USA vs Spain Analysis
The USA played a friendly against Spain on Saturday in preparation for the upcoming Gold Cup, which starts for the USA tomorrow against Canada. Both teams started slightly weakened lineups, but Spain still handled the USA in every department. They had a goal called back for offsides and hit the post twice in the first 20 minutes. They finally broke through via Santi Carzola and never looked back. Spain were 3-0 up at halftime before Torres added one more in the second half.
I would have been much more disappointed if another team beat us 4-0 at home, but this was Spain. I wasn’t really expecting anything different. Spain had most of their stars, and are the best national side in the world. The USA should look at this game, learn from it, and forget it. It was a friendly, and they need to now focus on the Gold Cup. I was there in Foxboro, and they were outclassed from the first whistle. Things got a little better when Bradley and Dempsey came on at halftime, but only slightly.
A couple of things I noticed:
- You really have to see world-class players (i.e. Spain) in person to appreciate how good they really are. They make everything look so easy.
- Also, and I have been waiting since Saturday to go off on this: Why on earth were there more Spain fans at a USA home match? I understand Spanish people rooting for their country. But I was extremely, extremely disappointed to find so many Americans in Spain jerseys, and the fact that Spain got louder cheers for pretty much everything, even at the open practice on Friday. It is an utter disgrace, in my opinion, to root for the other team when they are playing your own country. You would never see that in another country. I’m all for rooting for them when their not playing the USA, but when they are? It made me very sad.
There were a couple of brights spots for the USA. Juan Agudelo and his replacement in the second half Alejandro Bedoya both looked alright, and as I mentioned before, Michael Bradley was very composed in midfield after he came on at halftime. He might not be the most skilled player, but he brings heart, grit, and composure to the USA side. He needs to work on his distribution, but he will be the anchor in midfield for the next generation of the USA team.
Spot on analysis, in my book…I am finding it difficult to believe that I am becoming a Michael Bradley, but I was very impressed with his composure and situational awareness. Cheers!