Over the years its has seemed like the U.S. Men’s National Team has had problems putting together a series of good performances.
There is something different about the squad that Jurgen Klinsmann has brought together for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
It is a mixture of young talented players and a group of experienced veterans. Some are getting a chance to make a World Cup team for the first time. Others see the Gold Cup as a way to stay viable for Brazil ’14.
Whatever it is, the young players are playing like veterans and the veterans are playing as if they have sipped from the Fountain of Youth.
If this was a test to see if Landon Donovan still has the passion to play the game that has made him an American soccer icon, he has passed that test with flying colors.
If it was a test to see if DaMarcus Beasley is the real deal at left back, he has more than proved to be capable of playing that new position he has embraced this year. He’s captain of the team for the Gold Cup.
If it is a test to see if there is a place for Kyle Beckerman on a World Cup roster, he has done nothing to make one doubt that he is capable of making a contribution.
And if it is a test to see if Stuart Holden has recovered from the injuries that kept him off the field for two years, he has done well enough to put himself in the mix for a spot in the midfield.
Klinsmann has been preaching attacking soccer since taking over the U.S. team. Possession, positive buildup, get it out wide and get it across. Put the ball in front of the goal, and then put it in the back of the net.
In four wins to get to the Gold Cup semifinals, the U.S. has outscored opponents 16-3.
Chris Wondolowski came off the bench for a hat trick against Belize. Going into the semifinal against Honduras, Donovan has four goals, and has assisted on five others.
The U.S. overwhelmed Belize 6-1 and Cuba 4-1, before shutting out Costa Rica 1-0 on Brek Shea’s second-half breakaway to clinch group play. Shea had come into the game minutes before his goal, off a Donovan assist.
Great substitution #1, Coach Klinsmann!
In Baltimore they ran roughshod over El Salvador, 5-1. Eddie Johnson walked in off the bench in the second half and 15 seconds later headed a ball into the back of the net for the USA’s third goal. Great sub #2!
There seems to be a greater sense of cohesiveness with this group of players. Each knows that their performance will affect whether or not they may be selected when the final round of World Cup qualifying begins in September.
But rather than play tight, this group has been loose and it looks like they are enjoying playing the game.
The win over El Salvador was the ninth consecutive victory for the Men’s Natioinal Team. That has never happened before in the 100 years of U.S. Soccer.
There have been a lot of “firsts” in the Gold Cup and in the warmup game, a 6-0 win over Guatemala. Wondolowski, Alejandro Bedoya and Joe Corona all scored their first international goals.
When Mix Diskerud started against Belize, it cap-tied him to the U.S. MNT. He had been eligible to play for either the U.S. or Norway.
There have also been career records set. Donovan became the first U.S. player to join the 50/50 club, recording his 52 career goal and 51st and 52nd career assist against Belize.
Between the four Gold Cup games and the win over Guatemala, the U.S. offense has generated 22 goals. It’s fun to score goals, and this team is having fun.
And they are fun to watch!
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