ASN: Yanks Say They’re Prepared for Copa Group Stage Finale

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
June 10, 2016
8:00 PM

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PHILADELPHIA—The final time the USA males’s nationwide group performed within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love, it was a low level for Jurgen Klinsmann’s tenure as head coach. On that day, July 25 of final yr, the U.S. misplaced in a shootout to Panama and stumbled to an embarrassing fourth place end on the Gold Cup. 

On Saturday night time, the U.S. may have a shot at redemption because the Yanks tackle Paraguay (7pm ET; FS1, UniMas, UDN) to spherical out Group A play in Copa America Centenario.

The road separating success and failure is skinny, and the outcome in opposition to Paraguay right here at Lincoln Monetary Discipline will decide whether or not the Individuals can maintain their heads or bow them down in disgrace. A win will put the U.S. into the quarterfinals—a draw would probably do the identical—however a loss will guarantee one more disappointment on dwelling soil

“After two games we have three points and that is a very positive thing,” Klinsmann mentioned Friday. “But now the work has to be done against a very good Paraguay team. But we are ready, we are hungry… they know they have to grind it out and give it everything on Saturday night to make it happen.”

Early Minutes Will Be Essential

In the USA’ first two video games of the event, the opening minutes have dictated the benefit, and finally the outcome. In opposition to Colombia, a blown protection on a nook kick put the U.S. in an early deficit from which it might by no means get better. In opposition to Costa Rica, it was the Ticos who got here out robust however a penalty name within the favor of the house group fully modified the context of the sport. From there, the U.S. dominated.

Paraguay must win as a way to advance however the USA will virtually actually transfer on with a draw. As is usually the case, the group that scores first will set the tone for the match. If Paraguay jumps out to take the lead, the U.S. may fall sufferer to jitters because it faces its second consecutive early exit in a event in the USA. If the house group scores first, the guests might want to play with desperation.

“Teams of that caliber, when they score first, they know exactly how to defend,” Klinsmann mentioned. “They know how to kind of kill you off with a counter break. If you get in that situation, it’s very difficult—which we experienced with Colombia. To break them down [trailing] 2-0, it’s a huge mountain in front of you.”

This isn’t misplaced on the U.S. gamers.

“We just have to make sure we close the door early,” Geoff Cameron mentioned. “If we get that goal, we’ll be fine.”

For Paraguay, the event started in lackluster vogue with an uninspired scoreless draw with Costa Rica. In its second sport in opposition to Colombia, Paraguay fell behind by two targets however rebounded with a formidable show of soccer earlier than dropping 2-1. Paraguay’s uneven performances date again to the 2015 Copa America, when it defeated Brazil within the quarterfinals after which bought trounced by Argentina within the semifinals, 6-1.

Which Paraguay group will present up? The sensation round U.S. camp is that Paraguay will deliver its finest to Philadelphia.

“It’s going to be a difficult match,” Cameron mentioned. “They’re a good team and we watched their game. They’re a tough team. They didn’t take it easy against Colombia and they always had some opportunities. It’s going to be a difficult game and we know that. They’re going to come out and try to frustrate us and leave it all on the field—just like we will.”

Klinsmann has been learning Paraguay and is acquainted with the squad and echoes Cameron’s view that this sport can be extraordinarily difficult.

“Obviously there is a lot of respect for Paraguay,” Klinsmann mentioned. “Within the final Copa America they completed within the last 4. Within the one earlier than that, they completed in second. That reveals you the place Paraguay is.

“If you watch that game against Colombia, there was no difference. They’re a very well organized team with very good individual players. They have a fantastic coach that played on the same club as me in Inter Milan many moons ago. It’s going to be a huge game for both sides.”

A True Benchmark

With a win and a loss after the 2 matches, the Individuals are just about the place most people thought they might be. Colombia is a really world-class opponent and can be favored to beat the Individuals underneath any circumstances. The usshould win at dwelling in opposition to Costa Rica, regardless of the Central American aspect’s success lately.

The sport in opposition to Paraguay was at all times more likely to be the figuring out sport and Klinsmann appeared to emphasise that this can be a true benchmark for the group. He additionally emphasised that he has been getting ready his gamers for these sort of massive video games by scheduling friendlies over the past a number of years in opposition to the world’s finest groups.

“It’s just a very clear situation,” Klinsmann mentioned. “A point would take you into the quarters but you cannot speculate on that. We don’t have the character to sit back—we have to be really involved in the game. We have to set the tone and we have to keep a very high level of aggressiveness and determination from the first second. This is a very, very good opponent.”

“I love this type of situation,” he added. “That is already a sort of knockout sport. You need your gamers to undergo that. Go in there with an enormous chest and take the sport to Paraguay. Respect them for his or her strengths they’ve but in addition present them we’re in a position to play these sport.

“You want those benchmarks.”

Backline Continues to Develop

Coming into this event, it was unclear who the beginning central defenders had been going to be and if DeAndre Yedlin was prepared to say the correct again place as his personal.

Heading into the group finale, there’s a sense that the backline is settled. Yedlin is the correct again and, most significantly, Geoff Cameron and John Brooks are the pair in central protection.

“It’s always key when you get a number of reps and an amount of time with each other,” Cameron mentioned. “The blokes are getting used to 1 one other. We have had the identical again 4. Even in coaching we’re at all times coaching with different guys. We’re comfy and assured with each other. 

“We all believe in each other and our ability. On the field, the guys are communicating and organizing. If we play like we did [against Costa Rica] we’ll be fantastic.”

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan agrees that the backline is coalescing, and he notices that familiarity helps the quartet really feel assured.

“It’s always nice when you play with the same faces,” Guzan mentioned. “Whenever you see the identical faces, taking part in with them you change into slightly extra comfy every time. The probabilities that different groups have had from the run of play have not been clear-cut possibilities. I feel that is right down to our work fee and our want to be a tough group to beat.” 

Stamina of the Veterans

Klinsmann elected to maintain the identical beginning lineup within the first two video games of the group stage. Whereas it paid off in opposition to Costa Rica, the Paraguay sport would be the second straight match on three days of relaxation.

For a number of of the older gamers on the U.S. squad, which may take its toll. Klinsmann mentioned that there are not any accidents and that everybody is able to go.

“I think it’s pretty good,” Clint Dempsey mentioned when requested in regards to the bodily state of the group. “We do a good job of [regeneration] to make sure we are right for each game. Doing ice baths and looking at everything to give ourselves the best-possible chance to put in a good effort and be ready.”