The U.S. did well. It's as much as they could realistically expect from the crop of players that they have. When you compare the personnel, you have to say that they did well- and they finally got some help from the ref for a change lol...In the end the better team won, and yuh really have to tip your hat to Brazil for showing the patience & quality to claw back 3 (4 ) goals in 45 mins.
The glaring difference between a good solid outfit like the States and a World contender like Brazil is the manner in which they shift into 5th gear. At the highest level of US intensity, it's a gritty, scrappy leave it all on the field style of play where they're literally fighting for every yard...and where they are more likely to lose that shape and balance, and eventually get caught out (or run out of steam whichever comes first)...When a team like Brazil takes it up a notch (Spain as well though they were unlucky not to score), they are better are maintaining a fluid cohesive team performance with every thing executed at a higher level of intensity. There was a point in the game (roughly 10 mins before half time) where it was almost like Brazil said "ok let's take it up a notch"...and from that point on, they were playing at a higher level than the U.S. could deal with, and because it's more of a balanced collective shift in gears, they're still able maintain their shape and not get too caught out...they literally won everything in the middle of the field, to the point where B.Bradley had to take out Altidore, and crowd the midfield with Klejstan deep in the 2nd half to even have a shot at maintaining the ball and staying in the game.
That difference is a reflection of the quality (physically but more technically) of individual players...player for player, the States was outmatched...Hopefully for their sake, with time the U.S. will be able to fill their roster with higher quality players and be able to put games like yesterday's away. Until then, teams of the calibre of Brazil, Italy, Argentina etc will most times be "too good" for them...Still a step in the right direction for U.S. soccer nevertheless... no doubt about that- they should be quite proud of what they did in this tournament.
Good assessment, kicker. I agree with all of it.
Brazil just has too many weapons and we could only hold out for so long. You see the difference when the teams go to the bench for subs; Brazil brings on Elano and Daniel Alves, while the USA brings on Jonathan Bornstein and Conor Casey. We definitely have slim pickens by comparison.
Zeppo, you seem like a reasonable fella, with a love for the game..and no matter what you backin your side - the US. I respect that.
The US got carried away yesterday IMO - in that emotion rather than tactics, took front yesterday. The coaching staff must bear the brunt of the criticism yesterday for blowing the 2 goal lead. Which is like blowing a 20pt lead in the 4th qrtr of a bball game. IMO the US should have sit Clark right in front of the back 4, in the 2nd half and played Donovan and Dempsey in more defensive/possession minded roles...play through them. Instead, they continued to play relatively wide open and tried to attack, the way they opened the game.
1) Maicon had as many if not more touches on the ball than any other Brasil player in the tournament - move a player like Davies out there in the 2nd half, to contend with him. Maicon IMO was the most valuable player for Brazil (after Fabiano ..goals win matches)
2) Sit Clark "in the hole" to protect the back 4, if he won it - play 2-3 football..link with the outside mid or center fwd, who would hold the ball with his back to the goal. (Altidore should have never come off)
3) Get your playmakers on the ball - I would have given Donovan more freedom to be disruptive on the defensive end, to help you win possession, an be an outlet for the backline.
Bottom line - more discipline was needed on the defensive side of the ball. Maicon was allowed too much freedom in the 2nd half. The Americans got greedy ..and may have actually thought.."hey we scored 2 goals against a "suspect" Brazil defense..let's blow them out"....the coaching staff did not make the necessary adjustments. I am not saying to just go into a shell..play yuh football ..but you have to take something away from what the other team is trying to do. Limit Maicon, crowd Kaka and 'Binho - let other players beat you.