U.S. Men’s National Team Dominate Midfield but Lose to Paraguay 1-0
The U.S. Men’s National Team took on Paraguay on Tuesday evening at LP Field in Nashville in front of a record Tennessee soccer crowd of 29,059. But the USMNT’s Achilles heel surfaced again in the 18th minute when the team’s defense let down and allowed a corner kick taken by Paraguay’s Hernan Perez to find the back of the net. The driven ball struck by Perez was not cleared properly and it fell to an unmarked Oscar Cardozo who was easily able to beat U.S. goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann from close range.
USMNT head coach Bob Bradley had made several lineup changes from Saturday evening’s game. Hahnemann started in goal with David Yelldell as his backup. Tim Howard did not suit-up for the game. Yelldell came in at the half and looked very capable in his 45 minutes.
Tim Ream started at center back for Oguchi Onyewu, who like Howard did not dress for the game. Jay DeMerit started the game but was subbed off just before the half with a leg injury. Carlos Bocanegra replaced him.
Bradley lined his team up in a 4-4-2 from the outset and started 18-year-old Juan Agudelo up top with Jozy Altidore. Timmy Chandler got the nod at right back. Both players proved worthy of the call up and were active all evening.
The U.S. dominated large stretches of the contest but balls into the box seemed lacking in quality and too many shots were taken that were low percentage or poorly placed. The U.S. out shot Paraguay 13-5. The U.S. continued to heap pressure on Paraguay, especially in the later stages of the game when Bradley subbed in Eric Lichaj for Jozy Altidore. Lichaj played right back and pushed Chandler into the right midfield position with Dempsey moving up top and Donovan moving to the left. Lichaj made several forays deep into the right side of Paraguay’s defensive third placing dangerous crosses into the box that the US couldn’t seem to finish. The best was a chance to Dempsey who struck his ball high over the goal.
Landon Donovan was on the end of another cross that saw him put his ball into the side netting and Jermaine Jones had a great opportunity deep into added time but the midfielder hit the ball directly at goalkeeper Justo Villar.
Bradley used 6 subs in the second half: David Yelldell (46), Jonathan Spector (80), Carlos Bocanegra (41), Sacha Kljestan, (77), Jermaine Jones (46), and Eric Lichaj (60). Even with the help the U.S. was not able to break down the very organized back line of Paraguay and the defensive mistake early ended up costing the team dearly.
US V Paraguay Highlights
– U.S. Men’s National Team Game Report –
Match: USA vs. Paraguay
Date: March 29, 2011
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: LP Field – Nashville, Tenn.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. CT
Attendance: 29,059
Weather: Cool and rainy, 55 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 0 0
PAR 1 0 1
Scoring:
PAR – Oscar Cardozo (21-Victor Hugo Mareco) 18th minute
Lineups:
USA: 23-Marcus Hahnemann (18-David Yelldell, 46); 21-Timmy Chandler (2-Jonathan Spector, 80),15-Jay DeMerit (3-Carlos Bocanegra, 41), 6-Tim Ream, 12-Jonathan Bornstein (16-Sacha Kljestan, 77); 8-Clint Dempsey, 7-Maurice Edu (13-Jermaine Jones, 46), 4-Michael Bradley, 10-Landon Donovan (capt.); 17-Jozy Altidore (19-Eric Lichaj, 60), 9-Juan Agudelo
Subs not used: 20-Mixx Diskerud
Head Coach: Bob Bradley
PAR: 1-Justo Villar; 3-Marcos Caceres, 21-Victor Hugo Mareco, 14-Paulo Da Silva, 4-Miguel Samudio; 13- Enrique Vera (2-Dario Veron, 79), 6-Osmar Molinas (15-Marcos Riveros, 63), 16- Cristian Riveros; 9-Hernan Perez (11-Osvaldo Martínez, 68), 7-Oscar Cardozo (19-Lucas Barrios, 79), 18-Marcelo Estigarribia (17-Aureliano Torres, 90+1)
Subs not used: 5-Antolín Alcaraz 8-Edgar Barreto, 10-Edgar Benítez, 12- Diego Barreto, 20- Néstor Ortigoza
Head Coach: Gerardo Martino
Stats Summary: USA / PAR
Shots: 13 / 5
Shots on Goal: 3 / 3
Saves: 2 / 3
Corner Kicks: 3 / 2
Fouls: 8 / 18
Offside: 1 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
PAR – Enrique Vera (caution) 29th minute
Officials:
Referee: Jose Benigno (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Oscar Velasquez (HON)
Assistant Referee 2: Hector Vergara (CAN)
Fourth Official: Edvin Jurisevic (USA)
Budweiser Man of the Match: Clint Dempsey
Comments are closed.
I am disappointed that IMS did not have a better write-up for Altidore’s glowing performance last night! When was the last time he scored for the US?
It looks like we should be sticking to fat nfl afterall.
First let me compliment the fans in TN. Great to see a record crowd in a state that does not currently have a team above D4. Can you say expansion opportunity NASL?!? LOL Anyway, as for the game, I felt like the US definitely had the better run of play, but they just could not finish the chances they got. Bradley’s shot you have to just chalk up to an outstanding save by Paraguay’s keeper. But otherwise, they just couldn’t capitalize on a few good scoring chances. You came away feeling like it was just an “unlucky” result, but I think high level national teams don’t suffer that fate as often as the US seems to. Agudelo looks like he’s going to be a great striker for years to come on the national team. He was the American I thought was the most exciting to watch when he got touches.
I’m with Strikers Return on the TN fans. Both Memphis and Nashville would be perfect markets for NASL.
Agudelo is really looking good, and more importantly comfortable. In all honesty I’m really happy that he’s not a 14/15 year old making these waves. At 19, there’s more maturity (hopefully) but more importantly his body is more likely to not giving growth problems only added strength and endurance. Hopefully, Coach Bradley finds him a person who can serve as ‘life-balancer’ for the youngster. I’m excited.
I would disagree slightly with Strikers Return on whether or not the US had the better run of play. They were more attacking, but I’d say Paraguay looked more poised and certainly more in control of their play.