USA vs. Italy: The Best and the Worst of the Yanks

Clint Dempsey's 55th minute winner gave the United States Men's National Team its first win over Italy in...well, ever. 

But what did we learn about Jurgen Klinsmann's side during their 90 minutes against the four-time world champions?  And was it all good simply because we got the W?

The good

1)  A win is a win

Americans love a winner. They love an ugly winner more than a beautiful loser every day of the week.

Purists we generally are not. A scrappy 1-0 win gets Clint Dempsey's face on the cover of major newspapers and at the top of Sportscenter's rundown. 

That is important for a sport still fighting for its place in the general public's imagination.

No one will remember this was a watered down Italian side. 

No one will remember that the U.S. saw less of the ball than a blind man at a ping pong tournament.

No one will remember that the winning goal was one of precious few legitimate U.S. highlights. 

What they'll remember is that Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, and company beat Italy.

2)  Jozy Altidore is coming along

Jozy Altidore might not be the first great American striker.  As a matter of fact, I think at this point we can say he will not be the first great American striker. 

But what he showed against Italy is that while he might not be our Wayne Rooney, he could very well be our Emile Heskey.

Like Heskey, Altidore doesn't pour in the goals at international level. 

Against Italy, he was not dangerous running at defenders or a threat to slip in behind the line. 

However, he did an excellent job of holding the ball up, preserving possession, and allowing other players to get forward in support. 

It was this quality that allowed him to set-up Clint Dempsey's winning goal.

3)  Fabian Johnson can get forward

Fabian Johnson is the latest in a long line of players that U.S. fans have hoped might solve our persistent left back problem.  On the evidence provided against Italy, I think it's fair to say...let's wait and see.

The Hoffenheim product showed good promise getting forward down the left hand side, but he and Brek Shea combined to provide precious little resistance when Italy's attentions turned to the attack. 

It's nice to have an attacking left back, but maybe what the U.S. should focus on is finding a left-back who can defend a little as well.

The bad

1)  Brek Shea's disappearing act

How does a 6'3" player have no aerial presence? 

How does a player with speed to burn absolutely never get in behind his man? 

How does a player with a bag of 1v1 tricks, not provide one memorable clip for the highlight editors?

These are the questions I was left with after watching Brek Shea against Italy. 

He is clearly one of Jurgen Klinsmann's favorites, but I'm still waiting on him to show the game breaking ability that his significant skills should create. 

Maybe it's down to youth, but he seems to shrink from the responsibility of the ball when he wears the national team jersey.

When Sacha Kljestan replaced him late in the second half, I found myself saying, "Oh yeah, Brek Shea's in the game." 

Of course, Kljestan promptly lost track of his mark to let Italy in for two dangerous opportunities, so maybe we'll stick with the big speedster a bit longer.

2)  USA's marshmallow center

It's down to luck, chance, and the assistant referees' twitchy right arm that Italy didn't score several goals in the early going. 

Carlos Bocanegra and Clarence Goodson got toasted through the middle a half-dozen times in the opening 20 minutes. 

The problem came mostly from long flighted balls. 

Luckily for U.S. fans, Tim Howard bailed the central pairing out whenever the offside flag didn't. 

But it was a really dangerous game to play.  And the replays showed that not all of those flags were so clear cut.

3)  USA devoid of deliberate genius

Andrea Pirlo is a midfield genius. 

That was on full display—despite the final scoreline. 

Pirlo's normal level of magnificence cast in stark contrast just how bare the U.S. cupboard when it comes to creative genius.

But even if you look past Pirlo, imaginative play was on display from many of the Italians. 

Just watch the last 20 minutes of the game as Italy is chasing an equalizer: Little flicks, tricks, and creative ideas abound. 

As it happens, this time nothing came of it all.  But that imagination is the foundation on which great footballing nations are built.

It's one thing to go to Italy and take a friendly. 

It's another to build a side that has the ability to make Italians gasp as it's happening. 

Everyone admires the work ethic of the U.S. team—they always have. 

I'm still waiting for the day when we field a team of artists.