Trecker: U.S. raises its game against Argentina

[Scotty]

U.S. raises its game against the world's best

A much more assured American side held Argentina to a 0-0 draw Sunday night at Giants Stadium.

Finishing off a three-game stint against major foreign powers, and following dismal showings abroad against England and Spain, the USA may have been the inferior side on the night, but played with a fire and organization that had previously been woefully absent.

Tim Howard, in a performance reminiscent of Kasey Keller's memorable shutout of Brazil a decade ago in the Gold Cup, was the man of the hour, robbing Argentina four times in one-on-one breaks. Julio Cruz, the most potent attacker of the evening for the Albicelestes, was left to rue his chances as time and time again Howard throttled his shots.
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8226462/U.S.-raises-its-game-against-the-world's-best

[cyberthoth]

God I hate it when he's right...but I have to admit he's right.

[Manolo]

God I hate it when he's right...but I have to admit he's right.

I don't know...most of the article reads as if he scoured this board and summarized the major themes of the threads. I think Trecker's been caught previously in his columns mysteriously seeming to address arguments made against him on this board, so it's not a surprise if he's at least a reader of these boards.

To me the following conclusion is weak - "If only the Americans could bottle that energy and drive, and uncork it in the Wembleys of the world, this would be a legitimate side".

I mean, what kind of solution is that? Seriously, is it just that simple? Energy and drive, in my view, are the very last explanations for a team's performance, after you've solved the very complicated tasks of identifying the right player mix, and defining the team's tactical approach. Once those two are in place, and the team still is losing, then you may ponder whether the team lacks motivation. It seems to me the current U.S. squad is still in the process of completing the first two stages, and the 3-game series has helped, arguably a lot. Once the team starts falling into place and getting a rhythm during the qualifiers, energy and drive will become apparent.

[FnordUnitedFC]

God I hate it when he's right...but I have to admit he's right.

He's still a tool. He flings enough shit around the wall that SOMETHING is bound to sound coherent eventually.

[cleansheetbsc]

To me the following conclusion is weak - "If only the Americans could bottle that energy and drive, and uncork it in the Wembleys of the world, this would be a legitimate side".

I mean, what kind of solution is that? Seriously, is it just that simple?

Call the bottled product 'LD'.

It would be nice to see the team not give too much respect to the opposition. Even versus Argentina, we gave their buildup a lot of room to operate (whereas the Argies pressured our players with the ball). I imagine this was similar in England and Spain.

[FC Uptown]

The guy is right. How happy can you be when the US doesn't score in three games (and the coach isn't making any changes w/EJ)?

[xanthippas]

That's a decent article, but I think Kevin Leyland (http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=3907) sums up the state of the American game a little more succinctly:

An uncanny ability to squander golden scoring opportunities has always been a staple of American striker play, while the ability to concede ridiculous goals has always been in the nature of American defending.

I don't see that this is any less true than it ever has been.

[galaxyfan03]

Good article BUT:

-Bocanegra might not have a club now but he's hardly out of the national team picture!! Truth be told, he's still half of our best CB tandem (with Gooch), despite their flaws, and I trust Boca more than I trust Califf...though, DeMerit is a possiblity!!

-Mastroeni was NOT at fault for that BOGUS red card by that IDIOT ref!!

-I didn't see a 6-3-1 formation by the USA, at ANY time!! BB might play defensively but THAT would be a bit much!!

[Elninho]

Good article BUT:

-Bocanegra might not have a club now but he's hardly out of the national team picture!! Truth be told, he's still half of our best CB tandem (with Gooch), despite their flaws, and I trust Boca more than I trust Califf...though, DeMerit is a possiblity!!

-Mastroeni was NOT at fault for that BOGUS red card by that IDIOT ref!!

-I didn't see a 6-3-1 formation by the USA, at ANY time!! BB might play defensively but THAT would be a bit much!!

We definitely weren't playing defensively vs. Argentina. Every time our back line was beaten, Argentina was counterattacking.

But never let the facts get in the way of a good argument... :p

[cleansheetbsc]

I don't see that this is any less true than it ever has been.

"Forget it, he's rolling."