USA vs. Slovenia 2010 World Cup: USA Has To Stop Playing Catch-up

Hallelujah.

After giving up a goal in the first 15 minutes for the second consecutive match, the U.S. managed to rebound once again and tied Slovenia 2-2 today.

The draw secured another crucial point for USA, whose Wednesday contest against Algeria is basically win or go home.

But if the Americans start like they did against England and Slovenia, there's a good chance they will be sent home without reaching the knockout stage for their second straight World Cup.

In the first half, the U.S. was outplayed and went into the break down 2-0. The last 45 minutes were a totally different story, however, with the Americans playing with a fire and intensity that were absent in the previous half.

Playing catch-up is a dangerous game to play, especially if it continues.

Against England, the U.S. was lucky to get a point. In today's game versus Slovenia they earned it, and barring the mysterious USA foul call on Maurice Edu's goal, they deserved the full three.

Come Wednesday, the Americans must come out gunning to get the three points.

If not, they could be sent packing.

A win next Wednesday gives the U.S. five points and guarantees them a spot in the round of 16. But anything less leaves their fate in the hands of England and Algeria.

To secure the three points, USA has to put together a full 90 minutes for the first time in this tournament. Algeria showed today against England that they are no pushover, and if the U.S. starts out slow again, the Algerians will make them pay—just like the Three Lions and Slovenians did.

One thing lacking from the American side is a sense of urgency.

The only thing that's been able to wake them up is an early deficit. That's not the type of soccer you want to play early on in the World Cup, and certainly not as it progresses.

Now that the first two games are over with, the U.S. knows what must be done to secure a spot in the elimination stage: win. It is up to them to seize the three points and control their destiny; otherwise their future could be determined by someone else.

The United States have come from behind twice so far. Let's hope we don't see a third.