Limiting Messi’s options key for USMNT in Copa America clash

Rather than thinking We believe that we can win it seems that United States Men’s National Team supporters are thinking: We believe that we might not get crushed. 

It is a difficult position that USMNT supporters find themselves in. On the one hand, their team is in the Copa America Semifinals. On the other hand their next opponent is Lionel Messi and Argentina, one of the greatest players and teams in the world. For as much as supporters can get behind their team there is also the desire to not be destroyed.

So the question is: Just how can the USMNT stop Messi and Argentina?

Here is the first thing that everyone should realize: Messi is not infallible. Messi makes mistakes and very often it occurs under the colors of Argentina. The Messi that features for FC Barcelona every Saturday and Sunday for Catalonia is often not the same player that plays for Argentina.

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So much of what is said about Messi is about him as a player but very rarely is it mentioned that he has not been as successful for country as he has for club. The one Olympic Gold Medal and victory at the 2003 World Youth Championship notwithstanding Messi’s tenure with La Albiceleste  has left some wanting.

Now with that being said the USMNT would be foolish to underestimate him. In this tournament in particular Messi finally appears to be healthy and on the same page with his teammates. Argentina is tied with Chile for the most goals in this tournament with 14 in large part to Messi’s newfound chemistry with his team.

While Messi’s scoring touch gains the most attention, it is his passing ability that makes him such a dangerous player. Many players seem to over telegraph their passes to their teammates. With Messi everything seems so much more natural. There aren’t tricks or tips that defenders can pick up on to intercept passes.

What has made Argentina so successful in this tournament is that his teammates seem to be on the same page as him. In the past that has not always been the case with Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero, and Gonzalo Higuain having to figure out what Messi is doing on the fly. That makes the situation ever more difficult for the USMNT as teams for both club and country have often built their defenses around that disconnect.

If the USMNT were to a take a page out of any team that has taken on Argentina in recent memory they might want to look at how Iran defended him at the 2014 World Cup. During that match Iran national team coach Carlos Queiroz implemented an interesting scheme where one defender would immediately engage Messi while another would shadow them four to five away. By doing this Iran was able to do was narrow Messi’s passing window and force him into small spaces.

Although Iran did lose to Argentina 1-0 they were successful in frustrating Messi and stymying a far superior side. The question is: can the United States replicate this style?

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Without Jermaine Jones it will be difficult. Jones would seem to be the perfect player to directly engage Messi and perhaps use his love of physical play to slow down the Ballon d’Or winner. If it is a veteran that Klinsmann wants on Messi then Kyle Beckerman would seem to be the likely replacement. But keep an eye on Perry Kitchen who is much younger than Beckerman but just as physical.

In terms of who can serve as a de-facto tracker look for Michael Bradley to take up the role. Bradley has been playing a bit more as a defensive midfielder in recent matches, doing a serviceable job. Although he is much more comfortable as an attacking midfielder Klinsmann may have him sit back to contend with Argentina and their array of attacking options.

The challenge ahead of Tuesday’s match is great for the United States. Argentina is one of the most explosive teams in the world and as evidenced by their efforts against Venezuela and Panama during this tournament can put multiple goals in a blink of an eye. If USMNT defense can be careful with Messi and limit his options they will have a chance in this match. But it will be difficult.