USA 442 (Diamond Wide)
GK Brad Guzan 1: 7.0
Guzan is an underrated goalkeeper.
Tim Howard obviously casts a large shadow as the best US goalkeeper
of all-time; he is a heroic figure of legendary ability. Nick Rimando
is obviously not Tim Howard, however, I think he gets a little
notoriety because he is the best domestic goalkeeper (no need to
apologize to Hamid or Steve Clark). That leaves Guzan a little out of
the limelight. That said, he put on a very good performance in the
Gold Cup opener. He did a nice job combating Honduras' counter
attacks throughout the first half despite the lack of help from his
defenders (more on that to come). Guzan was also aided by Honduras'
inability to put their shooting opportunities on target; they put
only 33% of their shots on goal. Honduras' lone goal came off a
mistake by Alvarado, allowing Honduras' attacker to come in
unhindered. Guzan had no shot at stopping it. Guzan's only mistake
came a little bit later as he came out of goal to try and impede a
low cross from the left side. He was unable to reach the ball, and
was fortunate the right winger could not handle the ball just outside
the far post. Otherwise, this match very well could have ended in a
draw.
Timothy Chandler was one of the US's worst players in this match. He was ineffective in both attack, and defense. On the defensive side, he gave Honduras too much room to work with on their left side, allowing unimpeded crosses into the box, and leaving space for multiple shots from just outside the box. He also gave the ball away far too easily. In some cases this led directly to break aways from the opposition. Chandler passing accuracy was only 59% (19 of 32), which led to a stifled offense early, and created opportunities in the US's own half. Chandler was lucky to have Yedlin on his side to cover for him when he gave up possession too far up the pitch. On the bright side, Chandler did not give up any big mistakes, just lots of little ones.
CB Ventura Alvarado 13: 5.3
I was initially impressed with
Alvarado. He seemed to do well cutting off through passes, and
stopping the counter attack. A couple of times he did this by coming
forward into Honduras' half and winning back possession after the
US's attackers had been dispossessed and Honduras was springing
forward. The US was not able to retain possession off of these plays,
but it at least stopped the counter. As the game wore on Alvarado's
play suffered. He was beaten by Honduras' Discua in the second half,
allowing him to get into the box and get his shot off with little
impedance. He also allowed an attacker to get in behind him later in
the match; he was lucky not to have allowed another there. Alvarado
has a lot of potential however, he needs big match experience (I
know, that is exactly what he is getting right now…)
Odd to think the twenty-two year old,
Brooks, was the—veteran—in the center of the defense for the US.
Brooks put in a fair performance in this match. He made a couple
mistakes early when Honduras was pressing the defense hard. However,
this had a lot to do with the US's inability to slow down their
opponent in the midfield, cutting through it as if it were butter.
Brooks was often left with too much to cover. He was also forced to
defend out wide on multiple occasions in the first half, as Johnson
was caught high up the pitch, and Zardes was unable to cover him.
Brooks did do a nice job handling crosses into the middle. His size
is a tremendous asset, and Honduras had no one near his physical
equal.
Fabian Johnson is one of the US's
best and most reliable players. This was not his most spectacular
match, but he was solid enough. The US's biggest struggle on offense
was maintaining possession, and creating chances from their build-up
play. However, they were most dangerous when Johnson was surging
forward with the ball, and dribbling his way into the middle. He did
this to great effect late in the first half, placing a perfect ball
to Yedlin who was cutting into the box, but Yedlin just does not have
the quality to hit the one timer and had to continue his dribble,
giving the goalkeeper time to stifle his shot. At times, Johnson and
Zardes had trouble linking up, and working on the outside. Johnson
does occasionally get caught up the pitch, and this leaves an opening
for the opposition, but Zardes needs to be able to give him more
cover. You cannot hinder Johnson from making his runs forward.
Beckerman had a mixed outing. He
struggled early in the match against Honduras' charging counter
attack. Beckerman struggled to slow down the attack, and this left
the defense open to the onslaught. However, he did better as the game
went on, especially after the US scored their first goal. Beckerman
plays a more forward role for Real Salt Lake, and plays well as
box-to-box midfielder and scoring threat for them. However, he cannot
allow himself to play that same way as the deep lying midfielder in
the US's diamond. He needs to be more disciplined defensively, or
better teams will take advantage. That said, Beckerman did an
excellent job distributing the ball. His passing accuracy was 91%.
This was a huge plus considering the US's weakness in this match was
ball retention, and build up play.
Yedlin has been great since moving up
the pitch to play as a midfield winger. He is extremely comfortable
playing in that role, and his composure on offense is palpable.
Yedlin's offensive ability shined compared to his counter part,
Zardes, the more experienced attacker. Yedlin made a great run inside
the box late in the first half to receive the US's best scoring
opportunity of the match (if you seclude set pieces). Yedlin's
forgiven for not being able to finish said opportunity because he
should not be expected to—he has played most as a fullback, how can
he be expected to finish like a striker? This match continued to
prove Yedlin has scary potential as a winger. Yedlin's biggest
contribution to match was his ability to get back and help defend.
Yedlin is never shy to chase down attackers and take back possession.
He did a great job covering Chandler, who struggled in this match.
Zardes continues to prove he should
not be deployed on the wing. He showed very little creative ability
in this match, failing to hit on his crosses, and only threatening
once when cutting inside. Zardes' biggest deficiency is on defense.
As a left midfielder Zardes has more defensive responsibilities than
he would as a striker. However, Zardes often leaves the defense
high-and-dry on the counter attack, and refuses to help cover Johnson
when he surges forward. Perhaps, this is less a criticism of Gyasi
and more a commentary on the chemistry between he and Johnson. They
do not complement each other. Johnson is an attacking fullback, and
Zardes is an offense only winger. This creates a huge hole in the
defense at times, especially since the US is only utilizing a single
holding midfielder.
The US's new captain had a fairly
good, if uneven at times performance. Bradley's greatest contribution
was his handling of free kicks. He did a nice job putting a cross
into the box after receiving the short corner kick from Yedlin on
Dempsey's first goal. Then he got the outright assist after
delivering a great ball to Dempsey on the far post. He also
nearly—and might have—scored on a third set piece. Bradley, like
the rest of the US team struggled in the attacking third. However,
some of this is due to Bradley playing deeper after Honduras' early
attacking pressure. His 83% passing accuracy certainly cannot be
blamed.
Dempsey did a great job taking
advantage of the two opportunities he was given, sometimes that is
all you need a striker to do. However, Dempsey really struggled the
rest of the game, and was one of the main causes of the US's
inability to threaten from build up play. Dempsey's passing accuracy
was only 56%, as he failed to link up with his fellow attackers, and
was dispossessed too easily while the US was pressed deep in the
opposition's half. This often led to Honduras' breaks the other way.
Many people likely have Altidore
rated lower for this match. However, he was far from horrible. He
actual did a good job linking up with Bradley and Dempsey, but the
latter were unable to connect with him, making him look worse than he
was playing. This is evidenced by Altidore's 83% pass accuracy. He
also did a nice job holding up the ball inside the box, and almost
used his physicality to create on his own a couple of times. Sure,
Altidore's workrate is not great. He gets significantly less touches
than everyone else, and he does not play defense. But, he could have
been worse, especially considering how bad the US was in build up
offense.
Worst sub of the match. Did Wondo
touch the ball more than twice in the half hour he was on the pitch?
He simply sat at the top of the pitch waiting to receive long balls,
playing absolutely no defense—while the team had the lead the
entire second half.
The US's best sub. Brad Evans brought
stability to the right side of the defense that was absent in the
first half. He played smart and decisively. He did not overextend
himself, and avoided making mistakes. Evans did not threaten down the
wings, he may not of even crossed the midfield line, but he did not
have to. Job well done.
Zusi came on in the closing minutes for Zardes. He used his fresh legs to carry possession for the US in the closing moments; he even created an opportunity for them.
Man of the Match: DeAndre Yedlin
All respect given to Dempsey and his
two goals, but Yedlin played the best game. He was a factor on
offense and defense. His ability to get back and harass Honduras' attackers may have saved the win.
-Brad Evans really impressed me with
his defensive ability, while Timothy Chandler thoroughly unimpressed
me (as he always does). The US's weakest position is at fullback,
Fabian Johnson is a stalwart, but they do not have anyone comparable
to him, and Johnson himself would probably make a better left
midfielder (much like Yedlin does). Brad Evans could be the US's
answer. Evans may not be able to threaten while attacking on the
wings. But, I do not want him to. The last thing the US needs is both
fullbacks charging down the wings—why do you think Yedlin is
playing as a winger? Evans would be both a perfect complement to
Fabian Johnson—a defense-first fullback, and DeAndre Yedlin. A
stable defensive presence on the right side of the defense would
allow Yedlin to commit more on the attack, and that could be real
dangerous.
-To go along with the above sentiment.
Does anyone else think the US may be best served employing three
center backs and position Yedlin and Johnson as wing-backs? This
would strengthen the back line and give both Johnson and Yedlin more
freedom to go forward.
-If I were USMNT coach—and, of
course, I am not, nor should I be, nor should I even suggest I should
be—Gyasi Zardes would not start on the right or left side of the
midfield for the rest of the tournament. He is simply too much of
defensive liability, at least if they continue to trot onto the pitch
in a wide diamond. Zardes would be best served playing up top, or
playing on the right side in a 4-2-3-1. Graham Zusi is a better
all-around player, and would serve the team better in their current
formation.
-Why on earth would Chris Wondolowski
be brought in with a lead? I do not understand the reasoning behind
this. He contributes nothing to the defense, perhaps less than
Altidore himself. I understand the need to pace Altidore, but bring
in someone who will help you win the match while you have the lead.
Not someone who is going to wait up top till the other team equalizes
then try and poach a winner.
-Kyle Beckerman needs to commit to
staying back, and being the deep lying midfielder. He is the key to
the US's diamond formation. If Beckerman cannot slow down the
opposition, then it forces Bradley to play deeper, which completely
voids the purpose of the diamond and stifles the US's build up play,
which it did in this match. The point is to allow Bradley forward to
create, but he is unable to do so because he needs to play as a
second holding midfielder too often, and the US is essentially
playing a 4-2-2-2 (or if Wondo is in the match it becomes a
4-2-2-1------1).
-I feel for Michael Bradley because he
is both the US's best no. 10 and he is the team's best holding
midfielder (he would also be their best box-to-box midfielder). If
given the ability to play one or the other in the diamond he would
excel, but instead he is forced to play this quasi, inbred version of
both roles, which prevents him from playing to his potential.
-I am appalled by the USMNT
composition. There is no depth at fullback and there is no depth at
the holding midfield position. The backup for both would seem to be
Brad Evans. Yet, the US has loads and loads of attackers, all of whom
could not possibly hope to play...sigh.
(Appreciate http://www.concacaf.com
for keeping pretty in depth statistics for my reference, even when
WhoScored.com decided not to cover the Gold Cup.)
No comments:
Post a Comment