With J Hutcherson
Hours ahead of us in England, National Team coach Fabio Capello has already gone through a news cycle deflecting criticism that he's too clever with the tactics. Namely, playing Steven Gerrard on the left rather than center. Credit Capello for his response, basically calling out anybody lining up behind that particular complaint as tactically unaware. Yet it's still fronting the coverage for every English outlet.
The United States pulled something similar last night, shifting Landon Donovan to the left and doing as much as the Guatemalan defense to take him out of the game. Actually, the US went one better, pushing Clint Dempsey into an ill-advised strike partnership with Brian Ching that did neither of them any favors.
It's not as if the US is without options. Midfield shouldn't be an issue for the United States in any formation. The pool has enough positional players to make just about anything work. Even the old reliance on a true defensive midfielder when the opposition doesn't play a style that requires one.
Going into the second half, the US 'fixed' a problem that likely kept them in the game over the first 45, a defensive alignment playing too close to goal for the comfort of the commentators and apparently the coach. The result was passing moves that were broken up in the first half suddenly working well for Guatemala.
What can't end up being an object lesson for the rest of CONCACAF was how Guatemala engaged a US defender out wide in a patented work-rate 1v1. Meanwhile, another player is basically standing unmarked while the US shifts in numbers to zone defend the expected cross or entry pass. More often than not, the pass ended up at the foot of the player Guatemala freed in transition.
The US producing sustained offensive pressure is as much of an answer as not assuming where the play will end up and stacking players on that side. That starts by using positional players correctly in midfield and putting together true forwards in a strike partnership.
Credit Bob Bradley for one thing, like his friend in England, he isn't shy about opening himself up to an obvious point.
On TV
MLS Primetime on ESPN2: Los Angeles - Chicago at 10pm. Copa Sudamericana on Fox Sports en Espanol: Bloooming - Olimpia at 6pm and San Lorenzo - Argentinos Juniors at 8pm. All Times Eastern
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Europe
Barwick to leave post as FA chief -- from BBC Sport: "His crumbling relationship with the chairman means he will have left well before the benefits are felt."
Lord Triesman disposes of Brian Barwick as FA chief executive with ease of career politician -- from The Times' Martin Samuel: Over a number of weeks through the summer, Triesman and Barwick have differed on the chief executive’s future role so consistently and spectacularly that Barwick felt his position untenable.
'We are killing Gerrard by playing him left midfield' -- from The Guardian's Dominic Fifield: "With his movement - he went on the left and to the middle - he moved but he never played on the left."
Pay dispute hits Shevchenko's Milan loan -- from The Independent's Jason Burt: "We are close to the end of the deal and I hope these little things that have to be fulfilled are done soon."
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Americas
U.S. escapes with a historic win against Guatemala -- from Soccernet's Ives Galarcep: It also helped pave the way for DaMarcus Beasley to take the field and make an instant impact.
Bocanegra's Goal Is Just Enough for the U.S. -- from The Washington Post's Steven Goff: "It's a hard-fought three points," U.S. Coach Bob Bradley said.
Galaxy's Bruce Arena is anything but bashful -- from The LA Times Grahame L Jones: With four decades in soccer, Arena has, as Sarachan said, some perspective.
No Beckham, Blanco for high-profile match -- from The Toronto Star's Nick Firchau: "It's a double-edged sword with a silver lining," MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis said.
Revolution back on top -- from The Boston Globe's Monique Walker: "I thought he looked confident," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said.
Clavijo resigns as Rapids coach -- from The Denver Post's Brian Forbes: With his contract expiring after this season, Clavijo said now was the right time to step away.
Canada fit to be tied at World Cup qualifier -- from The Toronto Star's Morgan Campbell: Midfielder Julian de Guzman, however, refused to spin it that way.
Canada fails to capitalize at home -- from The Toronto Globe and Mail's Larry Millson: The best Canada could do last night at BMO Field before an announced crowd of 21,978 was a 1-1 draw against Jamaica, which is not the best of beginnings.
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