Don't Let the Scoreline Fool You
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by Tyduffy
Seldom is a 4-2 defeat at home a good result in soccer. However, the U.S. team should feel proud of their performance in Chicago on Sunday. They played well.
The AP reporter, who obviously did not want to be there, will bombard you with bleak statistics about the moribound American team.
"It was the fifth straight defeat for the United States, its longest losing streak since 1994." Yes, that is true. But, since most of that streak was friendlies and a B-squad sent to Copa America how is that relevant? "The Americans dropped to 1-12 all-time against Brazil." Who cares? It's Brazil! Who actually has a good record against Brazil besides France? Carlos Bocanegra scored "just his 7th goal in 51 appearances." Probably because he's a f-ing center half?
Why should the U.S. be optimistic? They didn't get beat in open play. With fancy-dans like Ronaldinho, Robinho, and Kaka running the pitch, Brazil should have far out-classed the Americans, but they didn't. Brazil did score 4 goals, but those goals were from an own-goal, a corner kick, an advantageously placed free-kick, and a penalty. The Americans didn't allow a goal from open-play.
They also, unlike some notable International sides, went after Brazil. The only goal scored from open-play was Clint Dempsey's in the 73rd minute. They had some other good chances from Peace and Bradley. They gave Brazil a match and were only put away by the penalty at the end.
It never feels good to lose, but the Yanks should feel good about their performance. They weren't intimidated by the star power and the joga bonito and they played well. They aren't in a position yet to start picking off the Brazils and Argentinas of the world, but being able to play on the same pitch with them and not get throttled is a step forward. They are a long way from being a powerhouse, but it certainly beat the putrid performance in Germany.
Originally published here.
