Photo credit: Fox Soccer1 - 0. Yes, that was the score for the USA tonight at a sold-out Livestrong Sporting Park for the last game in the 2011 Gold Cup group stage. And the US needed at least a tie. But wait, this was Guadeloupe we're talking about. Then you throw in last Saturday's loss to Panama and a lukewarm win versus Canada and suddenly you have to wonder if the US national soccer team is regressing.
The match started with two changes that were forced due to the loss against Panama. But did Bob Bradley get it right? Tim Ream out for Lichaj, who was inserted into the left back position, allowing for Bocanegra to return to his center back spot. But Wondolowski in for Agudelo? And no change in the midfield? Why not try Edu instead of Jones or even Bradley? Why not slide Dempsey forward from the start of the game with Bedoya covering the wing? No, these are important questions without clear answers.
The game had possession, countless chances but no real fluidity in the final third. What kept Donovan from taking shots from distance the way he used to? At other instances even Dempsey missed his chances on open goal. This was Guadeloupe defending, not Chelsea or Liverpool or Manchester United.
The sad truth is that the US is just not good enough at this point. Altidore's lone long-distance shot was the difference in a game that should and could have ended 10-0. How is the US suppose to counter this against Jamaica (zero goals against)? And how does the US defend against Chicharito (if they make it that far)? The days of the "Miracle on Grass" at the Confederations Cup and "story book ending" at the World Cup are far behind. There's no DeMerrit or in-form Onyewu on the pitch. Donovan isn't running at the defense like he used to. Michael Bradley and Cherundolo do all the work themselves. Altidore is still not as explosive as we all thought and hoped he would.
Does Bob Bradley take the fall? Or is the US truly in a downward spiral?
Player ratings:
Howard..............6
Cherundolo........7
Bocanegra..........7
Goodson.............6
Lichaj.................5.5
Dempsey............5.5
Donovan.............5
Bradley...............7
Jones..................6
Wondolowski......4
Altidore..............7
Subs: Bedoya (6), Kljestan (5), Edu (N/A)
The match started with two changes that were forced due to the loss against Panama. But did Bob Bradley get it right? Tim Ream out for Lichaj, who was inserted into the left back position, allowing for Bocanegra to return to his center back spot. But Wondolowski in for Agudelo? And no change in the midfield? Why not try Edu instead of Jones or even Bradley? Why not slide Dempsey forward from the start of the game with Bedoya covering the wing? No, these are important questions without clear answers.
The game had possession, countless chances but no real fluidity in the final third. What kept Donovan from taking shots from distance the way he used to? At other instances even Dempsey missed his chances on open goal. This was Guadeloupe defending, not Chelsea or Liverpool or Manchester United.
The sad truth is that the US is just not good enough at this point. Altidore's lone long-distance shot was the difference in a game that should and could have ended 10-0. How is the US suppose to counter this against Jamaica (zero goals against)? And how does the US defend against Chicharito (if they make it that far)? The days of the "Miracle on Grass" at the Confederations Cup and "story book ending" at the World Cup are far behind. There's no DeMerrit or in-form Onyewu on the pitch. Donovan isn't running at the defense like he used to. Michael Bradley and Cherundolo do all the work themselves. Altidore is still not as explosive as we all thought and hoped he would.
Does Bob Bradley take the fall? Or is the US truly in a downward spiral?
Player ratings:
Howard..............6
Cherundolo........7
Bocanegra..........7
Goodson.............6
Lichaj.................5.5
Dempsey............5.5
Donovan.............5
Bradley...............7
Jones..................6
Wondolowski......4
Altidore..............7
Subs: Bedoya (6), Kljestan (5), Edu (N/A)
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