USA preparations look good for World Cup 2010 with Turkish defeat
The United States of America is a team that is well under-rated. It may not have the hot-shot players ruling the world in its team but what it has in ample quantity is the understanding between their players. Just from watching their game one comes to marvel their commitment to each other and the team. They produced a similar saga in their 2-1 victory over Turkey in their 2nd last final friendly before the FIFA World Cup in South Africa this summer.
USA debuted in the very first World Cup and eventually captured the 3rd position in 1930 and including that they have a total 8 appearances. This time in 2010 it seems they are promising something big when it comes to recent times. They have had a fine qualifying round, their performance steadily on the rise in the friendlies as they started with drawing with England till defeating Turkey.
It was Arda Turan who drew first blood after 27 minutes of waiting Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia where 55,000 faithful had gathered to witness the event. Eventually Jozy Altidore levelled the match near the finish of the hour. As the match grew intense and nearing the final whistle Clint Dempsey produced the goal that lead to victory about 15 minutes left on the clock.
The Turkish had a couple of opportunities early on but they weren’t able to avail any of them. Tuncay and Hamit Altintop were both disappointing as they not only missed easy strikes but failed to pass at crucial moments. The Americans on the other hand were relentless; Dempsey and Benny Feilhaber both made charges one after another completely confounding the Turkish.
Ironically the Turkish opened their account from a counter attack on the Americans with Jonathan Spector making a good dash to the other end. But when it ended it was Turan’s turn to lead the assault and he made no mistake in dribbling and then striking it past Tim Howard.
Just before half-time both the teams got an excellent opportunity to score, both chances were futile. Tuncay got his shot a slight deflection which cleared it and Dempsey wasn’t in time to align himself with an excellent cross Altidore.
The USA coach Bob Bradley surprised everyone by making made four substitutions at the half and one of the replacements, it happened to be a well planned decision in the end as Robbie Findley brought an instant turn around for them.
The game resumed and just ten minutes in he controlled the ball impeccably and then made a close call to score. That however did not let him down and he was rewarded apart in the equaliser.
The former occupant in Landon Donovan, now the forward Los Angeles Galaxy scarcely missed the Turkish goalkeeper Volkan Demirel while altruistically giving the ball to Altidore who brought it home.
The Turkish looked all over for their second but the Americans beat them to it. It was former Everton man Donovan again who started the symphony from a throw to Dempsey who balanced it before giving the ball the final touch of finesse.
Dempsey along with Jose Torres both were given chances to make it to three but both of them missed their chance narrowly. Still their fans were proud of them at the end and so was Bradley who mentioned that they could expect even better in their next match against Australia in Roodepoort after which they have their World Cup match against England.
When the American team is taken into consideration you will notice that they are a team that is competing in a league that is well above them. Considering the stars other team have got it is impressive to hear that their FIFA ranking is 14 and while best comes at Number 4 in 2006.
Their forwards took on a brutal Turkish defence which clearly implies the fact that they can do even better in the Cup. The Question then lies in their defence, is it strong enough? Oguchi Onyewu is a star that can lead them in that section but he has just joined them from a long injury. With the 12th June match with England closing in, a lot will be put on the shoulders of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey and their ability to switch wings and making plays around the field.
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