Learning experience? U.S. thrashed in Germany
Dortmund, Germany (Sports Network) - The U.S. Men's National Team entered Wednesday's match without many of the team's regulars, and left the match with a 4-1 loss as Germany scored four second-half goals in front of the home fans at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.
The German club and coach Jurgen Klinsmann were in dire need of a win after losing its last friendly match to Italy by the identical score of 4-1 March 1 in Florence, Italy.
The more than 60,000 fans in attendance for Wednesday's match remained quiet during the scoreless first half, but erupted in cheers and chants when German substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the first goal minutes into the second half to lead Germany to the victory.
Despite the last minute efforts of Steve Cherundolo who scored after Eddie Johnson collided with German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, the United States' defense seemed to breakdown at the start of the second half.
Wednesday's match proved an important one for the U.S., as it is the last time the team will step foot on a European field prior to the June 9th start of the FIFA World Cup.
For manager Bruce Arena, the Germany match was also an important chance to see his players compete against a competitive opponent. Klinsmann's starting lineup included nine players that were with Germany during its second place finish in the 2002 World Cup.
The loss is the United States' first since the start of 2006. Prior to Wednesday, the team had won four matches, and tied one for a strong start to the year. Arena's lineup was without Landon Donovan, who was scratched with a calf injury, Clint Dempsey, Brian McBride, Eddie Pope and Eddie Lewis, among others.
Fans at Signal Iduna Park were treated to a first half of missed scoring opportunities. The German offense quickly took control of the match, with numerous attempts inside of the first 10 minutes.
Striker Michael Ballack took Germany's first attempt at a goal in the second minute with a header that was drilled over the U.S. net. Germany managed another shot in the fifth minute from 20 yards out, resulting in an easy save for goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
The U.S. lineup took a hit early in the 17th minute, when Chris Klein was brought in for Josh Wolff, who was substituted after suffering a mild concussion.
The U.S. also managed a number of opportunities, but failed to score against Kahn.
The 0-0 draw was quickly erased in the early stages of the first half. Schweinsteiger scored the team's first goal by drilling a shot into the left corner of the net to take the first lead of the game in the 46th minute.
The U.S. had its best chance to equalize in the 66th minute, but Johnson's header was saved by a diving Kahn to preserve the lead.
Oliver Neuville, Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack followed by scoring a goal each to make it 4-0 with just 10 minutes remaining.
The U.S. managed a goal in the 80th minute, when Cherundolo sent a long pass to Johnson, who collided with Kahn as the ball rolled into the back of the German net.
The U.S. faces Jamaica in its next friendly match April 11 at SAS Park in Cary, North Carolina.
Comments
Dear USA,
I hope that's not your real team. They were terrible.
cheers,
Deutschland
Posted by: Germany | March 23, 2006 02:18 PM
US would have done better if they weren't missing Clint Dempsey--I heard the fight with Franchino ended up with Franchino being taken to the hospital.
Posted by: New England | March 24, 2006 11:40 AM
Keep in mind that this team is not the team that will be going to Germany for the World Cup. I would be SHOCKED if the US has more than 3 players that played in this game on their roster for the World Cup. By the way, does anyone know the status of Jon Busch? I know he's recovering from injury but I hope he gets named to Arena's final roster. He is much better than Keller.
Posted by: Ken Smith | March 24, 2006 11:56 AM
The match against Germany was a way for Arena to allow players who wont be traveling to the world cup to get a feel of some of the action. Arena and the US will shock the world again in World cup play. Truthfully though, I belive a European team is taking the cup this time. No more Brasil!
Posted by: Justin | March 24, 2006 03:26 PM
I don't think Dempsey would have made much of a difference... but we did miss Onyewu and Beasley. Please, please, please don't ever put berhalter out there again.
Justin, it would be nice if someone other than Brasil won, but i'm going to watch all their matches. At least it's exciting.
Posted by: number10 | March 24, 2006 04:33 PM
that was a waste of a match. germany leaves in most of its starters and america uses a b-team. it couldve been a real test for america but arena used non-regulars and we got our butts handed to us. hey ken smith, who is jon busch anyways? i doubt he can compete with keller.
Posted by: ronaldinho | March 24, 2006 05:29 PM
jon busch...you must be kidding me. Watching that game was like watching us play in the '90 WC. maybe we could bring back Tony Meola and Alexi to save the day. Accept the fact will be a short Cup for the Red, White, and Blue. We maybe win a game.
Posted by: woodsoc | March 24, 2006 10:02 PM
First of all, who is Jon Busch?? And if you think there's a better keeper out there than Keller, than I hope Keller steps up even more than he already has and proves you wrong. Also, why is the keeper always to blame?? I'd like to see a field player go out there and sacrifice his/her body for the team as a goalkeeper--diving, leaping, punching, parrying, kicking, sprinting, and giving it all he's/she's got--not worrying about a 90 mph ball flying at his/her face! Go "TEAM" USA! (notice the emphasis on TEAM)!!
Posted by: usasoccer | March 25, 2006 01:30 AM
yeah, I agree. Keller is not the problem. The guys standing directly in front of him were awful. Give me Onyewu, Pope and Lewis... and even Jonathan Spector (why is he not even considered??). anyway, the midfield better get healthy by June, or it's gonna be a disaster like in '98.
Posted by: rick a | March 25, 2006 11:41 AM
The German Team needs to step up to the plate also if they plan on winning the World Cup.
We have seen better playing in the past.
The American Team need more fire and more wanting to win in order to do so. The desire to win should be more evident.
Come on US lets do it.
Posted by: Peter Menzel | March 25, 2006 03:37 PM
I think that U.S squad was not very impressive againts Germany. Kasey Keller was to blame for the first goal because he guessed to ealry. Seems like he was expecting M.Klose to redirect a ball. But in World Class Football, early guess can be catastrophic. And for rest of the goals, defense for hesititing to clear the ball when Nueville scored, not playing a man for Klose's goal, and for giving Ballack room. In the future U.S needs to play football w/ their opponent not let their opponent play them.
Posted by: Plaba | March 26, 2006 12:52 PM
good point, Plaba. i agree with your last sentence.
Posted by: shocker | March 27, 2006 12:32 PM
Jon Busch was a brilliant keeper until he tore his ACL. Once he gets healthy watch out, he'll be a tour de force in 2010.
Posted by: scouser | March 27, 2006 05:34 PM
U.S. will never beat germany they r to good and germany or brazil is going to win the cup
Posted by: soccerplayer | March 28, 2006 08:04 AM
I don't understand what all this pettifoggery is about since neither USA or Germany will be any match for the mighty TRINIDAD & TOBAGO.
Posted by: crskllr | March 28, 2006 10:00 AM
You guys here are just making life harder to those US players. u can't compare both!!!Germany were on top of the world 3 times and also 3 times Euro championship winners!!!plus them and Brazil are the only teams who reached the final match 7 times...SEVEN TIMES....READ IT...that's almost 50% of world cups finals!!!even when germany's team suck, they still reach the final...The history of any tam plays a crucial role in football. Be careful guys, Germans won't just host a world cup only for the sake of it like the US did in 1990...When Germany hosts it, it means they will win it. Mark my words.
Posted by: Fadi | March 28, 2006 12:35 PM
I agree with a lot of you who say that the U.S. team that played Germany last week, won't be the team going to the WC tournament. I will have to say though that the roster that Bruce Arena will pick won't be as good as it was 4-years ago and therefore they will not make it as far as they did last world cup. And for those who think the Cup won't stay in the Americas, think again and just look at the teams like Brasil and Argentina. Hope to hear from those who disagree after the WC2006.
Posted by: Mrfutbol | March 28, 2006 12:56 PM
The U.S. national team is good. They didn't have all their players for the Germany game and it showed. They'll have a good run in Germany 06, however, I'm still not sure the U.S. is up to the level of Germany, England, Argentina and others.
Posted by: Devin Haarmann | March 28, 2006 11:42 PM
My USMNT squad would be:( if all were healty
Keller
Gibbs Onyewou Bocangra lewis
Dempsey?? Reyna Convey Beasly
Donavon Mcbride
Wow Do we not have a right wing that can cross a ball?
Posted by: rouge7 | March 29, 2006 06:41 AM
Guten Tag Deutschland! Wie gehts!
I think some have missed the point. Read any article following the game and all authors repeat the same principle facts. Germany had quite a few of WC starters in the game against the US. Jurgen HAD to play their top players, he has a lot of making up to do with the German fans. We on the other hand, we had our "second string." Now correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the first half scoreless? I hope Jurgen Klinsmann's sigh of relief wasn't too long. I am eargerly waiting to see how the US does in the World Cup. I think we have come a long way and with our starters playing in Europe (and doing well) they will give us reasons to follow them to Germany.
Bis spater!
Posted by: esilvestri | March 29, 2006 09:51 AM
Call a spade a spade; they played terribly
and were well beaten 4-1. Thats football, they were lucky to have scored one. I firmly
believe that players like Adu and Eskandarian should be on the U.S team. Sorry they dont have a prayer this World Cup.
Posted by: Matches | March 31, 2006 04:43 AM
Adu isn't mature enough to handle int'l football. Experience goes a long way at the world cup, especially in a potentially overwhelming setting like Germany.
The more players with european experience the better. Guys like Reyna, McBride, O'Brien need to get healthy, b/c they will not be intimidated.
Posted by: howser | March 31, 2006 04:40 PM
USA is a good team so don't talk about them ever again and i mean that so be queit and go watch USA waste the would ya i mean the world, USA didn't have all of there good players so If i played for Germany i would be happy i didn't play them because i would know i would get wasted bad so bad it would hurt.
pace world
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(edited by SoccerAdmin: Please stay on topic. Comments posted off topic or containing profanity will be deleted.)
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