Old Face Gives U.S. Men New Life

The United States men’s national team did little to establish themselves as the team to beat in the CONCACAF region with their 2-2 draw at El Salvador.

Bob Bradley’s men had a depleted defending corps, an inconsistent midfield and an expected struggle in the attacking third. These factors combined to salvage one point in the second match of a 10-match final round of World Cup Qualifying Saturday night.

The biggest story of the match came from an American who didn’t even play. Keeper Tim Howard’s yellow card accumulation forced a rusty Brad Guzan to mind the net for the Americans. Guzan is no slouch, but Tim Howard he is not.

To add to the defensive uncertainty, Sam’s Army was without their towering center back Oguchi Onyewu and it showed. Onyewu’s familiarity with center back partner Carlos Bocanegra was sorely missed throughout the match. The United States missed Onyewu’s power and organization.

The American midfield, which has recently been a strong point for the squad, looked shaken by the hostile crowd. The crowd noise made communication a difficult task. Sacha Kljestan looked like he was still on the training ground and was not prepared for the intensity this road tilt offered.

All was not lost, however, as Michael Bradley seemed to sense the lack of focus of his compatriots. Bradley ranged from box to box in an attempt to inspire his teammates, and his passing and tackling showcased the commitment that has come to be expected of him.

For the American attack it was the same song, different verse. Brian Ching did his usual grunt work of drawing fouls and holding the ball for his midfield. Landon Donovan withdrew his position in an attempt to form a link between Ching and the midfield.

This match in San Salvador had all the makings of a trap game, and it became just that. However, instead of giving in to the adversity, the Americans fought back in the last 20 minutes.

A great sequence produced the United States’ first goal. Jozy Altidore headed home a Frankie Hejduk cross in the 76th minute after Hejduk’s well time overlapping run into the box was met by a through pass from Ching.

Hejduk found himself in the mix again 11 minutes later. Landon Donovan’s corner kick was poorly cleared by an El Salvador defender and Hejduk found space on the back post to head the deflection home.

The United States kept pressing the issue well in to injury time as seven minutes were added to the full 90. Hopefully, the offensive awakening will be applied to the entire match when the United States hosts Trinidad and Tobago Wednesday night in Nashville, Tenn.

Match Ratings

Brad Guzan, 6 – Guzan was beaten soundly on his first allowed goal and bungled an attempt to stop El Salvador’s second goal. However, he didn’t have much help from his porous back line.

Frankie Hejduk, 7 – Hejduk continues to defy his age. His work rate finally paid off in the waning minutes of the match with a goal and an assist.

Dan Califf, 5 – Califf’s effort was not a question, but his organization was. His fouls gave El Salvador some dangerous free kick opportunities.

Carlos Bocanegra, 5 – Bocanegra’s missed slide tackle was followed by El Salvador’s first goal. The U.S. captain was also slow to begin each possession and his passing was slow and without purpose.

Heath Pearce, 3 – Bob Bradley should be losing sleep at night when thinking about his left back position. Pearce’s inability to continue an attack and defensive liability have been experienced too many times.

Clint Dempsey, 6 – Dempsey was off and on the entire match. He had some offensive lapses, but his header to Ching sparked the first goal.

Sacha Kljestan, 4 –Kljestan did little to none to help the U.S. attack and had some poor giveaways. His ease of movement can easily be confused with lack of hustle.

Michael Bradley, 7 – The Man of the Match never let the crowd faze him and was outworked by no one.

DaMarcus Beasley, 4 – He had some giveaways in the attack and his move to left back was made worse by allowing his man to get free and send in a cross that ended in El Salvador’s second goal.

Landon Donovan, 5 – It’s tough for the forward to score goals with the poor service he had from his midfield. Several times he was forced to leave Ching alone up top in order to help the men in the middle.

Brian Ching, 5 – Ching laid off a good ball to Hejduk that led to the first U.S. goal. His point-blank attempt to win the game was easily handled the El Salvador’s keeper.

Substitutes

Jozy Altidore, 7 – Altidore finished well on his header, and should have recorded an assist were it not for Brian Ching to fail to finish on a superb lay off.

Jose Francisco Torres, 6 – The Pachuca man was a welcome addition late in the game. His determination to create for others and push the ball was a good infusion of intensity.