Team In Transition: Keeping The Big Picture In Mind

The United States suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Ireland on Tuesday and many supporters were upset at the display. After all, Ireland fielded a B/C team while we started the match with nine players who were on the World Cup roster. But I want to suggest that this game was actually a sign of progress.

Wait, what?

Photo credit: SBIsoccer.com

Klinsmann has preached about implementing a proactive, possession-based style ever since he was hired as manager. Here is a direct quote from around the time he was hired as manager:

“I think America always likes to decide on its own what is next. This guides maybe towards a more proactive style of play where you would like to impose a little bit the game on your opponent instead of sitting back and waiting for what your opponent is doing and react to it. It always depends, also, on your opponent. If you play Brazil or Argentina, you might play differently than maybe a country in CONCACAF, but it is a starting point if you say we want to start to keep possession, we want to start to dictate the pace of the game, we want to challenge our players to improve technically in order to keep the ball. All those components you have to build into your training sessions and have to build it into the curriculum for the youngsters because the earlier they start with that type of work, the better it is.”

We saw that style that Jurgen has been talking about during this game. This game was never about winning. It was obvious that Klinsmann had given orders to the team to strictly work on keeping possession and try to play out of the back. It was manifested in Hamid rolling the ball out to the fullbacks and passing it to the center backs under pressure; doing short corner routines to try and work the ball into the box; all midfielders at one point or another dropping deep to collect the ball. Klinsmann's message was clear: keep the ball on the ground and try to keep possession.

Perhaps the best example of these instructions being followed to the utmost was Fabian Johnson trying to play out of the back in the corner surrounded by two Irish attackers, resulting in Ireland’s second goal. 

Should he have just cleared it? Maybe. It would have been the easiest thing to do for sure. Taylor Twellman agreed on the broadcast:

“Well it’s a little thing. Fabian Johnson, yes he’s facing his own end line… Jurgen Klinsmann is not going to be happy with that. If anything that ball needs to be cleared 30, 40 yards into the stands. You cannot lose possession in that moment because then Kyle Beckerman and Mix Diskerud are out of the way.”

But I want to suggest that Jurgen appreciated Johnson trying to keep possession in that moment. It was unfortunate that we conceded a goal as a result of it but he had the right mindset in trying to pass it out. After all, it most likely would have found either Bedoya or Diskerud, who were right there, had it not been for Johnson losing his balance while passing.

Say what you want about Alexi Lalas, but I believe he was right about this incident:

No problem conceding goal. Johnson looks for help & commits to playing out of back. Possession teams don't kick it into the stands. #IRLvUSA

— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) November 18, 2014

If you want to transition to possession team you have to be willing to fail and still go right back to the well. These are games to do it.
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) November 18, 2014

No. Precisely when you don't. RT @GrantWahl If he has 2 guys breathing down his neck in that spot? Of course he should put it out of play.

— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) November 18, 2014

There is nothing revolutionary or evolutionary for a #USMNT player to be safe and kick the ball out if play when faced with pressure.

— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) November 18, 2014

The goal is, in that moment when Johnson has the ball, to have every player not even considering the option of him kicking it out of play.
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) November 18, 2014

This goes against the default American setting of just hoofing it out of danger and setting up the defense again, as characterized by Twellman’s commentary. Any world class team would have tried to do what Fabian did at that moment. We need to change our mindset if we want to get to that level and the general negative reaction to this game shows that we as fans aren’t getting the big picture.

These friendlies right after a World Cup are the perfect time to try and implement changes and experiment. It’s not about winning these games, it’s about becoming comfortable with the style of play and positional expectations of the manager’s system.

On the Irish broadcast of the game, the announcers noted the style the U.S. was playing. At the 41’ mark, one of them (apologies for not catching his name) noted the following:

“We’re seeing here exactly how Klinsmann has really stamped his authority on this team and the way he wants the game to be played – playing from the back. You know… Hamid, not in any rush to just clear it up field, there’s a good movement in front of him, the center halves are splitting end to end of the 18 yard box… Beckerman, more often than not, dropping in to try and get on the ball and they’ve managed to get out of it very, very well.”

It was clear to them that we were trying to play out of the back under pressure. Again, this had to have come from strict orders from Klinsmann to do so.

We also don’t quite have the players yet to play a fluid, possession-based system. Specifically, the midfield and defense don’t have the technical quality, though there are signs of progress. Kyle Beckerman has fantastic positioning and reads the game well but can’t keep the ball in tight spaces. He frequently clears the ball instead of looking to pass out of danger. Omar Gonzalez has terrible distribution and always plays long balls. Beasley hoofs it as well and has a terrible first touch. Wondo doesn’t have any technical ability whatsoever.

But there is hope. John Brooks has solid distribution and looks to be a real stud. Mix has repeatedly shown that he has the technical ability to keep possession in the middle of the pitch. Lee Nguyen showed some flair in his brief appearance. Rubin and Wood, though rough at times, have shown glimpses of this desired technical ability. We have players starting to come through the system that do in fact have the technical ability that is required to play the way Jurgen wants.

Jurgen has clearly told the team how he expects them to play and they did exactly that. It didn’t go smoothly but that is expected when you are imposing a new style upon players who have never really been exposed to it. This friendly was a perfect outlet to practice this possession-based style. It’s better that we are making mistakes in these friendlies than in competitive matches further down the road. Keep the big picture in mind. Yes, we lost the game, and yes, it wasn’t a pretty score line. But this friendly literally doesn’t count for anything so we need to calm down. It’s all part of the ongoing process of becoming a proactive, possession-based team.

"Dying for the Cause"

Mix and Zusi celebrating qualification for the next round. Photo credit: USA Today

The United States plays Belgium tomorrow in Salvador in the round of sixteen at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Yanks qualified in the second place from the "Group of Death" along with Germany, a feat most people thought was not possible, on the heels of their defensive solidity, sheer effort, and surprisingly attractive football at times. But here we are with a chance to do something special.

BBC Match of the Day is a program that shows extended highlights and analysis of the day's Premier League action during the season. Right now they are doing the same thing for the World Cup. Their analysis of the United States' group stage efforts caught my attention and I wanted to share. The pundits have been surprised at the quality of football the USA have displayed and are very complimentary of Klinsmann and the players. I have provided a transcript of what they had to say about the U.S.below, as well as a link to the program if you want to watch it (highly recommended). If you want you can skip to 23:46 and 27:06, where they specifically talk about the United States.

BBC Match of the Day, 7/27/14

23:46

Mark Chapman - "Have you been surprised by the USA in this tournament so far?"

Danny Murphy - "Yes. I've watched all their games. And I've been surprised because they've not just defended well, they've attacked well, they've passed the ball more than I've ever seen them, and they've been a threat... deserve great credit, especially Jurgen Klinsmann for the way he's set them up. And actually over the games, and I've seen all of them in the group, they're definitely deserving of the second place."

27:06

Mark Chapman - "...whereas the USA have had defensive solidity."

Danny Murphy - "They have indeed. As I mentioned earlier, they've been solid, well-drilled, well-organized, two banks of four, classic old formation if you like. But when you do it properly... look how narrow they are (watching film from the Ghana game), the distances between each other, there's nowhere to play in. Yes it can be defensive and people call it boring... but what do you expect them to do when they haven't got the same ability as some of the teams they come up against. What the USA have done has worked hard, stayed compact, and even when their personnel changed in midfield areas they still did the same thing. And that's why you have to give Jurgen Klinsmann the credit, because he must have worked on em on the training ground again and again and again. I mean look at this, there's eight players there in the 18-yard box, really hard to break down. This is today against the Germans (switches to film from the Germany game). Again, no problem setting up this way, against good quality opposition because a draw would have seen them through. And the Germans, even though the dominated for long periods, didn't really have too many chances. Again we see here, the back line really tight and narrow, can't see many spaces to play into. And real credit to the lads for continuing, I mean even in the 90th minute, they're dying for the cause, they're getting it. Here we have, this time we have nine, if you see Bradley who was playing as a second striker, he helped out the midfield all game. Huge credit to all of them because nobody gave them a chance."

Mark Chapman - "But would they, very quickly, be vulnerable to width against a side in the last sixteen?"

Robbie Savage - "I think in the first ten minutes, we see Boateng getting in down that right side... firing a ball in better, they were in. But as Danny says, huge credit to Klinsmann."

Danny Murphy - "Well they've got big lads as well, so they won't mind crosses coming in. Cause if you can get the ball out wide, it's still got to be a hell of a cross. And if you've got six foot three center halves, which they have, it gives you half a chance."

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I believe that we don't have the quality players and depth to win the World Cup, though that is changing with every passing tournament. But what we do have is the belief, heart, and physicality to win it. The physical effort the team has given so far has been incredible, as you can see from the film. Everyone is busting their butt to get back into formation and not let the opposition simply walk through the middle of the pitch. But the most encouraging thing for me watching this team play is that we have dominated parts of every game so far against quality opposition. We have truly played some quality football and that excites me for the future. We can actually have good buildup play instead of just hoofing it forward. There is quality to be found in Major League Soccer. Pundits from around the world are realizing all of this as well. The ongoing process of becoming a world-class, proactive team that can keep the ball has been clearly visible this tournament. So let's enjoy where we are in that process and recognize there's still so much room to grow. Let's cheer on our boys as they're "dying for the cause."

World Cup!!

The World Cup is finally here. Let there be much rejoicing and clapping of hands among the people. Here are a few of my general predictions:

Champion - Brazil

Photo credit: fcbarcelona.com

This is honestly a pretty easy answer to me. Brazil's last loss on home soil in a competitive match was THIRTY NINE YEARS AGO. Thirty. Nine. As in almost four decades. As in 1975. As in Gerald Ford was the President. Oh and their last loss overall was in a meaningless friendly in 2002. Right after they had won the World Cup. The Seleção simply doesn't lose in Brazil and I don't expect that to change. They have an incredibly stacked squad with star power and a coach who has won it before. Neymar always shows up on the big stage and I expect him to do so again. Their demolition of Spain in the Confederations Cup final last year is something I can't get out of my mind. The only real challengers that I see in the field are Spain, Argentina, Germany, and...

Dark Horse - France

Don't let their performances in the World Cup and Euro fool you, they are coming together at the right time and have some great pieces to make a serious run. They've gotten rid of all the idiots in the squad (except Patrice Evra) and actually seem to have some team spirit. They are solid at every position on the field. They were also the beneficiary of an extremely favorable draw, being placed in a group with Switzerland, Ecuador, and Honduras. Look for Antoine Greizmann to have a "breakout" campaign in place of the injured Franck Ribery (I say "breakout" because he has been excellent for Real Sociedad the last two years).

Golden Boot - Neymar

I'm terrible at predicting individual performances but I know that Neymar is a bonafide superstar. He loves performing on the big stage and is never afraid of the moment. I believe he will live up to the expectations of wearing the number 10 shirt and lead his team to glory.

USA Finish: Round of 16

Photo credit: chicagotribune.com

I honestly believe that we are capable of coming out of our group. The team seems to be hitting a stride going into the tournament and I think MLS talent is a lot better than most people give it credit for. I see us beating Ghana, getting a result against Portugal, and probably losing to Germany. Klinsmann has a knack for getting results when we're not supposed to (at Italy, at Bosnia, at Russia, at Mexico, etc.) and the team has steadily improved as long as he's been in charge. I think we can make someone sweat in the round of 16 but I think our midfield lacks the quality of the elite teams to go any further, though I actually picked us to beat Belgium in the first knockout round hehe.

So there are my predictions for this World Cup. I'll leave you with my full bracket below. Go America.