Was that offense I saw? That’s new
A superb win sometimes takes an unlikely hero. This certainly was the case for team USA in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup yesterday. The Yanks were pretty much left for dead after Mexico took the lead late in the first half. The US, who haven’t lost to Mexico on home soil in over eight years looked shell-shocked…and once again seemed to have no idea what to do while playing from behind.
And then a funny thing happened…the second half began. And suddenly, over 20 years of what we have known of US soccer changed in an instance. The counter-attacking style disapeared, as the US took it to Mexico like they were possessed by the original basketball Dream Team, buldozing opponents in the 1992 Barcelona games.
Yes, Mexico still had their chances, but the US was actually creating chances. They played up on the ball, consistantly made runs, actually shot the ball, held possession, and pushed around the shocked Mexican squad.
It paid off when a confident Landon Donovan sent a penalty kick home to tie the match in the 62nd minute. A little over ten minutes later, the heavily outnumbered US supporters at Soldier Field witnessed an unlikely hero strike a ball that hasn’t been seen in a game of this magnitude in decades.
With the run of play going back and forth, the US found themselves with a cornerkick…one of only two on the day. A harmless looking kick was easily cleared by Mexico. The ball bounced slowly out to US midfieldfer Benny Feilhaber, about 22 yards out. Feilhaber (who was only in the lineup, because Michael Bradley was suspended on a red card) decided to just crank it. It was a brilliant strike…top corner, no chance for a save. It may have been the sweetest looking goal for the US since Eric Wynalda’s free kick goal against Switzerland in the ‘94 World Cup. The goal shocked the Mexican crowd, but more importantly, the Mexican team. The US was agian the Gold Cup champs…and once again Mexico lost on US soil.
This team struggled throughout this tournament. Much like a powerhouse college football team, the US play down to their opponent…winning games 2-1, where it should be 5-0. But seeing this team finally showing an active role in a game against a highly motivated Mexican team is a very good sign for the future. Yes, this team hasn’t lost to “El Tris” on US soil in over eight years, but this game was different. It took an uncharacteristic comeback, with an unlikely hero, scoring an unbelievable goal. The US needs to continue their offensive-minded education…it is time to use fitness to good use.
NOTES: The US now go to South America to play in Copa America. They are taking a very young squad, so don’t expect much…considering their first gmae is against a stacked Argentina. It should be a good barometer of where the young guns are, as World Cup qualifying begins less than a year from now.
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
The US, in fact, could have even had a few more goals had they not rung posts late in the 2nd Half (Ching and Beasley come to mind).
In any case, you can say what you want about US Soccer and the CONCACAF region, but this is a huge win for the Stars and Stripes. Continuing their dominance over Mexico and the rest of the region is important if the Red, White, and Blue ever hope to crack the elite group of soccer nations.
It’s funny that we are so excited about the US actually scoring a few goals. I have a friend who always says that until the US can find a consistent goal-scoring threat (someone in the mold of a Ronaldo, Ruud, Del Piero, etc.), we will never be considered among the elite. The maturation and continued improvement from guys like Ching, Eddie Johnson, Taylor Twellman, Benny F., etc. to go along with the already established Donovan, Dempsey, etc. is perhaps the most important key to the future success of our nation in International competition. The US always seems to play solid defense, and the back line looks to be in good hands with Onyewu and Howard. Let’s hope that we can take this momentum down to Venezeula and through the rest of the year and continue to play good soccer.
For those of you interested, not only is Copa America getting started this week with a young U.S. squad taking on South America’s best (and, boy, did Danks hit the nail on the head with how stacked Argentina is: Messi, Tevez, Riquelme, etc.), but the FIFA World U-20 Championships begin for the US on Saturday. Success in the U-20 is important for the continued development of US Soccer and some of its promising stars, including Freddy Adu.
Finally, let’s give it up to Bob Bradley real fast…Undefeated as coach thus far, Bradley actually made adjustments at halftime yesterday that actually worked, something that the legendary (yes, I will call him legendary for the work he did prior to the 2006 World Cup) Bruce Arena never seemed to be able to do. I was very skeptical and, to be honest, somewhat disappointed that the USSF didn’t find someone better than Bradley to replace Arena. But you can’t ask any more of what Bradley has been able to do thus far.
MLS Thursday Nights on ESPN 2, MLS All-Star Game on the horizon, Copa America, U-20 World Championships, U.S. Open Cup, Euro 2008 Qualifying…man, I love soccer!
Raible
June 25, 2007