US-Italy Confederations Cup: What We Learned

kwame manu by Correspondent Written on June 15, 2009
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 15:  Landon Donovan of USA looks on as Italy celebrate their second goal during the FIFA Confederations Cup match between USA and Italy at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on June 15, 2009 in Pretoria, South Africa.  (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

What have we learned?

Nothing. The US is terrible at the beautiful game. We should can our whole soccer federation and pretend that this whole experiment never happened.

Of course I just say that out of rage. I'm not completely serious.

There is much to learn from the recently ended match with Italy.

I am not angry because the US lost. Losing seemed inevitable.

I am not angry because we were leading and then lost by two goals. I saw it coming.

I am angry at the way we lost. I am mad at so many different things that I am having an incredibly difficult time trying to put it literary terms. 

At half time, the US was down to 10 men, but was up 1-0.

To any soccer—no, sports fan, or even logical thinking human being—there is only one thing to do.

Defend. If you are winning but are down a man, the logical thing to do is to defend. 

Anyone would expect the United States to play possession soccer. Everyone expected the US to hold the ball as long as they could and play D.

This didn't happen. The US can't pass.

I feel that US does one thing very well...kick and run. We continuously booted the ball and ran to try and catch it. 

Also, the US tried too much. I cannot even count all of the times Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey dribbled themselves into a trap, which led to a turnover.

It was actually this type of situation that led to Italy's first goal. A goal by US born (aaaarg) Guiseppi Rossi. 

Now, a big problem with the

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written on June 15, 2009 Opinion

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