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Moral victories just won't cut it for the United States
On the pitch in Pretoria for only one minute, the forward who got away from the American national team stunned his birth nation with the equalizing goal, then added a flourish in stoppage time to lead the reigning world champions to victory.
FIFA Confederations Cup
U.S. fans will be seething over watching their side shoot themselves in the leg with another reckless foul resulting in an ejection, this time thanks to Houston midfielder Ricardo Clark. And there will be the usual host of excuses offered up. Some are sure to incorrectly question Clark's indefensible tackle.
Believe none of it. For the truth is that the Americans played well tonight. And lost.
Again.
Sadly, there's little good for American fans to take away from this performance, unless you're more interested in finding bright spots than results. Once more, the USA failed to prove they can get results in meaningful games on foreign soil. Once more, the Americans played with a lot of heart and grit — never let it be said that they don't show up for big games. And once more, the best American side was on the field tonight.
They still can't get it done.
It's no longer a question of who, or how, it's a question of why.
Let's start with Clark, who will be automatically suspended for the next game if not longer for a rash, unnecessary challenge in the middle of the field. It's not the first time this gifted but wild young player has made a fool of himself, but if it's not the last. He can't be on the team in games that matter.
He is unquestionably talented, and works hard to win the ball. He also can't seem to avoid conflict, and while I'm no psychologist, there's something wrong when a player of his talent consistently sabotages himself and his team.
Let's also take a look at Tim Howard, who gave up a dreadful winning goal from 35-yards out to Daniele De Rossi. Howard, who is the de-facto number one keeper, seems unable to organize his defense and to make the big saves. The winning goal was cheap, and Howard surely knows he should have saved it. But the bigger question is: Is Howard complacent because there is no one better to replace him?
Like it or not, the fact that he is under little pressure from Brad Guzan for the number one slot doesn't help Howard stay sharp. That hurts him, and the team as a whole, and a wise coach would be on the phone right now to Brad Friedel if for no other reason than to impress Howard that he must shape up.
FIFA Confederations Cup
Let's also give praise where it is due. Oguchi Onyewu had a fine outing tonight, looking like a real, solid central defender for the first time in quite a while. It helps that he was paired with the sensible and calming Jay DeMerit, and had Jonathan Spector running along the right flank. DeMerit and Spector were huge upgrades, and made that whole back line better.
Yes, DeMerit was torched by Andrea Pirlo at the death to allow Rossi to add a cruel coda. But give the guy a little sympathy — he'd just spent 63 minutes helping to clean up after Clark's early exit.
Sadly, Jonathan Bornstein wasn't as fortunate on the left side, making some bad mistakes early on before settling in to what could charitably be described as a below-average performance. Sadly, it seems Frankie Hejduk is the best we have, and Heath Pearce needs to make a comeback.
In the middle, aside from Clark's folly, Michael Bradley had a very good night. He was constructive, helped marshal his team to close down space against a far more technically adept Italian opposition, and despite a couple of wasted attempts on net, was arguably the best man in the middle on the evening. Benny Feilhaber had a more troubling evening, coughing the ball up to Rossi for the tying goal and then getting increasingly lost as the game — and fatigue — wore on.
Landon Donovan was the other key man on the night, first by sinking the penalty that Jozy Altidore rightly won, and second by showing that with assistance, he can be a go-to guy. He still struggles due to his size, but don't question his effort or his heart. This was a game he was determined to shine in, and he did.
Clint Dempsey, on the other hand, looks beaten down. He can be somewhat excused because he arguably had the longest, toughest season of any American field player, but at some point, he needs a rest.
U.S. Soccer in the spotlight
Up top, Altidore did well to win the penalty, but little else. Again, this is a team with two guys on its roster (counting Freddy Adu) that do not regularly play with their club teams, and that rust shows when you play the world champs. Sadly, aside from Kenny Cooper (not on the squad), Altidore may be the best we have. Conor Casey is not the answer, and it took ages for the fleet Charlie Davies to get established after entering for Altidore in the 66th.
The one thing that the Americans lack is a recognizable, and definite style of play. For stretches, it was unclear what the Americans were trying to do. Were they playing a possession game? A counter-attacking style? Were they trying to draw the Italians in or just playing kick and chase and hoping for the best.
Truthfully, most observers would struggle to answer that question, because at times the Americans seemed at cross-purposes. Half the team wanted to hold the ball and move it around, the other half wanted to get rid of it and hope Altidore could knock it down to set up Donovan or Dempsey.
If the players don't know what they're supposed to be doing, the failure rests with the coaching staff. Frankly, there aren't five or six players waiting to be discovered. This is the best team we have. Nor are the challenges going to get any easier. Some might argue this match, against an historically slow-starting Italian side, was the game to steal. And the bald facts are plain — the USA, for all the good things they do, and all the effort the give, don't win the big games.
That fact may be uncomfortable to fans, especially who think they see lots of nice things out there during games. But the scoreboard doesn't lie. Once again, the USA have lost. In what everyone knows is a crucial five-game test for a team that must better the mark stands at 1-2, the lone win at home against Honduras, the other loss the no-show in Costa Rica.
Brazil and Egypt lie ahead. The questions remain.
Who will answer them?
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.
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