ASN: Three Questions for the U.S. Forward of the 2015 Gold Cup

Do not let these fancy wins in Europe or that 4-0 victory over Guatemala idiot you—the U.S. must work on a lot of initiatives if it hopes to lock down a spot within the 2017 Confederations Cup.

BY

William Travis

Posted
July 07, 2015
11:00 AM

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1. Can the U.S. Blast By way of Bunkers?

The U.S. males’s nationwide workforce victories over Germany and the Netherlands galvanized a nation of soccer followers. 

Fearless attacking! Vast-open play! Late game-winners!

The victories symbolized all the pieces American soccer followers need from their nationwide facet, together with the power to win video games towards high quality opponents with out counting on counter assaults or forfeiting possession.

However what occurs when the People should grind out a end result towards an inferior facet that sits again, challenges the U.S. to return ahead, and appears to counter?

Friday’s tune-up towards Guatemala offered Jurgen Klinsmann and Co. a reminder that the U.S. isn’t but enjoying video games with the ability and technical savvy that prime groups display. It’s one factor to own the ball by knocking it across the again 4. It’s fairly one other to manage the sport with possession by passing it across the different workforce’s half and creating high quality possibilities.

Enjoyable reality time: The U.S. received the possession battle towards Guatemala, 63% to 37%, but didn’t look actually harmful offensively till the later phases of the sport. Guatemala really managed to outshoot the American squad 15-11.

The U.S. continues to wrestle towards groups that put eleven males behind the ball—and it is going to be dealing with numerous that in the course of the 2015 Gold Cup.

Klinsmann has proven that he can lead the U.S. to spectacular wins in largely meaningless friendlies towards world soccer powers. Now he must get his males again into CONCACAF mode and discover a strategy to flip possession into decisive wins.

2. Will the Protection Do Its Job?

The U.S. allowed far too many open seems to be towards Guatemala, particularly from crosses and set items. Klinsmann expressed disappointment within the again line after the match, referencing possibilities that “we can’t afford at the international level” that have been “too easy, just too easy.”

These defensive points usually are not some anomaly—they have been evident within the June pleasant towards the Netherlands too. The dramatic come-from-behind victory could have obscured the defensive gaffes, however there have been loads.

John Brooks and Ventura Alvarado began in central protection for the U.S. in that recreation and trailed 3-1 within the 53rd minute. All instructed, the Yanks forfeited 27 photographs towards the Dutch.

Guatemala striker Jose Contreras missed two absolute sitters towards the U.S. on Friday, and most CONCACAF strikers would have buried each of them. Had he managed to place these possibilities away, the sport would have moved in a totally completely different path. Different Guatemalan attackers had open seems to be at Brad Guzan’s objective and with a bit extra composure the Yanks might have simply conceded three or 4 objectives.

Omar Gonzalez, Tim Ream, Brooks, and Alvarado are all succesful central defenders. Klinsmann’s problem is to determine the perfect combo amongst this quartet and get them to work collectively to get rid of, or no less than scale back, straightforward possibilities.

3. Will Klinsmann Let the Youngsters Unfastened?

Klinsmann has by no means been shy about calling up younger, much less skilled gamers. And whereas it was disappointing to see Bobby Wooden and Rubio Rubin left off the Gold Cup roster, there’s some logic to Klinsmann choosing CONCACAF veterans who’re aware of the bodily type of Gold Cup play.

Within the first half towards Guatemala, nevertheless, a U.S. assault led by Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore appeared sluggish and lacked creativeness. Was it only a little bit of rust? Or did this attacking pair simply lack the tempo essential to create, and end, its possibilities. The primary half of that match, chances are you’ll recall, ended with the U.S. forward 1-0—on a Honduras personal objective.

In opposition to Guatemala the U.S. seemed a lot better after Gyasi Zardes and Alfredo Morales subbed in. Zardes, particularly, impressed, notching a beautiful help and opening up the assault together with his aggressive runs.

“Gyasi Zardes had a lot of good energy going forward, but defensively we try to teach him, which is a work in progress,” Klinsmann mentioned. “There are definitely good things, and there are things we need to work on.”

So will Klinsmann “work on” these items in the course of the Gold Cup, and reap the long-term advantages of blooding younger gamers in a high-pressure atmosphere? Or will he play it protected by counting on his veterans?

Zardes (24 years outdated), Aron Johannsson (24), and DeAndre Yedlin (21) all convey mobility to the pitch. Will probably be fascinating to see in the event that they obtain significant minutes within the weeks forward.

That is William Travis’ first piece for American Soccer Now. You may comply with him on Twitter.