ASN: U.S. Wins Once more as Gamers Present Extra Consistency

Jurgen Klinsmann’s staff did not precisely run away and conceal from Haiti Friday night time however the staff put collectively a strong second half that featured seven lineup adjustments from Tuesday and three sensible substitutions.

BY

Brooke Tunstall

Posted
July 11, 2015
8:00 AM

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IT’S NOT THAT there aren’t any positives, it’s simply at this level in Jurgen Klinsmann’s tenure it’s laborious to not anticipate extra. 

The USA nationwide staff defeated Haiti 1-0 within the Gold Cup Friday night time and in doing so, clinched first place in Group A and a spot in subsequent week’s quarterfinal in Baltimore. The win made Monday’s sport versus Panama considerably meaningless, no less than for the U.S., and prolonged the staff’s profitable streak to 6 video games and its unbeaten run to seven. 

That’s all actually good.

And but, after beating the Netherlands, a perennial world energy, and reigning World Cup champion Germany final month—in Europe, no much less—there’s each a temptation and a need to see from Klinsmann’s males a bit extra dominance in opposition to CONCACAF foes who aren’t near the extent of the Dutch and Germans.

Sure, a win is a win and everyone knows there’s a giant distinction between friendlies and a confederation championship. On the identical time, is it unreasonable to anticipate the U.S. to have the ability to beat Haiti and Honduras at residence by greater margins than it beat Germany and the Netherlands away? 

And it’s not simply the goal-differential. Regardless of the six factors from two video games, it’s laborious to say the U.S. has performed nicely to date on this Gold Cup. Sure, there have been some good moments and positively the central protection was vastly improved Friday after the shaky effort three nights prior in opposition to Honduras. 

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However the U.S. assault is lacking on approach too many passes and giving the ball away each too usually and too simply. That’s resulting in an abundance of opposing counter assaults that put far an excessive amount of burden on the lone holding midfielder, whether or not it is Kyle Bekckerman, Michael Bradley, or Combine Diskerud. 

There’s too large a niche between the forwards and the backline, particularly with the way in which the U.S. is giving the ball away, and finally considered one of these CONCACAF groups goes to make the U.S. pay. If it’s Panama Monday night time in Kansas Metropolis it gained’t matter a lot for the U.S. however going ahead, if it’s not corrected it might be the expensive mistake that’s the distinction between repeating as champions and watching another person raise the trophy on American soil. 

Maybe the Panamanians will show the right panacea for Klinsmann’s sport, a match with a staff determined for a consequence whereas the U.S. has luxurious of getting nothing to lose. However one thing has to alter as a result of proper now the U.S. hasn’t performed nicely sufficient for lengthy sufficient to win its sixth Gold Cup.

To the scores…

STARTERS

BRAD GUZAN—Continues to do every thing that’s requested of him and lock down his place as new No. 1 goalkeeper. His one-v-one save on Haiti’s Duckens Nazon within the 57th minute was his greatest second and preserved the U.S. lead and he made a number of routine saves and catches in visitors within the sport’s latter phases whereas regularly offering a relaxing presence. Ranking: 7

GREG GARZA—A strong effort within the sport that formally cap-tied him to the U.S. Nothing spectacular however he made some well timed tackles and interceptions and nearly all the time stored himself between his mark and the objective. His solely main error got here on the one-hour mark when he was crushed to a header by Haiti’s extremely energetic Wilde-Donald Guerrier however the shot was off the mark. Additionally will get credit score for a properly performed ball that may have been a secondary help in MLS. Ranking: 6

TIM REAM—In his longest outing with the U.S. in a number of years, Ream confirmed not one of the gaffes that plagued a lot of his prior nationwide staff appearancesunder Bob Bradley’s watch and early within the Klinsmann Period. Was positionally strong and by no means crushed bodily, although a poor clearance within the thirty sixth minute might have proved expensive and he allowed Guerrier to get previous him with a poorly timed offside lure. Ranking: 5.5

OMAR GONZALEZ—A powerful outing from the Los Angeles Galaxy large man. Save for a number of sloppy giveaways within the first half and the poorly timed offside lure that allow Guerrier get in, Gonzalez was every thing Klinsmann might have requested for, making a number of interceptions and tackles, breaking apart performs and, in fact, profitable every thing within the air. Ranking: 6.5

BRAD EVANS—A workmanlike effort from the Seattle utility knife. He didn’t get ahead as a lot as he or Klinsmann most likely needed however save for being badly faked out within the sixteenth minute, he was strong on protection. Ranking: 5.5

MICHAEL BRADLEY—Acquired higher as the sport wore on, partly as a result of he moved additional up the sector after halftime. Hit too many errant lengthy balls early and was usually caught too far ahead within the first half, leaving an excessive amount of house on Haitian counterattacks. Had some good runs late within the first half and early within the second and did a a lot better job controlling the movement of play within the second. Nonetheless, nowhere near his greatest sport. Ranking: 6

MIX DISKERUD—Acquired off to a shaky begin and was dispossessed a few occasions within the first 10 minutes, with each incidents resulting in counterattacks. On the second of the 2 he was compelled to interrupt up with a foul that most likely ought to have resulted in a yellow card. Settled down as the sport progressed, notably when he moved to holding midfielder within the second half, and made a key restoration sort out late within the first half that sparked a counterattack and had a pleasant change of the ball that led to some good build-up and a great shot within the fifty fifth. Ranking: 5

GRAHAM ZUSI—Was strong defensively, monitoring again persistently to assist Evans at proper again and did nicely to interrupt up a counter within the twenty fourth minute. Drew a few corners and a few crosses go for naught however in any other case didn’t create a lot offensively. Ranking: 5.5

CLINT DEMPSEY—Not his greatest sport however Deuce lives for the massive moments and he capitalized when he bought his, ending the U.S.’ greatest scoring likelihood to supply the sport’s solely objective. He appeared to battle to adapt to beginning the sport as a central midfielder and like Bradley settled in additional when moved additional up area. Had some good flicks and almost-chances and an amazing transfer late within the second half that just about netted the insurance coverage objective. Ranking: 6.5

ARON JOHANNSSON—Regardless of not getting on the scoresheet, this may increasingly have been Johannsson’s greatest sport in a U.S. shirt. He was energetic all through his 83 minutes, confirmed for the ball in harmful spots, and didn’t lack for concepts as soon as he bought it as he tried to create for Bradley, Dempsey, and Jozy Altidore and simply missed a bicycle try within the 76th. Ranking: 7

JOZY ALTIDORE—The hassle was there however the outcomes are nonetheless missing as Altidore recovers from his late Might hamstring damage that price him the Netherlands and Germany friendlies. Tracked again regularly to indicate for the ball however his passes had been off and he appears to lack the flexibility to dribble previous defenders proper now. Ranking: 5

RESERVES

GYASI ZARDES—On for Altidore after the break, he wasted no time utilizing his tempo within the left flank to catch Garza’s move and hit an ideal move that discovered Dempsey in stride for the gamewinner. Proceeded to play good protection and simply missed a objective within the 76th and had an amazing run within the 87th as he used his pace to stretch the sector and stress the Haitian protection. Ranking: 7.5

FABIAN JOHNSON—It’s definitely good to have a reserve of Johnson’s caliber. On for Garza within the 67th, he locked down the left facet because the Haitians appeared reluctant to check him. Made a few good runs ahead and hit a candy ball for Zardes within the 89th that might have been an help on one other night time then broke up a last-gasp Haiti try in stoppage time. Ranking: 6.5

KYLE BECKERMAN—On for Johannsson within the 83rd, he immediately settled the midfield and offered help for the backline and a hyperlink with the assault. Made a pleasant defensive play in stoppage time solely to get immediately dispossessed, with the following cross needing to be damaged up by Johnson. Ranking: 6

COACH

JURGEN KLINSMANN—The U.S. boss deserves credit score for trusting his bench and altering seven starters after taking part in three nights earlier. His determination to play Bradley and Dempsey out of their most popular spots might have appeared good on paper however in apply appeared like, as soon as once more, fixing one thing that wasn’t damaged. Whereas he has but to get the U.S. taking part in nicely this event, his staff is undefeated and he positively deserves reward for his use of his subs, notably the Zardes insertion and the moment dividends it paid. Ranking: 6