The U.S. men’s national team defeated Mexico by the iconic score of 2-0 on Wednesday in San Antonio on a pitch that even your local municipal golf course would be ashamed of.
The goals were scored by Jordan Morris, still a college student at Stanford, and Juan Agudelo. Both had unconventional assists.
Morris' goal was helped by the ball deflecting off a Mexico player and into his path.
Agudelo's goal starts with a great pass by Michael Bradley, perhaps his only one in the game, to Agudelo, who brought it down with world-class skill. As Agudelo moved right to set up the shot, the Mexican defender tripped on the turf, giving an open window for a shot that was taken confidently.
Unlike in most of their games since last year’s World Cup, the U.S. defense, led by the enigmatic Omar Gonzalez, didn’t crumble once it had the lead.
So, are all of the U.S. problems fixed?
They scored a few goals.
They held onto the lead.
The defense played mostly well.
The tactics seemed OK.
The answer is no.
Jurgen Klinsmann isn’t the only manager who likes to tinker. Mexico’s Miguel Herrera also picked an unconventional lineup based solely of players from Liga MX.
So, while this wasn’t the best team the U.S. could field – though that is anybody’s guess at this point — it definitely wasn’t the best team Mexico could field.
The U.S. will next play The Netherlands on June 5 in Amsterdam and Germany in Germany on June 10 in two warm-ups for the Gold Cup.
The team that will play Holland and Germany will most assuredly be the team Klinsmann takes to the Gold Cup.
Who might those players be:
My guess at the team’s core, which I think will be a mix of veterans and players Klinsmann hopes to see progress enough to play in the World Cup in 2018:
Goalie (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Bill Hamid (D.C. United) and William Yarbrough (Club Leon)
Defenders (7): John Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Omar Gonzalez (L.A. Galaxy), Ventura Alvarado (Club America), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham), Greg Garza (Tijuana), Brek Shea (Orlando SC), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim) and Jermaine Jones (New England).
Midfielders (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (NYCFC), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Joe Corona (Tijuana) and Julian Green (Hamburger).
Forwards (5): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Juan Agudelo (New England), Clint Dempsey (Seattle), Jordan Morris (Stanford) and Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar).
Silverbacks: The Silverbacks remain unbeaten after a 2-1 win over Carolina on Saturday. Shaka Bangura and Jonathan Okafor scored for the Silverbacks, which are 1-0-2 this season.
Atlanta will host the Cosmos, featuring Spanish legend Raul, on Saturday.
State ties to MLS
Here’s a list of players with ties to the state who are in MLS:
Joe Bendik (@jtbendik), Toronto, GK, Kennesaw
Started, made two saves and allowed three goals in team’s 3-2 loss to Dallas on April 18.
Next game: at Orlando on Sunday.
Mark Bloom (@markbloom21), Toronto, D, Marietta
Did not make the 18 for team’s 3-2 loss to Dallas on April 18. He is recovering from an injury.
Next game: at Orlando on Sunday.
Ricardo Clark (@RicoC13), Houston, M, Jonesboro
Started, played 90 minutes and scored in team’s 1-1 draw with D.C. United on April 18.
Next game: Will host Sporting KC on Saturday.
Warren Creavalle (@warrenspeak), Toronto, D, Acworth
Did not make the 18 for team’s 3-2 loss to Dallas on April 18. He was suspended after receiving two yellow cards the previous game.
Next game: at Orlando on Sunday.
Chris Duvall (@chrisduvall91), New York Red Bulls, D, Duluth
Played 90 minutes in team’s 2-0 win over San Jose on April 17.
Next game: Will host L.A. Galaxy on Sunday.
Sean Johnson (@sjohn25), Chicago, GK, Snellville
No game.
Next game: Will host NYCFC on Friday.
Alec Kann (@akann90), Chicago, GK, Decatur
No game.
Next game: Will host NYCFC on Friday.
Chris Klute (@chrisklute), Columbus, D, Silverbacks, Clayton State
Came off the bench to play 25 minutes in team’s 3-0 win over Orlando on April 16.
Next game: Will host Philadelphia on Saturday.
Jack McInerney (@jackmcinerney9), Montreal, F, Alpharetta
No MLS game last week.
Next game: at Club America in the CCL on Wednesday.
Kwadwo Poku, NYCFC, M/F, Silverbacks
Came off the bench to play 45 minutes and had a shot on goal in 1-1 tie with Philadelphia on April 16. Came off the bench to play 16 minutes with one shot in team’s 1-0 loss to Portland on April 19.
Next game: at Chicago on Friday.
Andrew Wolverton (@a_wolvie), Los Angeles, G, Atlanta
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-1 in over Sporting KC on April 18.
Next game: At New York Red Bulls on Sunday.
Walker Zimmerman (@thewalkerzim), Dallas, D, Lawrenceville
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 3-2 win over Toronto on April 18.
Next game: At Colorado on Friday.
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