WOW. simply. WOW. Maybe one of the most riveting games I have ever seen. I dont think I’ve ever had this much emotions watching a soccer game before. Simply wow.
Before I move on to some quick thoughts, I will step on my soapbox once again. In a time like this, I hate to find negatives in this situation, but once again, I will voice my displeasure regarding Bob Bradley’s decision of including Robbie Findley, Edson Buddle, and Hercules Gomez in the squad…and not Brian Ching. I dont think I will ever get off my soapbox at how bad a decision this was by Bradley.
Against Slovenia, coach Bob Bradley started Robbie Findley a top with Jozy Altidore. Today against Algeria, Bradley started Hercules Gomez at top. In both games, Findley and Gomez played horribly, looked out of place, and were subbed out at the half. In both cases, Bradley brought on Benny Feilhaber in the midfield and moved Clint Dempsey up to the forward position. In my previous post, I had mentioned that Bradley needs to scrap this idea of starting Findley, Gomez, Buddle at top with Altidore and just move straight into starting Dempsey at top. In both games, the US looked much stronger in the 2nd half with this new formation.
Buddle/Findley/Gomez are decent players, but they lack the experience on the international level. In a game like this, I dont think Bradley can trust them to perform.
Which brings me back to my original belief that Brian Ching would have formed the perfect strike partner with Jozy. He plays a similar game as Clint Dempsey, being a big, strong target man at top, but he would allow Dempsey to play in the midfield. Plus, Brian Ching has 45 international caps under his belt, so he has the necessary experience at the international level to succeed.
Anyways…moving on to the positives now.
1) After the Slovenia game, I had written I was unsure if I would call this an “average” or a “good” team. A good team beats team that they’re supposed to beat. The United States took care of business and earned their victory.
2) The one thing you have to love about this team is that this team NEVER gives up. This is a team that fights to the very last minute. Literally…the very last minute. In the game against Slovenia, you had Michael Bradley’s equalizing goal in the 82nd minute. Now today, we have the winning goal in the 91st. Amazing stuff. But again, this is nothing new.
Last year in world cup qualifying against Costa Rica on Oct 14th, Jonathan Bornstein scored in the 5th minute of injury time to equalize the game. Costa Rica was literally seconds away from playing in South Africa, but because of this goal, Honduras went on instead.
In last year summer’s Gold Cup tournament against Haiti, Stuart Holden scored the most beautiful goal to earn a tie with less than a minute left in the game. On a side note, look at what Brian Ching can provide to the team on his assist…
3) Landon Donovan continues to show everyone why he’s the best American player this country has ever produced. With his goal early in the 2nd half of the game and Slovenia and today’s goal, he is literally carrying this team on his shoulders. Back in March I wrote in this post,
If he continues to play at this high level at the highest level of soccer, he will be amazing at the World Cup in South Africa in June. The game experience of playing against quality opponent in pressure packed and hostile situations will be invaluable to the national team.
Landon Donovan has come through huge for the national team. Within two years, I predict he will make a full time transfer back to the Premier League and shine there.
4) Considering…everything, this is maybe the biggest, most important win in US history. The US has NEVER earned a point in each of their 6 3rd group game. Yes they lost every single one of them. A loss would have eliminated the team, and would have been the biggest disappointment to the team and fans back at home. Yes you can argue that their round of 16 victory over Mexico in 2002 was a big win, but it didnt really do much for the soccer in America.
After the 2009 Confederation Cup run in 2009 when the US beat Spain and almost beat Brazil, the profile of soccer has increased tremendously. You dont know how many friends I know who are watching soccer for the very first time ever, following the US team. There were so many people who woke up at 7am just to see the US play. Had they lost, I feel that the US soccer would have suffered tremendously and taken a big step backwards. But what this victory, there is an excitement in this country about soccer that Ive never seen before. With a 11am PST (2pm EST) kickoff on Saturday in their next game, I truly believe that a new record will be set with regards to how many people will be watching this game.
I also believe that the US’s achievements in South Africa and the fan’s excitement here at home is boosting the US’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup. This will only continue to legitimize American soccer (and its support) in the eyes of the international community.
5) The US wins their group for the first time ever!!! Everyone predicted that England and US would both advance, but not too many people had the US winning the group. Pretty awesome stuff.
The US will face the 2nd place team from Group D on Saturday, either Germany, Ghana, Serbia, or Australia.
By winning their group, the US also received a favorable draw for the quarterfinal rounds. Had they been the runner ups, they would have had to face either Mexico or Argentina (probably Argentina) in the quarterfinals if they win their round of 16 match. Now if they win their round of 16 match, they would face either South Korea or Uruguay, a lot easier matchup.
6) My predictions so far are pretty good.
My pre-world cup predictions: 5/6 (chose France)
My post-2nd game predictions: 6/6 (correctly chose US and England winning)
Anxious to see how I do for my Group D predictions. I have Germany and Serbia advancing.
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