The break from professional soccer for the slate of International Friendlies and Euro Qualifiers is often viewed by local fans as a drag. Many of the games don't have much significance, or they are matchups between 2 teams with a huge gap in skill. Other fans are just annoyed that the final stretch in the fight for a title in their domestic leagues has to be interrupted. But the USA v Argentina "friendly" tonight was a treat to watch, and a fantastic display of skill, hunger, and determination.
Their was no trophy at stake tonight, but the American Soccer Team is always playing for respect. And an intangible target like that can be just as much, if not even more motivating. Argentina certainly didn't need to play for respect. They have that in droves. With players like Messi, Di Maria, and Mascherano you're going to be numbered with the best teams in the world. But last time they played the USA they only managed a 0-0 tie, so you better believe that they were playing to win.
The first half was all about Argentina and Lionel Messi. They wanted to leave no doubt that they were strides ahead of the US Soccer Team, and they looked like it. Messi especially was dribbling circles around the US defense. And when it wasn't Messi, it was Di Maria. Shot after shot was fired at Tim Howard in the US goal, but he and the defense stood firm inside the box. Defenders were throwing themselves in the way, and when they didn't quite make the block, Howard would make a fantastic save. Argentina just wasn't quite able to finish off their free flowing attacking moves. At least not until about the 42nd minute. Lionel Mess managed to drift unnoticed to the left side of the box where he managed to stay just barely onside. He received a really difficult pass, took it down with his chest, and one-touched the ball to the end line. And then, with absolutely no room to work with, he patiently waited for the defense to swarm him, when he calmly nut megged a defender with a pass back toward the penalty spot. The onrushing attacker (Di Maria I believe) made a swing for the ball, but Howard made yet another great save. Unfortunately he wasn't able to do much about the rebound. Cambiasso was right on target to knock the loose ball into the back of the net. It was certainly a deserved goal for the Argentinians, but a rough way for the Americans to go into the break, they had defended hard and well but when you bunker down against a team like Argentina, they're going to break you down eventually.
The US definitely needed to make some changes in the second half. I think they may have managed about 30% of the possession and only had about 2 looks at the goal in the entire half. And then Bob Bradley showed why he's been the US coach for so long. He made 2 great substitutions. Juan Agudelo came in for a completely ineffective Jermaine Jones, and Timothy Chandler came in at right back. There was also a change of mindset in the team. The substitutions, and the goal difference, forced the US to play further upfield. They began to pressure the ball rather than drop off and let the Argentinians do whatever they wanted. Amazingly, the 18-year-old Agudelo managed to sneak in for a rebound on a set play in the 59th minute and put in the tying goal. It was a great turn of events for the Americans, and from the point on the game was surprisingly even.
The US started tackling hard, and the Argentinians had to fight for possession. Both teams had additional scoring chances, and really either team could have come out on top. It was great to see young players have such an impact for the States. Agudelo is turning into a fan favorite, scoring big time goals in his only 2 appearances for the US National Team, and Chandler (just 21 years old) was great at getting forward from his defensive positions and send in some dangerous crosses. Outside defenders are always hard to come by, so Chandler's performance was great for the US going forward. While we didn't get the win, a 1-1 draw against a team like Argentina is fantastic.
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