11/21/24
March 27, 2011
Teen Scores in US Draw Against Argentina: Eighteen-year-old U.S. forward Juan Agudelo came on as a second-half substitute and scored the equalizer in the United States' 1-1 draw in an international friendly against Argentina Saturday night. Agudelo has scored in two of the three games he's played for the U.S. Goalkeeper Tim Howard and other players sounded a cautionary note about making too much of it. "I think there have been a lot of Juans who have come and gone," Howard said. "There have been very few guys who've been able to sustain it, so I think that's the challenge for us and for him."
I second that comment. Argentina's performance--particularly in the first half--was some of the finest soccer I have ever seen. There was one particular play with four consecutive first touches back and forth between two players surrounded by three or four defenders that I had to rewind and watch four times in a row.
I also agree on the halftime adjustment credit. After being massively outclassed in the first half and only being in the game by the grace of Howard and some fortunate defensive flailing, the Americans played relatively even with Argentina in the second half.
It was definitely better than your average friendly.
posted by bender at 12:16 PM on March 27, 2011
"I think there have been a lot of Juans who have come and gone," Howard said.
...or he might have said, "If you've seen Juan, you've seen them all."
Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun, but it sounds like this was a well-done for the US squad.
posted by Howard_T at 01:08 PM on March 27, 2011
If only they'd woken up at the opening whistle instead of the second half. Have to say, though, that Howard and the D were outstanding. Agudelo and Jozy were potent on offense and I hope Bradley starts them against Paraguay. If Charlie Davis can build on his early start at DC we will have a great attack force for the Gold Cup and on.
I think the other halftime switch, bringing in Tim Chandler for Spector, was perhaps as important. Most of the Argentine attacks in the first half came down (their) left, and Spector was not handling it well. The goal came that way though Messi actually nutmegged Bocanegra after Spector was out of place. Chandler also was much better getting forward and put in a bunch of good crosses.
Nice red jersey too. The other two versions of the current shirt look awful to me with the big slash but this one is much better.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:56 AM on March 28, 2011
If only they'd woken up at the opening whistle instead of the second half.
Haven't watched the game yet (DVR'd it, no idea why it's still on there now), but isn't that pretty true of the US team in general recently? Seemed like they had one good half per game in the World Cup.
posted by yerfatma at 08:21 PM on March 28, 2011
Speaking of Tim Howard, he's the reason why it ended up a 1-1 draw. He was amazing. The first half was an absolute clinic by the Argentinians and some of the most beautiful soccer I've ever seen by a team. Their possession and passing ability was extraordinary. I could also watch Messi dribble for hours on end.
Credit Bob Bradley with putting in Juan Agudelo and switching from a passive 4-5-1 where we rarely saw a USA player on the offensive side to the 4-4-2 giving the USA some actual ball movement and breathing room.