirable resilience in surviving the game after Clark's nap let Gerrard put England in front early, such slumber will cost the US more dearly against Slovenia. Let's be clear. The England game was a great show, and got great attention from the US audience (outdrawing the NBA Finals, fer cryin' out loud!) But if the US are serious about competing at the highest level internationally, it's the games against Slovenia and Algeria where they will prove their mettle. If the US concede early again against the Charlie Browns, and take only a point or (horror) no points from the game, then much if not all of the momentum the US has gained since the Confederations Cup success in 2009 could be lost.
YOU'LL BE HAPPY IF ...
- THE US SCORE. Sure, that seems like the most screamingly obvious thing to say, but there's more to it. Slovenia is Slovenian for "defense," so even in a neutral setting the Charlie Browns will set up to stop you from scoring first. With their win against Algeria and three points in the bank, it's even more likely that the Slovenians will park the bus (with the Colorado license plate, of course) in front of goal and play for the point against a superior US team. The US, on the other hand, really needs to get all three points from this game to keep their knockout round fate in their own hands, so scoring will be at a premium. If the US irresistible force overcomes the Slovenian immovable object, the US will be in great shape in this game.
- THE MIDFIELD IS INVOLVED IN THE OFFENSE. To score, the US will need their midfielders (particularly their central midfielders) to be part of the attack. Against England, Bob Bradley set up his midfield defensively by putting in Ricardo Clark instead of Jose Torres. That, of course, backfired spectacularly when it was Clark who lost Steven Gerrard in the fourth minute for England's only goal. If Bradley selects Torres over Clark, it will be a clear signal that the central midfield will be attack-first instead of defense-first, which will be critical for the US chances to get all three points.
- HOWARD IS HEALTHY. US goalkeeper Tim Howard, the slam-dunk Man of the Match against England - took a vicious boot to the chest from Emil Heskey in the first half against England. He played the whole game, and all reports are that he will be good to go against the Charlie Browns. But if the US will be playing for the win, the Slovenians will be looking to hit them on the counterattack. They'll get their chances, and it will be up to Howard to keep them out. If he's healthy, he should be up to the task, but it could be scary if the Heskey injury makes him a half-step slower or hesitant.
YOU'LL BE SAD IF ...
- ALTIDORE IS ABSENT. Again, this game will turn on the US offense versus the Slovenian defense. Jozy Altidore, with his size and speed, will be crucial for the US attack to be successful. If the Slovenians are successful in neutralizing the big man, the US is going to struggle to get the three points they need.
- THE FULLBACKS STAY BACK. Steve Cherundolo has been getting a lot of playing time in the US defense, and performed admirably to keep England to one goal. But an offensive contribution from 'Dolo would play a big part in a US breakthrough tomorrow morning.
- THE SNOOZE ALARM DOESN'T GO OFF AGAIN. A huge US bugaboo in World Cup competition has been allowing the early goal. While the US showed admirable resilience in surviving the game after Clark's nap let Gerrard put England in front early, such slumber will cost the US more dearly against Slovenia. Let's be clear. The England game was a great show, and got great attention from the US audience (outdrawing the NBA Finals, fer cryin' out loud!) But if the US are serious about competing at the highest level internationally, it's the games against Slovenia and Algeria where they will prove their mettle. If the US concede early again against the Charlie Browns, and take only a point or (horror) no points from the game, then much if not all of the momentum the US has gained since the Confederations Cup success in 2009 could be lost.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Strategeriffic cheering
Tomorrow, we'll look ahead to the actual USA - Slovenia match itself. But, just to get ready, here's some things to prepare for in terms of how to watch the England - Algeria match which will follow:
IF THE USA WIN:
- Root for England. England would be on 6 points, the USA on 4 points, Slovenia on 3, and Algeria on 0. That means Algeria would be out of contention for the knockout phase, and hopefully an easier opponent. Additionally, Slovenia would have to play for a win to have any hope of advancing, meaning they would have to abandon their defense-first mindset and likely be more exposed to a loss. The USA would still have work to do, needing a second win to guarantee advancing, but the work would likely be easier.
IF THE USA DRAW:
- Root for a draw. Slovenia would be on 4 points, the USA would be on 2 points, England would be on 2 points, and Algeria would be on 1 point. In this scenario, England could still win the group by beating Slovenia, meaning they would have all the reason in the world to push towards a win instead of a point. The USA would need a win over Algeria to have a shot regardless.
IF THE USA LOSE:
- Don't panic. Well, maybe panic a little. But all hope isn't lost.
- Root for Algeria. Slovenia would be on 6 points, Algeria would be on 3 points, the USA would be on 1 point, and England would be on 1 point. The final game then sets up with England taking on a uber-defensive Slovenia team needing only a draw, and a 0-0 outcome would not be out of the question. The USA would then have to beat Algeria, getting to 4 points and taking second in the group.
IF THE USA WIN:
- Root for England. England would be on 6 points, the USA on 4 points, Slovenia on 3, and Algeria on 0. That means Algeria would be out of contention for the knockout phase, and hopefully an easier opponent. Additionally, Slovenia would have to play for a win to have any hope of advancing, meaning they would have to abandon their defense-first mindset and likely be more exposed to a loss. The USA would still have work to do, needing a second win to guarantee advancing, but the work would likely be easier.
IF THE USA DRAW:
- Root for a draw. Slovenia would be on 4 points, the USA would be on 2 points, England would be on 2 points, and Algeria would be on 1 point. In this scenario, England could still win the group by beating Slovenia, meaning they would have all the reason in the world to push towards a win instead of a point. The USA would need a win over Algeria to have a shot regardless.
IF THE USA LOSE:
- Don't panic. Well, maybe panic a little. But all hope isn't lost.
- Root for Algeria. Slovenia would be on 6 points, Algeria would be on 3 points, the USA would be on 1 point, and England would be on 1 point. The final game then sets up with England taking on a uber-defensive Slovenia team needing only a draw, and a 0-0 outcome would not be out of the question. The USA would then have to beat Algeria, getting to 4 points and taking second in the group.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
After further review
American football fans will recognize the article's title as the referee's incantation after an instant replay decision has been made - the irony is intended, given FIFA's insistence to not use instant replay. But the intent of the piece today is to take a look at the USA 1-1 ENG match after a few days of rumination and decide what we have learned.
THE DEFENSE ISN'T AS BAD AS WE THOUGHT. Now, this might be setting the bar a little low, as the fears about the US back four were pretty rampant. But Onyewu played a solid 90 minutes, and Demerit had a workmanlike, if not spectacular, game. Ultimately, between the midfield and the defense, the US kept Wayne Rooney awfully quiet throughout most of the game. That in and of itself is an accomplishment, and one that was not universally expected.
RICARDO CLARK AIN'T THERE FOR HIS CREATIVITY. I'm sure Bob Bradley picked Clark to pair up with Michael Bradley in the midfield for his defense. Of course, that's also ironic given that it was Clark that lost Steven Gerrard in the opening of the game that led to England's opener. But Jose Torres in qualification and friendlies leading up to the World Cup offered far more creativity and offense than Clark. In the upcoming games (particularly against Slovenia), the US will need Torres' creativity more than Clark's defense. Hopefully that will lead to Bradley making a change.
JOZY'S JUST FINE. The ankle injury that had US fans worried leading up to the England game apparently wasn't as severe as worried. Altidore looked strong and gave the aging English back four all kinds of trouble, creating the best non-scoring chance of the game and nearly stealing all three points for the US. Again, against Slovenia and Algeria the US should be less cagey and negative, which should lead to more opportunities for Altidore to get on the board.
DOES HE GET A CAP FOR THAT? Poor Edson Buddle was left on the sidelines as a designated substitute late in the game, but the final whistle blew before he got onto the field.
THE DEFENSE ISN'T AS BAD AS WE THOUGHT. Now, this might be setting the bar a little low, as the fears about the US back four were pretty rampant. But Onyewu played a solid 90 minutes, and Demerit had a workmanlike, if not spectacular, game. Ultimately, between the midfield and the defense, the US kept Wayne Rooney awfully quiet throughout most of the game. That in and of itself is an accomplishment, and one that was not universally expected.
RICARDO CLARK AIN'T THERE FOR HIS CREATIVITY. I'm sure Bob Bradley picked Clark to pair up with Michael Bradley in the midfield for his defense. Of course, that's also ironic given that it was Clark that lost Steven Gerrard in the opening of the game that led to England's opener. But Jose Torres in qualification and friendlies leading up to the World Cup offered far more creativity and offense than Clark. In the upcoming games (particularly against Slovenia), the US will need Torres' creativity more than Clark's defense. Hopefully that will lead to Bradley making a change.
JOZY'S JUST FINE. The ankle injury that had US fans worried leading up to the England game apparently wasn't as severe as worried. Altidore looked strong and gave the aging English back four all kinds of trouble, creating the best non-scoring chance of the game and nearly stealing all three points for the US. Again, against Slovenia and Algeria the US should be less cagey and negative, which should lead to more opportunities for Altidore to get on the board.
DOES HE GET A CAP FOR THAT? Poor Edson Buddle was left on the sidelines as a designated substitute late in the game, but the final whistle blew before he got onto the field.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
YTG Re-View: USA 1-1 ENG
THE GOOD ...
THE GUY IN ORANGE: Tim Howard was the easiest Man of the Match decisions ever with his performance against England. He stopped two point-blank breakaways against Emil Heskey (admittedly not that impressive) and Shaun Wright-Phillips (much more impressive) to save a vital point for the US. His performance was even more impressive given the crack he took from Heskey in the first half. Heskey looked like he might have taken Howard and England defender Rio Ferdinand in one World Cup.
THE US MIDFIELD: Hey, remember that Wayne Rooney guy? Remember the whole "best striker in the world" hype Rooney got before the game? All of that may very well be true, but the US did such a good job defending the midfield and choking off Rooney's supply that the England #10 was a non-factor for most of the game. While he still had some dangerous moments, Rooney's relative silence was no accident.
JOZY'S TIME TO SHINE: Forward Jozy Altidore had the best American scoring chance of the game (and yes, that includes Clint Dempsey's actual goal), using both speed and power to beat Jamie Carragher and put a shot on goal that needed both Robert Green's glove and the goalpoast to stay out. Altidore, still only twenty, is starting to demonstrate the ability to become the true goal-scoring threat the Americans have needed to make the next step on the world's stage.
THE BAD ...
BUTTERFINGERS: OK, let's get it over with. Robert Green's costly fumble was one of the most remarkable blunders I've ever seen. And, even though it earned the US an incredibly-valuable point in the table, I still feel bad for the crucifixion Green is receiving from the English press. Rivalries are rivalries, but no one should have to deal with that.
CAPELLO'S CHOICES: Green's blunder really put a wool cloth over some of the decisions England manager Fabio Capello made. He started with James Milner in midfield as a replacement for the injured Gareth Barry, and Milner (still recovering from a virus) was a liability on the field. Enough that Capello had to remove Barry after only about 30 minutes. Then, oft-injured Ledley King, who Capello started at central defense, had to be pulled off at the half. Absent injury, when a manager has to make two changes before the half, something's gone wrong. And let's not talk about the decision to start Heskey over Crouch ...
ALARM CLOCKS: As in, the American defense needed one at the start of the game. Midfielder Ricardo Clark completely lost track of Steven Gerrard off a throw-in in the fourth minute, and (shockingly enough) Gerrard punished the US with a goal. While the response to the US was admirable, it's never good to spot a team like England a goal.
AND THE STANDING RECORD.
American fans can still puff their chest out and gloat over their English friends. They'll have to modify it a little, from "we beat you" to "we've never lost to you." Flexibility, thy name is soccer. Still, regardless of how fortunate the US equalizer was, the draw was vitally important for the perception of American soccer around the world. If - and only if - they make it out of the group, of course.
THE BIG PICTURE.
In all fairness, the US came out looking a little star-struck, to the point of flubbing the opening kickoff. The opening goal was probably inevitable, given the way the two teams came out. Howard kept the US in the match until the US was able to get their footing and create some offense. Clint Dempsey's equalizer was a lucky shot, to be sure, but at least the Americans were on offense and creating some chances. After the goal, the Americans held their own until the 70th minute or so. During that time, while England had two breakaway shots, Jozy Altidore's run created the best scoring chance of the game, rattling off Green's hand and the goalpoast. US coach Bob Bradley pretty clearly made the decision with about 20 minutes left to play for the point, and was successful.
THE NEXT GAME.
USA - Slovenia. The Charlie Brown squad got a late win over Algeria, giving them all three points and putting them in first place in Group C. The Slovenians have experience in must-win games, beating heavily-favored Russia in a playoff to make the World Cup Finals. With Slovenia's win, the US does need to win their next match to leave control of their destiny in their own hands. A draw will still keep the US alive, but leave the Americans needing England to beat Slovenia to give the US even a chance to advance. The Slovenians are a well-organized team that makes up for a lack of individual talent, which makes them a difficult opponent in a must-win situation. The US should have enough talent to get the three points, but it's hard to know how the team will respond against a well-organized defense when they are chasing the game from the start.
FEARLESS FORECAST: Slovenia 0-0 United States. The US offense sputters under the pressure and leaves their fate in England's hands for the final round of group play.
THE GUY IN ORANGE: Tim Howard was the easiest Man of the Match decisions ever with his performance against England. He stopped two point-blank breakaways against Emil Heskey (admittedly not that impressive) and Shaun Wright-Phillips (much more impressive) to save a vital point for the US. His performance was even more impressive given the crack he took from Heskey in the first half. Heskey looked like he might have taken Howard and England defender Rio Ferdinand in one World Cup.
THE US MIDFIELD: Hey, remember that Wayne Rooney guy? Remember the whole "best striker in the world" hype Rooney got before the game? All of that may very well be true, but the US did such a good job defending the midfield and choking off Rooney's supply that the England #10 was a non-factor for most of the game. While he still had some dangerous moments, Rooney's relative silence was no accident.
JOZY'S TIME TO SHINE: Forward Jozy Altidore had the best American scoring chance of the game (and yes, that includes Clint Dempsey's actual goal), using both speed and power to beat Jamie Carragher and put a shot on goal that needed both Robert Green's glove and the goalpoast to stay out. Altidore, still only twenty, is starting to demonstrate the ability to become the true goal-scoring threat the Americans have needed to make the next step on the world's stage.
THE BAD ...
BUTTERFINGERS: OK, let's get it over with. Robert Green's costly fumble was one of the most remarkable blunders I've ever seen. And, even though it earned the US an incredibly-valuable point in the table, I still feel bad for the crucifixion Green is receiving from the English press. Rivalries are rivalries, but no one should have to deal with that.
CAPELLO'S CHOICES: Green's blunder really put a wool cloth over some of the decisions England manager Fabio Capello made. He started with James Milner in midfield as a replacement for the injured Gareth Barry, and Milner (still recovering from a virus) was a liability on the field. Enough that Capello had to remove Barry after only about 30 minutes. Then, oft-injured Ledley King, who Capello started at central defense, had to be pulled off at the half. Absent injury, when a manager has to make two changes before the half, something's gone wrong. And let's not talk about the decision to start Heskey over Crouch ...
ALARM CLOCKS: As in, the American defense needed one at the start of the game. Midfielder Ricardo Clark completely lost track of Steven Gerrard off a throw-in in the fourth minute, and (shockingly enough) Gerrard punished the US with a goal. While the response to the US was admirable, it's never good to spot a team like England a goal.
AND THE STANDING RECORD.
American fans can still puff their chest out and gloat over their English friends. They'll have to modify it a little, from "we beat you" to "we've never lost to you." Flexibility, thy name is soccer. Still, regardless of how fortunate the US equalizer was, the draw was vitally important for the perception of American soccer around the world. If - and only if - they make it out of the group, of course.
THE BIG PICTURE.
In all fairness, the US came out looking a little star-struck, to the point of flubbing the opening kickoff. The opening goal was probably inevitable, given the way the two teams came out. Howard kept the US in the match until the US was able to get their footing and create some offense. Clint Dempsey's equalizer was a lucky shot, to be sure, but at least the Americans were on offense and creating some chances. After the goal, the Americans held their own until the 70th minute or so. During that time, while England had two breakaway shots, Jozy Altidore's run created the best scoring chance of the game, rattling off Green's hand and the goalpoast. US coach Bob Bradley pretty clearly made the decision with about 20 minutes left to play for the point, and was successful.
THE NEXT GAME.
USA - Slovenia. The Charlie Brown squad got a late win over Algeria, giving them all three points and putting them in first place in Group C. The Slovenians have experience in must-win games, beating heavily-favored Russia in a playoff to make the World Cup Finals. With Slovenia's win, the US does need to win their next match to leave control of their destiny in their own hands. A draw will still keep the US alive, but leave the Americans needing England to beat Slovenia to give the US even a chance to advance. The Slovenians are a well-organized team that makes up for a lack of individual talent, which makes them a difficult opponent in a must-win situation. The US should have enough talent to get the three points, but it's hard to know how the team will respond against a well-organized defense when they are chasing the game from the start.
FEARLESS FORECAST: Slovenia 0-0 United States. The US offense sputters under the pressure and leaves their fate in England's hands for the final round of group play.
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