Gold Cup: Unconvincing USA Edge Saudi Arabia To Progress

American comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say, “I don’t get no respect.” The same could be said for the United States Men’s Soccer Team as barely 10,000 fans showed up for a supporter friendly 8.15 pm kickoff versus Concacaf Gold Cup, Group D opponents, Saudi Arabia in a 1-0 win that again raised more questions than answers.

To get respect you must earn respect, and through 20 minutes of play, the U.S. seemingly refused to take risks against a Saudi team that gave new meaning to the term ‘limited’ however the Green Falcons did create the best chance assisted by Ziyad Al Johani, scuffed by Feras Al Brikan and saved by Matt Freese.

Finally, in the 30th minute a home player did something to get the crowd excited. A clever dummy released Abdulrahman Al Obud. As he charged into the penalty area and bore down on Freese there could only be one outcome, a Saudi goal, but from nowhere Chris Richards made a superhuman back tracking run, launching himself to block the shot, and give the home fans a reason to cheer. Yes, slim pickings.

Match referee, Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava, mercifully brought the half to an end and in my book one of the most dispiriting 45 minutes I’ve ever seen from the USMNT going back to the 1970’s, which ironically was when Steve Austin, the ‘$6-million-dollar man’ premiered.

The U.S. Federations own $6 million dollar man, Mauricio Pochettino must wish he could embrace the show’s opening catchphrase with a few subtle changes – ‘USMNT, a program barely alive. I can rebuild them. I have the technology to make the world’s first bionic team. Better than they were before. Better…stronger…faster…and with the ability to play without fear…’ I jest but you get the point.

Something, anything would have to give and the U.S team made a minor statement by coming out for the 2ndhalf early, one can only assume, to escape the hairdryer treatment that Pochettino must surely have unloaded.

Whatever he said/did/pleaded worked as the team had a sense of urgency that had been sorely lacking. Diego Luna, calves bulging, began to pull some strings. Patrick Agyemang used his strength and started bullying, while Richards showed that defenders can score latching on to a teasing free-kick from Sebastian Berhalter free kick to crash home from the top of the six-yard box in the 63rd minute. Something to build on?

No! Cue game management which ultimately is what tournament football demands and to be fair was a carbon copy of Mexico’s play the previous evening against Suriname.

With five minutes remaining fans started leaving…it couldn’t possibly be to beat the rush?

The last incident of a thoroughly forgettable match had the prerequisite handbags, which resulted in both Pochettino and his counterpart, Frenchman Herve Renard, racing on to the pitch and doing their best WWE referee impersonations. Berhalter and Al Oboud both ended up in Nava’s little black book.

So, the USMNT advance to the knockout round. They’ve won two matches on the spin and will surely fancy their chances of making it three when they play Haiti at AT&T Stadium on Sunday though they can expect a proper physical confrontation.

Chris Richards, the goal scorer was the best player on the pitch by a country mile. As for Saudi Arabia, they need their best players to have any hope of looking like a coherent team.

Insideworldfootball.com