MNT marches on, getting ready for ENG

Some positives came through after yesterday’s final tune-up match v Australia:

The midfield seem to get more solid with each outing. This is an increasing trend since WCQs. The unit is tidy and and seems to be hitting its collective stride at the right time. On the attacking end, they offer options, hold onto the ball against pressing defenders, and distribute as and when; all have been historical concern. In defense, the MF work well to disrupt attacks, continuing a formula they discovered v Spain in the Confed Cup semifinal. These days, they seem to spring counterattacks much quicker…and with more accuracy.

The squad knows each other very well. Team chemistry is overrated but players that actually like each other tend to fight harder for one another. These guys seem to really enjoy playing as a squad. This can be a critical edge – a player having a rough patch can be buoyed by his team mates, restoring confidence. There also very much seems to be an us-against-them mentality at work in the US locker room. As Sir Alex Ferguson would say, a tough mental edge can often be more important than physical fitness.

Scoring is suddenly a feature. Let’s take that in context – we’re not saying the US has the next coming of Pele, or even Paolo Rossi. But with Gomez and Buddle clearly in form, Jozy Altidore no longer needs to think he must carry the scoring load. Less pressure might help him. Add proven midfield scorers Dempsey and Donovan into the mix, and the US suddenly seem a threat up front.

Of course, a few negatives have also emerged:

Jay DeMerit cannot start at center-half. He’s looked shaky throughout the warm-up friendlies, unsure of himself and not mobile enough to defend properly. Yesterday, he committed three fouls within 24 minutes. But his replacement would likely be Goodson, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Hopefully Gooch Onyewu is ready and fit for ENG, paired with Chuckie BlackMouth from his inspiring role as left wingback to the center again. Cherundolo on the left and Spector on the right could minimize a lot of damage. It’s all moot, though, if Gooch isn’t ready to be effective.

Robbie Findley and Rico Clark should not get meaningful minutes. Findley wasted two golden scoring opportunities. Goals are at a premium at the World Cup, so Findley condemned himself to the bench with those. Contrast with Hercules Gomez: forced a save and created a corner within two minutes of entering as a sub, and then scored the third US goal. THAT’S how it’s done. Rico is a slightly different issue: he just doesn’t offer enough to leave Torres (our preference) or Edu on the bench. A borderline inclusion to begin with – the CounterAttack thought Robbie Rogers should have been on the Final 23 at Clark’s expense – Rico has done nothing in these friendlies to show otherwise.

Coach Bradley’s conservatism could be a problem. Torres and Michael Bradley would be an excellent pair. There is very little chance, however, of Bob Bradley doing that. Baby Bradley and Torres seem to play the same role – holding MF – so Bradley won’t want to “waste” a spot. But Baby Bradley is more attack-minded, while Torres prefers to be a field general. They could start together no problem. Similarly, Torres and Buddle should start v ENG, with Altidore coming off the bench. Again, Coach Bradley is too dogmatic to even consider either.

Overall, the problems are about lack of depth on the MNT than anything that has to happen on the pitch. That’s ok – few squads have a solid starting lineup throughout, much less depth on the bench (just ask Fabio Capello). Remember: a US “B” side just played the Czechs to a standstill (final score aside) and then beat the Turks. Just five years ago, the MNT A side would have had a tough time against either.

Perhaps the most encouraging sign, however, is that no one seems to take the US seriously. Yes, some MNT supporters are a bit over the top but few others have caught on. The truth is, this is a very talented side. No top-tier superstar, but few are as solid top to bottom. It’s strong enough to go far with a little luck, and the US is due more than its share of breaks this time around. For once, the ball might bounce for the MNT.

Bring on the Three Lions!