By Justin Shaffer - SEATTLE, WA (Nov 10, 2011) US Soccer Players -- With the United States embarking on a new path following the loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final and the hiring of coach Jurgen Klinsmann, most fans expected one thing to change. Klinsmann was expected to part company with the bunker and counter strategy that constantly left the USA trailing early in games.
Though the results have yet to follow, the United States is a team in transition under Klinsmann. Over his five games in charge, there have been clear indications of what this team could be. Klinsmann would be the first to recognize and acknowledge that his vision for the US is still in progress, so let's look at some tactical ideas that could be in play against France and Slovenia.
Create Space or Go Find It
Using constant movement while in possession forces the opponent to constantly track and adapt to that movement, wearing them out in the process. Here's how that works for the United States.
In the August 10th friendly against Mexico, Juan Agudelo made a run to the corner flag off a throw-in that led directly to Robbie Rogers's goal. The lack of offsides on throw-ins provides an opportunity to stretch the defense’s shape and create space in the box. Movement elsewhere during the run of play provides the same opportunities. Agudelo springing Rogers against Mexico is how that works in practice. In that particular example, Rogers was dragged down by Gerardo Torrero and would’ve earned a straight red card if it hadn’t been a friendly match.
Focus the Vision
It doesn’t matter how much the other players move off the ball if no one sees it or takes advantage of it. Tactically the team needs to move more and do so more creatively. The players need to be constantly aware of their surroundings, including the position of their teammates and opponents. This requires a high level of concentration and the ability to mentally process information at a high rate, akin to driving a car on the autobahn. It also requires a strong familiarity amongst the players.
Angles of Attack
In the Gold Cup, we saw the US pressured by teams overloading the ball side of the field with defenders. This was often made possible because the US had no attacking threat from the left and the wingers tended to cut into the middle of the field. Often, the only width was provided by Steve Cherundolo moving up into space on the right flank where someone would occasionally spot him and then move the ball slowly across the backline or midfield to him.
If the defense attempts to overload the ball side, then the opposite winger or back needs to move ahead into space and the man on the ball needs to swing the attack to the man in space on the other side with a single pass. If the opponent is staying home and allowing the width to stretch their defense then the players must have the freedom to make diagonal runs into the newly abandoned space. Even a dummy run can pull the defense out of shape to open up space elsewhere. Coordinated, timely runs to or from unconventional positions create confusion and opportunity.
Pressure Everywhere
When your team dominates possession you can afford the energy to pressure the opponent aggressively during the few times they have it. Marcelo Bielsa has successfully utilized similar tactics (in Chile and with Athletic Bilbao) while FC Barcelona is quite likely the best team in the world at applying high pressure. That Barcelona comparison is made by every team in the world that isn't them, but Bielsa has shown that the tactics can work elsewhere. The point remains that the opponent should never feel safe on the ball as that allows them time to gain composure and regroup for attack. Applying constant pressure creates a disoriented opponent prone to mistakes, even when allowed a rare moment of time and space to move the ball (see: Seattle’s 3-0 loss at Real Salt Lake in the playoffs).
Finishing
While maintaining possession is a good approach, the players must also have the freedom to capitalize on a mistake and test the goalkeeper. That doesn’t mean that it’s advisable to launch a rocket from forty yards out when the defender provides a yard of cushion (unless your name is Adam Moffat, Graham Zusi, or Adam Moffat…again). What it does mean is that the players need the freedom and encouragement to use diagonal runs, passes, dummy runs, etc. to get into space where a high percentage attack is possible and pounce on the opportunity.
None of this is news to National Team fans, but the promise of Klinsmann is finding a way to put good ideas into practice over 90 minutes. Klinsmann's August-to-November schedule of games point to what we should expect to see in Qualifying when the games count. Translating what he wants into practice has the potential for creating a US team that could have us forgetting all about that Gold Cup final disappointment as they embark on a new era of Klinsmann-style attacking soccer. After all, that's why he got the job.
Justin Shaffer joins USSoccerPlayers after regularly contributing to the site's comments section. Look for his byline every other week.
