From Ives Galarcep on the US Men’s National Team’s embarassing performance this week:
The lack of production from Dempsey, total loss of form of Beasley and absence of injured striker Brian Ching have left a serious void in the U.S. attacking department, with the offense too often consisting of only long balls, the occasional Landon Donovan run and set pieces. There just hasn’t been enough in the way of quality passing, continuous possession and production of chances on a consistent basis.
That second sentence pretty much describes the US offense for the entire 20 years I’ve been watching the MNT, and for the last 8 years or so the phrase “with the offense too often consisting of only long balls, the occassional Landon Donovan run and set pieces” has been a staple of a goodly number of columns explaining why the US can’t compete with the top European and South American countries. So why are we acting as if this is solely attributable to Dempsey and Beasley’s fitness and Ching’s injury?
Well said, Mark. How is it that Egypt can spank Italy and we can’t?Report
Because the alternative is to recognize that even with Ching and an invigorated Dempsey we’d still be getting owned, and that’s difficult for your garden variety American exceptionalist to swallow.
Personally, I think the problem is that our best young talent goes to Europe and then sits on the bench for second division sides instead of starting for MLS sides.
Altidore is playing for. . Xerez? Really? Adu can’t get playing time for AS Monaco? Total disaster.Report