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Author Topic: USA sends a message to World Cup qualifiers.  (Read 1225 times)

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Offline Flex

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USA sends a message to World Cup qualifiers.
« on: July 02, 2009, 04:41:26 AM »
USA sends a message to World Cup qualifiers.
By: Alvin Corneal (T&T Guardian).


The general performance of the USA in the recently concluded Confederations Cup tournament in South Africa may easily have confused its Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying opponents. Here was a team which showed little by way of constructive and tactical formulas in its first two matches.

Italy, although conceding an early goal against the Yanks, treated the repair path as though the answer was inevitable. Its well strung passes, quick breaks up the flanks and masterminded play from Andrea Pirlo with his pinpoint accurate passing in the final third of the field made the game beautiful to watch, even for the opponents.

The US faced their second opponents, Brazil, possibly hoping that they would put them to a test of speed and aggression, factors which failed to disrupt the chemistry or fluidity of a midfield consisting the highly priced Kaka, Robinho, Ramirez and the experienced Gilberto Silva. Three goals could have been more, if Tim Howard was not as brilliant as he was throughout the match.

At that time of the competition, I can imagine what some Concacaf countries across the world were thinking. The USA must have been dejected and its final match against Egypt could hardly be anything but some reward for the Egyptians, who defeated Italy and took Brazil to the wire for a close defeat in the opening match.

Americans show quality

Lo and behold! The Americans showed the quality of their resilience and went into a gear which few believed they had possessed. Some fine goals scored mainly through quick play when approaching the opponents and some timely crosses which Dempsey and company capitalised upon. Its further reward was Brazil’s demolition of Italy, to the point that goal difference sent them home after the first round.

The semifinals appeared to be a foregone conclusion as the euro champion Spain had wiped away its first round opponent and earned the right to face USA, while Brazil was faced with a sterner test in South Africa. Again, the USA, despite having only 44 per cent of the possession, was able to consolidate an eight-man defence, clog the middle of the field and tackled as if their lives depended upon each one. Their defenders threw themselves into the path of any shot heading goalward, and when they got possession, some quick forward passes past the opposing midfield, saw the six-footer Jozy Altidore barging his way past the Spanish central defence and scoring a chance which never seemed to be on the cards.

Maybe the Spanish had underestimated the ability of the United States and viewed their efforts as presumptuous. They were not and a brilliant Howard, supported by a do-or-die” defensive effort, took the US into the final. Brazil, as expected, went past South Africa and set the stage for a final. The US might have been as surprised as Brazil that they could score twice in 45 minutes, a feat which many teams dream of, but hardly ever succeed in achieving.

However, the four-time world champions were not worried and a feat of absolute midfield control, led to the exposure of some excellent passing lanes from the flanks to burst USA’s bubble and allowed them to remember who the superstars of world football were.

To take down the giantkillers

Now, what are the thoughts of the Concacaf teams who will be faced with the giantkillers USA? what strategy will work against a squad which is filled with confidence, consistently organised defending and an attacking mode filled with speed and desire to score goals at all times.

How will T&T deal with this current US team? Football is not mathematics and too many things can happen in between matches. However, if we do not prepare well, we shall pay serious penalties. The choice is ours.
The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline andre samuel

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Re: USA sends a message to World Cup qualifiers.
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2009, 05:20:34 AM »
Five time world Champions!

nb: Against Italy, USA were hold thier own with 10 men and forced Italy to shoot from outside the box.  They were not outplayed in the manner in which Corneal is suggesting!!
Andre Samuel, who controls all the rights to the phrase "ah love it!!"

Offline Filho

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Re: USA sends a message to World Cup qualifiers.
« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2009, 03:08:26 PM »
Scary that such a senior coach could write such a poor synopsis of the games he watched (assuming he actually watched the games).

Offline kicker

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Re: USA sends a message to World Cup qualifiers.
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2009, 05:44:33 PM »
However, the four-time world champions were not worried and a feat of absolute midfield control, led to the exposure of some excellent passing lanes from the flanks to burst USA’s bubble and allowed them to remember who the superstars of world football were.

Somebody hadda edit Cornmeal- 5 time champions boss..

Live life 90 minutes at a time....Football is life.......

Offline WestCoast

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Re: USA sends a message to World Cup qualifiers.
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2009, 05:50:18 PM »
However, the four-time world champions were not worried and a feat of absolute midfield control, led to the exposure of some excellent passing lanes from the flanks to burst USA’s bubble and allowed them to remember who the superstars of world football were.

Somebody hadda edit Cornmeal- 5 time champions boss..
ya ketch meh ;D
I say we get ah new forumite :D
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