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World Cup 2010: USA 1-0 Algeria - USA Midfield Analysis
Goal.com takes a closer look at the midfield for the USA.
Jun 23, 2010 12:18:00 PM
By Manuel Carrera
Who Was Good
Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey were certainly in the mood early on as they each took open looks at the Algerian goal, with Jozy Altidore playing a deeper position than usual. This wrinkle in the attacking scheme was meant to surprise the 3-man Algerian back line. In the 21st minute, Clint Dempsey was denied a goal by being inches offside on a goal line scramble following a Herculez Gomez shot.
Michael Bradley came out on a mission, playing the deeper central midfield position. Bradley patrolled the midfield from box to box and unleashed the pass that sprung Donovan at the mouth of the goal. Bradley ran box to box, sideline to sideline for over 80 minutes until he seemingly was overcome with exhaustion after Bob Bradley had used his final substitute.
Maurice Edu started the match, marking the third central midfielder used alongside Bradley in as many matches. Edu was invisible in a positive way; he did his job and was not lacking defensively. After the break, Benny Feilhaber entered the game, and though he did not have the impact that he did versus Slovenia, he was involved in several dangerous opportunities.
Finally, after today, nobody may question the heart of Clint Dempsey. His 90-minute effort is one for the history books.
Who Was Poor
Early on, as the US took the offensive believing that they needed the win, the long balls from the defense and midfield created dangerous counterattack opportunities for the Algerian side. Either out of desperation or a lack of ideas, too many balls were found lacking early on.
As the 91st minute elapsed, the wastefulness by Dempsey and Donovan in dangerous positions was something that they would have dreamed about for years. Bohli seemed a brick wall in front of goal for over 90 minutes, but the errors committed in the box are rarely forgiven at this level.
After the 80th minute, Michael Bradley began to revert back to “Bad Michael” as he grew exhausted and felt the pressure of elimination. Harsh dives, complaints and an inability to return defensively all marred an otherwise exceptional performance.
Who Should Start
The spirit with which the US midfield played was certainly a positive that had not been seen at the World Cup. The lone change in the midfield, Maurice Edu, played very well during his time on the pitch, and more importantly, did not commit any of the errors that have seen both Francisco Torres and Ricardo Clark pulled from their positions. If the US is matched up with Germany, then I feel that this more defensive midfield would ease the pressure of the backline playing without Oguchi Onyewu. If the US is matched with Ghana then I would also argue for starting Feilhaber on the left and Dempsey on top because of the flexibility that it allows Bob Bradley during the later stages of the game.
The 2010 World Cup is finally here, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey were certainly in the mood early on as they each took open looks at the Algerian goal, with Jozy Altidore playing a deeper position than usual. This wrinkle in the attacking scheme was meant to surprise the 3-man Algerian back line. In the 21st minute, Clint Dempsey was denied a goal by being inches offside on a goal line scramble following a Herculez Gomez shot.
Michael Bradley came out on a mission, playing the deeper central midfield position. Bradley patrolled the midfield from box to box and unleashed the pass that sprung Donovan at the mouth of the goal. Bradley ran box to box, sideline to sideline for over 80 minutes until he seemingly was overcome with exhaustion after Bob Bradley had used his final substitute.
Maurice Edu started the match, marking the third central midfielder used alongside Bradley in as many matches. Edu was invisible in a positive way; he did his job and was not lacking defensively. After the break, Benny Feilhaber entered the game, and though he did not have the impact that he did versus Slovenia, he was involved in several dangerous opportunities.
Finally, after today, nobody may question the heart of Clint Dempsey. His 90-minute effort is one for the history books.
Who Was Poor
Early on, as the US took the offensive believing that they needed the win, the long balls from the defense and midfield created dangerous counterattack opportunities for the Algerian side. Either out of desperation or a lack of ideas, too many balls were found lacking early on.
As the 91st minute elapsed, the wastefulness by Dempsey and Donovan in dangerous positions was something that they would have dreamed about for years. Bohli seemed a brick wall in front of goal for over 90 minutes, but the errors committed in the box are rarely forgiven at this level.
After the 80th minute, Michael Bradley began to revert back to “Bad Michael” as he grew exhausted and felt the pressure of elimination. Harsh dives, complaints and an inability to return defensively all marred an otherwise exceptional performance.
Who Should Start
The spirit with which the US midfield played was certainly a positive that had not been seen at the World Cup. The lone change in the midfield, Maurice Edu, played very well during his time on the pitch, and more importantly, did not commit any of the errors that have seen both Francisco Torres and Ricardo Clark pulled from their positions. If the US is matched up with Germany, then I feel that this more defensive midfield would ease the pressure of the backline playing without Oguchi Onyewu. If the US is matched with Ghana then I would also argue for starting Feilhaber on the left and Dempsey on top because of the flexibility that it allows Bob Bradley during the later stages of the game.
The 2010 World Cup is finally here, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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USA - Antigua and Barbuda
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