Reaction: ARG 4 – USA 1
By: Christian | June 29th, 2007
It was like 1996 all over again, as 2 goals from former millonarios Hernan Crespo, and one golazo from Pablito Aimar, helped lead Argentina to a 4-1 win over the US in Copa America last night. Eddie Johnson scored the lone goal for the US on a penalty early in the first half, yet despite a gutsy performance from the Yanks, it was not enough to overcome an Argentine side loaded with world class footballers. Carlos Tevez came off the bench in the 79th minute and scored Argentina’s 4th of the night.
It was two substitutions in the second half, one from each side, that ultimately decided the game. Ben Olsen was taken off for Eddie Gaven, and unfortunately his inexperience at that level of competition showed. Yet it was around that substitution in the 62nd minute that I honestly believe the US as a team just ran out of gas. Argentina meanwhile took off a surprisingly ineffective Cambiasso in the 58th minute for Aimar, and the game was pretty much over at that point.
Considering the young and inexperienced squad the US bought, I thought they played with tremendous heart, and for at least 60 minutes, took the game to the Argentines, enough for perhaps the briefest second to begin thoughts of an upset. But clearly, the class and experience of Argentina was too overwhelming in the end. So the while the result may be justified, it really doesn’t tell the whole story. Argentina were better overall, but the US put up a good fight.
So what did I learn? Argentina still seems to me the far and away favorite. As for the Stars and Stripes, it was an unforgiving baptism by fire, but a lot of players showed that they belong on the big stage last night, and as a whole, they have nothing to be ashamed of.
Some other thoughts:
* The US still can’t seem to find ways to score goals. Twellman and Johnson simply do not play well together (or even separately, for that matter) at the national level.
* Barcelona star Messi was OWNED by of all people, Jonathan Bornstein. This is a kid who plays for Chivas USA, folks. Hopefully we’ll see him as a permanent fixture to the US backline.
* I may never forgive him for his “gallina” dance during the Copa Libertadores against River Plate, but for my money, there is no more exciting player right now than Carlos Tevez. You knew that once he came on the pitch he was just going to score, and he did so in clinical fashion.
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Gaven replaced Benny Olsen, I thought. Bad sub – Benny was inspiring the squad with his Gattuso-like grit.
Our back line was CLASS considering they only had a couple days to get aquainted. The few times we broke towards Pato’s goal, the attack was hesitant. As much as I know I’m setting myself up for disappointment, there’s the tiniest hope that we can get points against Paraguay and Colombia and possibly advance with a third-place? Sigh, let’s see.
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United States
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It was Olsen, thanks for the correction.
Benny was all class, here’s hoping he remains a staple of the MNT. We still have problems with attack and defense. My fingers will be crossed.
Posted from
United States
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