USA Win over Italy a Testament to Jurgen Klinsmann
With one deft touch of his right foot Clint Dempsey lifted the USA into a rare lead over Italy. With a stout an organized effort at the back Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, and co. lifted the Americans to their first ever win over the Azzuri in 84 years.
Oh and it came on foreign soil.
The Americans have a history of struggling on European soil. The fall saw the Yanks fall 1-0 at both France and Belgium.
Equally so the US had struggled in the beginning of the Jurgen Klinsmann era. In addition to the France and Belgium losses the Americans fell on home soil, 1-0 to Ecuador and 1-0 to Costa Rica. The only wins with a first-team lineup were a 1-0 struggle over Honduras and a 3-2 win at Slovenia.
Things did not start well pre-match. Landon Donovan stayed stateside battling an illness and Timmy Chandler and Jose Torres both missed out because of injury. For the 11th time in 11 games under Klinsmann Donovan and Dempsey, the best two outfield players, would not suit up together.
It didn’t matter in the end. This historic win began to show the fruits of Klinsmann’s labors. Playing with a bit of a make-shift defense, the first team was otherwise out on the pitch. Back were Dempsey, Howard, Bocanegra, Brek Shea, Steve Cherundolo, Michael Bradley, and Maurice Edu.
Particularly impressive was the center midfield combination of Bradley and Edu. Bradley, wrongly criticized in the past because of his dad, had one of his finest games. It’s possible it was a coincidence that it came on the soil where he now stars for Chievo, but this blogger doesn’t think so. The exposure and competition level of one of Europe’s finest leagues has raised Bradley’s already well-rounded game to another level. And after toying with Ricardo Clark and Jermaine Jones as midfield partners, Bradley settled back in with a more familiar teammate in Edu.
The Rangers man put aside any of the issues that surround his clubs future because of finances. Against a midfield fielding the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Thiago Motta, the pair was on equal ground, if not a touch better.
Bocanegra was solid in captaining the defense, forcing much of the Azzuri’s attempts on goal to come from distance and several times pushing the line to catch the Italian’s offside.
Howard made an excellent save in the 5th minute from Motta to prevent a disastrous start and afterwards coped handily with every Italian thrust.
And finally there was Dempsey. No offense to Donovan, but if there was any doubt who the best American outfield player was before today, the question has been answered. Dempsey’s dribbling, pace, and creativity was a constant threat. And oh what about his shooting. Before the goal Dempsey stung the palms of Gianluigi Buffon on several occasions. Off a wonderful layoff from Altidore Dempsey calmly placed the ball out of the reach of Buffon, providing the only offense the USA would need.
With a sub-strength squad, against a formidable opponent never beaten in history and on foreign soil the USA triumphed. The fruits of Jurgen Klinsmann are coming to bear.
The future is bright.
