ASN: 5 Ideas on the US’ Large Win Over Cuba

Jurgen Klinsmann’s males ought to be ok with Saturday’s 6-0 victory over Cuba—however not too good. A lopsided win over a weak opponent can construct momentum in addition to a false sense of safety.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
July 19, 2015
8:00 AM

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BALTIMORE—America defeated Cuba in a lopsided 6-0 rout to advance to the semifinals of the 2015 Gold Cup. Clint Dempsey earned his first worldwide hat trick and the U.S. staff put the sport out of attain early.

Subsequent up can be a gifted Jamaica staff in Atlanta on Wednesday—a far greater problem for the Individuals. Listed below are 5 takeaways from Saturday’s win.

1. Robust to learn an excessive amount of into win

Let’s face it: This Cuban staff was very weak and drawing too many conclusions kind the result can be deceptive. Cuba was lacking a number of gamers as a result of defections and it was very shocking that this staff, already eradicated from the 2018 World Cup, survived the group section of the Gold Cup.

Sure, the U.S. offense flowed properly and will have scored much more than the six that it did. However a decisive win over Cuba doesn’t essentially imply that the Individuals have resolved all the points that plagued them earlier within the match.

Even the pernennially optimistic Jurgen Klinsmann was reluctant to attract many conclusions.

“I think the backline was not really challenged today,” Klinsmann stated. “I was totally happy. It was all fine but there’s not enough there to [make a determination]. For us, being the favorite and Cuba being a surprise going through, obviously the pressure is on us, the expectations are on us,” he added. “You just want to make sure that [the players] get the message—that they start off with the right approach and the right attitude.”

2. Maybe a Momentum Enhance?

The U.S. has had the sting in expertise in each sport it has performed to date on the Gold Cup however was outplayed for lengthy stretches by every of the three group stage opponents. By scoring early, the Individuals have been ble to execute their sport plan and take Cuba out of the competition.

“I hope so. I am hoping that we can get some momentum from this game,” Kyle Beckerman stated. “Guys got some goal-scoring touches today. Aron got his first goal [of the tournament], Omar scored, Clint’s hat trick—hopefully we can really use this game to push ourselves forward.”

A win like this may be good and unhealthy for any staff. It could possibly both lull gamers right into a false sense of safety or it will probably restore confidence and cut back rigidity. The final temper afterward gave the impression to be a U.S. staff that was wanting to take the sport to the opponent early. It succeeded towards Cuba and it’ll now purpose to begin of sturdy within the semifinal.

“We’ve got to think about it as a normal game,” Ventura Alvarado stated. “We have a semifinal now. We have to look for the game and keep our head up. Not wait for the other team to come first.”

3. Dempsey is on a rampage
Clint Dempsey scored his first worldwide hat trick towards Cuba and he now has tournament-leading six targets over video games and 47 whole as a U.S. worldwide. Klinsmann stripped Dempsey of his captaincy earlier than the Gold Cup started and, whether or not liberated from a captain’s obligations or decided to show his worth to the staff, the Texan is taking part in among the finest soccer of his profession.

He has been persistently harmful and his third aim Saturday evening showcased his super ability. Up to now, he’s the very best participant on the Gold Cup.

4. Johannsson quietly progressing

Whereas Dempsey has been bearing the burden of scoring, the sport towards Cuba confirmed that Aron Johannsson is seeking to lastly take the subsequent step inside the staff. He has at all times been behind Dempsey, Altidore, and Wondolowski within the pecking order however his begin signified that with Altidore gone, a beginning striker place could possibly be his for the taking.

Johannsson scored a terrific aim within the first half however he was persistently harmful and he made a number of good runs. His help on Omar Gonzalez’s aim was additionally effectively executed. Klinsmann singled out Johannsson afterward and hinted his function could possibly be growing.

“It’s important to keep growing and get opportunities to score goals and when have them, put them in,” Klinsmann stated. “He was part of that. [Aron] was hungry, he was looking for the next opportunity. That builds more confidence. It gives you a little bit more standing within the group.”

5. Corona seemed pleased to be again

Whereas he solely performed the second half of a lopsided sport, Joe Corona seemed full of life and related effectively together with his teammates. Kyle Beckerman was nice within the first half however there was no use for a pure defensive midfielder towards Cuba. Corona got here in and immediately seemed to push the staff ahead.

Klinsmann’s resolution to take away Alfredo Morales from the roster and change him with Corona seems to have been a sensible one. Corona is a fluid passer and he is aware of what Klinsmann expects of him. It could not be shocking to see Corona earn essential minutes because the tournment progresses. 

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Comply with him on Twitter.