ASN: Regardless of 3-2 Loss, Many Positives in U.S.-Chile Recreation

Evaluation
Regardless of 3-2 Loss, Many Positives in U.S.-Chile Recreation

From Steve Birnbaum’s debut to Jozy Altidore’s confidence-building to show to Jurgen Klinsmann’s willingness to experiment, Brooke Tunstall discovered lots to love about yesterday’s 3-2 loss.

BY

Brooke Tunstall

Posted
January 29, 2015
1:19 PM

SHARE THIS STORY

THERE IS PLENTY TO CRITICIZE in the USA males’s nationwide staff’s 3-2 loss to Chile yesterday. And loads of folks in loads of boards will carry the warmth for that efficiency, together with some at American Soccer Now.

And whereas loads of the warmth is each wanted and honest, let’s additionally take a second to take a look at a few of the positives.

Steve Birnbaum was fairly darn good in his first look for the senior squad. He wasn’t excellent and his lack of familiarity with each the tempo of worldwide soccer and the individuality of the 3-5-2 formation was uncovered on the tying aim. However he seemed composed and assured and was positionally sound. Clearly snug with the ball at his toes, the D.C. United defender hardly ever seemed like a participant getting his first cap—any individual who hadn’t performed one minite {of professional} soccer this time a 12 months in the past.



Jozy Altidore’s play. Till somebody steps up and reveals in any other case, Altidore remains to be the USA’ greatest pure ahead, so seeing him shake off the rust and handing over a stable efficiency was heartening.

Everyone knows his year-and-a-half at Sunderland was a catastrophe and, yeah, perhaps he swallowed his delight a bit by returning to Main League Soccer at this stage of his profession. However what’s carried out is finished and Altidore, when he performs properly, can nonetheless be an affect participant for the U.S. He confirmed that yesterday.



It wasn’t simply the aim—although he took his probability very properly—particularly given the place his confidence probably was heading into the sport. However Altidore was energetic, monitoring again defensively, exhibiting properly for the ball, and offering hold-up play to assist keep possession. He even ran at defenders a time or two like when he was taken down simply outdoors the 18 and drew a yellow card.

That Jozy Altidore could by no means play for an elite membership in Europe however it’s nonetheless an excellent participant and greater than sufficient to make the U.S. nationwide staff higher for having him on it. That model of Altidore shall be a handful for even the very best defenses in CONCACAF.

Michael Bradley seemed like his outdated self. By his personal admission, Bradley’s World Cup final summer season was lower than his expectations. After all, he went into the event thought of by many the very best participant in CONCACAF so expectations have been fairly rattling excessive.

Bradley confirmed appreciable enchancment over his kind from final summer season and that’s a very good signal as a result of when Bradley performs properly, the U.S. is a significantly better staff. Bradley began quietly however as the sport wore on he created possibilities for others, hit good free kicks, mixed properly within the run of play, and nonetheless did all of the grunt work he normally does. And he hit a bomb of a shot that was unfortunate to have hit the aim put up.

If yesterday’s sport is a harbinger, Bradley’ going to have a robust 12 months. (And the truth that each he and Altidore performed properly is an excellent signal for Toronto FC.)

Nick Rimando. If we’re being choosy, we might argue that Rimando might have carried out higher on the second Chilean aim when he guessed a method and wily veteran Mark Gonzalez shot the opposite. However apart from that, Rimando confirmed why he’s nonetheless the very best goalkeeper in Main League Soccer.

The Actual Salt Lake stalwart made a few breathtaking saves that saved Chile at bay, and on a distinct day could have escaped having allowed simply the one aim. Rimando will flip 39 in the course of the 2018 World Cup—and that will hold him from making the squad. However till he reveals indicators of his age catching as much as him, he deserves to be within the combine for constant minutes in aim.

Combine Diskerud’s protection. Everyone knows Diskerud can create. Given constant taking part in time, he’s good for a aim or an help way more instances than not. However yesterday the Norwegian-American midfielder confirmed he’ll do sufficient of the defensive soiled work that taking part in central midfield for the U.S. requires. And that’s a great factor.

He’s by no means going to be Gennaro Gattuso and even Kyle Beckerman relating to cleansing up messes, however so long as he tracks again and reveals a willingness to get caught in, given what he brings going ahead, that’s all he must do.

Gyasi Zardes’s composure. He didn’t play a lot however throughout restricted time in his first senior squad look the Los Angeles Galaxy ahead confirmed hints of a world future. We all know he has athleticism to burn and sufficient talent to be a distinction maker. However what stood out with Zardes yesterday, particularly given the thrill he should have been feeling in his nationwide staff debut, was his composure and determination making. Zardes didn’t pressure issues and made the sensible play when a shot wasn’t there, permitting the U.S. to maintain possession and discover a higher shot.



All these minutes taking part in alongside Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane little doubt helped.

And when he was lastly given a legit scoring probability, he took it properly and was unfortunate to have it blocked by a lunging Chilean defender. Zardes confirmed sufficient to recommend he deserves extra and longer appears to be like.

And eventually, Klinsmann and the 3-5-2. The pinnacle coach deserves credit score for being prepared to strive one thing new. He’s all the time pontificating about gamers testing themselves outdoors their consolation zone however yesterday he confirmed a willingness to do the identical. And whereas his 3-5-2 revealed a number of defensive flaws, it created loads of possibilities and allowed Klinsmann to start out a really robust lineup.

It was disappointing to see Klinsmann abandon the 3-5-2 at halftime, particularly given the gamers on the sector. However his willingness to experiment deserves credit score. Right here’s hoping he offers it an extended look within the close to future and continues to be prepared to strive new issues.

What did you want about yesterday’s match? Share your take beneath.

Brooke Tunstall is an American Soccer Now contributing editor and ASN 100 panelist. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter.