US Defense Costs Gold Cup

The US national team cannot compete consistently on the international level unless their defense starts playing better.  It is as simple as that.  After two early goals from Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan, the US proceeded to allow four unanswered goals.  The victory gave Mexico a birth in the Confederations Cup two summers from now in Brazil.

Bradley punched home a header from Freddy Adu in the eighth minute as the Americans jumped to an early lead.  Just fifteen minutes later, Donovan justified his re-insertion to the starting lineup by scoring off a brilliant needle by Clint Dempsey.  The Yanks appeared in prime position to qualify for the Confederations Cup and build momentum as they work towards the 2014 World Cup.

But the ghost of the 2009 US Confederations Cup team took hold of the American defense as they allowed four unanswered goals in the final sixty minutes of the game.  Just as the US had a 2-0 lead over Brazil in that 2009 match and ultimately lost, the defense seemed to shut down.

The biggest issue that the American defenders have right now is that they simply cannot stick to their marks.  Strikers are having field days as they slip in the back lines of the trenches and knock home goal after goal.  Pablo Barrea simply quietly sneaked away from his man when he hit a beautiful goal to give Mexico the lead.  There was nothing spectacular about how he got open.  No fancy footwork or passing by his teammates.  He just moved into position and his defender did not follow him.

And as incredible as the Dos Santos goal was, it appeared deceivingly better due to the comically poor attempts by the American defenders to displace the ball.  Dos Santos had about five white jerseys around him at the time as he juked his way back to the edge of the box and finish with a pinpoint floater.  Dos Santos hit the perfect shot and credit goes to him for that.  But he should not be allowed to take that many touches when  there are so many defenders around him.

One thing that this team needs is a healthy Onyewu.  Before his injury, Onyewu was a world-class defender starting for AC Milan.  But after he ripped his knee to shreds, he's been a shell of his former self.  After a horrific World Cup where he appeared rushed back and poorly conditioned, Onyewu did not receive the call this time.  He was the anchor that this defense needs.  He provided strength, solid communication and a "don't mess with us" attitude that is sadly lacking currently.

Without a central figure like Onyewu, this American defense struggles immensely.  And in today's soccer world where an abundance of fast-paced strikers score with impunity, the US cannot afford to misstep like they did against Mexico.  Giving up a 2-0 lead in the Gold Cup is eventually overlooked.  But a performance like that anywhere beyond the Gold Cup and the US continues to hinder its efforts to become a world power.  Unless the defense can tighten the screws, the US will remain a second-tier soccer country.