Wow, I just watched 2 hours of the most boring USMNT match I've ever seen. Sorry for being so blunt but it's the truth. It was that bad, both teams had trouble creating chances, which is a shame because both teams have some very talented strikers. However, the score still ended up 0-0.
Just about every minute of the game ended with a groan from myself as well as the other USA fans. Coach Bob Bradley came out with a 4-3-3 with 3 defensive midfielders and the result was an underwhelming display of boring play that seemed to be stuck in the midfield with no intention of going into the final third.
Credit Colombia for clogging up the passing lanes and forcing the US into a narrow attack. The personnel also played into the hands of this as well. As the Yanks had no real wingers on the field, Brek Shea refused to stay wide during his time on the pitch and the results were horrible to say the least. I'm not giving up on a 4-3-3 or the 4-5-1, its going to take time for these formations to click and with the right personnel it can work but tonight it wasn't to be.
There were some good things though, we didn't concede a goal. With our previous track record this is a great achievement, even though Colombia is a team that has struggled with scoring goals. Oguchi Oneywu looked great at the back, along with Clarence Goodsen. The young Aston Villa man Eric Lichaj got his first cap tonight and was in my opinion, the best man on the pitch for the Yanks. Lichaj got forward on the flanks which is something that we desperately needed, those runs down the flank produced the best chance of the night for the USA, which was where Lichaj put in a great cross for Jozy Altidore who got it on goal but the header was right at the keeper.
To talk about the strikers, I think it would be better if I said absolutely nothing about them but its my job to do so. Young gun Jozy Altidore was underwhelming to say the least tonight. Part of it was because he was never really getting the service to begin with but you expect better out of Jozy especially because we know what he's capable of. Eddie Johnson was no better, playing for 45 minutes he made me lose all confidence in him. EJ showed no confidence on the ball and never even threatened the defense for Colombia.
Finally, the midfielders, they were ok at best. I'm not so sure Bradley, Jones, and Edu have the ability to play well while on the field at the same time. I think they have no strength in the attack as they are all truly defensive minded. Jermaine Jones didn't have his best stuff tonight but even though he didn't he showed great presence in the middle of the park as the very little of the American attack seemed to flow through him. Michael Bradley had an awful game going forward, his first touch was lacking, he seems to have lost the stuff we saw during the World Cup. Maurice Edu wasn't very impressive, I like Mo but he seems to have caught Bradley's virus for playing bad during international friendlies but play well for club.
Player Ratings:
Brad Guzan 6: Wasn't really tested a lot but looked very sharp between the pipes. It was definitely a good decision to start him for this game and give Tim Howard a rest.
Jonathan Spector 5.5: Spector had a decent game but he didn't get forward like his replacement did. Spector needs to try and get full time minutes or he will find himself on the bench once again.
Oguchi Oneywu 6: Gooch was solid at the back, definitely a promising night from the AC Milan bench warmer (ouch that was a bit harsh). After these two friendlies you have to feel good about Oguchi Oneywu playing for the national team.
Clarence Goodsen 6: Solid night from Goodsen, nearly had a set piece goal but couldn't keep the ball down. He really was the anchor at the back in the second half after Oneywu was taken out.
Heath Pearce 5: At times got exposed on some ugly wild tackles but covered well and at times got forward but not to the degree that was needed.
Michael Bradley 5: Should've been taken off at halftime, these 2 friendlies have not brought the best out of Bradley. His touch was that of an NFL punter's. He had some good moments covering but going forward was a horror story.
Jermaine Jones 6: Not his best stuff, but still a solid night from the Schalke ace. He showed his tough play tonight when he had to track back. He had one great chip over the top for Jozy that wasn't finished. Still a good night of work but not his best stuff.
Maurice Edu 5: Mo was very deserving of his halftime exit, he didn't perform. I can't exactly put my finger on it but he was just underwhelming not a Mo Edu performance were used to seeing.
Brek Shea 4.5: Maybe a little bit harsh on the rating, but he really looked lost out there. He didn't stay out wide where he could've helped out the attack, instead he wandered into the middle and was a big reason why the US seemed narrow in attack.
Jozy Altidore 5: Frustrating night for Jozy. He also seemed to wander because he wasn't getting the service he needed. He had a lot of trouble going up against Mario Yepes.
Stuart Holden 6: Definitely a decent night for the Bolton regular. His passing was decent, as well as his confidence on the ball. My only complaint was that he should've stayed wide instead of continuing to cut inside and make the attack narrow.
Substitutes
Eddie Johnson 5: EJ's 45 minutes on the pitch did little to quiet the critics about his play. He was very idle, he did little to actually threaten the Colombian defense with his speed which is the reason why he was brought on the pitch. This night is another reason why we should close the book on EJ's international career.
Eric Lichaj 6.5: In my opinion, the best man on the pitch for the Yanks. He was dangerous attacking on the overlap and really created the best chance for the USA when he put in that great ball for Jozy. Tonight we found out why people call him the USA's future at that position.
Michael Parkhurst 5.5: Not a bad night from the former New England Revolution defender. However, he did struggle on the Colombian counter attacks at times. It will be interesting to see if he is a defender that will be used often during this cycle.
Clint Dempsey 5.5: Really, it was not Deuce's night. This might be because of where he was playing but I just didn't see that magic from Dempsey. It's a good bet that he was playing with the shadow of Fulham's EPL match on the weekend.
Benny Feilhaber 6: His service on corners and other set pieces was very good. I thought his passing was sharp but we didn't see any of that creativity that this game so desperately needed from players like Benny.
Coaching 5.5: Well, the USA didn't concede but they didn't finish either. A real lack luster performance and that's why this coaching grade is so low. Really Bradley was just trying to get new players in but you gotta wonder why this was so bad. I do give credit to Bob the Builder for trying out a new formation to see what would happen. Also kudos for bringing in Eric Lichaj.
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