With Canada allowing an equalizing goal in the 90th min v Panama, The USA came in only needing a draw to advance to the quarters. Guadalupe had yet to earn a point from the first two matches.
US strategy
The US made two changes after the 2-1 loss to panama. Eric Lichaj replaced Tim Ream in defense with Carlos Bocanegra moving to left center back and Lichaj moving to Left back. In a straight swap, Chris Wondolowski came in for Juan Agudelo.
Despite two changes, Bob Bradley elected to stick with the familiar 4-2-2-2 formation.
However, the US had more width provided by Lichaj on the left, an attacking element Bocanegra does not provide. The overlapping fullbacks and a lack of Guadeloupe pressure allowed the US to play a fluid passing style. Most of the attacks originated inside with Bradley/Jones to Donovan/Dempsey who then sent it wide to a fullback who pinged in a cross. Additionally, the movement by Wondolowski (at times drifting wide and coming back into midfield) opened up more space in the middle for Dempsey and Donovan.
Guadeloupe's Strategy
Manager Roger Salnot set his team up in a 4-5-1, sitting back and absorbing US pressure. The counter attacking initiative came from Livio Nabab down the right wing, trying to exploit the space left by Lichaj when he attacked. But, he was unable to send in a good cross to the forward Richard Socrier.
Throwing a wrench into Slanot’s plan, the combination of an injury to Loic Loval and being an early goal behind, forced him to change tactics in the 25th min. Cedric Collet was brought on to play on the left side and Therry Racon moved up top to create a 4-4-2. This really opened up the midfield for the Americans as Dempsey and Donovan tucked inside more which allowed Cherundolo and Lichaj to overlap.
The Lone Goal
The only goal in the match came from a 13 pass move from the US (according to @ussoccer on twitter). Up until the final 20 yds of the pitch, space was abundant and the Americans worked the ball easily around the pitch. The final pass of the move came to Altidore from Michael Bradley. Jozy was allowed to turn on his right and get the shot away, only one defender Stephane Auvray hopelessly attempting to block. The missile seemed to catch the keeper off guard as he hardly made an attempt to save it and whistled into the top corner.
Clint Dempsey: the most and least dangerous man on the pitch
Occupying the inside right position for the Yanks, Clint Dempsey found space throughout the match and had numerous chances. He missed two sitters, a header and a tap in from 3 yards in the 76th min. He also had a free kick well saved by Franck Grandel and another off the crossbar. On a good night, Dempsey could have had a hat trick and a man of the match performance. On this night, he left supporters frustrated at his lack of composure in front of goal.
Conclusion
Other than the boisterous Kansas City crowd, this match felt like a preseason friendly where a European club plays travels to the States and plays an MLS side. The American performance was lackadaisical and uninspiring. To say the finishing by the US was poor would be an understatement of how awful it was. The only thing the US can take from this match to the next is the increased confidence of Altidore and the attacking performance provided by Lichaj. However, finishing second in a group with Guadeloupe, Panama and Canada is not something to put on the resume. Bob Bradley and the US supporters will not be satisfied with a one-nil win and only a trip to the finals for some (and hoisting the trophy for most) will be acceptable.
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US strategy
The US made two changes after the 2-1 loss to panama. Eric Lichaj replaced Tim Ream in defense with Carlos Bocanegra moving to left center back and Lichaj moving to Left back. In a straight swap, Chris Wondolowski came in for Juan Agudelo.
Despite two changes, Bob Bradley elected to stick with the familiar 4-2-2-2 formation.
However, the US had more width provided by Lichaj on the left, an attacking element Bocanegra does not provide. The overlapping fullbacks and a lack of Guadeloupe pressure allowed the US to play a fluid passing style. Most of the attacks originated inside with Bradley/Jones to Donovan/Dempsey who then sent it wide to a fullback who pinged in a cross. Additionally, the movement by Wondolowski (at times drifting wide and coming back into midfield) opened up more space in the middle for Dempsey and Donovan.
Guadeloupe's Strategy
Manager Roger Salnot set his team up in a 4-5-1, sitting back and absorbing US pressure. The counter attacking initiative came from Livio Nabab down the right wing, trying to exploit the space left by Lichaj when he attacked. But, he was unable to send in a good cross to the forward Richard Socrier.
Throwing a wrench into Slanot’s plan, the combination of an injury to Loic Loval and being an early goal behind, forced him to change tactics in the 25th min. Cedric Collet was brought on to play on the left side and Therry Racon moved up top to create a 4-4-2. This really opened up the midfield for the Americans as Dempsey and Donovan tucked inside more which allowed Cherundolo and Lichaj to overlap.
The Lone Goal
The only goal in the match came from a 13 pass move from the US (according to @ussoccer on twitter). Up until the final 20 yds of the pitch, space was abundant and the Americans worked the ball easily around the pitch. The final pass of the move came to Altidore from Michael Bradley. Jozy was allowed to turn on his right and get the shot away, only one defender Stephane Auvray hopelessly attempting to block. The missile seemed to catch the keeper off guard as he hardly made an attempt to save it and whistled into the top corner.
Clint Dempsey: the most and least dangerous man on the pitch
Occupying the inside right position for the Yanks, Clint Dempsey found space throughout the match and had numerous chances. He missed two sitters, a header and a tap in from 3 yards in the 76th min. He also had a free kick well saved by Franck Grandel and another off the crossbar. On a good night, Dempsey could have had a hat trick and a man of the match performance. On this night, he left supporters frustrated at his lack of composure in front of goal.
Conclusion
Other than the boisterous Kansas City crowd, this match felt like a preseason friendly where a European club plays travels to the States and plays an MLS side. The American performance was lackadaisical and uninspiring. To say the finishing by the US was poor would be an understatement of how awful it was. The only thing the US can take from this match to the next is the increased confidence of Altidore and the attacking performance provided by Lichaj. However, finishing second in a group with Guadeloupe, Panama and Canada is not something to put on the resume. Bob Bradley and the US supporters will not be satisfied with a one-nil win and only a trip to the finals for some (and hoisting the trophy for most) will be acceptable.
Follow us on twitter @kpngacleansheet
The look on Dempseys face as he tried to walk in the 76min goal, says it all: sheer exhaustion from the task of carrying the entire team on his back and exasperation from the low quality of players he is surrounded with.
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