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Analysis

Despite 3-2 Loss, Many Positives in U.S.-Chile Game

From Steve Birnbaum's debut to Jozy Altidore's confidence-building to display to Jurgen Klinsmann's willingness to experiment, Brooke Tunstall found plenty to like about yesterday's 3-2 loss.
BY Brooke Tunstall Posted
January 29, 2015
1:19 PM
THERE IS PLENTY TO CRITICIZE in the United States men's national team’s 3-2 loss to Chile yesterday. And plenty of people in plenty of forums will bring the heat for that performance, including some at American Soccer Now.

And while a lot of the heat is both needed and fair, let’s also take a moment to look at some of the positives.

  • Steve Birnbaum was pretty darn good in his first appearance for the senior squad. He wasn’t perfect and his lack of familiarity with both the pace of international soccer and the uniqueness of the 3-5-2 formation was exposed on the tying goal. But he looked composed and confident and was positionally sound. Clearly comfortable with the ball at his feet, the D.C. United defender rarely looked like a player getting his first cap—somebody who hadn’t played one minite of professional soccer this time a year ago.

  • Jozy Altidore’s play. Until someone steps up and shows otherwise, Altidore is still the United States' best pure forward, so seeing him shake off the rust and turning in a solid performance was heartening.

    We all know his year-and-a-half at Sunderland was a disaster and, yeah, maybe he swallowed his pride a bit by returning to Major League Soccer at this stage of his career. But what’s done is done and Altidore, when he plays well, can still be an impact player for the U.S. He showed that yesterday.

    It wasn’t just the goal—though he took his chance very well—especially given where his confidence likely was heading into the game. But Altidore was active, tracking back defensively, showing well for the ball, and providing hold-up play to help maintain possession. He even ran at defenders a time or two like when he was taken down just outside the 18 and drew a yellow card.

    That Jozy Altidore may never play for an elite club in Europe but it’s still a very good player and more than enough to make the U.S. national team better for having him on it. That version of Altidore will be a handful for even the best defenses in CONCACAF.

  • Michael Bradley looked like his old self. By his own admission, Bradley’s World Cup last summer was not up to his expectations. Of course, he went into the tournament considered by many the best player in CONCACAF so expectations were pretty damn high.

    Bradley showed considerable improvement over his form from last summer and that’s a really good sign because when Bradley plays well, the U.S. is a much better team. Bradley started quietly but as the game wore on he created chances for others, hit good free kicks, combined well in the run of play, and still did all the grunt work he usually does. And he hit a bomb of a shot that was unlucky to have hit the goal post.

    If yesterday’s game is a harbinger, Bradley’ going to have a strong year. (And the fact that both he and Altidore played well is a very good sign for Toronto FC.)

  • Nick Rimando. If we’re being picky, we could argue that Rimando could have done better on the second Chilean goal when he guessed one way and wily veteran Mark Gonzalez shot the other. But other than that, Rimando showed why he’s still the best goalkeeper in Major League Soccer.

    The Real Salt Lake stalwart made a couple of breathtaking saves that kept Chile at bay, and on a different day may have escaped having allowed just the one goal. Rimando will turn 39 during the 2018 World Cup—and that may keep him from making the squad. But until he shows signs of his age catching up to him, he deserves to be in the mix for consistent minutes in goal.

  • Mix Diskerud’s defense. We all know Diskerud can create. Given consistent playing time, he’s good for a goal or an assist far more times than not. But yesterday the Norwegian-American midfielder showed he’ll do enough of the defensive dirty work that playing central midfield for the U.S. requires. And that’s a good thing.

    He’s never going to be Gennaro Gattuso or even Kyle Beckerman when it comes to cleaning up messes, but as long as he tracks back and shows a willingness to get stuck in, given what he brings going forward, that’s all he needs to do.

  • Gyasi Zardes’s composure. He didn’t play much but during limited time in his first senior squad appearance the Los Angeles Galaxy forward showed hints of an international future. We know he has athleticism to burn and enough skill to be a difference maker. But what stood out with Zardes yesterday, especially given the excitement he must have been feeling in his national team debut, was his composure and decision making. Zardes didn’t force things and made the smart play when a shot wasn’t there, allowing the U.S. to keep possession and find a better shot.

    All those minutes playing alongside Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane no doubt helped.

    And when he was finally given a legit scoring chance, he took it well and was unlucky to have it blocked by a lunging Chilean defender. Zardes showed enough to suggest he deserves more and longer looks.

  • And finally, Klinsmann and the 3-5-2. The head coach deserves credit for being willing to try something new. He’s always pontificating about players testing themselves outside their comfort zone but yesterday he showed a willingness to do the same. And while his 3-5-2 revealed a few defensive flaws, it created a lot of chances and allowed Klinsmann to start a very strong lineup.

    It was disappointing to see Klinsmann abandon the 3-5-2 at halftime, especially given the players on the field. But his willingness to experiment deserves credit. Here’s hoping he gives it a longer look in the near future and continues to be willing to try new things.

    What did you like about yesterday's match? Share your take below.

    Brooke Tunstall is an American Soccer Now contributing editor and ASN 100 panelist. You can follow him on Twitter.

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