De Nada

Photo by Horia Varlan

Correspondent Scott expects some thanks, at the very least:

"De Nada."  

That was the two word text I sent immediately after the USA improbably beat Panama by scoring 2 goals in stoppage time to condemn the valiant Marea Roja to another cycle without World Cup action.  Which condemnation simultaneously offered a reprieve to our struggling neighbors to the south who were unceremoniously dispatched by Costa Rica at the same time.  My text, of course, was to a Mexican friend who was actually in that country on business when he replied with his appreciation.  And the next day he forwarded a picture of a fictional Mexican National Team jersey boasting sleeves bespangled with stars and stripes to accompany the familiar green.

Is it fair to say, if the situation were reversed, that Mexico would have stopped playing long before the final whistle?  I think probably yes.  Credit must go to Jurgen Klinsmann who is stamping a winning attitude on the USA team by demanding more and making it clear that nobody is guaranteed a spot in Brazil – it is all about performance on the pitch.  So what else was Graham Zusi to do but score with his forceful header?  And can you blame Aron Johannsson for deftly touching the ball to his right before sublimely finishing in the bottom left corner from outside the 18 yard box with literally the last kick of the game?  Given that a ticket to Brazil was on the line, I think not.

Well, That Was Better: USMNT 2 - Panama 0

photo by meddygarnet	via PhotoRee

 

 

It's all Ed all the time around corporate HQ these days: 

My US national team assignment continues, this time from Seattle, Washington, where our heroes put in a dramatically better performance to defeat Panama 2 to 0 and move to first place in their World Cup qualifying group.  (By the way, thanks for putting me up in that slick Residence Inn, boss, really loved the gratuitous continental breakfast buffet.)  Of course, this was a home game against weak opposition, but even so the USA moved and handled the ball with much more confidence and tactical awareness.  In particular....

Michael Bradley.  Bradley played one of his better games, controlling the middle, handling the ball well, and working forward into space on breaks expertly.  He was the man of the match for the US, and was only stopped from scoring by an unfortunately positioned Clint Dempsey.  I recall much criticism of Bradley as only starting because he's the coach's son.  Well, that's not true.  Bradley is the best midfielder we have right now.  He lacks speed and isn't dazzling, but he's one of the few American's whose capable on the ball and has the vision of a coach's son.  He's also clearly a leader of that team.  At 26, he's coming into the prime of his career and in the next World Cup the USA will need him.

Jozy Altidore.  Altidore had a terrific game, but remains to me simply an old style number 9.   He uses his strength well, can finish, and is a threat in the air, but don't look for him to scare anyone when he has the ball at his feet in the way top strikers like Aguero or Van Persie do.  That said, he is also older now and is gaining confidence.

Geoff Cameron.  The press had the loss of Jermaine Jones due to a concussion as being a huge problem for the USA.  I see the value of Jones and think he's a solid player, but I've also felt that his touch is suspect in addition to his all to frequent lapses of judgment with hard fouls.  Geoff Cameron, it turns out, filled in admirably and seemed to be little different than Jones in this one, perhaps even better.

Damarcus Beasley.  Well, I've been harsh on Damarcus for some time, but he had one of his best games against Panama.  He was solid and defense and handled himself well on offense.  I'm sorry to say, though, that the lack of competition on that side seemed a huge part of his success, and I still can't believe we don't have someone better. 

Fear The Butterfly

photo by tylanarocks	via PhotoRee

Raymond James Stadium / Tampa, FL /  June 11, 2011 / USA 1 – 2 Panama

Correspondent Scott checks in from the most recent USMNT game in Tampa:

As I perform a mental self-assessment in the wake of USA’s 2-1 defeat to Panama, I almost forgive my optimism prior to kickoff.  After all, we had recovered some dignity after that friendly Spanish spanking by handily beating our impossibly polite northern neighbors without much of a fuss.  Cozy again in the warm uterine waters of CONCACAF play, surely we would continue to be the awkward teenager who, while often humbled by the adults of real federations like UEFA and CONMEBOL, can always bully the smaller siblings of the house.  Alas, it seems little Tommy has been taking some karate lessons because Panama waxed us in the first half and did enough in the second to break our 26 game unbeaten streak in Gold Cup group play.

With my good friend, Jack, attending the game live, I was hoping the US would play like Brazil, but instead we made Panama look like Brazil as the first half brought back haunting memories of our 1994 World Cup team.  Sure we got a couple chances but Panama dominated possession, creativity and effort.  Just look at the majority of Steve Cherundolo’s crosses and, aside from asking yourself how they got HD back in the mid nineties, you’ll be wanting to know if he is aware you can only score from the front of the goal and not up in the stands behind.  Clint Dempsey, our only competent player in the first half, seemed to have forgotten he was playing with Cherundolo and not his Fulham teammate, Brede Hangeland, judging by his disappointment with the deliveries.