The Aftermath: Argentina

Sunday, 01 July 07, 03:36 AM

As a soccer fan, by now you must know about the result the United States managed against the powerhouse Argentines in the 2007 Copa America. I'm here to clarify a few things about that particular match that can easily be misinterpreted based on digestion of the scoreline alone.

    First, however, enjoy the highlights from the match as broadcast by GolTV.

Highlights from Argentina's 4-1 victory over the United States.
The highlights don't necessarily tell the full story either, however. This was one of those matches you had to watch in order to understand, and you had to come into the experience with the knowledge that the United States was coming with what could be called it's B team at best, and more realistically a C team at that. Argentina, in turn, came with an improved version of their 2006 World Cup team. In fact, by the beliefs of quite a few analysts both in America and abroad, anything less than a Copa America victory for the Argentines would be a disappointment.

    (A side note -- feel free to skip this paragraph if you must. I forgive you!) After having read that, the natural impression would be that I'm just another U.S. soccer apologist, a delusional fan who is under the impression that no matter what, the United States have a team worthy of global merit - NO! I'm just as annoyed by those clueless fans as you are. Believe me! As a note of irony, I personally couldn't stand the commentary on GolTV either. If you didn't hear it, consider yourself lucky. It was an hour and a half of blatant disregard for negative play and arbitrary focus on the proverbial silver lining in a cloud-filled sky..

but let's move on.
 
     In any case, a few simple facts remain.
  • Argentina had no reservations in the selection process. They came with the best possible team, hands down.
  • The United States left behind the core of their team (Onyewu, Donovan, Beasley, Mastroeni, etc.) at every valuable position with the exception of goalkeeper. The back line, the midfield and the attack had second or even third rate players.
  • The U.S. was able to hold off Argentina from burying the match for just about an hour to seventy minutes.
    In watching the game, it was easy to get caught up in the possibilities. After the first U.S. goal, the short-lived yet powerful hope that a positive result would come became present. When Argentina fired back, suddenly the flood gates had opened and the game was over. Fifty minutes and endless sweat-inducing thoughts (or in my case, hopes) later, the game was still at an impass.
 
    Just as almost everything else in sport, the tendency was to jump to an irrational conclusion. Just the fact that the U.S. had held off the opposing powerhouse was enough to induce cries of a moral victory no matter the final result.
 
    Suddenly, another goal for the light blue and white. And another. And another. The same people shouting moral victory began doubting themselves just a little bit. Sure, everyone knew it would happen at one point or the next - but four goals after such a strong defensive showing?
 
    After a few days and, finally, the development of a clear head on the whole situation, it becomes clear that while there was some kind of value to be taken from the match for the United States side, it doesn't come in just about anything having to do with the final result. In fact, the Argentines have every right to boast. They mauled a young squad, just as had been predicted. More so, however, the U.S. discovered a few young talents that will certainly assist in 2010.
     
    Short preparation time and unfavorable circumstances aside, the valiant defensive effort from the U.S.A. was just as had been intended by Bob Bradley and company - a gauge, so to speak, for the readiness of the next generation. In a competition where not every country brought its best (Mexico, Brazil, USA, etc.), Argentina is the only real test for any squad outside of the CONMEBOL with World Cup aspirations. This match turned out to be an individual test. That's the positive for America.
The negative, however, is much more apparent. Just take a look at the score.
 
THANKS FOR READING! CHECK BACK OFTEN!
 
 

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