2011 Gold Cup: USA 2-0 Canada | Highlights, Analysis, Player Ratings

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at Internationaled.org

Published: June 8, 2011

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This story first appeared on SoccReligious.

After a near-catastrophic meltdown on the Internet after a meaningless, albeit surprisingly overwhelming 4-0 defeat to Spain, the United States rebounded with a solid 2-0 victory over Canada on the back of a goal and an assist from the finally-emerging Jozy Altidore.

Though Altidore takes home the box score plaudits, the U.S. won this game from the back forward. Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo and Clarence Goodson replaced Eric Lichaj, Jonathan Spector and Oguchi Onyewu in the back, while Michael Bradley, Landon Donovan, and Clint Dempsey joined Spanish survivor Jermaine Jones in the midfield. Juan Agudelo was again paired with Altidore.



Overloaded Right vs. Overloaded Right

Bob Bradley—unfairly scolded for 'getting it wrong' against Spain—absolutely hit the nail on the head (tactically speaking) for this matchup. The U.S. came out with their "big game" formation, the empty bucket 4-4-2, and Bradley put what most would agree is his strongest XI on the field -- something he's been criticized for not doing in the past.

Generally, the U.S. favors the right side going forward in this formation, with Donovan hugging wide, Cherundolo overlapping, Jozy running the channel, and Dempsey—the Americans' best one-on-one attacker and the safest bet in a crowd of defenders—playing very narrow on the left. Canada came out in a similarly overloaded, right-sided attack. Will Johnson remained wide in the midfield, with Dwayne DeRosario moving all over the pitch but mainly staying to the right. Even lead striker Simeon Jackson did most of his work right of center.

This meant there were going to be numerical advantages at times for both sides, but the team with a bit more energy in closing down those disadvantages and a bit more skill in seizing them would win.

On this night, it was the Americans, and mos...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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