As they were getting ready to start the second half, I told my boys that the first five minutes and the final ten (if we were still in front) were going to be a nightmare. Sure enough, we did it again. Another quick goal; this time in the first minute of the second half!
The U.S. never looked the same again. Sure, there were a few quality opportunities, but for the most part they seemed to sit back and watch Brazil, until it was too late, and then they seemed like they were too winded to hold a solid defensive line.
It is hard for me to be disappointed at a 3-2 loss to Brazil. The U.S. should not have even been playing, much less taking a 2-0 lead into the half. I am not sure how often FIFA tournament finals opportunities come around; this was a first for Team USA, hopefully it is a sign of a building team.
We still lack quality strikers. I just do not get why Davies continues to hold a starting forward position. Maybe it is for the lack of opportunities. In the first half the defensive backs played much better, but it just seems like we lack something. I could be reading it wrong, but I think we need someone that can better connect the defensive backs to the midfielders.
All in all, I am disappointed, but in this loss I see great hope for the future of American soccer, and I see the U.S. making a decent run in the 2010 World Cup, assuming they can get a decent draw. The Confederations Cup has shown this team that they can win against quality opponents, so hopefully the team can build on this foundation. Besides, how often do you get to say that we let one get away against Brazil?
Well before the match, 3-2 loss would feel good.
But for the last 60 minutes, they did nothing, was on their heels most of this time and it was only a matter of time.
Yeah they need more consistent threats up front, but they could also do a better job of feeding those guys up front too.
I agree about feeding the guys up front. Donovan does a decent enough job of distributing the ball … sometimes he does it too much. But they need someone to get the ball to him, Dempsey, and who ever is playing up front. That is sort of what I had in mind about connecting from the dbacks to the midfielders.