By Clemente Lisi - NEW YORK, NY (Nov 26, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- The United States played a record number of games this year (24) and put together some memorable performances along the way.
They started with a bang (a 3-2 win over Sweden) and ended with a whimper (a 3-1 loss to Denmark). In between, the team reached the Confederations Cup final (only to lose to Brazil) and the Gold Cup title game (a loss to Mexico). More importantly, the US qualified for the World Cup, its sixth straight tournament, and showed that it is a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.“The main job was to secure qualification for South Africa next June,” coach Bob Bradley told reporters recently about the team’s goals this year. “Obviously, the Confederations Cup was special in so many ways. And we’ll always look for things as reminders for the work that still needs to be done.”
Along the way, we’ve also learned a lot by watching Bradley’s men over the past 11 months. Indeed, US fans have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving Day.
Here are the 10 things we’ve learned this year from watching the US of A:10. Change Bradley Can Believe In
The team did a solid job dealing with roster changes (even last-minute ones) and showed it can integrate players into Bradley’s preferred 4-4-2 lineup. One notable one was the inclusion of Conor Casey, not a regular, into the key World Cup Qualifier against Honduras in San Pedro Sula. His two goals were clutch in a 3-2 win. Players like this can make a difference at the World Cup.
9. Dealing With Injuries
The team dealt - and continues to deal with - injuries in an exceptional manner, despite the fact that the player pool isn’t as deep as other national teams like, say, Brazil. Defender Frankie Hejduk was out early in the year and the US survived. Ditto when midfielder Maurice Edu was ruled out for the year. Oguchi Onyewu and Jay DeMerit are currently out of the lineup and the team continues to deal with it masterfully. The hope is that injuries will not mount next year.8. Using MLS To Its Full Advantage
Bradley continues to look to MLS for talent and he did a solid job plucking players from this country’s domestic league. Stuart Holden and Robbie Rogers worked wonders during the Gold Cup and have since become regulars. Who knows how many more wonderful players are “hiding” in MLS?7. Changing Of The Guard
It seems that gone forever from the team (although they are officially listed as members of the player pool) are DaMarcus Beasley, Pablo Mastroeni and Freddy Adu. Once revered as two of the best players on the squad, both failed to impress. Beasley’s turnover against Brazil in the group stage of the Confederations Cup, which resulted in a goal for the five-time World Cup champs, may have forever sealed his fate. Mastroeni, meanwhile, fell prey to Bradley’s choice of younger players like Ricardo Clark and Michael Bradley. As for Adu, his lack of playing time at the club level made it so that Bradley had little choice but relegate him to the sidelines.6. Dribble To Success
The one consistent problem this year was a lack of players who could effectively dribble past opponents, especially while trying to launch an attack. The only one with any real success in this department is Clint Dempsey. If players can’t win one-on-ones, then what hope is there to achieve any real success at the World Cup?5. No Landon, No Success
Without captain Landon Donovan, who missed the team’s last two games (both loses) because of the MLS playoffs, it is obvious that the team lacks a true leader. He brings a wealth of experience, not to mention poise under pressure and the ability to score, and create, goals. He needs to remain healthy in 2010 if the US ever hopes to accomplish anything.
4. Charlie Davies
The loss of a speedy player like Davies, who was severely injured following a car crash last month, means the team needs to find a new strike partner for Jozy Altidore. Jeff Cunningham, who scored in the US’s 3-1 loss to Denmark, could be a natural replacement as are, to a much-lesser degree, Brian Ching and Kenny Copper. Otherwise, Bradley could move up Donovan, which would then leave another place on the field with a gaping hole in it. But the real solution isn’t rearranging the chairs on the deck. It’s bringing in more talent.3. Not Winning Anything Can Be OK
The Gold Cup was a great time to experiment with some new players, even if it meant losing to Mexico in the final. Winning at least one trophy would have been great (the loss against Brazil in the Confederations Cup was a heartbreaker), but the team’s focus remained qualifying for 2010 and they did that.2. South Africa, Here We Come
The US finished in first place in the Hexagonal qualifying group. Although it was great to finish ahead of Mexico (especially following that emotionally-charged Davies-themed celebration at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, in the final match), it doesn’t mean the US will do well in South Africa. For instance, the US finished tied for first place with Mexico in the 2005 Hexagonal, only to amass one point at the World Cup the following summer.
1. Fear No One
The US did exactly that. Gutsy performances at the Confederations Cup (with wins over Egypt and mighty Spain) showed the world that the Americans could defeat top-notch opponents. Squandering leads in the second half, however, was the team’s biggest problem. Get over that hump and anything can happen in South Africa in seven months time.Clemente Lisi is the author of “A History of the World Cup: 1930-2006.” Contact him at: CAL4477@yahoo.com
