America Could Really Use Jozy Altidore in 2013

Posted on January 9, 2013 by nrspiller@gmail.com

The United States soccer team had an up-and-down year in 2012, defeating the likes of Mexico and Italy, but also suffering an ugly defeat to Brazil and generally struggling throughout their CONCACAF third round 2014 World Cup qualifying group. Goals have been rather hard to come by since Jurgen Klinsmann took over the squad, and it has resulted in his dropping of top American striker Jozy Altidore last October.

In 14 total matches in 2012, the USA only managed 23 goals for a marginal 1.64 goals/game rate. Five of those goals came in a 5-1 thrashing of Scotland, and if you subtract that game, the USA only managed 18 goals in 13 games for a 1.38 goals/game rate. Considering that most of the matches were played in qualification games against teams like Jamaica, Guatemala, and Antigua & Barbuda, there is a high amount of evidence that America could stand to improve in their goal-scoring department.

Jozy Altidore must be the answer up top. The young striker has been in sensational form for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, where he has scored 11 league goals in just 8 starts this season. His goal mark is nearly half of the entire team’s goals! Nevertheless, Altidore hasn’t replicated that form with the national team, and Klinsmann’s patience has worn thin. Last October, Altidore wasn’t included in the final two games of CONCACAF third round World Cup qualification, when the team needed results to progress. Clearly this was a lesson to the young player and resulted in stories circulating the web that Altidore had poor work ethic and was seen as a negative presence to the team as a whole.

Having no inside information, I doubt that the reality is as bad as those stories have suggested, but clearly the move was made to give Altidore a bit of a wake-up call. He has been a great young talent for the country and has already scored 13 international goals, remarkable for someone just 23 years old. But his international play last year wasn’t up to scratch, and I actually think the message from Klinsmann could do some good into improving his attitude and his game.

For 2013, I sense that Jozy Altidore will be called into action in the final round of World Cup qualifiers that includes teams like Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Jamaica (who memorably defeated America last September). Mexico is always a tough team, and Honduras had a memorable 2012 Olympics where they defeated Spain. These games will challenge the team, and players like Altidore will need to be at their best to ensure qualification.

America is well stocked with offensive talent. Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan are natural forwards who often make plays. Midfielder Michael Bradley brings a great physical presence and also scores plenty of goals. But regardless, America needs the top striker center man, and Jozy Altidore is clearly the man for the job. Here’s to hoping that he continues to develop and score plenty of goals, and is able to replicate his club form for America to help the USA navigate the treacherous last round of World Cup qualifiers!

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Powerful USA Win in Mexico Provides Hope for Future

Posted on August 24, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

The USA Men’s National Team has been a bit of an anomaly in the past couple of years. By defeating Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium, America has increased the list of big victories that includes teams like Italy and Spain in recent times. But, amongst such glorious victories have also been painful defeats at the hands of Brazil and also Mexico. Another issue for the USA was the failure to qualify for the 2012 Olympics, which hampered hopes that America will improve in international matches.

But the youth was on fine display in the Mexico friendly and proved vital in scoring the game’s lone goal. Brek Shea made a fine run to set up the goal, putting in a glorious nutmeg on a Mexican defender and penetrating deep into the penalty box, before sending a pass across the face of the goal. Shea is only 22 and plays for FC Dallas in the MLS. At 6’3”, the winger is a physical presence and will be a key weapon for the national team if he continues to make plays like these. Shea trained with Arsenal during the offseason and may well make a move to Europe in the coming years to further develop.

Another solid youngster is forward Terrence Boyd. Only 21, Boyd played a fantastic role in setting up the goal against Mexico when he received Shea’s pass, and back-heeled it further across the goal where Michael Orozco Fiscal could tap it into the net. Boyd plays in Austria and looks like he could be a favorite of Jurgen Klinsmann with his German roots and good early performances.

Although he didn’t play in this match, Jozy Altidore is enjoying a resurgent season at AZ Alkmaar in Holland. Through the first two games, he has scored an impressive four goals and could be righting himself again. Aged 22 he is another force to contend with up top.

Clearly USA is still going to favor Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey as they continue to impress and are in the prime of their careers, but these young forwards are biting at the chomp to impress and have earned the right for extended playing time. More competition is only a good thing for the team, so this week America can celebrate the glorious Mexican victory and feel confident going forward to 2014 World Cup qualification matches. Let us only hope that the team can establish some sort of consistency after this run and may actually compete when another big match comes about. If the youngsters continue to shine, we may have a great American soccer team in the making.

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America Needs to Regroup after Brazil Spanking

Posted on May 31, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

Facing Brazil is never an easy task, even in a simple friendly when they only play half their starters. But the USA Men’s National Team must certainly be reeling from the 4-1 drubbing they just received and will need to get their confidence lifted ahead of two important qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup.

America came into this match riding high on the international soccer scene. Their five successive wins in international friendlies included victories over Italy, Slovenia, and a 5-1 thrashing of Scotland earlier in the week. The USA was starting to turn heads on the international scene and the thought of adding a victory over Brazil surely would have brought America into the discussion of the world’s best soccer nations.

But all that was wiped away when Brazil completely dominated the match with a group predominantly made of youngsters as they prepare for the 2012 Olympics in London. The USA saw very little of the ball, and although they looked a bit stronger after bringing Clint Dempsey on as a substitute, Brazil added to their onslaught with a late Alexandre Pato goal.

America continues its wait to become a world super power in soccer. People felt we were there after a quarterfinal appearance in the 2002 World Cup. Fans got excited again after the 2009 Confederations Cup tournament when the USA beat Spain and nearly topped Brazil in the final. But every time the team reaches the cusp of greatness, they seem to fall apart.

So how will America recover from its latest setback? Coach Jurgen Klinsmann needs to preach some confidence back into the side. The USA looked dominant against Scotland and their victory over Italy was impressive. But everyone needs to realize that these matches were all just international friendlies. As good as their victories were, and as terrible as the Brazil defeat was, none of these matches actually matter. The only matches that the USA cares about are in the World Cup when everyone watches.

Therefore, America needs to get their heads right before the 2014 World Cup qualifying matches coming up against Antigua and Barbuda, followed by a trip to Guatemala. Qualification is an absolute necessity and we can all recall how embarrassing it was that our Olympic team failed to qualify for this summer. Hopefully the upcoming friendly against Canada will provide just the confidence boost the players will need to rebound.

Yes there are wounds to be licked after Brazil, but all that match displayed is how much more work is required to be done. Even had America won, it would have proved nothing. USA needs to win World Cup games and they definitely need to qualify in order to get there. With Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore coming back to the side to support Landon Donovan, I fully expect this team to rebound and do just that.

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