Live The Pitch

On the eve of the biggest match in recent U.S. soccer history there are still questions on who Bob Bradley will start.  For the U.S.A., Oguchi Onyewu and Jozy Altidore should both be in the starting lineup but both will have something to prove.  Hopefully he has informed the players who are in his starting 11 know so they can prepare for this epic match.

The U.S. team has consistently played in a 4-4-2 formation but with Bob Bradley you never know what he is thinking.  If he strays from the 4-4-2 he could  possibly go with a 4-5-1.  Our team is a better team with 2 strikers on the field so lets hope he sticks with what works.

Bob Bradley will start Tim Howard in goal for the Americans.  Howard is in great form and as long as he keeps his composure and remains calm in tight situations he will shine.  Howard has the potential to be a breakthrough players this summer.

The left back position will most likely be captain Carlos Bocanegra.  Bocanegra has the ability to play in the central defense if needed but shines on the wing.

Jay Demerit and Oguchi Onyewu will start together as central backs.  Onyewu is still a major concern going into the macth over his fitness level.  If Onyewu can’t go or if he struggles look for Bradley to go with Clarence Goodson.

Right back will be played by Steve Cherundelo.  Cherundelo won the job from Jonathan Spector in my opinion with his recent play.  Bradley has not stated who he prefers so we will have to see who he chooses to go with.

The starting outside midfielders will be Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey.  Donovan and Dempsey also both have the ability to move to striker or attacking midfield if needed.

In the middle Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark will start together reuniting  the pair who did superb together at last summers FIFA Confederations Cup.  Maurice Edu and Jose Francisco Torres are also in good form and could surprisingly break into the lineup.

Bradley has confirmed that Jozy Altidore is starting up top, but  it still remains unclear on who will be joining him.  Edson Buddle is the clear choice at the moment but Robbie Findlay’s pace is also a great option.  Look for Bradley to go with Buddle alongside Altidore.

GK- Tim Howard

DEF- Steve Cherundelo, Jay Demerit, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra

MID- Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey

FWR- Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle

On Wednesday night the U.S. National Team played Costa Rica at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Costa Rica was 30 seconds from clinching a spot in the 2010 World Cup, but before time could expire Jonathan Bornstein drove a header home to tie the game 2-2, to secure Honduras a spot instead.

The match began with the U.S. dictating the pace of play. They found themselves on goal numerous times in the opening 15 minutes, but just could not get the ball on goal.  In the 12th minute Connor Casey missed a golden opportunity to put the Americans ahead as Jozy Altidore found him wide open in front of goal with just the keeper to beat. Casey chocked big time and sent the ball high and wide of goal.

In the 20th minute Costa Rican forward Bryan Ruiz scored the games first goal. Ruiz blew by Onyewu after receiving the ball inside the box before beating a helpless Tim Howard. Ruiz would then score his second goal in 3 minutes to make the score 2-0, in the 23rd minute. He let loose a left footed rocket from the top of the 18 yard box into the upper left corner of the net.  The U.S. defense again was broken down by the crafty Ruiz.

The U.S. again would miss a sure goal when Landon Donovan found himself behind the Costa Rican defense in the 37th minute. Donovan found himself one-on-one against the Costa Rican goalkeeper, but his shot sailed into the stands. Donovan didn’t even get the ball on goal but to make it worse all he had to do was look to the back-post and he would have found a wide open Casey.

The U.S. should have had at least four goals in the first half.  They Absolutely dominated Costa Rica but went into halftime down two goals.

In the second half Costa Rica tried to preserve their two goal lead by dropping most of the team back and clogging the middle of the field. The Tico’s had their fare share of chances on goal but the U.S. still controlled the game, applying constant pressure to the Costa Rican back line. In the 64th minute Coach Bradley began to use his bench and in the next 16 minutes he used his three available substitutions.

In the 72nd minute Bradley got the fans back into the game when he outworked the Costa Rican defense for his 7th international goal. Second half substitution Robbie Rodgers sent a ball to the near post around the six yard box to Bradley, who flicked the ball to Donovan. Donovan settled the ball beautifully to his right foot and got a shot on goal that was deflected by Costa Rican keeper K Navas. Bradley pounced on the rebound and slid as he hit his shot off the keeper and into the back of the net.

With all three subs on the field, the U.S. was forced to play with 10 men for the last 15 minutes of the match when Unyewu went down with a torn tendon in his left knee.  This is not good news for U.S. soccer as it will prove very difficult to replace the big physical defender.

The U.S. would break the hearts of Costa Rica when Johnathan Bornstein found himself wide open on a corner kick before heading it past the diving defenders.  The corner was taken in the 5th minute of extra time culminating an excellent overall match.

To give up a goal this late in the match was heartbreaking for Costa Rica because now they are forced to play in a one game playoff to earn a berth to South Africa.

Overall, the U.S. looked strong at times.  Other than the two breakdowns from the U.S. defence in the first half the back four had a very strong match.  In the midfield Bradley and Donovan dominated up and down the pitch.  Up top, Altidore was a machine from whistle to whistle.  Altidore could have very well had a hat trick by himself on any other given night.

U.S. National Team midfielder Freddy Adu will join first division Portuguese side Belenenses for a one year loan.  Adu is currently under contract with Benfica.  Last year, Adu was loaned to AS Monaco but failed to get much playing time.  Adu needs a good showing this year to impress Bob Bradley enough to get on the U.S. World Cup roster.

This is a great move for Adu who was definitely not in the plans of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus.  It seems Adu has been jumping from club to club each year trying to find his place.  It might be best for Adu to just come home and play for the MLS.  Adu has great abilities, but for some reason has never really lived up to the hype he received as a young teenager in the U.S.

As huge U.S. National Team fans here at Livethepitch.com we hope for Adu to succeed and to become a factor on next summers World Cup team.