We usually limit deployment of the Keep Calm and Carry On image for our weekly Panic Quotient. But exceptions clearly exist.
Alarm bells are clanging in some watchtowers over last night’s result, the 4-1 loss to Brazil.
Let’s see, where did we put those doggone lanterns and pitchforks?
But really? Because I couldn’t muster so much as a shot glass full of outrage.
Getting beat by three at home is never a moment to celebrate, clearly. But to look beyond the result and, more importantly, to look at the 180-minute body of work over five days for Jurgen Klinsmann’s team, I just cannot get too twisted up about it.
Are there areas of concern? Yep. Areas for tweaking and personnel adjustments? Right-o. I’ve gone over those.
But what we saw Wednesday wasn’t that outrageous; Brazil has done the same many times over. We saw a team that eased into a game that needed a full sprint from the start, so that should and presumably will be addressed. Brazil came to play and Brazil came to be a little more “nasty” than Klinsmann’s men.
(Aside: Alarm bells are also banging over Klinsmann’s comments about his team needing to be a little “nastier.” Me? Meh. I don’t think he’s advocating going all Giovanni Trapattoni on us, playing the old Italian way, or throwing down MMA style. The man has spent almost 10 months preaching just the opposite. I think he just wants more recognition of when to meet gamesmanship, bite and aggression with equal measures of gamesmanship, bite and aggression. So that’s that.)
Otherwise, I saw a U.S. side that rolled out an attacking formation and tried to get numbers into the final third against a five-time world champ. And isn’t that what so many have long written on their U.S. Soccer wish list? “No retreat” and “Valor in defeat” and all that?
Brazil was on the front foot right away, but the home team was pushing for goals late. In a lot of ways, the difference Wednesday was ruthless finishing on one side, and the American inability to match it.
This was a pretty good Brazilian team. Young? Yes. But it’s a worthy collection of young, motivated talent, augmented by some of the global elite. Neymar? The guy has serious skills. Hulk? There’s a reason the power suits at moneyed clubs like Chelsea are pushing each other out of the way to sign him. Marcelo? The world’s best left back, perhaps? You could make the case. Thiago Silva? Among the game’s elite center backs.
No, it wasn’t the full Brazilian treatment. But let’s not make it out like these were local mutts with day jobs at Brazilian bakeries.
All in all, I’d reckon that over 180 minutes against one unmotivated, mediocre team and one strong one, the United States men’s national team isn’t in a ditch today. Things are OK … so step away from the alarm bells, please.
-
- chadmoon1 - May 31, 2012 at 1:05 PM
-
Right-o Steve. No need to be alarmed about losing to the best side in the world! If you measure yourself against the best and fall short, then you know what needs to be worked on. Besides, the important matches are coming next week in Tampa and Guatemala. Getting 3 points in those matches are paramount.If we would have beaten Brazil but not get at least 4 points next week, then who cares?
-
- ndnut - May 31, 2012 at 1:17 PM
-
Will the Guatemala game be on radio anywhere in the United States? Will Univision carry it? I could listen through the Internet or I could watch it and put it on mute. I’m so crazy during games that I barely listen to the commentators during bug moments.
-
- kets13 - May 31, 2012 at 1:30 PM
-
no alarm bells yet … but wait how loud they sound when Canada beats em this Sunday at BMO!
-
- teamperkins11 - May 31, 2012 at 6:43 PM
-
At least we have gotten a more realistic view of where the national team is in trying to implement a different style. The answer wasn’t as bad as most might think (though the score was). The US created many more chances than they have in past games against top teams, when they played a bunker and counter approach that may keep you close, but never get you to the next level. If you want to play at the top, you have to play positive soccer against the top teams. Kudos to Klinsmann and staff for being willing to take chances in the hopes of long term growth.
-
- hjworton46 - Jun 1, 2012 at 7:28 AM
-
Nothing for US Soccer to worry about. Beating a severely weakened Scottish team and losing to a Brazilian B team puts the US squarely where they should be, in the third rung of national teams. Nothing wrong with that, Rome was not built in a day, or even 30 years for that matter.
-
- soccerknowitall - Jun 2, 2012 at 6:29 PM
-
I believe JK’s pregame strategy and in game tactical adjustments are his biggest weakness; a blindspot that was at least partly negated by Joachim Loew along with higher qualilty and seasoned players when JK was coach of Germany.
Brazil came out in a 4-2-4 formation with all forwards high pressing the US backline, this aggressive pressing defensive tactic deployed by the brazilians was extremely effective and exposed the US teams lack of skill on the ball, and thought process when challenged. Understand that Barcalona does the samething to opponents in la liga/champions league, and the best counter strategy is to employ in game defensive tactics the likes of Jose Mourinho’s inter milan 2010 team and Chelsea’s strategy this yr in CL. No team can apply this much defensive pressure for a whole 45 minutes, not even young energetic brazilians, it’s to exhausting; but there strategy from the start of both halfs was to use this tactic to throw the US team off its game and score goals, which is exactly what they did. Once the brazilian pressure subsided we witnessed a US side that was able to apply there new found offensive abilities: teamwork, tactics and goalscoring chances effectively, which is JK’s biggest accomplishment with the US team so far along with his infectious energy and enthusiasm . The brazil game can be viewed as a great learning tool for future world class opponents who will enter the game with superior players; skilled, and tactically aware of US teams weaknesses, and how to develop a counter strategy for US team to imploy when facing such opponents.
