USA vs Argentina Review
Hi everyone! Sorry it’s been so long since the last post. There have just been too many must see games and I haven’t had a chance to sit down and get my thoughts out there, until now at least, so here’s my review of the game against Argentina.
Well, where do I begin? Absolutely incredible! The United States managed to hold the best team in world to a 0-0 draw. This was no Argentina B-team, this was it, this was the best that Argentina has. This same Argentina team thrashed Mexico 4-1 last week. The US held strong.
Over 78,000 fans showed up to Giant’s Stadium to see a soccer game. What they got was an epic duel with the best team in the world playing with such high quality and determined underdogs playing absolutely out of their minds. To those that were a part of that 78,000, I’m jealous of you, and I thank you, because you as a crowd did not disappoint. I had assumed this would be a pro-Argentina crowd, I was wrong. Endless chants of U-S-A came down upon the field, roars of excitement at both ends of the field. dissent towards bad fouls and bad calls. You took a friendly and made it feel like a knockout round game in the World Cup. To be honest, I found myself turning the volume up every 5 minutes or so; wanting to be a part of it.
70 minutes of pure soccer joy from the Americans, 1 atrocious lack of concentration from the referee that resulted in a red card to US midfielder Pablo Mastroeni. I thought that was it, such a shame, but oh was I wrong. The Americans followed that with 20 more minutes of such determination and passion that I was left speechless. Praise goes to every single American player.
Tim Howard: He was spectacular. Argentine forward Julio Cruz had 3 breakaway shots on goal, and Howard saved them all. This may have been the best display of goalkeeping the US National Team has every seen (yes, even better than Kasey Keller’s brilliant day against a Brazil). Howard did not make a single mistake. Flawless.
Steve Cherundolo: He was wonderful on the right side of defense. He had a tireless work rate and was always looking to get forward in attack as well. This guy is most certainly our starting right back. He got stuck in early and never stopped.
Oguchi Onyewu: He did his job. When playing against the best team in the world, any back line will get beaten during the game. Onyewu’s ability to recover quickly and shut down attacks was amazing. He also had maybe the best chance on goal when a header from a Landon Donovan taken free kick smacked the crossbar.
Danny Califf: Let’s face it, the guy who plays his game in Denmark was a bit of question mark coming into this game. He’s not anymore. The US depth chart at center back is growing with real talent. He will play a role in World Cup qualifying. He proved that maybe the center back starting roles aren’t set in stone just yet.
Heath Pearce: Pearce started at left back in all of the big three friendlies. He got better each game. I was very impressed with Pearce. He was an absolute terror on the left side of the field, both defensively and offensively. Argentina just didn’t have an answer for Pearce, and his play helped give Beasley more time and space to operate. I couldn’t ask for anymore. Welcome, Heath Pearce, to your new full time job: starting left back for the US National Team, you locked it up with this one.
Clint Dempsey: How tired has Dempsey looked in the previous two friendlies? Because against Argentina we saw the Dempsey we know and love. He fought hard on both sides of the ball. One of his defensive recovery runs saw him block a shot from close range with a slide tackle. He ran at defenders with the ball at his feet, he won free kicks, he opened up space for other players to operate. Well done sir.
Pablo Mastroeni: He was born in Argentina, and he stuck it to his birth nation in this game. He was an enforcer, and stamped his presence in the midfield. Tough tackling, quality passes, great positioning. This guy was fantastic. He picked up a yellow card, and then, in seemingly, an utter failure from the referee saw him receive a second yellow, leading to his ejection. What happened? Sub Maurice Adu committed a hard challenge that saw the referee show him a yellow card. Then, it appeared as though the ref marked it down as a second yellow card to Mastroeni. Horrible. the one sour note of the match, this decision by the referee. Pablo showed that even though the younger players are coming on to the scene, he is still one of the best options in the center of the park.
Michael Bradley: He played only the first half, and played it well. He got better with each friendly. His tackles were good, His passes were good. Not much else to say. Good performance.
DaMarcus Beasley: He, like Dempsey, played like the Beasley we know and love. Obviously the recovery process was still ongoing with Beasley. He finally looked fully fit for this match. He was on full force with his speedy runs down the wing.
Eddie Johnson: No, he didn’t get a goal, and he never really had a good chance on goal either. But for the first time ever he showed real passion, a willingness and desire to do whatever it takes to help the team get a result. A trait he hopefully picked up from one Wayne Rooney. He shows that passion game in game out, he may be deserving of his spot.
Landon Donovan: He came out on field and made a statement with his play. He said “You know what, I am a world class soccer player.” When Donovan plays at his best, so does the national team. Donovan was on his game today, his passing was exquisite, he showed his speed and his dribbling ability, he sliced and diced his way through the Argentina defense. Congrats are in order to him on his 100th cap, and he showed why he has earned all 100 tonight. Truly, a world class effort against a world class opponent.
Subs:
Maurice Edu: Came on at the start of the second half for Bradley. He was ready for his moment, and he took it well. He’s a young a guy, but everyday he gets better and better. Definitely a potential starter for a good European club team in the future.
Jay DeMerit: Came on for Onyewu in the 61st minute, and with his entrance the center back tandem became much less experienced, but it certainly didn’t show. It was if Onyewu never left. DeMerit was rock solid.
Freddy Adu: This 19 year old kid is so exciting to watch! He sliced and diced, and cut, and spun, and sped his way through the Argentine midfield and defense. Looked surprisingly similar, if not better, than a 19 year old Cristiano Ronaldo looked. This kid should be getting the start from now on. Keep it up Freddy!
Sacha Kljestan: He was very good when he came on. Made some great plays. Showed his uncanny ability to make dangerous passes. Created a great opportunity and almost got off a great shot.
Eddie Lewis: The only American player who has managed to look good for all three of big friendlies came on and played defense, and then some midfield. Again, had a solid performance. He can do anything on the left side of the field. A great player to have in the roster.
Frankie Hejduk: The ageless wonder played only in stoppage time.
I have to say that I don’t think I have seen this kind of performance from the national team since the 2002 World Cup. 78,000 fans cheering you on certainly helps. So here’s a call to every soccer fan in the country, to every sports fan in the country. Get to these games when they are played in your area. Scream your lungs out and help empower your national team. Those 78,000 in attendance for this one got more than their money’s worth, so will you.
Although I thought to myself, “oh my god, we’re dead” after the first 7 minutes. The team managed to get it under control, to get stuck in. to play their guts out. And I couldn’t be happier. What a game! All that I need now is some consistency. Let’s play at this level game in game out, if we do, we’ll shock the world.
Thoughts?
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