3 Thoughts: USA at Guatemala

It's a fabulous time of year to be a soccer fan, especially of the USMNT. Advocates of the world's beautiful game and American soccer have the rare gift of Euro 2012 during the day and then qualifying games at night. Since my last post (the delay wasn't a result of laziness or disinterest but instead a trip to Bonnaroo) a lot has transpired with the US team and most of it negative. First was the 4-1 loss to Brazil and then the underwhelming offensive performances against Canada and Antigua & Barbuda; the latter during a crucial qualifying game. My notes during those games say things like "Gooch has played his last meaningful game for the USMNT," except the fact that he again came in during the Antigua game and immediately contributed to a goal for the opposition. More notes from those games:

• Onyewu always had a unique combination of size and speed that tantalized US fans. This inherently American ideal blinded fans to the problems with Onyewu; one being he lacks the requisite passing skills necessary to positively contribute to an offense predicated on quick passing and a higher tempo.
• Too often fans use the phrases that the score doesn't matter or the scoreline doesn't tell the whole story.

"The score doesn't matter" and "the scoreline doesn't tell the whole story" are clichés better served with mom's oranges. As fans we can't have it both ways; we can't say it's just a friendly when we lose and then claim it's monumental when we beat a team like Italy. Yes, a friendly is just a friendly but for a team in CONCACAF it's also a litmus test, letting the team know how far they have come and how far they have to go. The US team intentionally schedules friendlies with higher caliber South American and European teams in preparation for tournament play. Their time to test their mettle against the world's elite will come again but for now it's time to compete versus CONCACAF qualifying competition and last night, shortly after their unconvincing win at Antigua & Barbuda the US took to the field against a determined and hungry Guatemalan team. Here are 3 things I saw during last night's game, which I caught at Mulligan's, a soccer bar I suggest everyone make a trip to:

1. Definitely
• The team's midfield hasn't looked comfortable in attack since the Scotland game. They're often caught occupying the same area, causing spacing issues and their movement is stagnant. Maurice Edu, a capable defender, doesn't show himself enough for the supporting pass and makes poor decisions when given the opportunity. The resulting domino effect causes Bradley and Dempsey to drop deeper, limiting Bradley's ability to make the decisive pass in the offensive third and pulling Dempsey away from goal. In addition, Donovan hasn't seized enough of his opportunities to attack down the wing, often deferring to his teammates. As a whole the unit that was once the rock of the USMNT now appears to be going through some growing pains. The good news, the team doesn't resume qualifying until September 7th against Jamaica and should have time to work things out.
2. Possibly
• Donovan has truly lost his competitive edge. In the 3 games since (coinciding with Clint Dempsey's return) his emphatic hat-trick against Scotland, Landon Donovan has reverted back to the player who infuriates more than he excites. The Guatemalan defense were consistently backing off the pacy winger, giving him acres of space to attack and instead he chose to jog the ball forward or timidly pass the ball off to a supporting teammate. The USMNT is at its most dangerous when their best players are attacking, relentlessly pressuring their less talented opponents and if LD isn't into it mentally, Klinsmann may be left with a tough decision.
3. Hopefully
• The US uses Jozy Altidore more in the starting role and Hercules Gomez as the super-sub. The team's movement is better with Altidore as the lone striker because he's more comfortable checking to the ball and holding up possession. Dempsey is more dangerous playing off of Altidore; the two have built some chemistry together during the Klinsmann era. Even Donovan started to attack the space down the flanks once Altidore entered the game and with two aerial options in the box, the team is more threatening off his crosses. This doesn't and shouldn't take away from Gomez who has seized his opportunity and ran with it. His work rate and knack for poaching goals will provide a huge boost late in games.

I enjoyed the match with a Guinness but it would have been better enjoyed with a beer as deafening as the Guatemalan fans and as questionable as the refereeing; one that matched the intensity of a qualifying game in Central America. I'd have suggested Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA, not quite as feisty as a Douple IPA but a memorable brew, one that like Klinsmann's first trip to Central America, you're unlikely to forget.