United States 4, Guatemala 0 (07.03.15)

U.S.: Win nice, but play must improve

(John Glennon, The Tennessean, 07.04.15)

NASHVILLE — In many ways, things couldn’t have gone better for the U.S. men’s national team and a record-setting soccer crowd Friday night at Nissan Stadium.

The Americans showed some offensive muscle in the second half, managed to keep a clean sheet defensively and treated the larges soccer crowd in state history — 44,835 — to a 4-0 victory over an overmatched Guatemala team.

A number of fans even managed to see postgame fireworks from a nearby downtown display, offering a fitting holiday touch to the evening.

“First of all, we would like to thank Nashville and this crowd,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “What amazing support and what an amazing atmosphere. To get 44,000 in a friendly … it’s wonderful to see.”

The only problem was that — despite the one-sided result and impressive show of red-white-and-blue support — neither Klinsmann nor his players were overly pleased with the way they played against a Guatemala team ranked 93rd in the world by FIFA.

The Americans were fortunate to lead 1-0 at the half, thanks to an own-goal scored by Guatemala’s Carlos Castrillo. The U.S. also surrendered a handful of quality scoring chances before breaking the game open in the second half thanks to the Americans’ superior depth.

“Obviously 4-0 sounds really nice, but the performance was not so nice,” Klinsmann said. “I’m not happy with that performance. I’m kind of disappointed with a couple of things — movement off the ball, speed of play, urgency. Things we talked about before the game were not executed the way we wanted them to be executed.”

The good news is that this game was tune-up for the start of next week’s Gold Cup, a tournament that determines the regional champion of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. So the U.S. hopes to take the good from this game and work on the bad as it prepares to defend its Gold Cup crown.

“I think if we’re honest with ourselves, there’s a lot that can be better,” U.S. captain Michael Bradley said. “We can be a little sharper. We can play a little quicker certain moments. We can keep things a little tighter. Again, we understand that. But this was in all ways a useful exercise as we go forward.

The U.S., ranked 27th in the world, broke the back of the Guatemalans in the 58th minute, when defender Timmy Chandler dribbled across the middle of the field and crushed a left-footed shot into the corner of the net from about 25 yards away.

Clint Dempsey, playing in his first game since serving a three-game Major League Soccer suspension, then converted a penalty kick in the 72nd minute after Bradley was knocked down in the box. Dempsey took the cheeky approach, floating a chip into the middle of the net as Guatemalan keeper Paulo Motta dived toward a corner.

“I’ve done it sometimes,” Dempsey said of the chip. “Sometimes it works if you see the keeper cheating a little big, going early. It’s always something good to have in your locker.”

The U.S. depth took its toll on the Guatemalans in the late going, with substitute midfield Gyasi Zardes providing an especially big spark. It was a Zardes run that led to Chris Wondolowski’s tap-in goal in the 86th minute, the final score of the night.”

“It’s always good to win, to get goals and get a shutout,” Dempsey said. “But we expect a lot of our team. We know we can be better, so we’ll have to be sharper to win the Gold Cup.”

Lots to like for U.S., starting with crowd

(John Glennon, The Tennessean, 07.04.15)

NASHVILLE — The U.S. men’s national soccer team captured its fourth straight victory Friday, building on the momentum of wins over Mexico, the Netherlands and Germany by downing Guatemala 4-0 at Nissan Stadium.

Here are three things we learned from the U.S. victory:

Nashville looks like a winner: The U.S. team always has been well supported in Music City — drawing 26,141 in a loss to Morocco in 2006, drawing 27,959 for a win over Trinidad and Tobago in 2009 and drawing 29,059 for a 1-0 loss to Paraguay in 2011.

But those crowds were nothing compared to Friday’s throng, as 44,835 were in attendance. The figure was especially impressive considering there was no special significance to the contest beside it being a tune-up for the start of next week’s Gold Cup tournament. A veteran lineup with a handful of familiar names probably helped put more fans in seats.

In any case, U.S. Soccer no doubt will have Nashville in mind for future games of more significance.

“I was fortunate to be able to come here in ’09 and the atmosphere was awesome,” U.S. goalie Brad Guzan said. “This tonight surpassed that. The fans were unbelievable. The atmosphere was great. Every time we’ve come here, we’ve been welcomed with open arms and — especially with the forecast for tonight — to have the support we did was phenomenal.”

The U.S. looked dangerous on the wings: Even thought the U.S. recorded its only score of the first half on a Guatemalan own goal, the Americans looked dangerous moving the ball up and down the flanks. On the left side, defender Fabian Johnson ventured forward successfully on a few occasions in the early going. On the right side, DeAndre Yedlin used his speed to create a number of opportunities, including one cross that led to the own goal.

Defender Timmy Chandler stepped up from the back to deliver a crunching goal from 25 yards out in the second half, and midfielder Gyasi Zardes provided a lot of creativity and energy in the second half — earning an assist in the process.

“There were definitely some players that looked sharp and focused,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “There were definitely some good things and some things that we need to work on.”

The U.S. defense looked leaky at times: Yes, the Americans recorded a shutout, but they were fortunate not to have surrendered at least one goal.

Near the end of the first half, Chandler failed to tightly mark Wilson Lalin, forcing Guzan to make a diving save on the header. Early in the second half, Jose Contreras was left open in the box and sent a short rebound try just wide of a large section of open net.

And in the closing moments, after the contest had long been decided, American defender Tim Ream was too loose defending Carlos Ruiz, allowing the veteran striker an easy attempt that he should have put away.

“We gave some chances away that you can’t afford on the international level,” Klinsmann said. “Too easy. Just simply too easy.”

American Outlaws invade Nashville to support soccer

(Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 07.04.15)

NASHVILLE — The American Outlaws are a rabid soccer support group as red, white and blue as the Fourth of July, and as much a part of the atmosphere at matches as the game itself.

An estimated 3,000-plus Outlaws descended on Nashville for Friday’s U.S.-Guatemala men’s match at Nissan Stadium, bringing their array of chants and songs and wearing their signature Americana-themed shirts, shorts, capes and pain.

“It’s like being the 12th man for the team,” said Michael Chrisman, who came with a group from the Louisville chapter. “Everyone gets behind America.”

Friday’s match brought Outlaws from around the country and sold enough tickets to fill three sections, Nashville’s American Outlaws chapter president and founder Jonathan Slape said.

“In a way, it’s kind of like SEC Football,” said Kenny Hirt of Nashville. “The Outlaws section is by far the loudest — (we’re) standing (and) singing pretty much throughout the whole game.”

The American Outlaws began in 2007 and local chapters generally have a home bar and will organize local watch parties and other support events. Membership is $25 per year.

“We’re there for the team and we want everybody in the stadium to know our passion and why we’re there,” said Brian Hexsel, the chapter chairman and travel manager for the Outlaws. “We see these same people traveling to games and we call it the American Outlaws family. We come together for a common bond and that is for the love of the game.”

Nashville’s chapter has 275-300 members, Slape said, as Outlaws tailgated in force Friday before the game and several hundred met Thursday night for an event at Dan McGuinness Irish Pub.

The Outlaws displayed their patriotism clearly, which members said is typical for all U.S. matches regardless of the time of year.

“We’re passionate about America and soccer in general, we want soccer to grow in the U.S.,” said Eric Wegner, who came from Little Rock, Ark.

SCORING SUMMARY
US — Carlos Castrillo (own goal) 19′
US — Timmy Chandler (DeAndre Yedlin) 58′
US — Clint Dempsey (penalty) 72′
US — Chris Wondolowski (Gyasi Zardes) 86′

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
US — Yellow Card — Mix Diskerud (35′)
US — Yellow Card — Michael Bradley (48′)
GUA — Yellow Card — Carlos Castrillo (71′)
GUA — Yellow Card — Carlos Ruiz (71′)
US — Yellow Card — Timmy Chandler (81′)

UNITED STATES LINEUP
Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann
Brad Guzan
Timmy Chandler
Omar Gonzalez (Ventura Alvarad 46′)
John Brooks (Tim Ream 61′)
Fabian Johnson (Greg Garza 46′)
DeAndre Yedlin
Mix Diskerud (Alfredo Morales 61′)
Michael Bradley
Graham Zusi (Gyasi Zardes 46′)
Clint Dempsey
Jozy Altidore (Chris Wondolowski 68′)

GUATEMALA LINEUP
Manager: Iván Franco Sopegno
Paulo Motta
Rubén Morales
Wilson Lalín
Carlos Castrillo (Carlos Figueroa 74′)
Deniss López
Carlos Mejía (Aslinn Rodas 84′)
Kendel Herrarte (Jose Contreras 46′)
Brandon De León (Jean Márquez 69′)
Jorge Aparicio
Jairo Arreola (Marco Pappa 46′)
Minor López (Carlos Ruiz 46′)