The new-look U.S. men’s national team held on to defeat the Czech Republic 1-0 on a goal by Alejandro Bedoya on Wednesday.
It was an interesting game with a familiar feel because, as is typical with the Stars and Stripes, though some of the faces were new the style of play was the same.
After taking a lead late in the first half, the team was badly outplayed for the rest of the game. On any other day, because the team’s defense was once again under siege for most of the second half, the score could have been 8-1 to the Czechs if not for the heroics of the goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who was doing his best impersonation of Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller, Tim Howard or fill in the name of any past U.S. goalkeeper.
Manager Jurgen Klinsmann handed debuts to starters Joe Gyau and second-half subs Greg Garza and Emerson Hyndman against the Czechs.
Of more importance, he finally let familiar faces Mix Diskerud, Tim Chandler and Julian Green play lengthy minutes. It has been a long time coming for Diskerud, who has been with the team but rarely given a chance to show what he can do.
Diskerud shined. His work playing Klinsmann’s high line resulted in Bedoya’s goal toward the end of an impressive first half. If Michael Bradley’s recent poor form continues — and Klinsmann continues to put him in an uncomfortable attacking midfield role — Diskerud could battle him for playing time.
Chandler was solid in the first half at fullback, playing a role that many wondered if he would ever fulfill after his back-and-forth vacillating over being a part of the team.
Green wasn’t nearly as impressive as he was in his very short World Cup moment when he scored a goal. His set pieces were horrible and he was physically overmatched.
The frustrating part came in the second half. After the U.S. held its own against the Czechs in the first half the subs used by Klinsmann couldn’t maintain the style of play and were consistently overrun. That the U.S. still finished with more possession of the balls shows the differences between the halves.
Midfielder Brek Shea was awful. Once a starlet, his career has gone into a tailspin since leaving Dallas for Stoke City in the Premier League. He isn’t playing for the Potters, likely won’t play for the Potters, and couldn’t secure a loan in the recent transfer window. If he’s not released soon to find a team in which he can play meaningful minutes, he risks walking a path blazed by Freddy Adu.
The differences in performances between the halves might be traced to Klinsmann’s oft-stated belief that the U.S. players need to believe that they can play with international teams.
The team in the first half played like it was stocked with players in Europe’s top league. The team in the second half didn’t.
The future looks bright, as long as the players believe they can win.
Atlanta reunion
There could be as many as five players with Atlanta ties on the field when Chicago hosts Toronto in MLS action on Saturday.
Almost certainly there will be at least three in Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson, Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik and defender Mark Bloom. They have been mainstays for their teams all year.
Defender Steven Kinney has fallen off the radar for the Fire in the past few weeks and Warren Creavalle hasn’t played consistent minutes for Toronto since arriving via trade last month. But there’s a chance each sub in if they can make the 18. The fifth player, Chicago backup keeper Alec Kann, hasn’t played much this year.
It is an important game for Toronto, which is winless in its past five games. It is now three points out of the playoffs, not good for a team that recently fired its entire coaching staff after earlier in the year splashing the cash to bring in forward Jermain Defoe and midfielder Bradley.
History made
One week after making his MLS debut, former Silverbacks goalie Joe Nasco made history on Friday when he received the quickest red card in league history.
Bocanegra says goodbye
Former U.S. team captain Carlos Bocanegra announced last week that is retiring at season’s end.
Bocanegra should be held up as the model for any American looking to make their name as a professional.
After dominating in MLS, he went to Europe where he played England, Scotland, France and Spain before coming back to MLS to play for the horrid Chivas USA. He deserved a better team, but it was near his hometown in California.
He was a standout for the U.S. men’s national team, playing either fullback or as a central defender. He was on the field for some of the biggest wins in team history and deserves a nice sendoff, something similar to what Landon Donovan is receiving.
Corruption
In what seems like a monthly occurrence, another FIFA official was arrested on corruption charges last week. Once again, it is a member of CONCACAF who is in trouble.
Two great goals
MLS and Atlanta
How MLS players with ties to the metro Atlanta area did this week:
Joe Bendik (@jtbendik), Toronto, GK, Kennesaw
Played 90 minutes and made six saves in team’s 1-0 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Played 90 minutes and made five saves in team’s 2-0 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.
Next game: At Chicago on Saturday.
Mark Bloom (@markbloom21), Toronto, D, Marietta
Played 90 minutes in team’s 1-0 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Played 90 minutes in teams’ 2-0 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.
Next game: At Chicago on Saturday.
Alex Caskey, D.C. United, M, Dunwoody
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 0-0 tie with Vancouver on Saturday.
Next game: At New York on Wednesday.
Ricardo Clark, Houston, M, Jonesboro
Played 90 minutes and scored a goal in team’s 3-2 win over Montreal on Saturday. That was his second goal in as many games.
Next game: Will host Columbus on Saturday.
Warren Creavalle (@warrenspeak), Toronto, D, Acworth
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 1-0 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Came on as a sub and played 18 minutes in team’s 2-0 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.
Next game: At Chicago on Saturday.
Sean Johnson (@sjohn25), Chicago, GK, Snellville
Played 90 minutes and made four saves in team’s 2-1 loss to New England on Sunday.
Next game: Will host Toronto on Saturday.
Alec Kann (@akann90), Chicago, GK, Decatur
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-1 loss to New England on Sunday.
Next game: Will host Toronto on Saturday.
Steven Kinney (@stevenhkinney), Chicago, D, Norcross
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-1 loss to New England on Sunday.
Next game: Will host Toronto on Saturday.
Chris Klute (@chrisklute), Colorado, D, Silverbacks, Clayton State
Played 90 minutes in team’s 6-0 loss to Los Angeles on Friday.
Next game: Will host Portland on Saturday.
Jack McInerney (@jackmcinerney9), Montreal, F, Alpharetta
Came on as a sub and played 17 minutes in team’s 3-2 loss to Houston on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Los Angeles on Wednesday and is at New England on Saturday.
Joe Nasco (@joenascogk18), Colorado, G, Silverbacks
Played one minute before being subbed in team’s 6-0 loss to Los Angeles on Friday. Nasco received a red card for trying to stop Alan Gordon in the penalty box.
Next game: Will host Portland on Saturday.
Michael Nwiloh (mnwiloh6), Chivas USA, D, Conyers
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 4-2 loss to Seattle on Wednesday.
Next game: Will host Sporting KC on Friday.
Walker Zimmerman (@thewalkerzim), Dallas, D, Lawrenceville
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Vancouver on Saturday.
