Today was an interesting day for me. It was the thirteenth consecutive day where I was awake at 8 AM which probably hasn't occurred since 2003. I either am dying a slow slightly boring death or somehow managed to contract a chest cold in the middle of the summer, which I blame on Marley's, Hill Brewing Company, and Shakespeare in the Park. So the lack of sleep concurrent with the spectacle that is the World Cup, has left me slightly broken. I haven't seen every match of the World Cup as I selectively missed some, and was so bored to tears by others that I took morning power naps. Yesterday's "elimination" matches, while containing intriguing, left much to be desired. Mexico still can't score, France still was a train-wreck, Argentina's backups are better than Greece, and Nigeria misses chances that clumsy dolts like myself could put away. Then, today happened.So here are my two cents (Possibly dollars, I'm long winded.).
The Finish
I've been literally watching the US team since 2001, but casually aware since the '94 World Cup. To say that this team is underwhelming and at times almost comically inept is worth noting, but watch France's three games. Here is the team who was ranked two spots higher than the United States when the draw for the tournament was made; they are a team of world class talent, but without a single leader. They simply quit on the coach (who I admit is a complete moron and apparently an asshole, too), but more importantly their fans and country. Unfairly, their country has the label of capitulation and whiny behavior, and so their team enforcing stupid stereotypes decides to whine and capitulate. Good job boys.
The Americans, at least as soccer goes, have a different stereotype: phenomenal athletes and fitness without the talent. We are ragged on for our never say die attitude almost as much as it is praised. This week, the world learned how dangerous this really can be. The Yanks (as the English so aptly call us condescendingly) showed that with the endless determination, they now possess the skill to match the will. The English knew this. Even their casual observers could notice Landon Donovan running rampant against Chelsea and Ashley Cole during his short stint at Everton where Tim Howard is staking his claim to best EPL goalie. Those who closely watched Jozy Altidore could see the promise, but should have realized that playing for Hull got him exposure and nothing else. Slovenia and Algeria apparently didn't get the memo.
Look at the late goals scored during qualifying and realize how well this team of Chicago bartenders (If you haven't read about Jay DeMerit, I suggest you do) and upcoming professionals realize the necessity of the moment, and not only create chances but finish them. Not just only in important games...all of their games, such as the 2-2 draw in DC that sent Honduras to the World Cup. No other team already qualified would have fought for an equalizer in the 92nd minute, but we see now that practice makes perfect. Even if the other teams didn't see the qualifiers, look to the friendlies this year. The US went a goal down in three of four, and gave up a tying goal in the fourth. Against the Dutch, the US scored on a set piece deep in the match and even pressed to equalize. In the Czech game, we twice came back to tie the game, only to concede another goal in an increasingly common display of defensive ineptitude. The next two friendlies had the US follow up their conceded goals by burying two more in each game to win.
So I won't lie, I was tense as the game went past 90 minutes considering we dominated play for most of the match, but the creeping feeling that the American team wasn't out still pervaded in my mind. Of all people, the listless Donovan who drifted in and out of play today came through after an amazing throw from Howard, Donovan's own touch, and the patient and steady work of both Altidore and Dempsey. This was the moment when other teams realized that there might not be a harder out in the World Cup, not for talent but for sheer will and guts. Donovan said it's the American spirit to not bitch and moan and just finish the job.* But that's not true, we love to bitch and moan and sometimes just quit, but it is the American Soccer Spirit and for another match, that'll do.
*Loosely translated, since I was on the verge of breaking things and declaring a undying man crush on him, I vaguely listened.
**It's times like this that I'm glad we didn't quit when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor.
Young Emile Heskey
Heskey is widely derided by English fans, especially after his replacement today sent the English on to the next round. The reasoning is simple: Heskey doesn't score goals and strikers are supposed to score goals. Never mind that the assist on England's best goal of the tournament was a Heskey special, and Defoe's goal was another example of the terror Handonivich feels when a ball approaches his face. The English loathe footballers that slow the game down and maintain possession, a sick Guardiola-like tendency, only more loathed by South Americans who have no concept of useful role players when there are five No. 10s on the field. But I'm not going to go into Heskey's career as useful and boring as it is. This is about Jozy Altidore.
I'm not pigeon-holing the young man into the Heskey mold as of yet, but let's note that as of now, he is exactly what Capello wishes Heskey was and Heskey is when at best. Altidore has zero goals so far at the World Cup, and still has been the best US player up to now. He dominates possession with the ball at his feet, and slows the game up so the US midfield can join the attack. As much as the Bradley goal against Slovenia was a product of Altidore's efforts, today's winner was his making: his run and his dangerous cross. He has drawn a sick five yellow cards in this tournament already, and players have found it much easier to foul him rashly than watch the young man turn them and bear down on goal like he did Jamie Carragher in the England tie.
So he already has a grasp of the physicality and speed that his unique soccer frame possesses, what remains for Jozy? Finishing ability, to simplify everything. The shot against Spain last year was deflected by Casillas, just as Green deflected away his chance in Game 1. He needs to beat the keeper 1v1, and not leave it up to chance. When balls come out to him six yards out, he can't sky it over the top, he must put it on the frame. But this is a relatively weak complaint, as he has shown he has the striking ability before if not the nerve necessary yet.
Dear God, Not Jonathan Bornstein
This is an apology. Jonathan, you somehow disproved my theory that you lacked any capability to defend or even play at a level worthy of CONCACAF competition. Thank you for that, and for not giving up another PK like the Netherlands game.
Ok, a half assed apology, but he did have a decent game and as his games go an excellent one. The defense for once looked good, but I give some credit to the hapless offense Algeria mustered this tournament. The US still almost managed to concede early, because again our defenders proved their inability to use their feet to corral the call: Demerit whiffed and Cherundolo also would later in the first half. The omission of Onyewu may not be permanent, but was necessary in light of his lack of match play. His physical presense won't be missed against anyone in this part of the draw anyways.
The Draw
Did anyone just see the Red Sea part upon Memut Ozil's game-winning goal against Ghana? I was rooting for the Black Stars as I was hoping for complete European failure at the Cup to serve a blow to their well-earned egos, but the result was magic for the US. A second round fixture against a team that the US owes payback for dumping them out four years ago is brilliant motivation for a team that often comes out flat. For the sake of argument, let's ignore the matchup and predict a US win. Their next opponent would be Uruguay or South Korea, both reasonably likable opponents for the Americans. That's two matches against teams ranked near or below the US to advance to the semifinals. Then just boldly hoping the US win again, it's a bit tricky. The top three teams in the world all are in the other quadrant if Spain finishes second in their group. So the US would be facing Spain (Hopefully not, for revenge's sake), Brazil, or the Netherlands in the semi. Let's not joke, this is harder than the final. All of those teams are better than every other side in the second round. I actually think the US style suits better when playing the Argentines, Chileans*, Germans, and the English, but Brazil is just too good at both ends.
*Seriously, this is the second best team on that side, although they probably will lose to Spain and in some convoluted way not make the next round, and then, Spain will be in this spot.
Although after what transpired today, every game is just gravy, and it seems more than a few of you might be coming along for the ride after that.
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