US Win At Home
The US Men’s National team strung together their third win in as many matches under interim coach Bob Bradley against a lack luster Ecuadorian side in Tampa, Florida today. The US squad featured eight MLS players and ten international players.
Landon Donovan scored the first of his three goals only forty-five seconds into the match. Poor clearance from the box by the Ecuadorian captain put the ball at Donovan’s feet who was able to blast home on the far right hand side of the goal. Despite the early goal, neither side really looked dominant. The US had a few good opportunities, but so did the South Americans and it was they who would tally the next in the eleventh minute through Felipe Caicedo. Caicedo carried into the box, and managed to elude three or four American defenders. Eventually Tim Howard came out of goal to shut down the angle, but Caicedo’s shot caught Howard’s knee and subsequently found the back of the net. Just a minute prior to this goal Caicedo had beat the offside trap and forced Howard to come out off his line and make a great one on one save.
The rest of the first half really didn’t see much from the North Americans as it was Ecuador who seemed to be the better team, although not that much better, as the US developed some good chances through Eddie Johnson and DeMarcus Beasley, and Brian Ching in injury time.
The second half looked to be a different match as the US came out looking to win, and the Ecuadorians came out a bit sluggish. Early on Howard was once again forced to come off his line by the South American’s counter attack and strip the ball from the oncoming striker. Just a minute later Donovan found himself dribbling from half almost into the Ecuadorian box only to be felled just outside the box. There was some debate from the commentators as to whether or not he was in or out of the box when contact was made, but on review of the tape, it’s clear the contact was made outside of the box. For me it was one of those moments when I question Donovan’s style of play; when I question his ethic. While there was contact made, it appears as if Donovan could have kept his feet rather easily and still kept his one on one position with the goalie. It happened in the World Cup, and it happened again today. I understand that if there’s contact in the box, and you deserve a penalty going to ground might be the right idea, but this still makes me question Donovan’s ethics.
In the sixty-third Fulham’s Clint Dempsey should have broken the tie when a corner kick was kept in the box and sent back across goal. Dempsey was wide open and had no one to beat, but somehow managed to mis-hit the ball. It was a mistake that rarely occurs with Clint. Luckily three minutes later the tie would be broken, this time by Landon Donovan. The ball was cleared from just outside the US box, and found Brian Ching sitting at the half line. Ching was able to control the ball and hold possession until Donovan made the overlapping run. Ching then put Donovan through and it was one on one with the Ecuadorian keeper. It was a good goal against the run of play, and even Donovan noted after the goal: Ching really made it happen. Donovan would strike again just a minute later. Manchester City’s DeMarcus Beasley did well to carry the ball into the box and showed good intelligence playing the ball slightly backwards to an oncoming Donovan. Donovan let rip from just outside the eighteen and beat the ‘keeper in the top right corner of the goal. It really was a marvelous strike.
The rest of the game continued much in the same manner. The US would have decent chances, and the Ecuadorian counter-attack was always looking to run at our defense. Overall, the US played well, while I cannot same the same for the Ecuadorians.
US: 7/10 | Ecuador: 5.5/10
Final Score: US 3 - 1 Ecuador
Final Score: US 3 - 1 Ecuador
My Take: I enjoyed watching the game. In my opinion the US look like an alright team, and are becoming more skilled. I did not however, enjoy the commentary on Donovan. It seemed as if they were mandated by ESPN to mention Donovan every five minutes. Look, Donovan is a good player. There is no doubt about that. Bruce Arena during his amazingly insightful commentary noted that Donovan was a “great player, but great players show up day in and day out.” They don’t have year-and-a-half long droughts of garbage play, so then Brucey, didn’t you just contradict yourself? Donovan is good, not great, and thank you Mr. Wynalda for mentioning his lack of desire to play in the Copa America, or the Gold Cup. He’s more interested in playing with his “club.” Why does he want to play for his club over his country? Is he afraid of the big screen again? Or is it because he wants to get David Beckham’s sloppy seconds? I guess I’m just tired of hearing about Donovan, especially after his form took a serious dive in the recent past. I’m tired of hearing commentators praise Donovan as if he’s the only one on the pitch; as if he’s the one who won, not the US Men’s National Team.
In other CONCACAF friendly news Costa Rica trounced New Zealand four - nil, while Columbia beat Switzerland by the same score as the US - Ecuador game. And El Tri defeated Paraguay two - nil. Overall a good day for the CONCACAF teams.
The US will take on Central American’s Guatemala on the twenty-eighth of March.
