Reaction: Spain Dominates US 4-0
The much anticipated Confederations Cup re-match between the US and Spain was not much of a contest and even that's giving the US too much credit. The US got blown out of Gillette Stadium, as Spain methodically picked them apart one pass at a time. The World Champs innate ability to string together passes in tight spaces and then dazzle in the final third, resulted in three first half goals, two of which were scored by Cazorla. To make matters worse Fernando Torres added to Spain's scoresheet in the 2nd half, as a lifeless US team lost the friendly by an embarrassing 4-0 score.
Granted Bob Bradley did not start his strongest possible side, as Landon Donovan missed the match due to an illness* and Clint Dempsey only played in the 2nd half, a half in which the US looked noticeably improved. However, Spain relaxed considerably after they had their tremendous 3 goal advantage, which made the US look a little bit better in half #2. No matter how you analyze this match, the US got smoked with many key players coming up short.
*Bradley said Donovan's illness is hopefully a 24 hour thing and he should be ready to go for Tuesday's Gold Cup Match vs. Canada
Quick Thoughts
1. What has happened to Jozy?
The once heralded forward looks flat out lost. Jozy's form has clearly been affected by his rollercoaster season, in which he first struggled to play at Villarreal and then after a loan move, had a difficult time finding a rhythm in Turkey. Altidore showed no ability to find space in front of Spain's defense and was never really around the ball. One of my colleagues said it best referring to Jozy as a statue. This was a big game for Jozy to show his worth, which he failed to do, making the Gold Cup an even bigger tournament for him. On a side note, he was clearly frustrated with his play when I spoke to him after the game.
On the other hand Agudelo is stepping up. No, he didn't have a lot of the ball but let's be honest no US player did, as Spain controlled a ridiculous amount of the possession. He was very active in today's match without the ball though. Bob Bradley put it perfectly in his post game press conference when he said, "Juan wants the ball...he goes into real spots...". This means that Agudelo is going after it and at least is trying to find pockets of space to check into. Jozy on the other hand, is not exhibiting these qualities at the moment.
2. The US needs Donovan and Dempsey to be effective
This might not be the most insighful comment I have ever made, but it has to be said. There are so many fans out there that complain about these players. I hear it everyday: Donovan disappears too much during the game and Dempsey doesn't pass enough. I don't care what anyone says, these guys are world class footballers and now you realize what happens to this US team without them. Taking Donovan and Dempsey off the US team is like taking a great body away from a girl with a mediocre face, they just completely lose all value. The US lacked a dynamic playmaker in the first half and as a result the Yanks didn't see any of the ball and when they did, they created nothing. So just in case you didn't know it before today...the US NEED Donovan and Dempsey to be on top of their game to be successful.
3. Now we know who should be our best 11 for the Gold Cup
Here it is...
Howard
Lichaj, Goodson, Boca, Cherundolo
Dempsey, Bradley, Edu, Donovan
Agudelo, Altidore
This is the most in-form, dynamic lineup the US has to offer at the moment. I'm giving Altidore one last chance to wake up, just because his ceiling is so much higher than Wondolowski's. As far as the midfield goes, Bradley has to be in there. He is arguably the most complete player on the team with his ability to win tackles and to accurately read the game. I think Edu should be aligned next to him, as he is playing a little bit better than Jones. I feel like Jones still hasn't found his niche with the US National Team. He looks much better in the EPL than he does with the US. Finally, in the back, Goodson is leaps and bounds ahead of Gooch. Onyewu still looks hesitant out there and he often randomly knocks the ball up field, causing the US to lose possession. Also, Ream is too young at the moment to get the first choice nod and thus Bocanegra seems like the logical partner for Goodson.
4. Adu is not in Bradley's Gold Cup plans
This was the perfect match to see what Adu was made of, but Bradley chose not to even dress him. After the game Bradley even said, "he [Adu] didn't get put on the roster in all honesty with the expectation that he's going to play a big role." To me that translates into, Adu is not playing in this tournament and he's just here to get the feel for the national team again. This logic doesn't really make sense. Adu could have played in this meaningless friendly to gain some experience at the very least and Bob still would have no obligation to play him in the more important Gold cup matches, especially if he put together a poor performance. It was a freebie that the US ended up getting thrashed in anyways, so not dressing Adu was questionable in my eyes.
