U.S. Soccer: Horrid Start Against Mexico, Bright Light at the End of the Tunnel

The United States men's national team did not suddenly play like Spain in an Aug. 10 friendly against Mexico, the first game of new coach Jurgen Klinsmann's career. Their players did not play with the panache of Brazil, or the disciplined rigor of Germany. 

They did show some glimpses of a brighter future, however, in a 1-1 draw against their hated rivals in Philadelphia.

Having gone down 1-0 in a first half largely dominated by Mexico, Klinsmann might have considered his side lucky to still be in the game going into halftime. But a couple key tactical changes—bringing on Robbie Rodgers, for example, turned the game in the Americans' favor. After equalizing, Rogers had a run in on goal ruined by a cynical last-ditch challenge from Mexico that would certainly have drawn red in a competitive match.

In his first game, Klinsmann employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, which saw Jermaine Jones and new inclusion Kyle Beckerman as the two holding central midfielders.

Ahead of Jones and Beckerman, the ever drifting Michael Bradley took up the position “in the hole” just behind the lone striker Edson Buddle, with Landon Donovan and Jose Torres on the wings. Bradley failed to make much of an impression in his new role, which was more advanced than the one he'd played under his father, former coach Bob Bradley. Perhaps Klinsmann felt he owed the Monchengladbach man a chance in a new role, given how much he's played with the USMNT, but on that performance, his time in Klinsmann's new side may be limited.

Defensively, the first 60 minutes of the game saw the US helpless as Mexico created havoc in their attacking third. The inexperienced defensive line of the Americans saw players such as Castillo and Michael Orozco-Fiscal exploited by the technical superiority of the Mexican attackers. Mexico seemed first to the ball far too often: case in point, their goal came on a cross the Michael Bradley failed to defend adequately. His man beat him to the ball, and scored. Simple as that.

In the center of midfield, the efforts of Beckerman to subdue the Mexican attack were often in vain, and Jermaine Jones had another non-perforamance. The former Blackburn midfielder did little to help his partner Beckerman, often being either out-muscled or outclassed. The German-born Jones is another player who may find his position in jeopardy.

In both cases, Mexico’s central partnership of Barrera and Torrado were able to spray passes from side to side, stretching out the defensive midfield partnership. Mexico caused the US the most problems when Antonio Naelson was able to sit in between the two defensive midfielders and the back line. Once he could make himself available in this pocket of space, it allowed Oribe Peralta to take advantage of the channels on either side of the reeling U.S. defense.

The Americans' lack of ability to maintain possession surely did not help their defensive woes. They famously struggle against quick, technical sides, as the demolition of a friendly against Spain earlier this year proved.

As a natural holding midfielder, Michael Bradley’s tendency to drift back into a deeper-lying role left a massive void between the lone forward Buddle. As a result, both Donovan and Torres had to make a decision as to whether to drift back toward Bradley or try to further up the field and provide some support to Buddle. However the decision had already been made for them, as high pressure from both Mexico’s fullbacks, in particular Salcido, required the defensive duties of both wingers which in turn, limited their ability to break forward. Isolated up front, Buddle could do little in an attempt to conjure up an attack for the Americans.

It's make-or-break time for Bradley. He showed against Mexico that he lacks the creativity to play as a No. 10. Perhaps he'll get a start alongside Beckerman in a deeper-lying role next time, one that suits him much better.

In the second half, the introduction of Agudelo, Shea and Rodgers changed the momentum and tactics of the game (Buddle, Bradley, and the disappointing Jones made way for the substitutes).

The new front line for the Americans all of a sudden had fluidity and attacking verve. Rodgers was able to assist Beckerman by winning the ball back and distributing to start attacks. With the classic target man Buddle replaced by the speedier and trickier Agudelo, the Americans had a new dimension to their attack.

Agudelo was now able to use his speed to stretch the Mexican defense vertically, creating space in behind for Donovan, Shea, and Torres. The three attackers behind Agudelo were now given the greatest gift a pacy attacker can ask for in soccer: space.

With room now to roam, the creative midfield players proved much more effective, and interchanged positions to throw different looks at a confused Mexican side.

The new fluid system caught the Mexican defense sleeping and in the 73rd minute, Shea fired in a low cross from the left byline that found Rodgers at the back post for an easy tap-in.

While Mexican substitutes no doubt altered their side, the introduction of the American substitutes revealed a hidden flame of young brilliance and creativity that perhaps Jurgen Klinsmann can ruffle out of his side and implement on a permanent basis.

It was no revolution, but it was a start.