It took me a while to collect my thoughts after attending U.S. vs. Mexico last Saturday at the Rose Bowl. This was mostly because I was dumbfounded by what unfolded on the field. The U.S. defense was as effective as the Maginot line. The four Mexican goals tore not only through American hearts but the belief that the current men's team has what it takes to compete with the best in the World.The Mexican team was clearly superior on every level. Even when the U.S. was up 2-0, it never felt like the United States had control. It seemed like we had gotten lucky, twice, but that lead made me more nervous than confident. My cousin, the Goose, immediately reminded me of the Brazil-U.S. Final at the 2009 Confederations Cup when the U.S. went up 2-0 and gave up the lead and the title to the surging Brazilians.
Even Tim Howard, usually the strength of the American team, was about as sure handed as a surgeon on a caffeine drip. It was Giovanni Dos Santos who did all the operating in the interior of the American defense. He ultimately finished off the Yanks with a chip shot put into the back of the net after toying with Howard and leaving him on all fours swatting at thin air like a clumsy kitten trying to trap a ball of yarn.
Coach Bradley may not have the talent at his disposal, but given he may not have a job in the near future, it may be someone else's problem. I'd give the job to whoever promised me they wouldn't put Jonathan Bornstein back in the lineup. I've read we're not to place the blame wholly on Bornstein and I agree it is unfair to blame him and him alone. Nonetheless he failed to do his job, period. If you can't handle your part of the pitch then you shouldn't be wearing the jersey. Bornstein has served when asked but at this point it is time to stop asking.
The most surprising part of Saturday was the downright cheery mood the Mexican fans were in. Before the game they took pictures with us, raised a glass with us, even complimented some of the players (Clint, Landon and Tim). It was almost like they were just being nice because they knew they were better. Even down 1-0 they weren't worried. At 2-0 they quieted down but as soon as that first goal for El Tri went in they were back at full volume. Three more goals found the back of the American net and three more times did the Rose Bowl come alive with the roar of the Mexican faithful. Those roars will echo from Pasadena to Panama and serve notice that Mexico is now the team to beat. Some would like to think that this game would have turned out different if it had been played in Seattle or Boston. The only difference would have been that a lot more American fans would have been there to bear witness to the latest rise of Mexican Eagle; which for now holds in its claws the Gold Cup and the title of the best team in the region.
The progress of U.S. soccer has never been a sprint to glory but instead a long, drawn out, often painful, long distance run. We lost our finishing kick against Ghana last summer and are fading fast, a fact that was evidenced by our recent collapse against Spain and the subpar performance against mostly lesser opponents in this Gold Cup. The loss in the final on Saturday was the cramp in the collective leg of American Soccer. Something that was bound to happen when you go too long and push too hard without actually getting anywhere. Right now we're doubled over and asking, where are we headed?
0 comments:
Post a Comment