Staring at a two-goal deficit with less than 15 minutes to play, the U.S showed plenty of resolve in salvaging a 2-2 tie courtesy of late goals by substitute Jozy Altidore and Frankie Hejduk. And while there are some compelling reasons to hail the Americans' Great Escape, getting one point in El Salvador isn't anything to crow about, and it's plenty troubling that the U.S. needed such a miracle to begin with.
AP
Frankie Hejduk, right, played a hand in both of the U.S. team's late goals against El Salvador.
To say the Yanks were guilty of sleepwalking through the first 75 minutes is like saying AIG had some cash flow problems late last year. Aside from Michael Bradley's typical intensity, the U.S. offered little in the way of attacking aggression for much of the game. In fact, the U.S. looked downright scared of getting forward, with its transition from defense to offense painfully slow.
This was especially true of outside backs Heath Pearce and Hejduk, who rarely ventured forward during the first two-thirds of the game, and as a result the U.S. attack had little to no width. Combine this with the tendency of Sacha Kljestan and DaMarcus Beasley to give the ball away, and you had a U.S. team that played right into the hands of a tenacious El Salvador side, one that succeeded in packing the midfield, while looking dangerous on the counterattack.
It was from just such a foray that El Salvador broke on top in the 15th minute, although it initially looked like the danger had been averted when Rodolfo Zelaya was hemmed in on the right wing. But a quick combination involving Zelaya and Osael Romero, as well as some suspect defending from Pearce and Carlos Bocanegra, allowed Eliseo Quintanilla to waltz in and slot his shot past Brad Guzan in the U.S. goal.
U.S. men's schedule
U.S. vs. Trinidad & Tobago
April 1
LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
That should have been enough to wake up the U.S., but it wasn't until El Salvador winger Cristian Castillo nodded home his team's second goal in the 72nd minute when the U.S. were galvanized into action, with Hejduk and Altidore in the thick of things. Hejduk began making some dangerous runs forward, and after taking a pinpoint feed from Brian Ching, the Columbus defender hit a perfect cross that Altidore powered home at the far post to get the U.S. back into the game.
With two minutes of normal time remaining, Hejduk brought the U.S. level by nodding home a loose ball in the box after substitute keeper Juan Jose Gomez had punched Beasley's corner high in the air. And about the only thing more surprising than seeing Hejduk score was the sight of him shoving Altidore out of the way just prior to heading the ball in.
The U.S. then nearly achieved the impossible in stoppage time, but Ching, after being set up beautifully by Altidore, could only hammer his shot straight into the chest of Gomez from little more than 6 yards out.
So was this result a point gained or two points dropped for the Americans? Certainly a two-goal fight-back on the road is nothing to be dismissive about, and the result puts the U.S. alone at the top of the Hexagonal standings. But the U.S. no doubt has done some damage to their qualifying campaign. It's unlikely that teams like Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico will only manage a point in El Salvador, and now the U.S. will need to get some road points elsewhere to make sure their push to qualify doesn't go down to the wire.
They will also need to continue to win at home, and while there is always pressure to hold serve, the El Salvador result has increased the anxiety ahead of Wednesday's home match against Trinidad & Tobago.
U.S. manager Bob Bradley will also have some decisions to make in the wake of some downright poor performances. Both Kljestan and Pearce have been subpar of late, and it might be time to give some other players a shot. Jose Torres in particular did well in a substitute role, if for no other reason than he was able to find a white shirt with his passes. Jonathan Spector could also be the latest to be given a try at left back. Landon Donovan was barely heard from during the U.S. comeback, and while it's clear that his spot in the lineup is safe, the Americans need more involvement from their all-time leading goal scorer.
Regardless, the U.S. will just be hoping that on Wednesday another appearance by Houdini won't be necessary.
Player ratings (scale of 1-10)
Brad Guzan, 5 -- Left hung out to dry on the first goal, and did well to save Romero's shot from distance in the first half. Looked like he could have done a bit better on Castillo's header.
Heath Pearce, 3 -- A nightmare. Got caught on the wrong side of Quintanilla on El Salvador's first goal, and killed plenty of attacks with some wayward passing.
Carlos Bocanegra, 4 -- Decision to commit to Romero on Quintanilla's goal was a killer, and his passing left a lot to be desired.
Danny Califf, 4 -- Seemed awkward and slow to react, which led to conceding too many free kicks.
Frankie Hejduk, 6 -- Went from goat to hero in record time. Was soundly beaten in the air by Castillo for El Salvador's second goal, but then his inch-perfect cross to Altidore got the U.S. back in the match. Got forward with abandon after that and scored the equalizer, leading one to wonder: What took him so long?
U.S. vs. El Salvador
Last five road games against El Salvador
March 28, 2009 -- T, 2-2, San Salvador
Oct. 9, 2004 -- W, 2-0, San Salvador (WCQ)
June 29, 1997 -- T, 1-1, San Salvador (WCQ)
March 23, 1993 -- T, 2-2, San Salvador
Feb. 18, 1992 -- L, 2-0, San Salvador
DaMarcus Beasley, 3 -- His poor first touch sparked the counter that led to El Salvador's goal and it also stifled several offensive forays. Moved to left back and aided the attack, but got roasted by Zelaya in the run-up to El Salvador's second.
Michael Bradley, 5 -- Was one of the few players who played with the requisite amount of intensity throughout, but even he found it difficult to connect on his passes.
Sacha Kljestan, 3 -- The Chivas USA midfielder is out there primarily for his offense, and his passing did little to justify that reputation.
Clint Dempsey, 6 -- A hit and miss performance that was more "hit" by the end. Had some shocking giveaways, but also did plenty to keep some attacks alive, including the long ball that he knocked into Ching during the run-up to Altidore's goal.
Landon Donovan, 4 -- The L.A. forward was dangerous at times in the first half and had a point-blank opportunity stuffed by starting keeper Miguel Montes. But this was a game where the U.S. needed him to step up more, and he didn't get it done.
Brian Ching, 5 -- Ching was more effective once the U.S. started getting forward, and his layoff to Hejduk was sublime. Had the chance to steal all three points, but his late drive was hit straight into the chest of substitute keeper Gomez.
Substitutes:
Jozy Altidore, 7 -- A game-changing performance. Not only did he get the U.S. back into the match with a well-taken goal, but his perfect layoff to Ching should have led to the game-winner.
Jose Torres, 6 -- Did a good job of keeping the attack ticking over during 18 productive minutes.
Maurice Edu, NR -- Earned a late cameo due to a late injury to Bradley.
Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPNsoccernet. He also writes for Center Line soccer and can be reached at eljefe1@yahoo.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment