Gold Cup Semifinals: Donovan Knight Rises
U.S. Beat Honduras 3-1:
Okay it’s time to get excited. Every time I write about the U.S. I make an effort to warn you that something special is going on. And if you’ve been watching the Gold Cup tournament, that something special has shown through. The U.S. came into the tournament with a winning streak that they have now stretched to 10 games. The longest streak in U.S. soccer history. Tally this with the other firsts we’ve had that I keep on listing for this U.S. team under the helm of Jurgen Klinsmann. To get to ten the National team had to beat a rising Honduras team, that actually beat the U.S. the last time they met in qualifying 2 to 1. So here was a great opportunity for the only dish other than ice cream, that’s best served cold. A little sporting revenge. And America did not disappoint. From early on the U.S. came knocking on the door with a nearly brilliant shot by Holden. Who by the way, if not for Donovan, would be the come back story of the tournament. But as this tournament has gone on, it has been heavily based around the foot of the fallen hero, Landon Donovan.
Can we take a moment and enjoy this Hollywood like story that has been painted for this team. America gets eliminated last World Cup by a very beatable Ghana, sending its star player into hiding, their leader is upended for the new coach which admittedly has a bumpy start to his reign with a few unexpected losses, only to slowly but firmly start winning games in a more dominant fashion, but yet still one small piece from being completely dominant. Queue the 8 mile soundtrack, cause Landon Donovan proclaims he wants to come back only to be told he must prove himself. And prove himself he has.
Donovan doesn’t score the first goal of the match but he does make a gracious touch to the Demolition Man, Eddie Johnson who attacks the net and finishes with a very nice goal. In the 26th minute Donovan would get his goal. With a cheeky chip from Bedoya, Donovan settles the ball and neatly puts it in the corner. Honduras would come back to make it a match, but only for a minute. Honduras scored a very nice header off of a set piece. Minutes later America was attacking down the flank and once again it was Bedoya to Donovan for another classy finish. America would go on to beat Honduras who haven’t let up 3 goals in 16 matches prior to this match. Even more impressive was the fact that the U.S. side probably should’ve had a few more goals, which is something new for an American team. It seems our old style of defense-defense-defense and counter, which lead to minimal goal scoring opportunities has been reborn and made anew with a much more creative and honestly more enjoyable brand of soccer.
Klinsmann’s Men
A few words of gratitude should be paid to Jurgen Klinsmann who has altered the very form in which soccer in America has been shaped. Not only has he brought on a more sustainable form of soccer that can win games with over exertion and aggression, but he’s also changed the way we prepare for big moments. In the past you would not have seen this level of success and dominance from a U.S. side missing key players such as Bradley and Dempsey. No generations past were too dependent on their star players to make the wins happen. That’s usually the result of a gameplan and strategy that is not consistent in design. For the newer soccer fans, it’s the difference between a NY Knicks offense which is isolation for Carmelo and see what happens, and an actual system much like the Bull’s of the 90′s and their triangle offense. Structure and systems are great, because when the times get tough you can lean back on your system and wait out the storm. And if you have players on fire, such as Donovan, they can shine within that system and not feel the need to carry the whole team. I have some soccer fan friends who still play skeptic, and still deny the quality of soccer of Jurgen has brought to the team. To them I’d ask them to please look at the amount of first time events happening with this team. And sure you can claim our youth is getting better (which they are) but so are a lot of teams around us. Mexico had one of the best youth teams leading up to their current roster. And I think it’s no coincidence that they’ve faltered since giving up the first point ever in Mexico City to an American side. This team no longer has to win with a single goal in the 80th minute. No, we now can score at will when playing properly. Every game seems to make that wait for the World Cup that much harder. But before that I’m looking forward to this match on Sunday for the Gold Cup, and a rebirth into the Confederations Cup in 4 more years.