Jurgen Klinsmann addresses the media yesterday in Philadelphia. The US play Paraguay tonight for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Jon Levy and Roberto Rojas
Following a lopsided victory over rival Costa Rica, the US enter Philadelphia needing only a draw to secure passage into the Copa América quarterfinals. Winning the group isn’t entirely out of the question for the Yanks either. A win by the United States coupled with a Colombia loss to Costa Rica would secure the group for the Yanks. With Brazil fancied to win Group B, those are distinctions that matter.
Jurgen Klinsmann rightly deflected talk of the next stage at Friday’s press conference, insisting the Yanks are only focused on the immediate task of Paraguay Saturday night. “Tomorrow will be difficult,” the US manager said. “We will need all the support of our fans.” The manager did indicate that the team was healthy, noting in particular that Ale Bedoya, who limped off the field in Chicago Tuesday evening, was ready to play and available tomorrow night. “The whole squad is ready to rock,” Klinsmann said. “Everybody is fit and healthy.”
The US are treating Paraguay for what they are- a dangerous team with a smart tactical manager in Ramón Díaz, and a side coming off a terrific second half against Colombia Tuesday evening.
“This is already a knockout game on Saturday. This is it,” Klinsmann said Thursday. “You need now to get at least one point. We are not playing for one point. We cannot do that. It is not our character to go for one point. We go for the win. Otherwise, we might punish ourselves.”
“This is our goal, to go through that on Saturday and then play the next one-off and learn how to play these one-off games to mature in our own way towards a World Cup where we want to go further.”
Klinsmann made the right moves Tuesday in Chicago and has said the right things entering Saturday night’s contest. And Paraguay, for all their tactical smarts and mental toughness, could be tired, having played in 100 degree Orlando last Saturday and traveled over 5,000 miles in 7 days. Los Guaraníes will also be without the services of playmaking Óscar Romero, who was sent off against Colombia. Romero is a 70’s style throwback midfielder, who dances around and finds spaces between the lines, plays precision passes and has tremendous imagination. His loss will be felt by the Paraguayans.
Still, Paraguay as a footballing culture are known for their fighting spirit, a trait of their national teams known as “garra.” The US aren’t monopoly holders on grit, want-to and determination. Hardly so. Expect it to be found in bushels on the field at The Linc Saturday night. To the victor go the spoils.
The customary TYAC Preview then, with help from a young journalist and Paraguayo-American doing things the right way, Roberto Rojas. Roberto writes for VAVEL, is a host of the excellent podcast Low Limit Futbol, and has been covering Paraguay throughout the Copa América. Follow him on Twitter @RobertoRojas97.
Usuals. Then particulars.
Series: 7th Meeting. The series is tied, 2-2-2. This is the second meeting between the two nations at a Copa América, with Paraguay winning the first against Bob Bradley’s experimental team in 2007. This is the third meeting between the two nations in a competitive match, and the first time they’ve played a competitive game on US soil. The two nations first met at the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay, with the US running out 3-0 winners en route to what remains the federation’s best finish at a World Cup.
Weather: Around 80 degrees and warm at kick. Humidity off the Delaware River should make it feel even warmer. Given Paraguay’s travel demands over the past week, and the fact they played a game in the Orlando blaze last Saturday, I think the weather will matter in this game. If the US can weather the first half hour, expect the Paraguayans to begin to show fatigue. Fabian Johnson will not appreciate this heat and humidity, and we’re assigning this game a Fabian Johnson Misery Index of 8.
Clint Dempsey delivered against Costa Rica. Can he guide the US to another international tournament knockout stage?
What to expect from the US:
I’ll start with the common bonds between the 2-0 loss to Colombia and the 4-0 goal differential triumph over Costa Rica. For games with such starkly contrasting score lines, there were an awful lot of similarities, and they represent exactly what we should all expect.
Over the course of the last two matches the US has played the same 4-3-3 that we’ll likely see against Paraguay. A backline of Yedlin, Cameron, Brooks, and Fabian Johnson (from right to left). A three man midfield with Michael Bradley sitting behind Jermaine Jones and Alejandro Bedoya. And a strike force of non-wingers Bobby Wood and Gyasi Zardes masquerading as wing forwards in support of center forward Clint Dempsey. That’s likely what we’ll see on Saturday, and that group has been almost startlingly cool and calm in both possession and defense over the course of two matches. That’s not me trying to convince you this team is some sort of CONCACAF version of Barcelona either. Obviously they’re far from that. But the comfort level and midfield (really whole team) possession game through two matches has been noteworthy, even if the chance creation has been below par. The Yanks’ reaction to going down one goal against Colombia, slightly against the run of play, was to control the ball for the next twenty minutes. Unsurprisingly, they generated the better scoring chances over that period, although there was a slight feeling that they should be driving the ball forward more, but maybe that’s just my (our) instinct as an American.
Jermaine Jones goal was a product of a fine tactical adjustment and players showing incredible desire to win.
On the other side of that coin, these midfielders and defenders have looked so comfortable in defense, they’ve seemed to not even register that they were sitting back and soaking up pressure for long periods of time. The second half against Colombia and the fifteen minutes after the US scored that first penalty against Costa Rica stand out in this regard. Now I’m not talking about “soaking up pressure” as Jurgen and his Klinsmenn will tell you the US did against Belgium in the World Cup. That was hanging on for dear life like a kitten on an inspirational poster, while simultaneously praying to God and Tim Howard, who you’re hoping and to some extent begin to believe are the same dude. While dramatic, that’s not a performance to which this team should aspire. Thankfully, the Copa América version of the USMNT have looked as comfortable without the ball as they have with it. And that’s cool, as long as the guys can flip the switch when necessary. They were able to do so against Costa Rica. After fifteen or twenty minutes of letting Ruiz & Co. poke and prod, something lit a fire under the Yanks. I can’t say if it was Klinsmann’s tactical adjustment to the 4-4-2, Michael Bradley’s leadership, his voice audible on the FOX field mics, or the big game resolve of Jermaine Jones, but the team had quite clearly grown weary of the Costa Rican efforts.
The ball was back at American feet in a flash, and JJ’s goal came soon after that shift in mentality. It was all USA from there. But that switch didn’t flip until way too late against Colombia, and despite forward-thinking substitutions and an offensive shift in mentality, all the US got out of it was a couple golden Guzan saves on counterattacks in the last ten minutes. Yeah, Colombia’s a lot better than Costa Rica, but facts are facts. The US can’t count on pulling out a furious comeback against Paraguay, who are notoriously difficult to break down, so, best not to go down a couple goals in the first place. Especially if you’re planning on opening the next half with a half hour of safe defense and an attack nowhere to be found.
The last point I’ll make about this matchup concerns spacing and physicality.
So much of what the US is creating (or not creating) within their current style is down to creating space for attacking players, and finding guys in that space, usually ones making secondary runs. That’s partially why Gyasi’s first touch woes have been so frustrating. A secondary runner sees Zardes in an acceptable amount of space, makes the run waiting on the pass, and the Galaxy man takes a three yard first touch that cedes possession. Well, we had a fun visit to fantasy land in the oh so encouraging Bolivia match before the tournament began, and everybody looked like world beaters. Bobby Wood got to be the American Bergkamp for a match, and that’s pretty cool. But those acres of space weren’t reality. And that became painfully obvious in the Colombia match. Suddenly the Yanks had to fight for every inch against a skilled and stalwart bunch. They didn’t create much, but that trial by fire seemed to prepare our boys to take advantage of every free foot against Costa Rica. And finding somewhere between a Colombia and Bolivia amount of free grass in the all CONCACAF affair, the Americans capitalized. But Paraguay represents a different challenge than the three I’ve just outlined, and after watching both their matches, I’ve got one word to describe the ensuing challenge. Jousting.
That’s right, Los Guaraníes play the most Copa América brand of defense on show in this tournament. Hell, Copa Libertadores defense is what it is.
Spacing? Sometimes you’ll get a foot, sometimes you’ll get a yard, and sometimes you’ll have your own office (office space not often afforded). But when the Paraguayan players close on the ball, they don’t break down and body up at a smoothly decelerated pace. These guys come for the ball as hard as they can, screaming “VICTORY OR DEATH!” in Spanish at the top of their lungs. Honestly, it’s super freakin’ awesome to watch. Sorry I’m not sorry. I’m American. I like to hit people (or at least sports where that occurs). But these dudes are adept at playing this style. I don’t use that word jousting lightly. Seemingly every player on Paraguay has mastered this scissor kick of a standing tackle one leg fully extended and the other barely keeping him upright. This ain’t the half-ass standing tackle you get on FIFA when you press X. Los Guaraníes go in hard, with 100% commitment, and are fully expecting to win the ball and start the attack off every tackle. Hence the onus on (barely) staying on your feet. This bum rush physicality could shock the USMNT system early, and might bait an American player into a rash mistake at any point in the match. But the Yanks have already seen two soft penalties awarded in their two matches, and a red card’s been shown in both of Paraguay’s matches. One for, one against, on both. So Jurgen will be telling the guys that this aggressive style can be used against Paraguay.
Jurgen Klinsmann’s teams have been tremendous at maintaining discipline and not making the type of rash plays and errors that result in red cards. Tonight’s match, because of Paraguay’s style, might be the most important game to remember that in of the Klinsmann era.
Dynamo Kyiv’s Derlis Gonzalez is one of Paraguay’s many capable transition players.
Roberto Rojas on what we will see out of Paraguay?
With Paraguay, it’s a side that have always been consistent as one of the top dogs in South America for the majority of the 21st century. Under Ramón Díaz however, things have changed; either for the better or the worst.
The better would be the fourth place finish in last year’s Copa América in Chile as well as in qualification in South America for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, the group stages at the Copa America Centenario have been iffy for La Albirroja.
Having played to a scoreless draw against Costa Rica in Orlando in weather Ramón Díaz characterized as “insufferable and impossible”, it was a 90 minutes full of aggressiveness that saw a Costa Rican player sent off in the dying seconds of the match. Still, having analyzed how Paraguay played in that match at Camping World Stadium, it was clear that La Albirroja should have gone into the match and ended with three points because of how attacking they were and creative with their various chances throughout the attack. They were particularly fluid in the opening half, beating the Costa Rican pressure with precision passes and earning several chances thanks to the movement and passing of Oscar Romero and the charging runs of Dynano Kyiv’s Derlis Gonzalez and Cruz Azul’s Jorge Benitez.
Against Colombia however, it was different. Paraguay were clearly exposed by Los Cafeteros in the first half with the early goals from James Rodriguez and Carlos Bacca. However, in the second half, Paraguay provided much more attack, scoring, threatening to equalize and putting on a clinical demonstration of what they really were, only to fall just short, 2-1. That being said, a loss is still a loss regardless of what happens. The main thing is that they understand the next match is a must win, in a tough environment after a week of brutal travel against the host nation to see them qualify for the quarterfinals. It will be difficult for Paraguay, hard, but anything is possible. With their strong and compacted defensive self as well as a side who can be deadly on the break and are creative in the midfield, Jurgen Klinsmann’s men might have a hard time both breaking down and stopping Paraguay’s transitions, both from a physical and tactical point of view.
John Brooks as the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, because this is still The Yanks Are Coming.
American Player to Watch: John Brooks (Hertha Berlin)
It’s amazing what a change of scenery can do. Last summer, when Brooks looked to his right he saw Ventura Alvarado, a promising talent still clearly trying to find his feet at international level. And over Alvarado’s was all-effort fake right back Brad Evans. Both good players in their own rights, but dangerous partners for the young and impressionable John Brooks. This summer, Brooks sees rock-solid center back Geoff Cameron (set piece error against Colombia aside) when he looks to his right, and beyond him he’s got the now EPL hardened DeAndre Yedlin (who should have been playing that position last summer even before he learned Premiership level lessons). Now that’s a much safer defensive group to bring into a big tournament alongside our great Germerican prospect. This is why the Fresh Prince’s mom moved him to Bel Air! And like our flamboyant protagonist Will, John Brooks got to bring a friend with him from last summer/West Philadelphia. That’s right; you guessed it, left back Fabian Johnson is Jazz is in this analogy! Just when you were questioning why you read this blog! I’m here for ya.
So what exactly has this newly solid backline done for John Brooks in this tournament? Through two matches it’s allowed him to turn in as solid a center half performance as any man in this tournament. As ESPN’s Doug McIntyre points out, Brooks is tops among all players in this tournament with fourteen clearances. And before anyone starts taking shots at John’s “inability to retain possession for his team,” let’s all realize that while Brooks is more capable on the ball, he is not being asked to build possession from the back yet. It’s a more advanced Onyewu to Cameron’s Bocanegra here, and that’s as it should be.
#usmnt stat of the day: CB John Brooks made 14 clearances through his first two games at Copa America Centenario, tops among all players.
— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) June 9, 2016
Let the physical powerhouse 23 year old be a physical powerhouse, and task the guy with four seasons of multi-position Premier League experience with finding friendly feet. Another measure of just how big John’s turnaround has been? When he got his yellow card in the second half on Tuesday night I had a moment of fear, thinking to myself, “Wait, did he get one against Colombia!? Is he suspended for next match!?” Thankfully he didn’t pick up a yellow against Colombia, but I was taken aback by my own reaction, because seeing Brooks on the field brought fear last summer, and now I’m worrying that he might not be there. That’s a turnaround.
John Brooks will be asked to play the same role against Paraguay, because he’s been excelling in it. But he’ll have to deal with strikers like Ingolstadt’s Dario Lezcano, who jousts for the ball just as violently as his more defensively deployed teammates, and Liga MX youngster Jorge Benitez, who is strong and fast and technical. This tournament is by no means done asking questions of John Brooks; let’s hope he keeps playing his game, and firing the answers out of the danger zone as fast as the questioning balls come in.
Roberto Rojas on the Paraguay Player to Watch: Miguel Almirón (Club Atlético Lanús, Argentina)
The player to watch for this game is clearly the Lanus midfielder. While many have rightly said that the big loss of Oscar Romero may prove huge for La Albirroja, the young and recent champion of Argentina might be a player that might turn some heads in the midfield. A tremendous player that demonstrates the best of fluidity, both running on and off the ball, and the quality of his passing. In the absence of Romero, Almirón might be the creative player to fill the vacuum and the one man the USMNT will have to stop if they want to keep Paraguay’s chances at bay, not only on the counter but also on set pieces as well with the Lanús man’s imaginative thinking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e37dkAiSNX0
Prediction: USA 2 – 2 Paraguay
I think this is a more comfortable match than the draw and the scoreline suggest. Paraguay scores a late goal to force the draw, but the US goes through, second in the group. Dempsey puts a deuce on the scoreboard, and both teams finish with ten men on the field. Expect a highly entertaining game.
Enjoy the match, and Go USA!
Jon Levy co-founded The Yanks Are Coming. Follow him on Twitter @TYAC_Jon. Roberto Rojas is a Paraguayo-American student and journalist based in Connecticut. His work has been featured at VAVEL and the wonderful These Football Times, and you can hear him regularly on the podcast Low Limit Futbol. Follow him on Twitter @RobertoRojas97.