The U.S. men’s national team won its group with one game to spare…so why does it seem like the entire operation is about as sturdy as a house of cards? Brian Sciaretta takes a close look at the squad.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
July 14, 2015
3:00 PM
THE UNITED STATES won Group A with seven points from three matches but it’s safe to say that the team must significantly improve if it wants to contend for the 2015 Gold Cup title. Last night’s draw against Panama was disappointing in part because many of the problems that were apparent in the first two group stage games have not been fixed.
Here are some observations and recommendations.
Timothy Chandler is perplexing
If there is one player that continues to be a mystery on the U.S. national team it is Timothy Chandler. Despite nearly 130 Bundesliga appearances in his career, he has yet to become an impact player for the U.S. national team. In fact, he has either enraged American fans with his refusal to show up and play for the national team or disappointed them with his performances when he does show up.
Last night’s performance against Panama was truly poor. In the first half, he either turned the ball over or was caught out of position defensively. Known in Germany for his ability to push forward, he didn’t do nearly enough offensively.
The question is what happens with him? Will Klinsmann continue to stick with him? He has options. DeAndre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson can play right back the rest of the way and get the job done. But the situation is a problem and it is a wonder how Chandler can still be given this many chances at the expense of other players like Eric Lichaj who cannot even get a serious look despite a history with the team.
Central defense is a mess
Are Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks the top duo for the Americans right now? If so, brace yourselves for more wince-inducing displays.
Both were very poor in the first half when Panama was taking the game to the United States. In the second half, Brooks played well and Alvarado was OK—but much of that may be due to a Panama team that eventually wilted in the heat and humidity.
It’s worth noting that both players are young and inexperienced—and prone to mistakes. Brooks has talent to burn but his maturity has been called into question with Hertha Berlin. Alvarado started for Club America in a Liga MX final but he still has played just 1,317 total minutes in his career. Alvarado might have a high ceiling ibut what has he done to prove he’s ready to be the team’s starting central defender?
Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler, on the other hand, are both in the prime of their careers, have World Cup experience, and have a proven track record in the Gold Cup. How has this pairing been surpassed so easily?
According to Klinsmann Tim Ream has moved ahead of Besler in the left-footed central defensive role. Yet the Bolton Wanderer has seen very little action with the U.S. national team in recent months. Why is that?
It’s hard to remember a time when the U.S. central defense position has been more unsettled—a poor omen as the Gold Cup knockout stages are aboiut to begin.
Yedlin and Zardes seem like subs
DeAndre Yedlin and Gyasi Zardes have both had an interesting group stage filled with peaks and valleys. But the common theme is that both have looked at their best coming off the bench in the second half when they can run at tired legs and have space to make dangerous runs.
Zardes earned the start agaisnt Panama but was nowhere near as impressive as he was in the previous game against Haiti. Similarly, Yedlin was hard for Panama to defend when he came on in the second half. It is a great option for Klinsmann to have both of these players as effective options off the bench but it doesn’t address the key problem as to what can be done to help the U.S. start stronger.
Dempsey Looks Like Only Threat
Last month Clint Dempsey’s participation in the Gold Cup appeared to be at risk due to an ugly incident with a referee at the U.S. Open Cup. Can you imagine what this squad would look like without Deuce leading the attack?
Dempsey scored both goals in the win over Honduras and the game’s only goal against Panama. Last night he hit a remarkable pass to free Alejandro Bedoya on the right side of the box, which led to Michael Bradley’s equalizer.
With Jozy Altidore likely finished at the Gold Cup, it appears as though Dempsey is once again going to have to carry the offense.
Welcome back, Bedoya
The best news from the Panama game came with the return of Alejandro Bedoya who has been out of action the past two months with a knee injury. Bedoya’s left footed assist to Bradley in the 55th minute was lovely but that doesn’t tell the story of how hard he worked in the game.
Bedoya made key plays on both sides of the ball and in the first half he was very close to drawing either a red card, a dangerous free kick, or even a penalty—but the referee somehow didn’t even see a foul.
If Yedlin and Zardes are most useful off the bench, Bedoya is the type of player who is effective starting games. As the Gold Cup becomes more challenging, his return is very significant.
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.
