Nine points! Nine out of nine possible! Yes!

Okay okay, I know we’re now the giants of CONCACAF and we’re supposed to beat teams like Guatemala, Cuba, and Trinidad & Tobago, but there’s a hell of a lot to be said for doing what you’re supposed to. Especially when you finish the first half of group play with a flourish like the team did on Wednesday night.

So, one time through the group, nothing but positive results, seems like a good time for reflection/evaluation. Kick back, get a drink (a celebratory one, not a beverage of the “drink the pain away” variety), and let’s do this thing.

The game away at Guatemala went exactly like most of us would have said it was going to go if we were asked beforehand.

Unnamed Friend or Coworker: Hey Jon, what’s the U.S. gonna look like in Gautemala tonight?

Me: Well Unnamed Friend or Coworker, it’s gonna be an ugly game. If you’re a fan of free flowing attacking football you should probably find something else to do. But if you’re a fan of professional boxing this game will probably keep you on the edge of your seat.

And sure enough we got treated to Lennox Lewis-Shannon Briggs, albeit on a barely maintained pitch and under ten-watt light bulbs.

The Guats (I can say Guats right? It makes them sound like a succulent sausage or fruit item) bunkered back and dared the Yanks to find a way to score, and eventually that good old American set piece goal reared its familiar head. This after pushing and shoving, bilingual insult hurling, red cards to each side, and bloodshed courtesy of Eddie Lewis’s head.

The result was a hard fought 1-0 victory in which the Americans demonstrated tremendous focus and will to win. Now I’m usually strongly against people who write about sports using such ambiguous terms. They usually come at the end of “throw away” sentences, but I don’t know how else to describe what I saw after Cherundolo’s red card. Everyone on the team seemed to get pissed, but in a productive “We’ll be damned if we’re gonna let the ref’s, Guatemala, or anyone else prevent us from winning this game,” kind of way. Beautiful.

The Cuba victory was beautiful in another way. The match away at Cuba was what anyone who follows college football would instantly recognize as a “trap game.” Florida on the road this year at Arkansas, USC at Washington State right after a clash with the AZ State, USA in Havana. Trap games. It’s the type of game we might have dominated for 85 minutes before giving up a penalty kick goal.

That didn’t happen! We dominated play and eventually we got the breakthrough, so be thankful and get the hell out of Cuba, after grabbing a couple cigars and a media noche of course. Note: For those readers not reared in South Florida, a media noche is a delicious Cuban sandwich that you can read more about on my food blog, Delicious Foods That Give Me
Gas.

What can I say about the stunningly offensive 3-0 victory over T&T in Chicago? I expected the guys to do that about as much as I expected the Chicago Bears to put up 29 on the Colts last Sunday night. Team U.S.A. looked like F.C. Barcelona out there, it was awesome!

Neil already weighed in on this game, so I’ll spare you the overlap and just add a couple comments of my own.

Sacha Kljestan. The kid is on his way to becoming an offensive maestro in the midfield. ESPN’s commentators seemed to think he really got himself into the game in the second half. I can only guess that this is because he had more room to dribble around in the second half, but dribbling isn’t the reason Sacha is becoming such a great player. I’m much more interested in where the ball goes when it leaves his feet, and it always seems to be going somewhere good. In the first half he sent a number of good through balls up the right side where most of our attacks were stemming from, and when such an opportunity isn’t available he almost always makes a useful pass. Kljestan made the pass that enabled the Dempsey-Beasley-Dempsey give and go that put the team up 2-0 and was prettiest play of the game. And for those of us that watched the Olympics or Chivas U.S.A., he can shoot too.

Set pieces. This team continues to score on them. Two set piece goals in the T&T game. This is very important. I understand that Trinidad & Tobago are our strongest opponents in this group, and it’s very encouraging that we were able to play such a successful open and attacking style of offense against them, but this will not be the norm against more formidable teams on the international stage. Hell, it might not be possible when we play a slightly less depleted T&T side back in Trinidad. This is why the ability to put those set pieces in the back of the net is key. We’re still a Mid-Major on the international stage, and much like the 3-ball in college hoops, the American set piece can be our great equalizer.

And finally, on Eddie Johnson. I get a text message during the game on Wednesday night from a friend who may or may not also write on this blog. Said text message disparaged Eddie Johnson on his way into the game. I responded with, “I bet he scores.” This response had everything to do with the sheer number of offensive opportunities the Americans were generating/being afforded. It had very little to do with any sort of esteem for the “striker” play of Mr. Johnson. I agree with Neil’s assessment, Johnson needs to go play at Cardiff City and earn himself another shot at the U.S. roster. In the meantime, Jozy Altidore should use the rest of goup play to find his niche with this team and develop chemistry with the guys that he should be playing alongside in the 2010 World Cup.

Finally-- An Attack Worth Cheering

The prior game had been a lesson to anyone willing to open their mind a bit and pay attention. Maybe it was a light in the head a bit brighter than the pitch in Havana. The United States and Bob Bradley's very, very conservative roster had managed two goals in two road matches (three in three really) and six points in the semifinal qualifying stage. 2-0-0, but unsatisfactory to many not willing to pay attention. It's tough on the road in WC qualifying, particularly in non-European qualifying where it's not just opposing fans-- it's the pitch itself (bumpy and uneven, with long grass to slow the fast Yanks down, such as one sees when USC Football plays on the road in the Pac-10). It's a Hurricane on one side of the island. It's security details to escort injured players off the pitch and into dank dressing rooms, such as Eddie Lewis received in Guatemala. Such is life on the road. And amidst criticisms from even friendly commentators that the U.S. Men's National Team was making no progress under Bob Bradley,

the Americans "limped" home atop their group, with the knowledge that their most technical opponent lie in front of them.

My how a beautiful Wednesday night in suburban Chicago can change one's tune. Finally, there was video evidence of one thing I'd been preaching to fellow US Men's National Team fans and skeptical, not yet on the wagon friends all along: "These guys are good...it is hard on the road, and Bradley wants the points so he can have liberty and safe freedom to experiment with a roster we are more likely to see in 2010." I can't say that is my exact quote to my pals, but give me some leeway. The U.S. win last night certainly does that for them. A couple of things are worth noting immediately.

a. The Michael Bradley "slump" is over, and the youngster is emerging as the type of force most terrific European sides have.

It wasn't just the goal--it was the proof that at 21 he's our best option in the central midfield. Defensively last night he intercepted several passes that set up chances for his teammates. His interception and quick pass to Klejstan in the first half directly led to Clint Dempsey's goal which gave the U.S. a commanding 2-nil lead. His move to the Bundesliga will challenge him in ways that will help in the final stage of qualifying-- notably in helping him continue to do what he did last night-- which is venture a bit further into the attacking third and be involved in the attack. His diagonal passing is superior to everyone on the team save Demarcus Beasley, which leads me to observation

b. Beasley is back

The Cuba game can either be chalked up to fitness, the wet pitch, the tall grass (Beas changed cleats three times) or a tough night at the office. Either way, he was back to his defensive best last night, intercepting balls, making aggressive yet safe tackles, and quickly turning his defense into offense-- the very trait that makes him among the most successful Yanks abroad. Beasley won a free kick that led to the Americans opening goal, and his two man game with Dempsey led to the second. Not to be denied a part in all 3 American scores, his free kick in the second half led to Brian Ching's final goal. DeMarcus is not the creative force offensively that Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey is. But if Beasley can regain his starting spot in Scotland, which he should, he can continue to improve and be the Yanks' most viable threat in quick transition.

Finally, I think Jon will have other thoughts-- but how about
c. Eddie Johnson is out of time.

With nine points in our back pocket, it is certainly time for new faces at the forward spot. And while terminally this decision is up to coach Bradley, and we are without evidence at this point that EJ does not have naked photos of Bradley with another woman, addressed to Bob's wife to hold as blackmail-- one can only imagine that the 23 uninspired minutes of play from EJ last night may be the final straw. Johnson's career began with so much promise. But last night, even his only remaining attribute, his great speed, was lacking. He lacked hustle, continued to display the worst first touch in the history of the world (mishandling a great ball from Klejstan) and could not stay onside. His two flailing attempts in the box denied the Yanks a throat cutting fourth, and with Jozy Altidore appearing ready to go in Villareal, and MLS leading scorer and European Super Club target Kenny Cooper finally on Bradley's radar, Johnson's only real play may come in Cardiff City, where he is certain to not have the space that Trinidad and Tobago, trailing three goals, afforded the struggling Yank last night. All in all- a splendid result.

On Beginnings

It is finally here. After a long and mostly unsatisfactory stretch of friendlies where the Yanks saved their finest play for last; after an Olympic Tournament that saw our young future burn brightly and fade tragically into the humid, Beijing night-- we've reached the first semifinal group match of our trek to South Africa 2010. We play a Guatemala side that traditionally gives us trouble on its home turf. The Yanks are 1-4-4 in 9 matches historically in Guatemala, but the number is a bit deceptive. The 06 group played to a meaningless draw after securing qualification, and the 02 group did not lose, drawing instead to a Guatemala side that bunkered in, as one would expect the Guatemalans to do in Guatemala City tonight. A few thoughts on challenges before kickoff.

First, what to do at forward? Eddie Johnson is with the team and will likely be slotted in the starting 11. I can't emphasize how strongly I disagree with this decision. He possesses tremendous speed but is horrible on the ball, has the worst first touch in the history of the world, and his recent inability to finish in the six cost the US at least a draw against eventual European Champion Spain. I'd like to see Brian Ching.

For all of Ching's faults, he did manage a brace in opening round qualifying against Barbados. Ching makes intelligent runs and plays with rarely seen effort. All of these qualities are admirable and field-worthy in my opinion in the absence of Jozy Altidore, who remains in Spain partly due to Bradley's deference to the club on its new transfer.

If Bradley were to decide to play Landon Donovan in a midfield role-- then the other options up top, outside of Ching and Johnson are simply Clint Dempsey, who has struggled against elite sides but has excelled in qualifying matches stateside and makes the optimal choice.

Dempsey's struggles can also be attributed at least in part due to fatigue following a long, difficult season in England -- but he rebounded to score a brace against Barbados in the blowout. His other options are Johnson and Ching. One of these two players must produce now, because Bradley's deference to Villareal won't last forever and he is clearly the future of the side at the striker position. Johnson surely is running out of chances, and Ching's age may impede him from being more than a mascot in South Africa. Either way-- given the choice between frustrating talent and great effort, I'd play Brian Ching.

This is clearly the most difficult choice this evening, and the most worrisome one (outside of the condition of the pitch) given the strength of the American back to defend against Guatemala and its world class counterattacker Carlos Ruiz. A 0-0 draw will be an ideal result for the Guatemalans, and a stumble for the Yanks out of the block is more dire in this group given the uncertainty of a trip to Cuba.

Here is my ideal lineup to counter the 0-0 result:

This would be most ideal:

Howard


Pearce--------------Oneywu--------------Bocanegra---------------Cherundolo


Beasley---------------------Edu-----------Bradley--------------------Dempsey


Donovan---------Ching


Substitutes utilized:

Klejstan for Clint, around the 60th minute

Adu for Ching, around the 50th minute, tactically bump Lando up

Hejduk for Pearce if tied late, 80th minute or thereabouts.




We win 1-0.

The Olympic Team

They had me excited. Even before the Olympics started they had me excited. Then they beat Japan and outplayed UEFA’s back-to-back U-21 champions and I had to start annoying people.

I assaulted friends and coworkers with unprompted diatribes on the merits of Sacha Kljestan, and all the permutations that would see the US through to the knockout round (don’t feel bad for them though, the friends know what they’re getting into, and it’s because of the coworkers that I have to listen to Evan Longoria Hall Of Fame chatter halfway through his rookie year). Then the Nigeria game happened and another US national team proved they could continue to find new and different ways to exit an international tournament after group play. Harsh? Yes. True? Also yes. But the question I was left asking myself was this: Why was I, a seasoned sports fan and no stranger to USA Soccer, so excited for this particular Under-23 (plus three) version of the men’s national team?

It’s not like this team completely broke the US mold in terms of style of play. They weren’t out there playing Tottenham Hotspur football, pinning back their ears and hoping the defense would sort itself out. They weren’t dazzling with inspired passing on every attack or winning every 50/50 ball in the box. In fact, by most accounts, this team’s aim was to do what American national teams do when they’re playing well. Play great defense. Control ball possession in the midfield. Score on counter-attacks and set pieces.

It wasn’t this team’s style of play that inspired such excitement, it was their results. Half of this team reached the quarterfinals in Canada during last summer’s U-20 World Cup well before they eeked out a 1-0 win over Japan in the first game of the Olympics. Freddy Adu struck a hat trick against Poland and Jozy Altidore’s brace powered the US past a Brazil team, eliminating them from the tournament. Yeah, ELIMINATING BRAZIL.

Couple this with the gritty win over Japan and 90 minutes of inspirational play to tie the Netherlands and my excitement was a little easier to understand. Sadly, we may never see this exact team take the pitch together again. We will; however, see most of the players that comprised this team on the international stage for many years to come, and this is promising.

I only hope that rather than letting the “almost got there” feeling haunt them for the rest of their international careers, these players derive a lesson from the disappointment. The lesson exemplified by the successful Dutch free kick in stoppage time against the US, and the Nigeria debacle. It’s the lesson embraced by all quality strikers, and lost on the 2007 New England Patriots. FINISH.

This Blog's Purpose

The purpose of this blog is pretty simple--- to document the happenings of the United States Men's National Soccer Team from today, where we lost in the fashion of a Shakespearian tragedy to Nigeria and missed the medal round at the 2008 Olympic Games, up until and including our performance in the 2010 World Cup. I'll do my best to focus on qualifying matches, write reviews, with the help of some of my fellow Sam's Army pals, on American matches in qualifying, and to keep things somewhat optimistic when need dictates. I can't guarantee I'll be funny-- though I'll try and I may end up at least making myself laugh, which is really the idea anyway. Finally, I'll avoid absolute conclusory statements about our performances, and I'll avoid absolute conclusions about all American players outside of Eddie Johnson, who has the worst first-touch in the history of the world. I will avoid absolute statements because I absolutely abhor absolutists. That's about all for now. More on the tragedy of this morning in a bit. There's a cute girl sitting by me in Starbucks I want to keep making eyes at.