Only one word is needed to sum up the performance of the United States Men’s National Team on Tuesday night: remarkable. The USMNT stepped onto the field against Costa Rica with their backs against the wall, knowing that if they lost and Colombia beat Paraguay later in the evening, they would be eliminated. However, in front of a partisan crowd in the early summer twilight, the Americans produced an attacking masterclass, taking a 3-0 lead into halftime before going on to win by a 4-0 margin.
The host nation entered Tuesday’s match in an uncomfortable position. Their Copa America Centenario journey had begun in the worst possible fashion, with a 2-0 loss to Colombia. The country’s sports media was questioning whether or not they would be able to move on to the next round, and the future of National Team manager Jurgen Klinsmann was in doubt, with US Soccer President Sunil Gulati casting some doubt over his job security. Frankly, they entered the match knowing that they needed something special. And special was just what they got in the first 45.
Brilliant start from USMNT
Though the second period passed with relatively little attacking intent, the first half saw the USMNT do something they rarely do: entertain. Clint Dempsey, Bobby Wood and Gyasi Zardes pressed high up the pitch. Deandre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson looked to overlap at every opportunity, and there was a palpable sense of danger to the Costa Rican goal every time the Americans strode forward. When they had the ball at their feet, people sat on the edges of their seats. They were excited. They wanted more. They were entertained.
The United States attacked with a fervor, a hunger, a desperation that they often lack. Every time the ball was won back, they were looking to get forward. Clint Dempsey, who tucked away the 10th-minute penalty before setting up Jermaine Jones’s and Bobby Wood’s goals later in the half, would not be denied. Though he does not fit the mold of a traditional trequartista, he operated in the space between the lines and created a myriad of chances for his teammates. It was 3-0 at the break, but it could well have been five or six.
Attractive, proactive football the order of the day
Five years ago when Jurgen Klinsmann took charge of the USMNT, he promised that they would look to play a proactive, attacking style of football. They have often failed to live up to those initial hopes. However, on Tuesday night, that was exactly what they delivered.
There was a lot that wasn’t perfect. The high ticket prices kept people away from the match, and the announced attendance was a shade under 40,000. The defense looked shaky at times and was lucky to emerge with a clean sheet. The US struggled to string passes together and were forced to switch formations, moving from a 4-3-3 at the start of the match to a 4-4-2 around the 35th minute, to avoid being run over in midfield. The strike force still lacks chemistry and didn’t always have their finishing boots. Yet, there was a definitive sense of optimism and hope. The American Outlaws provided a fantastic atmosphere. The team seemed to believe that they would win the match, and all did their jobs.
Praise will rightly be given to Dempsey for his attacking performance, but Wood and Gyasi Zardes were equally deserving of praise for their tireless work down both wings. Jermaine Jones looked like a bulldog, snapping at the heels of Costa Rican midfielders, constantly searching to win the ball back. He seemed to cover every blade of grass, and his tireless efforts were well rewarded with his brilliant strike in the first half. Michael Bradley shielded the back four tremendously and atoned for his poor performance against Colombia with one befitting of a captain. Fabian Johnson showed why he is the best footballer to play for the red, white and blue, owning the left side of the pitch and looking dangerous at every foray up the pitch. This looked like a team that belonged at the Copa America Centenario, and one which has a chance of doing something in the tournament.
Philadelphia beckons
They will now head off to Philadelphia knowing that, in all likelihood, a result against Paraguay will be enough for them to move on to the quarterfinals. The hosts will be regarded as favorites in that match, and most if not all will expect them to move on to the knockout stage. Once there, a likely date with Brazil beckons. The Seleçao will offer a far stiffer test than Los Ticos did on Tuesday night. Should the Americans make it that far, few will expect them to go any farther. But, no one told that to the American Outlaws who stayed long after the final whistle on Tuesday night to applaud their side. For now, the United States Men’s National Team have given their nation entertainment, and, more importantly, hope.