So yeah, it’s been awhile since I dissected a few myths surrounding the US national team. In general, I like to avoid topics that invite trolls. In case you hadn’t noticed, my blog’s readership has focused on quality, not quantity. Do I go off the deep end to bad mouth the US soccer foundation for hosting roughly countless friendlies per year against Latin American teams on non-FIFA dates just for gate receipts? Yes. But good readers hold me in check.

So the game against Holland in Holland. The US failed to spectacularly crush the Dutch by a scoreline of 5-0 and you are disappointed and venting your frustration at individual players. Those who failed to score a hat trick are your forum effigies to be mocked and tossed under a semi-truck.

But should we really be concerned? Take…a…deep….breath.

Many individuals complain about Bob Bradley’s selection of centermids. To be true, the current pairings have the consistency of an episode of 12 Corazones. Still, this superficial dilemma underscores a startling fact – we are loaded at the position. Maurice Edu, Torres, Little Bradley, Feilhaber, Ricardo Clark, and now Stu Holden….it was only 4 years ago that Bruce Arena had to bring along a less than fit John O’Brien as cover for the aging Mastroeni and Reyna.

Still, some people cry about the lack of a possession offense. Some desire a never ending collection of ten foot sideways passes that may or may not lead to a goal. But is the Barcelona approach the only path to glory? Did the US focus on an athletic and counterattacking 4-4-2 serve us well at the Confederations Cup? A national team needs an identity and these players are American – the Cule tactics are ever so patient and cultured, but the players on the USMNT, quite a few from Jersey, were born to run.

The depth shows up at every position – we lost Gooch, Dempsey, Holden, and Davies, yet played Holland in Holland to a close 2-1 loss. More importantly, Bradley made some strong substitutions to turn the tie on its head – the last 20 minutes were all US, despite going down two goals, the Yanks lifted their heads rather then shrugging their shoulders.

Now I turn to individual players that you hate. Everybody hates Eddie Johnson. I have news for you – EJ is athletic and a competent finisher, even if he struggles with hold-up play outside the box. And DeMarcus Beasley returned to the international mix with some dangerous service and the swagger of old.

The US looked moderately organized at the back and was dangerous on set pieces – is that the sexy attack from the run of play we would like to see? Not exactly. Is that the recipe Algeria used to qualify for the World Cup and Greece also used to win Euro 2004? Yes and Yessir.

Another player we love to hate is Landon Donovan. Well, at the international level smart teams keep an eye on him. And by keep an eye, I mean smother and prevent from getting touches. Still, this magnetic effect opens up space for teammates – let’s just hope they can step up to the plate.

Actual recap available here

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