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US Soccer Recap: Easy Day At 'The Office,'But Undefeated Panama Awaits

Zaki Khan |
June 10, 2013 | 9:17 p.m. PDT

Staff Writer

Altidore's success in the Netherlands has finally transated to the American pitch. (Wikimedia Commons)
Altidore's success in the Netherlands has finally transated to the American pitch. (Wikimedia Commons)
After a crushing 4-2 defeat by a stacked Belgium squad in Cleveland on May 29th, the USMNT recharged and held off a late rally to secure a historic 4-3 win against Germany on June 2nd, a suiting end to mark the 100th year of US Soccer.

Building off this momentum, the team still needed a dramatic stoppage time winner by Brad Evans to secure yet another historic win – the first one on Jamaican soil – against the Reggae Boys. Now, the US will look to get three more points against an impressively undefeated Panama side in Seattle on Tuesday night.

Here are some of my thoughts heading into the game:

Jozy Altidore has finally scored for the national team.

In what seemed like ages, Jozy Altidore, the same man who broke the record for goals scored by an American abroad with 31 for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar this season, finally broke his scoring drought for the national team with a golaso against Germany and a calm header to open the scoring in Jamaica. Altidore’s ability to score, which hadn’t been demonstrated in a US kit since 2011, has been a critical missing piece in Jurgen Klinsmann’s attempt to rebrand US soccer. Now that he has broken the spell, only good things will come for a US team that has struggled offensively for most of these qualifying matches.

When your top striker is scoring, good things happen. If Robin Van Persie never scored for Manchester United this past season, they would never have won the Premier League. If Robert Lewandowski didn’t score four goals in the semifinal against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund would have never reached the UCL Final. If Jozy Altidore didn’t score in these last two games, the US would have never earned historic wins against Germany or Jamaica. Simple as that. With the gorilla off his back, Altidore will look to continue his streak Tuesday night against an undefeated Panama.

Without Donovan, the US has performed just fine. (Wikimedia Commons)
Without Donovan, the US has performed just fine. (Wikimedia Commons)
Does the team even need Landon Donovan?

Sure, Graham Zusi made two nice crosses; but Donovan is the all-time leading goal-scorer for USA. Zusi has been great, but class is permanent and Donovan has shown that in the few games he’s played since returning. Although the team has survived thus far, they will still need Donovan – maybe not now – but definitely for the next string of qualifiers, and hopefully, the World Cup. And that doesn’t necessarily mean Zusi will be taken out of the picture once Donovan comes back.

Before this string of games, many critics argued that the reason for Altidore’s inability to score for the national team was the lack of quality service. Many argued that Donovan was the answer to this problem, whose service and playmaking abilities have never been in question, especially when the US needed it most. However, in the last two games, Sporting Kansas City’s Zusi nearly made us forget Donovan altogether after two man-of-the-match worthy performances against Germany and Jamaica, including two inch-perfect crosses which Altidore finished with world class style. In fact, the success Jozy has had in these last two games has completely been a product of Zusi’s excellent work-rate, skill, and service.

So who needs Donovan? Well, right now, the US has done fine without him, but it still needs him. Yes, Zusi has filled in remarkably, but let’s not forget that Donovan took a self-imposed sabbatical after winning the MLS Cup last December to deal with personal issues. By the time he came back, he did impress in some MLS games, but not enough to convince Klinsmann to put him on the team. Thus, he’s not 100% back to what he was in December. So as of now, Zusi can probably provide more for the squad, and has proven himself both offensively and defensively.

However, as soon as the qualifying roster was released and Donovan’s name wasn’t on it, the man went and scored a goal and added two assists for the Galaxy against the Union. Donovan still has streaks of his old self, but he’ll need to get his consistency back if he wants to earn Klinsmann’s respect. He’ll have a chance to prove his worth in the red, white, and blue this summer in the Gold Cup and barring any injuries, Donovan will most likely return. His return will only strengthen a squad that continues to grow in depth. While it may push the underperforming Fabian Johnson down the ladder a bit, the team will desperately need his heart, drive, experience, leadership, versatility, creativity and work rate for the of the US’s bid at making a statement in Brazil. Plus, having two talented and established playmakers on the field at one time will be a field day for Jozy Altidore, and the American attack could be the most threatening it has ever been.

Due to an accumulation of yellow cards, Zusi will be inactive against Panama tomorrow. While this will be a huge blow to the squad, I think we’ll likely see Eddie Johnson take his place, as he has performed fairly well as a converted winger. His signature step overs have impressed, but tracking back on defense and supporting Altidore up top will be his keys to success.

Omar Gonzalez is among many US defensemen that have impressed so far this summer. (Zaki Khan/Neon Tommy)
Omar Gonzalez is among many US defensemen that have impressed so far this summer. (Zaki Khan/Neon Tommy)
Is the back four finally solidified?

On paper, the back line featuring Fabian Johnson, Geoff Cameron, Omar Gonzalez, and Timmy Chandler was the strongest, but led to a disastrous outcome in Honduras. Over the past several games, Damarcus Beasley performed admirably as a converted fullback and has done well both defensively and providing support offensively, and has locked his position it seems, as Fabian Johnson has been pushed back up to the midfield.

The center-back tandem, however, has not been as consistent. Many felt the Gonzalez-Cameron pairing was the best fit, but the play of Gonzalez has been extremely inconsistent. While he has made a couple mistakes that have led to goals (See Honduras, Belgium), his strength, one-on-one defense, and superiority in the air have kept him in the picture for now. In fact, Klinsmann has so much faith in him that he has started every single game since Honduras, and could be a mainstay in the future. Gonzalez is still young and is one of the brightest prospects for the US going forward, but he’ll need to eliminate his marking mistakes and defensive mental lapses to win over the hearts of the Yankee dedicated. Impressive international play can also earn him a move to Europe, as his contract at the Galaxy ends this summer.

Matt Besler has probably been the only defender on the squad that hasn’t had to deal with a lot of criticism ever since he was thrown into his first cap in Mexico. He’s done his job admirably, with his name rarely thrown out for fault when conceding a goal. This is a great sign, because like Gonzalez, he too has a great deal of potential that could lead him abroad to further hone his skills. For the time being, without question, Besler’s position in the back four remains secure.

As for Geoff Cameron, his versatility has been his best friend in the last couple games. While he played well as a right back (which he normally plays for Stoke City) against Mexico, he was completely lost in the Belgium game. Consequently, Klinsmann opted to take him out of the back four picture entirely. He didn’t play at all against Germany, as Brad Evans, who was an extremely questionable (and late) call up to the US camp, was put in his place. Though he was thrown into the deep against the German miniature giants (the squad they featured was arguably their B-team at best), Evans fit in just fine and looked as if he’d been playing there for a hundred games. His great play earned him another chance against Jamaica, where he again performed beyond expectation, shutting down the speedy attack of the Jamaicans while also putting away an unbelievable FIFA-esque curling game-winner in stoppage time.

So what happens to Cameron? Going into this stretch of games, his role was probably the most secure. But for almost two games, he primarily warmed the bench, until he was subbed on for Jermaine Jones against Jamaica. For tomorrow, Cameron will likely fill the same role as a defensive midfielder as he performed well in the second half, but after that, who knows? The Gonzalez-Besler tandem has produced great results in qualifying, but if any of them allow any more mistakes, he’ll likely be brought back into the fold.

These aren’t the only questions being asked about the defense. Remember Steve Cherundolo? One of the US’s most loyal servants is taking the summer off to nurse an injury but will likely return in the fall. Will he slide back in seamlessly? Or will Brad Evans have his spot secured? The same goes for the younger Timmy Chandler, who had an underwhelming debut against Honduras in March, but can earn himself a spot back on the roster.

The starting 11 for Tuesday's match against Panama. (American Soccer Now/Creative Commons)
The starting 11 for Tuesday's match against Panama. (American Soccer Now/Creative Commons)

Here’s how I think the USMNT will line up against Panama tomorrow, with Zusi out on suspension and Jones out on injury.

Panama poses a formidable threat to the US, having gone undefeated thus far. Sitting in second place but tied at seven points with two other nations, an American win could put the US in good shape to separate themselves from the bottom half of the pack and possibly a place at the top of the table

 

 

Reach Staff Writer Zaki Khan here.



 

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