SEE ALSO: This Unconventional Lineup Gives The US It’s Best Chance To Win
Jürgen Klinsmann’s team is playing like they don’t want to make the World Cup.
Their game in Guatemala looked like Frida Kalho. Not one of her paintings, her.
It was ugly.
Here are the big issues plaguing the United States men’s national team:
Bonehead Mistakes On Defense
The back line is constantly in flux. The only defenders I’m sold on are Geoff Cameron and DeAndre Yedlin.
With personnel changing from week to week, the defense rarely functions as a cohesive unit.
There’s a lot of helter skelter out there, which creates opportunities for things to go wrong.
Diskerud loses his footing and Guatemala gets a free goal. Not the start Tim Howard was looking for in his first game back as the USMNT’s keeper.
Bradley and Diskerud allow a goal kick bounce in the midfield, which is then collected by a Guatemalan striker who can’t believe his good fortune.
Notice a common denominator?
Mix Diskerud
There’s no synergy between Dikserud and anyone else on the pitch. He’s like William H. Macy in The Cooler. Attacking center-mid is an important position. It’s where you stick you best player, not your worst player. Get him out of there.
Aim Where The Goalie’s Not
The United States is not doing themselves any favors by kicking the ball directly at the other team’s goalie.
The ball’s not a gamma ray. It’s not gonna go THROUGH the keeper.
Making Paulo Motta look like Goldberg from The Mighty Ducks.
Right down the pipe.
Hats off to Paulo César Motta – he had a big game. But the US was throwing him alley-oops all night.
Wonky Lineups
The US can cross another starting 11 off the list. At least Jürgen knows which combination of players not to put out next time.
Fabian Johnson’s absence was huge. Without him, the United States just doesn’t have that many technically and tactically sound players who can create chances.
Bradley has established himself as a solid anchor in the middle. But without help, he’s not very useful at all.
Bobby Wood got the start over Jozy Alitdore. That’s OK. Klinsmann’s not afraid to roll the dice. But unless he starts rollin’ some 7s, he’s gonna lose the rent money.
If the USMNT were a boat, it would be listing heavily. Not sinking, but not a vessel you’d want to be on without a real good plan.
Klinsmann’s running out of time to right this ship. If he doesn’t grab a bucket and start bailing, he might be headed for a watery grave.
