There were all sorts of justifications offered for the questionable tactics by the United States’ soccer team in its 4-0 loss to Spain in a June 4 exhibition at Gillette Stadium. The implications were that what occurred in that match would be irrelevant to the team’s Gold Cup campaign.
Fast forward to the final against Mexico at the Rose Bowl Saturday night. Coach Bob Bradley went with only three players who started against Spain. That affirmed what Bradley had said about changing things.
Problem was, the changes did not work. The US scored the first two goals against the Mexicans, but then collapsed in a 4-2 defeat. Surrendering four goals to Spain was nothing to worry about, according to Bradley. Getting shredded by Mexico after revamping the defense and going with first-team midfielders and forwards is cause for concern, though.
Alternating lineups and substitutions can become complicated. And it is easy to second-guess decisions with any losing team.
But there is a common denominator involved in the collapses of the US defense — the absence of Steve Cherundolo at right back. Cherundolo was among those unwisely left on the bench in the first half as Spain scored three times and took target practice on the US goal. Against Mexico, Cherundolo departed early with a sprained ankle, the US leading, 1-0.
Jonathan Bornstein then went to left back and Eric Lichaj moved to Cherundolo’s position. Carlos Bocanegra could have moved to left back, another central defender then pairing with Clarence Goodson. But Bornstein seemed to be a better choice in confronting the Mexicans’ speed.
Bradley’s choices on the back line were limited, and no matter which one he made, it likely would not have slowed down Mexico. Jonathan Spector had been named to the team as a backup at outside back, but is simply too slow for that position at the international level.
But the fact the US does not seem to have an alternative to Cherundolo symbolizes a major flaw in the country’s development programs. Meanwhile, the Liga Mexicana de Futbol is filled with mobile, speedy wingers and defenders who can match them for pace. The US simply does not have the same depth, partly because players are often not properly deployed at a young age.
An example is the Philadelphia Union’s Sheanon Williams, who grew up in Boston, competing as a striker. Williams was almost always the fastest player on the field and he was scoring goals regularly for the US-Under 17 team. But, needing a right back because of injury, former US youth team coach John Hackworth moved Williams to the position. Williams looked like a natural at the spot, his anticipation level was high, plus all those years performing as an attacker made him a threat going forward.
