It would be too easy to blame the referee, and to focus on that decision. It was a poor one and not the only time Markus Merk has illustrated a lack of common sense and clarity in his decision-making (as we suggested in the previous posting). There are a number of examples from the Brazil-Australia encounter, and it was no surprise that the German official continued in a similar vein.
Michael Essien will now miss the 2nd round clash, probably with Brazil, for a tackle that arguably merited a foul, but certainly nothing more.
However, US soccer has a lot more to concern itself with than a German dentist. There was nothing in their performance to suggest that had they gone in 1-1 at half-time, the Americans would have come out in the second-half and fulfilled the required result.
Instead of looking to make things happen, the US players hoped that things would happen, that the ball would break their way and that fortune would shine upon them.
It was a performance devoid of craft, passion and belief. DeMarcus Beasley looked like a man playing pick-up in Central Park, while Landon Donovan offered even less. It is becoming increasingly obvious that Donovan doesn’t have the composure for the bigger stage.
In addition to temperament, it may well be that Donovan simply doesn’t have the ability. That is no fault of his own, but an acceptance of this would at least enable him to tailor his game appropriately and focus on the strengths he does possess.
For all the hype, neither Beasley or Donovan are the type of players who can impose themselves fully on a game, take it by the scruff of the neck and guide their team towards a win. At the World Cup level, the competition is no longer Guatemala, Honduras or Canada.
There is also a question mark over Bruce Arena. The US were simply over-reliant on the long ball to Brian McBride in the hope that he would win a knockdown that another could fasten onto. It didn’t work. And when it did - the only time - Donovan blazed the ball well over the bar.
With players of pace sprinkled throughout the team, the US failed to attack the Ghanaians, commit their defenders and force the issue. In one of the few instances they did Eddie Lewis took the ball to the byline, with McBride catching the resultant cross and striking the post. But this was an isolated example.
Ultimately, there is little need for embarrassment about this first round exit. The Americans were up against three quality teams. One can only hope that lessons will be learned...
Recent Comments