United States vs. Paraguay: Grading the Performance of Each American

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 30, 2011

commentComment        

The Paraguay friendly was an exciting affair with the U.S. attempting to take advantage of a spirited second half against Argentina.

A number of analysts felt the United States needed to assert a presence for 90 minutes, something that they did not nor could not accomplish against Argentina.

The game had more of a CONCACAF feel: disruptive, disjointed and ugly.

Paraguay picked up an early goal on a corner where both central defenders fell out of the play after early contact on the kick. However, the goal happened in the first half, and the U.S. had more than its share of opportunities to tie once again.

While younger players shined, the veterans (barring a few exceptions) did not execute, and the one-goal deficit was enough for Paraguay.

The U.S. had an opportunity to work on its 4-4-2 formation, improving its chemistry and play.

Bradley was even willing to work with different combinations of players, having the opportunity to keep the focus on Donovan and Dempsey (the core of any U.S. offense) late in the game just in case he needed an alternative for Jozy Alitdore and Juan Agudelo.

Unlike the Argentina game, there were no late-game heroes.

The United States lived up to its most significant fault: the inability to score goals.

Paraguay played a stringent and frustrating defense—a defense other teams will emulate if the U.S. goes down a goal in the Gold Cup.

Bob Bradley may be pleased with his young players in this contest, but even as the American player pool can replenish its supporting cast, the problems still remain the same: If the ball doesn't find its way into the net, then the U.S. can't win.

 

Player Rankings

 

GK, Marcus Hahnemann: 4

Others might give Hahnemann a better rating, but he could have saved the goal. Should he have saved it? No—but that's the dif...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!