FIVE things we learned from the U.S. win over Nigeria

Published on: 08 June 2014
FIVE things we learned from the U.S. win over Nigeria
Jun 7, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; United States midfielder Kyle Beckerman (15), talks with defender Matt Besler (5) and defender Geoff Cameron (20) during the first half against the Nigeria at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The U.S. is done with its domestic World Cup preparation after a convincing 2-1 win over to Nigeria.

Now, the U.S. heads to Brazil Sunday and will play a final tuneup match against Belgium before the team faces Ghana on June 16.

There were many questions surrounding the U.S. prior to playing Nigeria, and for the time being, most of those queries were answered.

Who is going to play in the back? When will Jozy Altidore score? Is coach Jurgen Klinsmann sticking with the 4-4-2 Diamond? Have you ever seen EverBank Field so full?

Was it a 4-4-2 Diamond? Was it a 4-2-3-1? Does it matter?

Regardless of what it looked like on paper (the U.S. players claimed it was a 4-2-3-1), it appeared to be a much closer representation of how the U.S. will play against Ghana. The addition of Kyle Beckerman provided a clearer definition of the holding central midfielder and allowed both Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones to wander a bit more freely.

“We know Kyle, this is his specialty to protect his teammates and to run endlessly,” Klinsmann said. “Jermaine then has more freedom to go forward and he knows that if he loses the ball there’s someone behind him who is going to clean up for him”

If you ask Klinsmann, the formation is meaningless. That’s not quite true. When players understand their roles in the formation, it can actually be very powerful.

“We’re going to play against these good teams, and they are going to have possession at times and it was about not letting them be dangerous,” Beckerman said.

Fabian Johnson remains the best attacking threat on the U.S. not named Dempsey.

Speaking of players understanding their roles, Johnson was excellent once more at right back. The midfield’s current structure, allowed both Johnson and Beasley to attack the space on the outsides. Two goals in as many matches have come from Johnson bombing forward, hopefully the trend continues in Brazil.

Jozy Altidore finally got one (and then got two).

It took 238 days, but Jozy Altidore finally scored (twice!) so we can all calm down now. Both goals were well taken, especially the second, but it’s his hold up play and work rate on defense that the U.S. will need to count on in Brazil. But Brazil is nine days away; enjoy your brace, Jozy … or don’t.

“To be honest, it makes no difference [to score].” Altidore said.

Bradley was a little bit more animated about Altidore’s performance.

“Jozy is such a good player, he means so much to our team,” Bradley said. “The reality is, anybody whoever questions Jozy, or anybody who doesn’t understand what he brings to our team, doesn’t understand soccer.”

Michael Bradley’s motor doesn’t stop.

Ogenyi Onazi is going to need therapy after spending 90 minutes trying to keep up with Bradley. The U.S. central midfielder pressed the Nigerian backline incessantly, which is exactly what he’ll need to do against Ghana.

Beckerman and Jones also deserve credit for Bradley’s performance. With both players holding, Bradley’s defensive responsibilities were almost completely removed in the U.S. half of the field, allowing him to launch the counterattack and press higher than he did against Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Speaking of players understanding their roles, Johnson was excellent once more at right back. The midfield’s current structure, allowed both Johnson and Beasley to attack the space on the outsides. Two goals in as many matches have come from Johnson bombing forward, hopefully the trend continues in Brazil.

The back four finally looked settled.

For all the gaps and disjointedness in the back during first two matches of this sendoff series, Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler looked downright composed against Nigeria, even if Besler conceded the late penalty, which resulted in Ghana’s lone goal.

Tim Howard didn’t have too much to do for 90 minutes, which was a nice present for his 100th cap. DaMarcus Beasley received a standing ovation as he left the field, surely securing his spot at left back over Timmy Chandler, and Johnson looked as good as ever with Beckerman and Jones covering for him when he went forward.

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