|
|
Americans Thank Conditioning, Attitude For Gold Cup Advancement
Attitude and fitness proved to be the deciding combination for the United States side that overcame Panama in the Gold Cup quarterfinals.
Jul 19, 2009 1:21:21 AM
, USA
In one of the more dour games in a dour competition overall, the United States had superior fitness and mental expectations to thank for advancing over Panama to the Gold Cup semifinals. It took a penalty kick from substitute Kenny Cooper in extra time after the first 90 minutes couldn't decide between the teams, but the U.S. won out.
“As a game like that wears on, what you need is the execution on a play,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley in the post-match press conference. “You need to get the timing right, get a play right, and finish the game off. Certainly it would be ideal to finish it off in regulation, but it took 30 extra minutes. It says something about the group that they felt at the end of regulation it was still their game.”
A plucky Panama side had edged the first half, taking a 1-0 lead into the interval, but slowly relinquished control of the game. With each passing tiresome minute, the Panama stars looked more exhausted and more willing to let traditional powerhouse USA advance.
Brain Ching donned the captain's armband after Jimmy Conrad went off injured, and he described the atmosphere in the locker room for the U.S. side: “The attitude in the locker room was 'Come on guys let’s give ten percent more. The game’s not over, it’s a 90 minute game so let’s come out in the second half. We’re going to get chances, and let’s do the work.'”
It worked. The Stars and Stripes burst out of the gate in the second half and equalized within minutes. Midfielder Kyle Beckerman made a late run into the box and swept the ball home for his first international goal.
“I kind of gambled a little bit, thinking, 'Just get to the top of the box and this might pop out,'” said Beckerman. “Sometimes you gamble and, sure enough, the ball finds your foot. You let the leg swing, and fortunately it went in.”
That helped suck much of the pep out of the Panama side. However, the battle between central defender Felipe Baloy and Ching dictated the scrappy match, as both powerful players did everything within the rules – and a little bit outside the rules – to gain aerial advantages. Beckerman said the team was ready for that physical battle.
“We knew they were really athletic, and it seemed like they'd been chippy in their early games, so we knew what to expect coming into the game,” Beckerman noted in the press conference. “Bob [Bradley] reminded us to keep our cool and be aware of it, so there were no surprises out there.”
For all the Panama team's athleticism, it was stamina that paid off on the night. Moving into extra time, the U.S. looked by far the more fit side. Bradley admitted that fitness is an attribute his team leans on in matches.
“We feel that in most games, that's an edge,” said Bradley. “We always hope that as a game moves along, that when the game is on the line, we have more in our tanks.”
It might take more than fitness to beat a Honduras side out for revenge after a group stage loss in the semifinals, but it certainly won't hurt the U.S. side on Thursday in Chicago.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
Visit Goal.com for more coverage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
“As a game like that wears on, what you need is the execution on a play,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley in the post-match press conference. “You need to get the timing right, get a play right, and finish the game off. Certainly it would be ideal to finish it off in regulation, but it took 30 extra minutes. It says something about the group that they felt at the end of regulation it was still their game.”
A plucky Panama side had edged the first half, taking a 1-0 lead into the interval, but slowly relinquished control of the game. With each passing tiresome minute, the Panama stars looked more exhausted and more willing to let traditional powerhouse USA advance.
Brain Ching donned the captain's armband after Jimmy Conrad went off injured, and he described the atmosphere in the locker room for the U.S. side: “The attitude in the locker room was 'Come on guys let’s give ten percent more. The game’s not over, it’s a 90 minute game so let’s come out in the second half. We’re going to get chances, and let’s do the work.'”
It worked. The Stars and Stripes burst out of the gate in the second half and equalized within minutes. Midfielder Kyle Beckerman made a late run into the box and swept the ball home for his first international goal.
“I kind of gambled a little bit, thinking, 'Just get to the top of the box and this might pop out,'” said Beckerman. “Sometimes you gamble and, sure enough, the ball finds your foot. You let the leg swing, and fortunately it went in.”
That helped suck much of the pep out of the Panama side. However, the battle between central defender Felipe Baloy and Ching dictated the scrappy match, as both powerful players did everything within the rules – and a little bit outside the rules – to gain aerial advantages. Beckerman said the team was ready for that physical battle.
“We knew they were really athletic, and it seemed like they'd been chippy in their early games, so we knew what to expect coming into the game,” Beckerman noted in the press conference. “Bob [Bradley] reminded us to keep our cool and be aware of it, so there were no surprises out there.”
For all the Panama team's athleticism, it was stamina that paid off on the night. Moving into extra time, the U.S. looked by far the more fit side. Bradley admitted that fitness is an attribute his team leans on in matches.
“We feel that in most games, that's an edge,” said Bradley. “We always hope that as a game moves along, that when the game is on the line, we have more in our tanks.”
It might take more than fitness to beat a Honduras side out for revenge after a group stage loss in the semifinals, but it certainly won't hurt the U.S. side on Thursday in Chicago.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
Visit Goal.com for more coverage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Make Your Prediction Choose match
USA - Antigua and Barbuda
USA
Antigua and Barbuda
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
USA 8-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 14.29 %
-
USA 4-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 12.86 %
-
USA 5-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 12.86 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.