Right, so I missed last week’s World Cup qualifier because I was out of town but now I’ve watched the replay. In case you missed it, the US beat arch rivals Mexico 2-0 to open qualification in style with two goals by Man of the Match Michael Bradley. Since 2000, the US is 9-0-2 at home against our southern neighbors. Yes, the US can’t win in the Azteca Stadium, but neither can Mexico figure out how to win in the US. This is a good thing. And I would also mention that since 1990 (almost 20 years now), the US holds a 11-7-7 record against Mexcio. Yes, that would be a convincing winning record over a country most people on the planet (including tons in this country) regard as being superior.
The game itself was not spectacular. The conditions were lousy (US Soccer doesn’t schedule February games in Columbus without reason) but the overall play was good at times and kickball at times. The US midfield played well with Bradley and Beasley being standouts and Donovan and Dempsey doing their bit. Ching was unspectacular but okay; Klejstan had some great passes but also gave the ball away too cheaply several times.
The weak spot(s) in the US first team has to be the defense. Onyewu and Bocanegra do not inspire confidence as both of them barge around like bulls in china shops, giving away needless fouls and hacking wayward clearances. Frankie Hejduk and Heath Pearce are not answers for the outside positions; both defended competently for the long haul, but Hejduk’s reckless tackling always leaves the option for a bad foul or just simply getting burned (a la getting dumped on his ass against Spain). Pearce never looks confident and is a joke going forward. The US attack may have a few tricks but this team will be going nowhere fast in 2010 if the defense isn’t addressed—but with who?
Mexico for their part looked decent and missed a couple of good chances, but they are miserable at managing their collective tempers. The fact that they hate the US is understandable, but I can’t remember a game where they’ve maintained their composure after the US goes up a goal. After about ten minutes or so, they just start losing their rag. Cue the cheap shots and fouls. Marquez’s kick at Howard was stupid and unnecessary, and I like how the Mexicans had two dirty fouls on the build up to the last goal.
Overall, this US team just doesn’t get the pulse racing. I think the qualifying format, where CONCACAF gets three guaranteed spot and a fourth parachute position, lowers the stakes considerably. The US ought to qualify in cruise control but this team’s prospects don’t excite me. The US attack may be able to pop some goals in again mid-tier international teams, but the defense is so friggin’ shaky that even a team with one exceptional striker will give them troubles. That, and I see fringe players like Ching, Ricardo Clark, Pearce, etc. folding in matches against heavy competition. We’re months away from concluding qualifying and further yet from the draw, but I think it might be hard to get out of the group stage for this team. And even if they do, what next?
Current Mood: Pessimistic | 