Since Jurgen Klinnsman took over earlier this year, there has been nothing but disappointment for United States soccer. Multiple losses in brutally boring fashion has led soccer analysts, such as Alexi Lalas, to question what in the world Klinnsman has been doing.
Yesterday, the United States finally awoke from it's several month long offensive slumber to truly dominate a similar foe. They beat a Slovenian team 3-2, who they tied in stupidly dramatic fashion in the World Cup more than a year ago. This game was played in a dense fog which made it a truly spectacular sight to see. Edson Buddle scored on a nice volley settled by Dempsey to make it 1-0. Then Dempsey finished a beautiful header on a corner kick from Michael Bradley that made it 2-1. Before the first half even ended, newly discovered stud, Fabian Johnson was tackled in the box, allowing for Jozy Altidore to make it 3-1 on the penalty kick. All of the sudden the United States had a volatile offense, and seemingly could have won this game 5 or 6-2 if it wasn't for some sloppy finishing.
For Klinnsman it's an important step forward. He hadn't really been making any types of successful alteration to the lineup, and finally, last night he added a second striker and put the lineup into a 4-4-2. Probably the most important part of the lineup was the "diamond" midfielder set with Dempsey as an attacking mid, Bradley and young gun Fabian Johnson on the wings and big man Kyle Beckerman at defensive mid. The extra attacking prowess turned the sputtering engine that was into a unstoppable machine, at least for the 1st half.
The problem with Klinnsman hasn't been the results, it's been the lack of changes he's made. He has seemingly left the lineups the same, until now. Let's keep our criticism of Klinnsman to a minimum until at least World Cup qualifying. I still have faith in the guy.
US Soccer is no overnight project, it's a 3 year deal.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
U.S.A Soccer Breaks Out
Posted on 5:23 AM by Unknown
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