Three tactical observations from USA 1-0 Guadeloupe

Posted Wednesday, June 15, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Kansas City certainly did not get a match to live up to its new stadium when the United States national team hosted Guadeloupe in the final match of Gold Cup group play. A 1-0 win for the U.S. proved sufficient to limp into the quarterfinals, where Jamaica awaits on Sunday.

Here's three quick-fire tactical observations from the dreary match:

1. Pace at fullback helped.

Bob Bradley made two major changes to the lineup that lost to Panama earlier in the group stages. The first, Chris Wondolowski's insertion in place of Juan Agudelo, was largely insignificant. Wondolowski continues to improve his movement, but the lack of both sharpness and ability to impose himself on a game means Bradley is wasting his time with the San Jose Earthquakes striker at the international level. Not that Agudelo deserved to start either.

The second change, however, paid off. Eric Lichaj offered pace and verve from his leftback position. Combined with Steve Cherundolo's runs up the right flank, the fullbacks helped spread play and open up holes in the middle of the Guadeloupe defense, especially with both Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey floating centrally to take advantage.

Bradley will likely continue with captain Carlos Bocanegra in the middle of defense with the more offensively inclined (if one-footed) Lichaj at left back.

2. Guadeloupe transitions quickly.

There wasn't a whole lot of subtlety to Guadeloupe's game plan: hit the ball forward as quickly as possible, utilizing pacey runs from inside out. Given the athleticism and speed of some of the Gwada Boys, it actually gave the U.S. a bit to think about.

However, once in dangerous areas, Guadeloupe proved frustratingly incapable of slowing the play down or stringing two consecutive passes together. This dearth of technique and a lack of patience left the team exposed to attacks moving the other direction.

Additionally, attackers foolishly persisted in ignoring the placement of the American backline and earning offside calls, six in total. Livio Nabab in particular was guilty of failing to check his runs. All of this meant that, though Guadeloupe had a few good chances to puncture a disorganized U.S. defense, nothing came of any promising positions.

3. This game really was dreadful.

One imagines both coaches, after solemnly shaking hands, walking calmly back into the locker rooms and banging their respective heads into the walls for a good 10 to 15 minutes. This was miserable, dire stuff. I've seen more composed performances from high school teams in Michigan.

Neither side had any semblance of structure. It was a mess. Midfielders sat on top of the defense while others meandered aimlessly across the pitch. Central defenders pretended they were fullbacks even as attackers made runs through the heart of the field.

This performance, on the whole, was unacceptable. Bradley knows a similarly inept display against Jamaica and the United States is headed for a prompt and embarrassing quarterfinal exit.