USMNT Year in Review: The Yanks’ Highs and Lows of 2014

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: November 25, 2014

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In 2014 the United States men’s national team scaled a few steps toward the rarefied summit of international soccer. But have they hit a plateau along the way?

The national team continued its ascent under Jurgen Klinsmann at the World Cup in Brazil. After being drawn into the Group of Death, the United States exorcised their Ghanaian demons, drew 2-2 against Portugal (albeit after conceding a 95th-minute equalizer) and played eventual champions Germany tight before falling 1-0.

For the first time in their history, the Yanks advanced to the knockout round in consecutive World Cups.

But the United States bowed out to Belgium in the knockout round. The match went into extra time, but the Red Devils controlled the run of play and held the Americans under siege for most of the 120 minutes. Had it not been for Tim Howard’s otherworldly performance—he saved a record 16 shots—the Yanks might have been run off the pitch.

The Belgium defeat became emblematic of the current state of the USMNT: They accomplished so much to get here but they still have a way to go.

With the bittersweet taste of Brazil still lingering on the palate, the United States closed the year with mixed results. A 1-0 win at the Czech Republic in September notched another impressive win on European soil under Klinsmann (in 2013 they beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-3 in Sarajevo, and in 2012 they beat Italy 1-0 in Genoa).

But the next four friendlies were uninspiring. The Yanks drew at home against Ecuador—dampening the festivities in Landon Donovan’s farewell game—and Honduras after conceding late equalizers in both matches. They then went on to lose the final two matches of the year: a 2-1 loss to Colombia in London and a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of the Irish in Dublin.

So where does the United States go from here? Can they cross the threshold and become an international ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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