U.S. Men’s National Team v. Jamaica, Kingston, 9.7.12

The U.S.’s first goal in this match occurred in the opening minute and was in one way a preview of things to come. Herculez Gomez attacked down the right, shot at close range, collected a deflection, and shot again. His second deflection fell to Clint Dempsey, who slotted home a goal that most intramural youth-league players could have buried. The U.S. would never again seriously threaten in the game. Moreover, they went on to concede two set-piece goals and much midfield possession to a team known more for its speed than its skill. The U.S. eventually lost 2-1.

In other words, Dempsey’s opening-minute goal did not presage more U.S. chances and scoring opportunities—let alone goals—but, to put it bluntly, garbage play on the part of the U.S. The quality in this match was teeth-grindingly poor, and I struggle to think of any shining moment for any American player, no matter how fleeting. The game for the U.S. was characterized by stasis, players off the ball just listlessly standing around, or players on the ball booting it forward to the other team. About five minutes before the end of the half, for instance, with Jamaica level after a Rodolph Austin free kick, U.S. center back Clarence Goodson faced no pressure at all near the midfield circle but played a pass on the ground directly to a Jamaica midfielder.

The game was filled with those kinds of perplexing balls, and Goodson should not be singled out for notably poor play. In fact, the U.S. defense—with Goodson and Geoff Cameron in the center, Fabian Johnson on the left and surprise starter Michael Parkhurst on the right—played well. Parkhurst in particular looked solid, which is surprising given Jamaica players’ speed and how vulnerable Parkhurst looked when playing right back against Canada in June’s friendly. (Parkhurst apparently started against Jamaica due to an injury to Steve Cherundolo.) Both of Jamaica’s goals came as a result of fouls in dangerous areas committed by U.S. midfielders, not defenders. Kyle Beckerman committed the first foul (and unfortunately inadvertently deflected the ensuing free kick just enough to send it past Tim Howard and into the net), and Maurice Edu committed the second.

Speaking of those two players, Jurgen Klinsmann played about as uncreative a midfield as you’re likely to see on a supposedly quality international side. Beckerman and Edu were joined by Jermaine Jones in the middle, along with Clint Dempsey. Dempsey, of course, hasn’t played in a competitive game in months due to his recent holdout in the English premier league, so he wasn’t his usual self. True, he scored, and he put another sliding shot on goal near the end of the first half, but he was clearly gassed during the second half and largely a nonfactor. Given the fact that Dempsey can’t possibly be match fit, it’s a wonder he played the full ninety minutes. Even accounting for this, one would have thought that such an imposing, defensive-oriented group of midfielders would have been able to more effectively shut down Jamaica after scoring early, especially when playing in front of a back line that performed well.

This game showed that Klinsmann is very far from transforming the U.S. squad into an attractive and attacking side. It also showed that the importance of Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley to the U.S. team probably can’t be overstated. (Those two were not called up due to injuries.) That better midfielders are not in the pipeline is cause for concern, though it is never wise to dismiss any particular group of players based on a single game, particularly an away game in group-stage play. Still, the U.S. performance was a troubling one. Many soccer results are flukes, but last night’s was not. Jamaica, a team that has only once qualified for a World Cup finals tournament, was clearly the better team, and the final score was just. After last night, it would be foolish for any U.S. player, coach, or fan to assume that the U.S. is a cinch to qualify for Brazil in 2014.