It was a good night for U.S. soccer Wednesday as the U.S. kids beat Guatemala 2-0 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
Already assured of qualifying for the next rounf of World Cup qualifying matches, U.S. coach Bob Bradley took this opportunity to play what essentially was his second string team. And he must have been pleased with the results.
The American team dominated possession of the ball throughout the game using short crisp passes. This was a skillful and dominating display from the U.S. albeit against a weak opponent, but skillful and dominating nonetheless. Perhaps the only negative: the quality of finishing did not match the quality of the passing.
Stars for the U.S. included Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore and Kenny Cooper. Adu scored his first goal for the senior national team with an incredible second half free kick. Going overseas has really helped Adu and it looks like he is finally beginning to live up to the hype.
Another player that is benefiting from playing overseas is Jozy Altidore. There is a noticeable improvement in this game since his move to Villarreal in Spain. Altidore formed an impressive partnership with FC Dallas’s Kenny Cooper who scored the first goal for the U.S.
Based on this performance it will be difficult for Bradley to both Altidore and Adu out of the team when world cup qualfying begins for real next year. I would also like to see more or the Altidore and Cooper partnership which could give the U.S.. the physical presence that they have been missing since Brian McBride retired from International football.