(A special 2-part look at the CONCACAF Confederations Cup picture following the recent Gold Cup. Also see “What’s Next For Mexico?”)
What’s Next for the US National Team?
The US men’s national team is coming off of an extremely disappointing Gold Cup where their level of play simply did not cut it. The Americans suffered an extremely disappointing semi-final loss to Jamaica, then capped off their tournament with a loss in the third place match to Panama.
From start to finish at the Gold Cup, the Americans failed to impress at every stop along the way. Going forward, the Americans never seemed like they were going to score, as an inferior team to the US, the fear of just sitting back and defending did not pose itself. The Americans got lucky throughout the group stage earning a tricky win against Honduras and a very lucky one against Haiti – not good signs for a team that has aspirations of becoming a world threat in soccer. The Americans never looked dangerous going forward, thus the inferior teams they played had no issue with going forward because they did not have any fear of the US making them pay on the counter.
The group stage was just a look at what was to come. Against Jamaica, the United States had trouble creating once more and their finishing was lackluster. The luck finally ran out for the Americans as the blazing-fast Jamaicans made them pay on the counter-attack, forcing the Americans to commit very careless fouls. Ultimately, the United States deserved what their play dictated, and they fell disappointingly short in the Gold Cup.
With that tournament now in the rear-view mirror, the national team must now prepare for the play-off with Mexico on October 9th in Los Angeles. Changes must be made in the United States personnel if they want to be playing in the Confederations Cup in 2017. A coaching change is not the option, Jurgen Klinsmann is still the man for the job and all Americans still have faith in him but there are several changes that can be made to the roster itself and the formation/tactics that can make all the difference.
Against Mexico, the Americans should not try to compete for possession but rather use the counter attack. It would not be a surprise to see the Americans play a 4-5-1 that can easily morph to a 4-3-3. The stress will be on the outside midfielders of the US to break out and catch this Mexican team on the counter. Alejandro Bedoya should not and hopefully will not make an appearance in this game as he was awful during the Gold Cup.
The starting left-winger should be Brek Shea with DeAndre Yedlin on the opposite flank. Both possess blistering pace and good defensive skills to break forward.
As for the center of the pitch, Kyle Beckerman should not be part of ANY future American plans. He lacks technical skills and is prone to fouling as the pace of the game gets away from him. He was the worst player on the pitch against Jamaica, as he simply could not keep up the Jamaicans and fouled over and over again.
In this 4-5-1, there will be two holding midfielders, one will be Michael Bradley, who is easily the best CM the team possesses. He can protect the back-line and his class and vision will be important to get out of the back on the counter.
The other holding midfielder should be Danny Williams, the Reading midfielder. He plays at an extremely high level abroad and played rather well against the Dutch in the June friendly where the US triumphed 4-3. A physical player who stands at 6 feet tall and is capable of scoring, he can be a rather good fit against the Mexicans as he is used to playing against opposition of the same level as most of the Mexican players. Together, him and Bradley can win possession and help the US break out and go forward. They can also pose scoring threats with their shooting and finishing ability on late runs.
Regardless of who will be managing this Mexican team on October 9th, it is no secret that the Mexicans are very good in the midfield and have no lack in creativity despite the trouble they have in finishing. On the other hand, the US has a ole going forward in the striker position, and has a serious lack in creativity.
The striker position must be addressed first. Jozy Altidore should not play another game for the US in his current form. He seems to have no finishing technique and has not impressed on the international level since the 2009 Confederations Cup a long 6 years ago. In a game of such magnitude, there is no reason to put the hit-or-miss Altidore on the field. Aron Johannsson is a useful talent for the US, but he lacks the ability to create for himself, which ends up putting more stress on the midfield.
For this single game, Gyasi Zardes is the answer. He can run and he can hold up the ball and be a target man as the lone striker. If, in the upcoming 2 months, Zardes can improve his poor first touch somewhat, he can become a real threat with his combination of pace and size. His the ability to create for himself, finish, and pace will create issues for a testy Mexican back-line that commits multiple fouls. Jesus Duenas, Diego Reyes, and Oswaldo Alanis were exposed several times during the Gold Cup and their lack of composure is something that someone like Zardes can take advantage of.
The problem of creativity comes in at the attacking midfield position. Michael Bradley is not a fantastic dribbler, and he cannot open up the field by dribbling like a good attacking midfielder should. This is why Bradley should be lined up in a deeper box-to-box or holding midfield role. A solution for this could be to put Mix Diskerud in a position he already plays for his club, New York City FC.
Another option for this position is New England Revolution CAM, Lee Nguyen. The finalist for MLS MVP last year netted a staggering 20 goals from this position, yet has never seen action at the international level under Klinsmann. He is more than qualified to have a chance, but in one game perhaps staying away from him is safe. He should definitely be considered in the long run.
Finally, despite his very good Gold Cup and superb form, Clint Dempsey should come off the bench to play this position and be the US’ “super sub.” The reasoning here is to bring Clint Dempsey on at halftime thus his fresh legs will create problems for the Mexican backline and he have his great intensity late in the game. Also, Dempsey coming off the bench at halftime is much more of a guarantee that he will be able to go all the way to the 120th minute and then penalties if necessary, which would not be a guarantee if he was to start. It is going to be hard to ignore the fact Clint Dempsey is getting older (currently 32) and will not have the legs he used to. Regardless, he is a good weapon to have coming off the bench and if the game was to go to extra time, he would be able to be a factor late unlike if he was to start.
The backline is also a subject of work. Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez should be the starting center backs without question. Together they have the most chemistry and have the most experience. Why Klinsmanns keep opting for John Brooks and Ventura Alvarado is beyond comprehension. Every time Alvarado plays it is an adventure, as he is unproven in Liga MX play but continues to be trusted at international level.
On the other hand, Brooks is a regular starter for Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga, but it is quite obvious that he is yet to make a clean transition to the American style. He is often caught out of position and has repetitively cost the US goals. This is a game where Klinsmann cannot afford to take chances and putting Brooks on the field is a toss-up. The safe choice would be to go with the veterans Besler and Gonzalez. On the flanks of the defense, Timothy Chandler and Fabian Johnson have been solid and there is no need for change.
In the goal, it is simple. If Tim Howard is there, he starts. There is no reason why he should not earn his spot back, as Brad Guzan has not been overwhelmingly great as a replacement or stand-in.
All in all, this is what should be on the cards for the Americans. They must regroup and implement the necessary changes. If these steps are taken, they should win the match on October 9th to advance to the Confederations Cup.
