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| 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.
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."
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