USMNT Open Gold Cup with a 2-0 Victory Over their Northern Neighbors
June 7, 2011 – After losing two and drawing two of their first four fixtures in 2011, the US Men’s National Team defeated Canada 2-0 in their opening game of the Gold Cup. The match, played at Ford Field in Detroit, was the first competitive fixture of the year for the US Team. With two more group matches coming up against Panama on Saturday and Guadeloupe next Tuesday, the Yanks are in a good position to advance in the bi-annual tournament.
Coach Bob Bradley sent out what was arguably the strongest side available. The only choices that could be questioned were the selection of Tim Ream over Oguchi Onyewu and Jermaine Jones over Maurice Edu. Otherwise it was the first team: Howard, Goodson, Ream, Cherundolo, Bocanegra (captain), Jones, Bradley, Dempsey, Donovan, Agudelo and Altidore.
From the kick off it was clear that the US meant business. Still smarting from the humiliating loss they suffered at the hands of Spain on Saturday, the Yanks came out with a high energy level, pressuring the Canadians whenever they were on the ball. In the forth minute Jozy Altidore was pulled down right on top of the Canadian penalty area by Andre Hainault. Clint Dempsey’s free kick appeared destined for the upper corner until it clipped the top of the Canadian wall and deflected out for a corner. Landon Donovan’s ball into the box was eventually cleared but not before Carlos Bocanegra got off a dangerous shot.
The US had seized control of the match and they won three more corners through the work of Steve Cherundolo, Juan Agudelo and Donovan. In the 15th minute, Donovan hit a long pass forward to the feet of Altidore in the Canadian penalty area. The big striker was marked closely by Kevin McKenna but was able to take a quick touch and get off a low, hard shot that crept under the Canadian keeper, Lars Hirschfeld, and into the net. It was a big goal for both the US Team and Altidore, who had failed to score for the US since a friendly last October against Poland.
With a lead, the US continued their dominance. They enjoyed long periods of possession for much of the first half. In the 26th minute, the Yanks won a free kick that Donovan played into the penalty area. Some good work by Altidore set up a shot for Agudelo that was saved.
Canada rallied a bit and earned a corner in the 31st minute that the US defense dealt with easily. Two minutes later, MLS veteran Dwayne De Rosario curled a shot from distance just wide of the post. Tim Howard was at full stretch but he appeared to just about have his goal covered.
With Canada finding their feet, the game opened up. In the 40th minute, Cherundolo made a good run and cross to set up an awkward shot for Agudelo. A minute later, the 18-year-old striker took a shot from distance when he saw that Hirschfield was out of position. However, the Canadian keeper was able to scrabble back and push the ball wide. Canada got forward a few times in the last few minutes of the half but resolute defending by the US ensured that they went into the locker room with the lead.
The Canadians came out much stronger in the second half and exerted some pressure on their hosts . Michael Bradley picked up a needless yellow card in the 51st minute for not giving the ball back after a foul had been called. Shortly after, Jones had a mazy run through midfield halted by a foul from Will Johnson. The Canadian midfielder was cautioned as well.
Ten minutes into the half and the US were in ascension again. Dempsey settled a flighted pass, did some fancy dribbling and sent over a dangerous cross toward Altidore. Confusion reigned momentary in the Canadian area before Hainault headed the ball out for a corner just past the post. Then Cherundolo started finding space down the right. He got a couple of good crosses over, the second was just behind Dempsey but the Fulham midfielder tried an audacious scorpion kick that was deflected out at the last moment by a Canadian defender for a corner.
The good attacking play by the US Team finally paid off in the 61st minute. Donovan played the ball up the right wing to Altidore, who played a delightful ball across the Canadian goal mouth. Dempsey was making the far-post run and lunged to get a foot to it just ahead of his marker. The ball hit the back of the open net and the home team had a two goal lead.
In the 65th minute Coach Bradley made his first substitution, bringing on Chris Wondolowski for Agudelo. Five minutes later Howard pulled off an amazing save as he leaped high and to his right to tip substitute Ali Gerba’s shot over the bar. Shortly after that Coach Bradley replaced the impressive Altidore with Sacha Kljestan as he looked to close up shop.
However, the home team was still getting forward and some nice build up play resulted in Donovan sending a dangerous cross into the area. Unfortunately, none of his teammates could get on the end of it. In the 79th minute, the US was forced to make their final substitution as Maurice Edu came on for the injured Jones.
Canada hadn’t given up on the game and Howard was forced to make an incredible double save with five minutes to go. After a scramble in the area, the big American keeper saved bravely at the feet of Simeon Jackson and then pushed to ball over the bar with a quick, reflex save. Those were the last clear-cut chances of the match. The hosts played out the last few minutes of regulation and injury time for the win.
After a shaky start to the year, it was good to see the US Team finally taste victory. It was also encouraging to see Jozy Altidore not only score but play well. The Yanks will be favorites in their remaining group matches before facing tougher tests later in the tournament.
Player ratings for the US Team (scored 1-10):
Tim Howard, goalkeeper (9): He had almost nothing to do in the first half but had to be at his best in second to preserve the victory. His save of Ali Gerba’s shot was of the highest caliber.
Clarence Goodson, central defender (7): Strong in the tackle and commanding in the air, he had a pretty solid match despite being caught out of position a couple of times.
Tim Ream, central defender (7): A calm and composed performance for a young player. Coach Bradley seems to like playing a smaller, skilled central defender (Ream) alongside a bigger, stronger partner (Onyewu or Goodson) so expect to see more of Tim in the future.
Steve Cherundolo, right fullback (8): The veteran fullback coped very well with the pacy Josh Simpson on the defensive end and got forward repeatedly to support the attack and send in dangerous crosses.
Carlos Bocanegra, left fullback (6): I’m not sure how much longer the captain can continue to play fullback at the international level as he struggled to deal with the speed of Jackson on the flank. He might need to move to central defense to prolong his career with the National Team.
Jermaine Jones, central midfielder (6): I’m still not convinced this guy’s a better option than Maurice Edu. He’s got nice skills but he loses the ball too often in the middle of the park. I’d prefer to see someone who plays more simply in this position.
Michael Bradley, central midfielder (6): Put in a good shift at both ends of the field and played some intelligent passes. I have to dock him a point for picking up a needless caution in the second half. Card accumulation (both yellow and red) is a problem that’s followed him throughout his career and he needs to do something about it.
Landon Donovan, right midfielder (8): He did a great job in the playmaker’s role for the US and his service from set pieces was dangerous as well. His long pass to Altidore in the area set up the first goal.
Clint Dempsey, left midfielder (8): As usual, Clint drifted in and out of the match but he was involved more in the second half and scored a goal. He has those flashes when he displays astonishing skill. I’d love to see him assert himself for an entire match.
Juan Agudelo, striker (6): Not much to show for his endeavor during the 65 minutes he was on the field. He got a few shots on net and looked composed for a young player
Jozy Altidore, striker (9): He scored one goal and created another. It was good to see him have a solid game after struggling for quite a while. Hopefully he can get a few goals in this tournament and boost his confidence (Man of the Match).
Substitutes:
Chris Wondolowski, striker (5): He didn’t do much of note during the 25 minutes he was on the field.
Sacha Kljestan, midfielder (6): Got in some important tackles and defended well as the US looked to preserve their lead in the second half.
Maurice Edu, midfielder (6): Wasn’t on long but made a positive impact at both ends of the pitch.
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