Wins wanted for the U.S.
"Gutsy display." "Competed well with 10 men." "Gave the world champions all they could handle."
Admit it, how many of you are fed up with the U.S. gallantly losing to the world's soccer superpowers? Hands up if, after yet another close-but-no-cigar display versus a footballing giant, you felt that the national team is no closer to actually winning one of these games?
While some cheerleaders in the media again laud the national team for another plucky effort, among fans, it seems that patience is wearing thin at the continued existence of the U.S. at the plateau on which it has been standing for almost a decade. Playing well and losing is not an option anymore.
Before looking ahead to Brazil, let's go back to Monday's defeat versus Italy. Giuseppe Rossi was the story, but beyond that dominant headline were a number of subplots, which offered a microcosm of where the national team currently stands and showed what lessons have to be learned.
To me, the argument that playing down a man makes the result more acceptable is flawed by historical evidence. Three years ago, the U.S. held an Italian team that was en route to winning the World Cup to a 1-1 draw, despite playing with a numerical disadvantage for almost the entire second half. The Italy that won 3-1 on Monday is, in the words of its coach, Marcello Lippi, a year away from being at a level he believes could get them again crowned world champions. Thus, if anything, the gap has gotten bigger.
Ricardo Clark deserves some sympathy, but he should have known better, just like Pablo Mastroeni should have known better in 2006. Knee-high tackles like Clark's are ill-advised after the ball has gone, and it was not a shock to see the red card. Of course, Fabio Grosso's elbow moments later was similarly egregious, but the debate over refereeing consistency is one for another day. Clark's challenge would have been a red card in MLS, where he plies his trade.
The biggest shame of Clark's dismissal was that, until that point, he had been at the forefront of an excellent opening half hour for the U.S., during which time it could have gone two-up. Unfortunately, both Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore failed to take advantage of golden opportunities. It was interesting to compare their lack of composure in front of goal to Rossi's showing within two minutes of entering the game.
While I am of the opinion that Bob Bradley gets excessively criticized at times, it is true that he was not without blame for the goals that Italy scored. Halftime saw little cover alteration for the loss of Clark as the midfield anchor, and with Italy increasing its possession and pressure, the back four withdrew deeper and deeper as the midfield struggled to stem the blue tide.
One replay of Rossi's first goal showed Jay DeMerit called "step," a request none of his teammates acted upon. It was a similar story for Italy's second goal. Daniele De Rossi was allowed to drive into space before firing home from distance. True, there were few natural, ball-winning replacements for Clark, but Italy's ascendancy was related more to a lack of positional alterations.
The boys versus Brazil
So, having faced the current World Cup holders, the U.S. now takes on the most successful nation in the history of the sport. Not that Brazil looked anything like that in their narrow opening game win over Egypt.
The U.S. should take notice of the way the African champions were able to attack the Selecao in different ways. Each of Egypt's goals was different and highlighted some weakness in the Brazilian back line, but the question is, does a U.S. team that has had trouble scoring from open play in three games have what it takes to pose similar problems for Brazil?
Landon Donovan's performance against Italy was encouraging, and the captain has the chance to shine again against a Brazil side that struggled to deal with Mohammed Aboutrika, who plays in a similarly deep-lying role for Egypt. Jozy Altidore created problems when facing goal in the opening game, and he has to find a way to make that a more consistent part of his game. The U.S. also desperately needs an improved return from the crossed ball.
Though starting Conor Casey could help achieve both those things, personally, I expect Bradley to retain a similar lineup to the one he started against Italy. With Clark banned, Sacha Kljestan will likely step in, although Jose Torres may also have a chance. If Carlos Bocanegra is fit, he will replace DeMerit.
Looking beyond Brazil, any experimentation by Bradley is likely to be held back until the U.S. faces Egypt, especially if there is no semifinal spot on the line. Freddy Adu may get a start, possibly in place of Clint Dempsey, who looks very tired. I would also like to see Charlie Davies get a start to see if he can replicate the energy he has shown off the bench in recent games.
Well played, most valuable man
Count me among those that thought it would be difficult for Guillermo Barros Schelotto to sustain his 2008 form, which culminated in an inspirational display in the MLS Cup. When the Crew went winless in its opening four games, it seemed that the defending champions had been afflicted by a starting slump similar to that of Houston after each of its recent championships.
Nine victories later, Columbus is within three points of D.C. United, who leads the East, with a game in hand. During their current run, in which the Crew has claimed 17 of 27 available points, Barros Schelotto has scored eight of his team's 15 goals. To further emphasize his importance, of the five go-ahead strikes he has made, three have proved to be game winners.
In 13 games this season, the 36-year-old Argentine already has three more goals that he tallied last year, when assists were the dominant part of his game. Through the Crew's struggle in the early days of Robert Warzycha's reign, Schelotto's move from provider to predator has revitalized his side, and put him in the frame to become MLS' first back-to-back MVP.
A thing that made me go hmmm
Thanks goodness for Schelotto, whose scintillating form was the most positive highlight of another MLS weekend dominated by controversy.
The battle of the Eastern Conference's top two sides featured two more questionable penalty calls, each side benefited from decisions made by refereee Baldomero Toledo. First, Jon Busch was penalized while trying to make a save on a Chris Pontius strike. Sure, the Fire goalkeeper left his feet, but the reaction of the D.C. players -- none of whom instantly claimed a spot-kick -- suggests that they saw the incident as nothing more than a normal coming-together.
Toledo did not, and he was at it again later in the game when Dejan Jakovic brushed the arm of Patrick Nyarko. It's unlikely a foul would have been called in the NBA, let alone MLS, and the term "make-up call" leapt to mind. Not that it did Chicago much good. Josh Wicks saved Brian McBride's subsequent penalty to preserve D.C.'s lead.
While all this was happening in the nation's capital, similarly, strange events were occurring in Kansas City, where, in a first half that featured five fouls, four cards were shown. In addition to three yellow cards, New England's Emmanuel Osei was sent off for flicking a leg at Claudio Lopez, following a foul by the Argentine.
True, by kicking out Osei, regardless of the force of the gesture, was running the risk of incurring Ricardo Salazar's wrath. But seriously, a red card? Why not show a yellow and keep 11 men on each side? Sending a player off for something that probably happens several times a game was a little over the top. To put it in context, would MLS have retroactively punished Osei had he not been carded? I doubt it.
Andrew Hush
