In the summer of 2011, Bob Bradley was dismissed as USMNT coach and replaced by Jurgen Klinsmann, with the German and US Soccer promising a new era of soccer which would include more possession, more creativity with all eleven players being involved in the attack. The Bradley mantra of winning with heart, passion, and counter attacks was to be put to the side and the team would develop into a winning side based on technical and tactical abilities. On Wednesday night in a 1-0 win over Panama neither the attributes promised by Klinsmann were evident, but sadly neither were those that won over fans in South Africa in 2010. Winning, as Klinsmann has stated many times, is not important at this moment in time, but an uninspired display against Panama, once again adds more questions than answers to the direction of the US National team.
View From the Couch:
1. Where was the passion? In both games during January, one would expect players to be willing to run through brick walls to wear the jersey, as this is their big chance to make an impression on the international level. Unfortunately, until C.J. Sapong was subbed on in the 76th minute against Panama, the American attitude that is always praised by international supporters was missing. Sapong provided much needed energy and work rate to the US lineup and it would have been nice to see him get a longer run in the side. He could be one for the future and will be interesting to see how he develops in his second year with Sporting KC.
View From the Couch:
1. Where was the passion? In both games during January, one would expect players to be willing to run through brick walls to wear the jersey, as this is their big chance to make an impression on the international level. Unfortunately, until C.J. Sapong was subbed on in the 76th minute against Panama, the American attitude that is always praised by international supporters was missing. Sapong provided much needed energy and work rate to the US lineup and it would have been nice to see him get a longer run in the side. He could be one for the future and will be interesting to see how he develops in his second year with Sporting KC.
2. Klinsmann has stated numerous times how important keeping possession and being creative are as he looks to move the US team forward. That being said, he chose not to play Benny Feilhaber against Panama, yet his best player Jermaine Jones made possession look like a 10-year old recreation game. Jones was the most effective player in both games, but he loses possession far too easily and his passing leads a lot to be desired. If he is unable to do it against Panama, how will he do against Italy in February? Leaving Feilhaber on the bench is still a mystery. From the outside, Benny has all the attributes that Klinsmann wants: good on the ball, creative 1v1 attacker, good passer, and can score goals. The Panama game was crying out for Feilhaber, but Klinsmann kept him cozy next to him on the bench.
3. Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey will be on the field at the same time on Friday as Everton host Fulham in the 4th round of the FA Cup. This is something that all USMNT fans will be hoping is repeated when the squad plays its next game against Italy. During his reign as coach, Klinsmann has not been able to use the top two Americans on the field simultaneously. As evidenced over the past six months, Donovan and Dempsey are the top two players that Klinsmann has at his disposal and for the USMNT to have success he will need both on the field for every game moving forward.
3. Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey will be on the field at the same time on Friday as Everton host Fulham in the 4th round of the FA Cup. This is something that all USMNT fans will be hoping is repeated when the squad plays its next game against Italy. During his reign as coach, Klinsmann has not been able to use the top two Americans on the field simultaneously. As evidenced over the past six months, Donovan and Dempsey are the top two players that Klinsmann has at his disposal and for the USMNT to have success he will need both on the field for every game moving forward.
One final thought, Nick Rimando played a great 45 minutes against Panama, with quite a few key saves to keep the host off the scoreboard. Rimando has been getting it done in MLS since the Miami Fusion was a franchise, but unfortunately he plays a position that has been always been one of the strongest for the United States. Is it the state of American soccer that even against Panama the player most talked about is a goalkeeper or was it just an off night for the red, white and blue?
USA Lineup: 1-Nick Rimando (12-Sean Johnson, 46); 2-A.J. DeLaGarza, 4-Michael Parkhurst, 5-Geoff Cameron, 3-Zach Loyd (14- Heath Pearce, 41); 6-Ricardo Clark (16-Jeff Larentowicz, 67), 8-Jermaine Jones (capt.); 7-Chris Wondolowski (13-Jeff Parke, 55), 10-Graham Zusi(15-Brad Evans, 66); 11-Brek Shea; 9-Teal Bunbury (18-C.J. Sapong, 76)
USA Lineup: 1-Nick Rimando (12-Sean Johnson, 46); 2-A.J. DeLaGarza, 4-Michael Parkhurst, 5-Geoff Cameron, 3-Zach Loyd (14- Heath Pearce, 41); 6-Ricardo Clark (16-Jeff Larentowicz, 67), 8-Jermaine Jones (capt.); 7-Chris Wondolowski (13-Jeff Parke, 55), 10-Graham Zusi(15-Brad Evans, 66); 11-Brek Shea; 9-Teal Bunbury (18-C.J. Sapong, 76)
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