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Gold Cup 2011: U.S. Men’s National Team Gold Cup Group Stage Review
Published: June 15, 2011
The wins were coming. Qualification looked likely. All the reports were positive.
Then the 2006 World Cup disaster commenced. The U.S. failed to advance, lost to Ghana for the first time, and Bruce Arena was in essence forced to resign.
So far, the Gold Cup appears to be Bob Bradley's version of Arena's qualification cycle.
The squad selection is the status quo, and the tactics look relatively the same as last summer's World Cup. The team is "getting the job done" (a phrase being used by both the players and pundits), but not much else.
To boot, after the United States' opening Gold Cup game against Canada, both Sports Illustrated and ESPN's player rankings were overly positive (their ratings can be found here on SI and here on ESPN) even though the play by the United States was mediocre, Jozy Altidore's goal was a good strike but save-able, and Canada being a sub-par opponent.
The 2-1 loss to Panama was a bit more telling. The U.S., rather ironically, lost to a team that tactically chose to play the same way Bradley's team plays against better opponents: organized and team-defense oriented, waiting for opportunities to counter-attack, and hoping for brilliance from individual attackers.
Strangely, the U.S. couldn't adapt to its mirror image.
And finally, the Guadeloupe 1-0 win was a disappointment to all involved, and unlike Bruce Arena's tenure, players, fans, and pundits are more aware of the situation; this team is not playing well at all.
Why though?
Clint Dempsey is coming off his greatest club season. Donovan enjoyed a strong world cup, outside of Michael Bradley and Altidor...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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