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The USA took a significant step to reaching World Cup 2014 with its win in Jamaica by the score of 2-1. It was the reassurance of Altidore, the rise of Graham Zusi and the breakout of Brad Evans that gave team USA the win.
The team that beat Germany last week was the team that Klinsmann went with for this match. Beasley continued as left back and Fabian Johnson played the wing. Graham Zusi remained in Donovan's spot. Cameron gave way to Besler and Brad Evans. Klinsmann gambled and was rewarded.
The game started as it should have: total domination by the Americans given the shorthanded defense for the Jamaicans. Jones pressed, Bradley controlled the midfield and Dempsey and Altidore pounced at every loose ball. It took another picture-perfect center by Zusi to find Jozy's head to mark the 1-0.
But the US took their foot off the pedal late in the first half and most of the second half. Where there should have been a desire to score more goals, there was only false satisfaction. And the Jamaicans punished the US for this in the dying moments of the second half. A stunner of a goal that exposed the central defense in the air, as Germany and Belgium did recently. A tie at "The Office" was now likely.
Enter Brad Evans. The midfielder-turned-right-back Seattle player was added to the team late in the training process and only stepped in for Geoff Cameron as a right back in the Germany match. It worked. Where Cameron struggled, Evans showed poise. Where more timings in the attack were needed, Evans acted. And when the game needed to be saved, there he was, on stoppage time, to give the United States a historic win in Kingston.
Other seeming head-scratchers included Cameron's substitution for Jones when the Bundesliga player went down with a concussion. It was a defensive move and there were other players available. But the coach knew what he was doing. He needed a level midfield to contain Jamaica. Edgar Castillo for Fabian Johnson was another interesting move, but the Mexican-American played well and continued to break down the right flank of Jamaica.
Two other observations stand out. Beasley can claim the left back spot as his if he continues to play this way against worthy opponents and in times of need such as qualifiers. And Michael Bradley is a general. Every ball went through his feet from defense, recovery and attack, and when Jermaine Jones went down he lifted the team and ensured the win.
Things don't get any easier now with the surprising Panama visiting Seattle and a date with always-difficult Honduras in Salt Lake. But yes, those are home games and it's time to claim and protect this house.
Player ratings:
Howard...............5.5
Evans...................7.5
Beasley.................6.5
Besler...................6.5
Gonzalez...............5.5
Zusi......................6.5
Jones....................7
Bradley.................7.5
F. Johnson...............6
Dempsey.............6
Altidore...............7
Subs: Cameron (6), Castillo (6), E. Johnson (N/A)
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