USA & TNT
The history of this matchup begins in earnest in 1989 in Trini as Paul Calagiuri hits the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” getting the goal that got the USMNT back into the FIFA World Cup, fast forward a few decades later and a flooded training ground, players carried across the flood? The US drops a game and they are dropped out of a FIFA World Cup. Follow a pair of disappointing not just results, but in the games, they begin their road to redemption. Do they have heart, are they soft, will they play as a team is Poch the one? Answers begin in this Gold Cup, just under a year from the kick off of the FIFA World Cup, this competition the USMNT have dominated, but of late they have been getting dominated by the likes of TNT. Do they know the way to victory in San Jose, ending a 4 game skid? It is held that this is our Golden Generation, well, it is on paper at least, win or lose this game, this cup, it does not prove out on the field as lesser teams, on paper have taken this over and over again. Forget who is not here, they do not matter, they will not score, give up a goal, get a card, win a tackle, move on. As we watch BW Gotschee product, Jack McGlynn, one of the few bright spots in the game facing Switzerland warm up, a graphic comes up that the US have never lost, a pair of ties, in their opening game of the Gold Cup. Concacaf, one of the weakest federations on the planet may have the US without a team as weak as those here in their coming World Cup group. Freese will open in goal, he of course plays his club ball for NYCFC. Dr. Joe is luckily a commentator on this game, we go back to the mid 80’s, a gem in USA Soccer for decades.
Luna dropped for Fortune just in the US attacking half maybe 35 yards out very near the touchline, the team sets off the top of the area. Over the top seeking out Richard who never gets off the ground and it is headed, then played back to Freese. TNT holding strong as the US move the ball around. Arfsten beats a trio. McGlynn to de la Torre back to Jack, now Luna, it is lost near the top of the area. Freeman with a slide tackle recovers near the center circle. Agyemang freed up by Tillman and his effort is just wide. Three great one touch plays for the US. The announcers just stated the top player for the visitors it was made known earlier is absent, he is getting married hoping to be back in the cup? Jack on the wing, too much hang time and partially cleared out to Berhalter who strikes it, blocked out for a corner to be taken by McGlynn. Headed out of the center of the 6, US holds and far back to Freese in his area. McGlynn hit as he releases the ball and it is taken away, not just a turn over as stated. York wearing just a tight T is still striking an imposing figure. Nice work on the touchline leads to a ball in to a double teamed US player and it is sent out of the area. Luna seeks Tillman running in the area but the pass to the wrong spot. Arfsten puts on a few moves for Agyemang, his header is down but too far wide, that must be on net. Berhalter loses it seeking out a well covered Agyemang. Tillman for Freeman and an offside call, his father Antionio of NFL fame, yes the other football.McGFklynn a d lLUna tade passes as a aba lgoes in Agyemang tosses a player. A npoor first touch has it loose in the area of TNT, Mcglynn goes in with it and it is put home by Tillman. Agyemang laid it off to McGlynn who may have had a shot, then after a touch to settle it, Tillman makes no mistake in putting the US up at 17’. Agyemng is clearly the main target for the US, with his size, why not, well he has not done much with his chances. Luna give and go and it is lost, US recovers on to Jack and he goes inside then de la Torre, Arfsten tak s a bit to get the shot off, does and it is punched away and out for a corner by the GK. Jack to put it back into play, to the edge of the 6, a red shirt gets there first, US recover and it is played out. Arfsten well off the mark on a cross and it is a throw in. what a ball from McGlynn to Luna not easy but a first time shot may have gotten it done. Justin Garcia remains down, the GK, Phillip, the 40 year old, has gotten up. McGlynn back on the ball for the corner, sending it beyond the 6 to Agyemang, again he is the target, this not easy he does get the header off, winning a corner. Berhalter to take this one, again to of the 6, another corner, 3 in a row alternating sides as Berhalter gets his steps in going to the next one. This taken to just out of the area in the middle for Richards, he nods it high as he falls back, very had to keep the ball down. Tillman for Patrick again, McGlynn with a quick shot, just wide. The crowd nose must be very high, I am hearing the whistle of the ref 2x almost every time, may be an audio issue as I hear the crowd react to shots twice over as well. Luna gets it but doubled up and it is taken away. Spicer beats a pair but TiIlman is up to the task , takes it away. Freeman leaves it, then overlaps Jack, he gets it goes in Berhalter has his effort blocked for another corner again Berhalter, the 6th at 33’, that is a lot. Top of the area and out, the US holds. McGlynn outside to Luna back and returned Freeman is hit hard and a yellow for Justin Garcia. Holding his knee but is up, the twist, Garcia had both legs around his leg, very fortunate it was not worse. VAR gives it a look then McGlynn goes to Richards, the header is covered up by the GK. At least a pair or mics are not synched up as whistles are being heard twice. Tillman, at least the 4th to lose his footing on this field. De la Torre just too fast with the pass on the breaking teammate. Luna with a steal on a poor ball, I heard the cheers before seeing it and he feeds Tillman to shoot from the door step and Wonder Woman is loving it. Tillman just tucks it away and lets the US benefit from the vision and effort of Luna in reading what was a pass back to the GK. This is why I do not agree at all with all this playing with the ball in the back. Luna again with a steal. High ball in the area, across the back for the US causing an issue, it gets to Luna, he does all the work, moving the defender around and finally lets it go and it’s in the back of the net, a great reward for this work and that on the 2nd goal as well. Diego benefited from a deflection by Agyemang.
As well as the US have been playing for all these corners, a great indicator of more offensive play, there should be more goals, a few quick ones may continue in the 2nd half. This is no panacea as TNT are not in the class by any means of either Turkey or the Swiss.
Tillman in the early going her puts one across the area and a shot by Arfsen is easily covered. All this from a slip at midfield by TNT. Tillman passes, Arfsten takes in the high cross to Luna McGlynn returns to Arfsten de la Torre for Tillman gets to Patrick out to Arfsten, McGlynn turns and fires, wide, but not by much. Patrick turns on his man gets off a great shot saved for a corner, what a powerful shot and the GK is down, holding his hand, it was a blast from in close. Corner 8 for the US Berhalter to take it as Jack steps away, Richards just beyond the 6, but played out, US gets it at the bottom of the circle, Patrick has it at the 6 in no time, lost, Luna recovers, and Freeman has his feet taken out from under him DFK at midfield. A high ball not brought under control well is lost by the US. Trini over the top to a double teamed player in the area and Freese takes it out of the air without incident. TNT DFK from less than 30 yards, Freese setting his wall as the defense sets at the top of the area, the ball goes wide of the goal, out for a goal kick. The audio and video are still well off, how the engineers have not fixed it is beyond me, so annoying . Spicer beats Freeman and it goes just beyond Sealy and the past #1 MLS pick for Toronto has no role in what would have been the first goal. James with the corner at 58’ the initial one for TNT, now they get another just 5 seconds later. J Garcia is down having clashed heads with Patrick who is also feeling it. TNT pressure causes problems. But they get it away only to turn back. This half the US is not as in control as they were, not as crisp in their play , as I write this an unforced error has a ball go across and out of play for them. Luna helps break the press and the US gets forward then far back. Richards saves a decent go on goal for TNT for a corner. From 0 to 3 in just 19’ is quite the difference. Patrick head it out, McGlynn gets it, Patrick leads the charge, a few looks Patrick trying to hold it and loses it but a corner coming. Arfsten sails one well high of the frame. Tillman for Luna from beyond the area and it is covered up. Poor back pass lost and TNT is getting forward, into the area Richard benefits from the poor footing, Patrick does not make a run but Diego plays the ball, not how it is to go. Sealey with a foul, first whistle blew then 3 seconds later, the next one. Sealey again with a hard hit on TiIlman no stoppage by the ref? TNT holds well get forward too far, US goal kick. US looking to sub at 71’.Tillman tripped up again this one called, he may be off he seems to be hurting. Aaronson up on the touchline and Tillman on a knee while Garcia is still down. Wright the past Cosmos player in for Patrick McKenzie also entering. McGlynn is out. Luna has a seat. Jones in for Molino for the Task Force. Wright with an early foul. Good foul call as the US holds a jersey. Though a number of subs, most are near if not a higher level than those they replaced. This may be a nod to the weaker opposition and saving their legs I would think. Phillips steals from Aaronson stripping him at speed. James beats Richards and his go on goal blocked for a corner. Ream clears just beyond the area to the foot of Jones, not outside and Tillman wins it back. Arfsten and Tillman both down, it may be time to get Concacafed. The Dark Arts continue, not backing off fouls to allow a free kick, this young US side must keep their composure. Aaronson now suffers his at least third foul. A TNT player Biteau is down, another Aaronson enters soon. Brendan beats Philips with a blast from Arfsten, super sub, wjo is probably a starter. He took a player on, pulled back and had a shot, his brother not quite on the field yet. 4-0 at 83’. Paxton now on for de la Torre. James has a 1v1, gets the shot off, the well positioned Freese has it right in his chest. Wright, left alone wide brings it in and picks out the lower far post for a goal at 84’. These subs have not played like lower level players. He took advantage of the same defender as did Brendan who heard it from his cohort. Now hoping they may do the same next year, this level of team may not be present even with the expanded World Cup field, much less in the group of the US. Brendan may have been on, save made but he seemed closer to the midfield line than the defender. Robinson on now as a TNT player needs to be stretched. Jessie Garcia is in pain hoping to stretch it out, the near 80 degrees is not too hot but it is the waning minutes of the game. TNT still at it, kicking the ball away and once it is set, not backing off. Wright subjected to a great NFL tackle but the foul is called. A trio of minutes in added time coming, the US wants this shutout as much as TNT wants to avert one. A far too long ball down field by TNT goes over the endline without harm. Brendan wins the 10th corner for his side at 92’. Arfsten with a long distance effort is high but saved. US DFK here should end the game, not to be taken, game over.
There should be no glad handing following this game. Yes, results do matter but consider the opposition. What was shown here, that the US may be able to play a style and stick to it, but can they do so against a strong nation, there is not one in this group for the Gold Cup. The odds of them getting grouped again, very slim, advancing will depend on seeding so each game has some value as does getting more goals.