Whistle to whistle, the young Americans were out hustled, out worked, out skilled, out played and just plain..... out. Korea, 4-1 losers to the next opponent for the USA are next facing Cameroon whom the US defeated, now looks like a can't lose for the powerful asian side who have had amazing success in this tourney in the past. The US are without a doubt in a must win scenario going into the game with a strong German team. Oft times the defense was unable to clear the ball under the high pressure of the Koreans, other times the US cleared the ball right to their opposition. Waiting for the ball to arrive while Korea's players ran to and through made a big difference. So many balls that should have been penterating into the defensive 3rd of Korea were played yards too long, or into the other teams feet, it was unreal.The defense lead by the gk, Angelina Anderson, did a great job holding off the offense time and again, one goal off an uncovered post, another on a bang bang headed ball and another where the defender was caught leaing the other way, all from corner balls. The US must be better about opening up when they do get the ball, finding space, not be so off target on the ball played forwad into the German 1/3 and move to the ball on both offense and defense. Though much imporved as the 2nd half began, still not a good showing by any means. Next up Germany on the 21st, 3p.m ET on FS2 & telemundodeportes.com.
Kwik Kixx:
- 3subs in the 2nd stanza did help push the ball up, but to no avail as not a single save was made by Korea.
- just the 2nd time in 20 games the US was blanked this year, this does not bode well as there is a 6 goal diffference between the US loss & the German win facing the same team.
- in its press release, the USSF wrote, relating to the Germany Cameroon game played afterwards, "The USA awaits the result..to have a better idea of the result needed agains Germany", here is a better idea...... WIN