The Battle of Kaiserslautern
It was the sort of match that can echo in the archives. Forever onward, there will be the concept of "after Kaiserslautern." The game of June 17, 2006 set the benchmark for how the MNT can play this beautiful game, and established the bar from which future American squads will have to compare.
The killer draw that put us in the Group of Death (surely there's no question of that designation now, as Group C fell far short of expectations) made getting out of the group an ambitious one. It wasn't a ridiculous one, to be sure, but those that dismissed the Czechs and Ghana had clearly drunk too much of the Kool Aid from the quarterfinals squad of 2002. I had said before the tournament that a successful tournament for the MNT would be to play well, to look like we belong, to have others change their game to adjust to ours for a change.
The Czech game was a travesty, but as low as that performance was, it was nowhere near as low as the high of the Italy game. A drunken high that had the nasty hangover effect of not actually winning the game. But this was the game we needed from our boys.
For long stretches of the game, we dominated an experienced, talent-laden Italian squad. There was never a hint of panic when we defended, and we controlled the midfield against a team that has made midfield control a hallmark of its tactics.
This was also Landon's coming-out party. While others may point to the Japorea matches for his debut on the world stage, I will say that he never took over a match the way he did against the Italians. It was Landon's slashing runs from middle to wing and back again that kept the experienced Italian defenders on their back heels. Bouncing off defenders, he played like the man that all American soccer fans have long wanted him to be. This match, for the first time, he clearly put the team on his slight shoulders and almost carried us through to victory. That he fell just short of it was merely a sign that he still needs to develop. But oh what a glorious half it was to watch him play, the whole of the second half!
When Totti was substituted for by Gattuso in the 35th minute, it was a clear sign that coach Marcello Lippi has conceded to adjust to the American waves of attack. This was a defensive change, after all; by taking Totti out, Lippi conceded that his man-down squad couldn't handle the Americans without more defensive help.
THIS is the US team that we all believe it to be. Do the same against Ghana, boys, and we'll be toasting a third second-round appearance in four successive tournaments. There aren't many teams that can claim that legacy.
On a day when many thought to write off the American team, it instead established itself as a team for the future instead. For sheer bravery, aggressiveness, audacity and heart-stopping moments, there has never been a better match played by an American soccer side.
2010 can't get here soon enough....
The killer draw that put us in the Group of Death (surely there's no question of that designation now, as Group C fell far short of expectations) made getting out of the group an ambitious one. It wasn't a ridiculous one, to be sure, but those that dismissed the Czechs and Ghana had clearly drunk too much of the Kool Aid from the quarterfinals squad of 2002. I had said before the tournament that a successful tournament for the MNT would be to play well, to look like we belong, to have others change their game to adjust to ours for a change.
The Czech game was a travesty, but as low as that performance was, it was nowhere near as low as the high of the Italy game. A drunken high that had the nasty hangover effect of not actually winning the game. But this was the game we needed from our boys.
For long stretches of the game, we dominated an experienced, talent-laden Italian squad. There was never a hint of panic when we defended, and we controlled the midfield against a team that has made midfield control a hallmark of its tactics.
This was also Landon's coming-out party. While others may point to the Japorea matches for his debut on the world stage, I will say that he never took over a match the way he did against the Italians. It was Landon's slashing runs from middle to wing and back again that kept the experienced Italian defenders on their back heels. Bouncing off defenders, he played like the man that all American soccer fans have long wanted him to be. This match, for the first time, he clearly put the team on his slight shoulders and almost carried us through to victory. That he fell just short of it was merely a sign that he still needs to develop. But oh what a glorious half it was to watch him play, the whole of the second half!
When Totti was substituted for by Gattuso in the 35th minute, it was a clear sign that coach Marcello Lippi has conceded to adjust to the American waves of attack. This was a defensive change, after all; by taking Totti out, Lippi conceded that his man-down squad couldn't handle the Americans without more defensive help.
THIS is the US team that we all believe it to be. Do the same against Ghana, boys, and we'll be toasting a third second-round appearance in four successive tournaments. There aren't many teams that can claim that legacy.
On a day when many thought to write off the American team, it instead established itself as a team for the future instead. For sheer bravery, aggressiveness, audacity and heart-stopping moments, there has never been a better match played by an American soccer side.
2010 can't get here soon enough....
posted by The CounterAttack at
6/18/2006 08:18:00 PM
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