For over 60 minutes, a young US MNT hung tight with a star-lit Argentina squad in each side’s first match of Copa America 2007. Then, in the final 30, the boys in the baby blue were able to open things up and net three more goals for a 4-1 result. The score alone, however, belies just how close many moments of the match really were, as well as some great individual performances by couple fledgling national teamers.
after a challenge like that, it’s only going to get easier
Argentina did not break away from the US MNT last night because of anything related to better physical conditioning. Rest assured, Head Coach Bob Bradley and the rest of the MNT staff know what they’re doing in that department. Argentina’s last three goals were about mental endurance, something players develop over the course of their careers, with experience and high-profile exposure. Talking about a Gold Cup hangover for players given a chance to suit up a couple days later and compete with the best in the business is just plain ridiculous. Benny, Rico, EJ, Bornstein and every other American were up for this game, and it showed for the first two thirds.
Bornstein was especially impressive for his solid performance in difficult circumstances. In Messi, Jonathan was assigned to mark one of the best young talents in the game. The Argentine winger was clearly roaring to go but Bornstein kept pace, blocking shots and tackling cleanly. It’s good to the California native rise to the occasion, and after a challenge like that, it’s only going to get easier.
Benny also put in some good work last night, especially his break-out through ball to EJ in the seventh minute that setup the PK goal. Vision and awareness may be Feilhaber’s best qualities on the field, attributes one would expect out of any successful central midfielder. By now he’s proven that he’s ready to play consistently on the international level, and with that new Venezuelan faux-hawk, he even looks the part. If he continues to work hard and quicken his distribution, it’s safe to call him a long-term answer for South Africa 2010.
It was also great to see Ben Olsen back running the flank for MNT. Olsen’s gritty style worked well in slowing down or at least disrupting the attacking flair of Argentina. His substitution marked the game’s ultimate breaking point, a testament to his defensive presence in the midfield. When asked how the team can turn around from the loss and get ready for Paraguay on Monday (6:30pm, Telefutura), Olsen wasn’t over dramatic: “You learn a little bit from it and put it behind us. You know there are still two games out there. At this point the goal is to get enough points to move to the next round.”
CHANGE REGION