A Few Quick Thoughts

Questions about the future of the U.S. central defense have been emphatically answered.
Photo credit: www.soccerbyives.net

Here are a few quick thoughts on the USA's 0-0 draw with Mexico in Azteca:

1. Omar Freaking Gonzalez. He has the physical tools and the mental sharpness to be a world-class defender, and they were on full display tonight. Gonna a be a fixture in the backline of the USMNT for years to come. What a player.
2. What a game by Besler as well. Oh, you only have one cap and you're playing your second game in front of 100,000 people in one of the most hostile environments in sports where you can't hear your partner when he's standing ten feet away? No problem.
3. Really can't believe Edu wasn't called for a penalty. Extremely lucky to get away with that, that's called 99 times out of 100 in CONCACAF, especially when the U.S. is involved. But I'm not complaining...
4. Anytime you travel to Azteca you know you'll have to rely on your keeper to make some crucial saves, and Brad Guzan delivered. Was confident in the air and bossed the penalty area. Another outstanding performance. Tim Howard has his work cut out for him to regain the starting spot when he returns from injury.
5. I almost threw my remote through the TV when Brad Davis fouled Guardado on the left side of the box near the sideline at the end of the game. Silly, totally unnecessary foul that could have easily resulted in a goal off of the ensuing free kick. That one mental lapse could have wasted 90 minutes of great team effort. Come on man.
6. MLS for the win! Every player that played for the U.S. tonight either currently plays in MLS or started out in MLS. Just a testament to it's talent and growth over the years. Don't look now but it's becoming a very respectable league.
7. Play of the Game - Graham Zusi sprinting back about 30 yards to barely get his head on a cross that surely would've been deadly as it was about to be headed at goal. That effort was emblematic of the entire team performance.

Can't ask for anything more than coming out of Azteca with a result. The backline was a revelation, Besler and Gonzalez have great chemistry and work effectively together. Our scoring opportunities were almost nonexistent but we came out with a point and that's all that matters.

Here's to Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler forming the most formidable centerback pairing in the world. Or at least one good enough to get us to Brazil next year.