January camp is in the books and USA’s first game against Chile taught us much about Jürgen Klinsmann’s view for the future. With a 3-2 loss to Chile, we learned about aspects of the new team that provide hope, but many question marks and concerns linger.
The USMNT showcased a new formation; the 3-5-2 that looked to be much more attacking-minded and relies on its speedy wing midfielders to provide support to the three central defenders. The new formation provided better possession than was seen in years past, with, at times, great combination play between the central midfielders that in turn provided more than a couple potent attacking moments. Additionally, the formation allowed the players to switch positions constantly and fluidly, seeing Michael Bradley, Mix Diskerud and Clint Dempsey (later Lee Nguyen) move about freely to where the space and opportunity presented itself.
Conversely, the formation found the Americans exposed on more than one occasion. The Jermaine Jones Center Back Experiment has run its course. At least three times, Jones nearly allowed Chile to waltz towards goal through poor decision-making. Whether it was trying to dribble out the back, make an overly ambitious pass or poor clearing, Jones showed he is not the man for the center back job. His communication also proved disastrous, as man-marking through the game was horrid at best. All three goals were the result of such poor marking, whether it was Matt Besler, Bobby Wood, Steve Birnbaum or DeAndre Yedlin.
If the U.S. formation depends on strong wing play that plays offense and defense, they have a way to go. One must keep in mind the MLS players are just beginning pre-season, so rust is natural. Brek Shea is rustier than most since he has barely played a professional match in 18 months. His goal showed his potential, but Yedlin and Shea need more games to justify their strength out wide. At the best of times, Yedlin and Fabian Johnson out wide could provide a formidable and exciting strategy; our speed can kill, as long as it’s consistent.
There were a couple bright spots for the team. Jozy Altidore, after a couple poor first touches produced a clinical finish off beautiful combination play by Yedlin and Mix. Altidore was constantly playing the holding attacker, pivoting passes to Bradley, Dempsey and others. Bradley additionally seemed fully healed from his foot surgery. He tantalized at times, coming from his defensive midfield role to provide an attacking option and almost produced an incredible goal that just hit the crossbar late in the game. Nguyen and Gyasi Zardes came on late in the game and provided ignition that showed the potential they have as mainstays for the future. Unfortunately for other newbies, Bobby Wood, who likely started as an audition for other teams, other than his internment at 1860 Munich, was a trial in invisibility. Wil Trapp showed he has a way to go before he can cement his USMNT status and Steve Birnbaum played well in the first half, but showed some shakiness in the final 45.
The U.S. Men’s Team has a long road ahead, but Panama is only a few days away. Here is hoping we finally see Renato Ibarra, Matt Hedges, Perry Kitchen, Shane O’Neill and Luis Gil, if only to see if they belong. The defense flat-out struggled, but the central midfield was strong as well as the American attack; usually it is the other way around. Hope springs eternal and here’s to Klinsmann getting it all to click as the squad make their way toward many more challenging friendlies, culminating in the Gold Cup this summer.
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