Giuseppe Rossi vs Mentz!

ConfedCup

As Confederations Cup begins in South Africa I have realized two things after watching the first four games. First of all, while the United States has made strides toward shortening the gap between it and super nations like Italy, Brazil or Spain; it still has ways to go before we can consider ourselves on that level. Secondly,
Don Garber needs to work on the scheduling conflicts to allow our terrible MLS referees to return back to US soil.

If you haven’t seen the game and just saw the final score of 3-1 and a USA red card you really didn’t get a good idea of how the game was played. The boys showed plenty of hustle in the first half and were rewarded with a lead against the reigning World Cup 2006 champions. Then the official decided that he was tired of watching the first quality match of the tournament and upgraded an obvious yellow card to a hellish red card that ruined any chance the stars and stripes had to continue playing at the pace they were.

For the record I’m not one of those delirious supporters that doesn’t know my country’s weaknesses. I’m not claiming we would have won the game and shutout a world class team like Italy, but we could have, and that means a lot to Sam’s Army. The first half we imposed our physical strength and won balls in the midfield consistently. In the second half we looked so exhausted and Italy played keep away as they progressively moved the ball up the field. It was demoralizing to watch players like Spector and Bornstein giving it their all only to get beaten by truly spectacular goals.

And who else would beat us with a “brace” then Teaneck, New Jersey born and bred Giuseppe Rossi. The twenty year old, ex Manchester United and current Villareal/Jozy Altidore teammate, Rossi scored two brilliant goals in only 35 or so minutes of play. The question of whether he would celebrate if he scored against the States was answered quickly. Apparently the saying “Act like you’ve been there before” isn’t in his vocabulary. Then again, let’s be honest, it’s not really in any of the Italians’.

So after bailing on his birth country in national team duty and the lack of humbleness he showed on yesterday he has put himself into the same category as a Blanco for Mexico or previously DeRossi of Italy. But hey, enough about him, I looked at Tuesday’s match a positive for our guys.

With the exception of Donovan’s free kick attempts I thought he played like he always does for us, great all around. There was never a doubt on that penalty, which is nice to have on your side. Jozy played a solid game and drew the penalty that lead to the halftime lead. He and Michael Bradley had golden opportunities that they didn’t make the most of in the first half, but shit happens.

In continuing the evaluation I would say Bradley had a good game overall. He filled in for a long while in an empty midfield once Ricardo Clark was thrown out via Red Card. Benny Feilhaber’s game troubled me. This was great chance to keep the momentum going after a good game against Honduras, but he as well as Clint Dempsey were virtually invisible on the pitch. With Maurice Edu injured and Mastroeni not with the team (too old at this point), we clearly missed a defensive presence outside of Bradley. This gets me excited; we can welcome Jermaine Jones to the already solid US Midfield pool. From what I hear he is the best defensive midfielder in the Bundesliga and as far as I’m concerned, if you’ve even dressed for Germany you’re getting a shot for my team!

The defense played their asses off. Besides Bornstein’s called off own goal I thought this was a statement game for him in by far our weakest link in the lineup. Spector also did a great job on the right but looked dead tired and I question Bob Bradley’s confidence in Marvell Wynne after that atrocious qualifier performance he had. Gooch did a great job as always and I really hope Fulham FC gives him a shot next season with the big boys.

Overall we looked like a team progressing. We most likely will never have that Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka that can make defenses quiver, but if we can continue to play well as a team I could see us becoming what the Netherlands or Croatia is. A bunch of B+ players that play well with each other and truly have pride in representing their country. I think we’re taking a step in the right direction, but then again ask me after we play Brazil lol.

-Mentz