ASN: 5 Ideas on the Denmark and Switzerland Matches

American Soccer Now’s Brian Sciaretta shares 5 key takeaways from the latest worldwide window, starting from late lapses to Brek Shea’s shocking displaying to Timothy Chandler’s ongoing struggles. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
April 03, 2015
10:50 AM

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THE UNITED STATES MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM conceded three late targets throughout its final two matches, turning two potential victories right into a loss and a tie. These late lapses—or maybe collapses—are the large story from the most recent worldwide break. However we discovered lots about Jurgen Klinsmann’s crew over the previous week-and-a-half.

1. Late targets are formally an issue

Klinsmann groups have now given up seven late targets because the 2014 World Cup in Brazil—and 9 instances in case you embody the 2 extra-time targets Belgium scored in Salvador in addition to Portugal’s deflating equalizer in Manaus.

Twice is a coincidence. 3 times is a pattern. It is a pervasive, ongoing downside.

And it isn’t strictly a health difficulty. These late targets have come throughout video games that fall in the midst of gamers’ membership seasons and through off-seasons. Those that have been most liable for the late targets have additionally come from a variety of leagues so it is patently unfair to say that MLS is responsible. Actually, many gamers concerned in conceding late targets are substitutes with contemporary legs.

Substitution patterns have to be scrutinized higher. Primarily throughout low-stakes worldwide friendlies there appears to be prearranged substitutions that don’t all the time match what the sport wants. Often when these substitutions are made the U.S. begins to disintegrate.

And the issue has extra to do with the U.S. offense than its protection. Within the second half of video games, the U.S. typically suffers a pointy decline in scoring probabilities and possession. We noticed this in friendlies towards Ecuador, Honduras, Colombia, Eire, Chile, and most lately Switzerland—video games through which the U.S. offense performed comparatively nicely earlier than intermission however then struggled tremendously after the interval. Opponents’ late targets in these video games all occurred after lengthy durations of sustained stress on the U.S. protection.

Most groups normally purpose to press more durable and enhance the tempo of the sport when needing a aim, however this U.S. squad struggles to punish groups with counterattacking alternatives. Both approach, the issues will proceed till the U.S. has a response offensively, not defensively, when opponents increase the extent of their video games.

2. Brek Shea seems to be good on left

Brek Shea’s gorgeous free kick aim towards Switzerland—it was really incredible—might overshadow the truth that he performed a strong sport at left again.

It is one factor to be skeptical over Klinsmann’s resolution to maneuver lifelong midfielder Jermaine Jones to central protection when Jones isn’t taking part in there for his membership and that place requires a self-discipline that Jones normally lacks.

Shea’s transfer to left again makes extra sense. For one, the 25-year-old is taking part in there for Orlando Metropolis. Second, the place permits Shea to make the most of his blazing velocity and powerful left foot.

Will the experiment repay in the long term? It might.

The U.S. nationwide crew has an extended, largely sad historical past of fielding left backs who sometimes play different positions. Fabian Johnson (midfielder), Carlos Bocanegra (central defender), Timothy Chandler (proper again), Frankie Hedjuk (proper again), Jonathan Bornstein (school ahead), Paul Caligiuri (ahead), Bobby Convey (winger), and Eddie Lewis (midfielder) all match that description to some extent.

The benefit of Shea is that he’s doing it at a youthful age than many of the above-mentioned gamers and that it appears to play towards his strengths.

3. Chandler Nonetheless Struggling for U.S.

Timothy Chandler has made 117 Bundesliga appearances since 2011 and in practically all of them he has performed proper full again. Regardless of his considerably constant success in the most effective leagues on the planet, his worldwide profession has been an enormous disappointment.

Chandler’s finest efficiency for the U.S. got here in his very first look—a 1-1 draw with Argentina on March 2, 2011. Little has gone proper over the following 17 matches.

At instances Chandler has been compelled to play out of place, at left again, the place he has seemed uncomfortable. However even when taking part in on the correct he has fared solely marginally higher.

Chandler disenchanted but once more towards Denmark and Switzerland—this, regardless of being wholesome and a daily starter for Eintracht Frankfurt, a midtable Bundesliga membership. Chandler performed his most well-liked proper again place, in order that’s no excuse both.

Towards Denmark the Frankfurt native struggled to attach his passes or use his velocity to rise up the wing. Other than one very lucky help—which was largely the results of a incredible particular person effort from Jozy Altidore—Chandler was poor. He was overwhelmed defensively and was caught out of place a number of instances.

Towards Switzerland, he confirmed extra promise transferring ahead however defensively he continued to make too many errors—the form of gaffes that might show disastrous on this summer season’s Gold Cup.

Will Klinsmann proceed to stay with Chandler within the hopes that he’ll enhance or does the coach resolve that that is what to anticipate from the 25-year-old?

4. Michael Orozco’s inventory surging

Michael Orozco, 29, is a Klinsmann favourite even when most U.S. nationwide crew followers and pundits (myself included) discover this tough to swallow.

It must be mentioned: The Puebla central defender put in two very strong performances towards Denmark and Switzerland.

Enjoying with John Brooks, Timothy Chandler, Greg Garza, and Brek Shea within the two video games, Orozco displayed extra maturity and composure than any of his teammates. On a number of events he did very nicely to cowl up their errors. He performed nearly 125 minutes within the two video games and the U.S. outscored its opponents 3-1 with Orozco on the sector. Shortly earlier than he was subbed out of the sport towards Denmark, he put himself into an incredible place to make a goal-line clearance that gave the impression to be the decisive play of the competition.

Mixed with the sturdy season he his having with Puebla, Orozco might very nicely begin for the U.S. this summer season on the Gold Cup.

5. The 4-4-2 matches the U.S. finest

Klinsmann has tried a number of totally different formations over the previous few years, starting from the 4-3-3 to the 4-2-3-1. However the 4-4-2 setup Klinsmann used within the first half towards Switzerland appears to suit the crew one of the best.

Throughout the first half towards the Swiss the U.S. performed its finest 45 minutes of soccer in fairly a while. Altidore performs higher with one other striker versus the 4-2-3-1 the place he’s alone at high. And the nationwide crew participant pool is usually populated with midfielders preferring to play centrally.