by Jamie Trecker

Updated: June 6, 2008, 5:51 AM EST 595 comments

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It is true that the USA seemed to play with a bit more heart, an attribute they did not display at Wembley last week. And, for some time, this side seemed visibly chastened, perhaps determined at least to go out and play the game. That cannot gloss over what this small two-game series has revealed.

Bluntly, the USA is inept, and adrift. The same problems crop up in each and every game.

Once, the USA could be counted upon to play two wildly different halves — one good, one atrocious. Now, they just skulk through games against good teams, hoping that a scoreless draw will placate their fans, or worse, fool the team into thinking it is better than it really is.

The truth is that this American side is a team that reacts instead of enacts, loses shape almost from the opening whistle, prays for relief on defense, and is full of men who pass the ball sideways instead of taking the risk and the blame in carrying it forward. When the Americans gain possession, they cannot hold it, and too often not because they are challenged, but because they lack the confidence.

And, as always, any team that runs right down the middle at the Americans will eventually score. Tonight's winning goal was proof positive of that. The Tweedledum and Tweedledee tandem that is Carlos Bocanegra and Oguchi Onyewu ran into each other allowing Xavi Hernandez to just skate past.

In its own way, this match was just as problematic as last week's awful showing in London. As with last week, this was a snoozer of a game. The difference lies in the motivation of their opponent. Then England needed a win, at home. That side kicked, scratched and fought, and that the English were revealed to be at best mediocre was truly just a side-effect.

In Santander, the Spanish needed nothing. They were just going out to have a little run. They hardly tackled, rarely turned up their speed and yet when they wished were able to carve through the American back line with ease.

That the USA cannot impose any tenor on a team with such questionable motives is revealing.

Only one player — Freddy Adu — seemed to have a sense of the greater field in the game, and it is telling that he was the only man able to make the visionary passes, or, at least, passes to men wearing the same color shirts. When he was removed at halftime, the Americans lost whatever offense they had, and bided time until they lost.

Sady, it appears that the Americans do not have the talent to play at the top level, and there is little any coach can do about that. Still, Bob Bradley, is not without fault. On Wednesday, Bradley did not appear to have done a good job of preparing his team for an opponent the calbier of Spain.

Xavi celebrates his winner as Brad Guzan tries to figure out what went wrong. (RAFA RIVAS / Getty Images)

And one has to sense that yet another chance was lost. This could have been a match of daring. The Americans have nothing to lose, so why not take the chance to address some of the glaring holes?

Such as, why are no other players thrown in the middle of the defense when it is clear that what the USA has now does not work? Why do the Americans so often bypass their midfield with weak, pleading balls upfield to unsupported forwards? And why don't the Americans just plain go for broke, and actually challenge teams, instead of holding back?

Instead, tonight and the events of the past four years, make it seem as if the USA's showing in 2002 was a pure fluke. Then, the USA actually played Portugal, Germany and Mexico with a sense of purpose and a plan. The Americans put bodies on players, and took chances. The defense was (and has always been) just as shaky as it is today — but then, the USA didn't allow teams to rain balls in at them for a half-hour or so at a time.

This American team may have more experience, but it seems to lack a purpose. Worse, it seems to be unwilling to do that hard work to acquire some.

No one expected the USA to beat England or Spain, but some of us did hope that the Americans could come away knowing that they played well in defeat.

They didn't.

There can be no excuses, but as always, American soccer is full of enablers, so expect to hear some.

Ironically, the bigger story today in Spain was about a player who didn't even travel. Jozy Altidore was sold by the New York Red Bulls to Villareal for a reported $8-10 million fee. Clearly, someone still has confidence in American players. Let's hope that it is not misplaced.

Jamie Trecker's newest book, "Love and Blood: At the World Cup with the Footballers, Fans and Freaks" is out now from Harcourt. Jamie is assisted by Jerry and Janice Trecker. Contact Jamie at jamie.trecker@gmail.com and visit his blog and website at www.jamietrecker.com.

The views and opinions expressed by Jamie Trecker do not necessarily reflect those of the Fox Soccer Channel or FoxSoccer.com.