Friendly History
By Doug Smith
Perspective is a big part of American soccer so some may have approached the match with Italy yesterday as just a friendly. When the match concluded with a 1-0 victory for the U.S.A., the first victory in 11 tries against Italy, the importance was heightened. The match was set in Italy with familiar names on both sides and Clint Dempsey scored the lone goal with Tim Howard playing well in net. Was it a victory through the proactive U.S. Soccer that coach Jurgen Klinsmann has preached? Perhaps, but it was more about defense and team play.
We did well with our starting eleven prediction having Jozy Altidore as the loan striker supported by Dempsey. Michael Bradley and Danny Williams both started and played similar holding, defensive roles throughout the match. Coming out in the new predominantly dark blue away kits, the U.S. played well in the first ten minutes aside from two runs by Sebastien Giovinco around Carlos Bocanegro and Clarence Goodson in the back. Regardless, the Fabian Johnson overlap from the left back position quickly squealed any doubt of his place in the starting lineup. The biggest issue early was communication, which may be expected with players unfamiliar with one another.
Luckily the U.S. was able to overcome these early issues to maintain a fairly solid defensive presence. It became evident that possession and team defense would be equally important. This is perhaps a congruent thought, but not a pairing often stressed by Klinsmann. The Italian attack was offside four times in the first 35 minutes and Howard made one above average reaction save allowing many fans to question the strength of the back line, a familiar refrain. However, being scoreless at halftime was promising, yet gave reason for skepticism.
No substitutions were made by Klinsmann to start the second half and after a questionable close up of a Brek Shea jersey inspection the match resumed. The Italians were caught offside twice more early on. Ten minutes in to the second half the break through came from Dempsey on a composed, tactical finish from a one touch pass by Altidore.
This was the 8th goal scored under Klinsmann, although three came in one match. Altidore, who proved stronger in the second half, did make a wonderful play to hold and then lay the ball off, but the chip from Michael Bradley to Johnson that started the play is undervalued.
With limited goal scoring coming from the want for possession, the defense had to remain strong. In doing so, the victory came from a different strategy that was more about the team on the pitch, rather than the design of the coach. With Italy infusing fresh legs at striker, the challenge grew for the U.S. and it was clear that Italy was going to press. This pressure did not phase Bradley, as he seemed to grow stronger. Meanwhile, the will of U.S. fans was being tested. Bradley covered for overlapping runs or attacks by Giovinco on several occasions and calmly played the ball out of the zone.
Italy used all six substitutions by the 71st minute with only Sacha Kljestan making an appearance by that time as the first substitution by the U.S. Jonathan Spector would replace Johnson in the 76th minute as well, but Fabian Johnson made his mark at two different positions in his two caps with the National Team. The lack of depth at the left back position combined with the skill he has shown gives him an advantage to take over the spot.
Bocanegro, Spector, and Bradley continued to play smart near the defending box and Terrence Boyd received his first match for the National Team. Spector managed to block three shots in his limited time. The effort came from tight defending and smart decision making for the most part. As a handful of fans chanted U.S.A., time ran down and Italy had been defeated for the first time in Genoa. The Klinsmann formula showed through in spurts and the lineup was his, but it was the strength of a team that won the game. It was a defensive effort and a play through a strong striker that provided history.