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Learning experiences U.S. visits Jamaica; Argentina adds Gonzalez for DutchPosted: Sunday February 09, 2003 2:11 PMUpdated: Sunday February 09, 2003 2:27 PM
ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) -- United States men's national team coach Bruce Arena remained upbeat despite Saturday's 1-0 loss to Argentina at the Orange Bowl, citing that result and Wednesday's match at Jamaica as "important" learning experiences ahead of World Cup qualifying competition. "With these two games we are basically mimicking World Cup qualifying with a weekend game and midweek game against two difficult opponents," Arena said. "It is good to see how our young players will respond to this type of pressure." Luis Gonzalez's superbly taken first-half strike proved the difference as Argentina defeated the U.S. in a friendly featuring two relatively inexperienced teams. With both teams fielding only domestic players, Andres D'Alessandro and the Argentine midfield outclassed the U.S. in the opening half and managed to limit the hosts to a handful of chances en route to their third victory in nine days on tour.
"As I said earlier in the year, the results aren't as important as the experience our players are acquiring and also my ability to evaluate a pool of players," Arena said. "I think these two games are going to be very positive for us." D'Alessandro's brilliant performance was only sullied by his sending off for a second yellow card in the 90th minute. A well-orchestrated one-two between River Plate teammates Gonzalez and D'Allesandro put Gonzalez free at the top of the penalty arch, where he shot over goalkeeper Tim Howard, who was caught off his line. The goal was welcomed by a pro-Argentina crowd of 27,196 at the Orange Bowl. The Argentines opened their tour with a 3-1 result away to Honduras on January 31 and followed that with a 1-0 win against Mexico on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Saturday's fixture provided a final opportunity for Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa to evaluate his young squad, of which only two had won a cap before the tour. "Constant criticism [of the national team] has been a problem over the past four years," said Bielsa of his squad that continues to carry the burden of Argentina crashing out in the first phase of the 2002 World Cup finals. "D'Alessandro was our leader on the tour," Bielsa said of the 21-year-old. Praise for playmaker "He created the chances in Honduras and here today. He wasn't as effective against Mexico, but footballistically, he performed at the highest level." On Wednesday, the Argentines play the Netherlands in a friendly in Amsterdam where Bielsa will field a team of European-based players. The U.S. will take its current squad of Major League Soccer-based players for an away fixture with Jamaica in Kingston that day. The Argentines proved to be a technically more astute side throughout the game and raided down the flanks almost at will in the early stages. The U.S. pushed more in the second half for an equalizer as the game became more balanced.
"[The] game was very good for us," said U.S. coach Bruce Arena, who will lead the U.S. into the first round of qualifying play for the 2006 World Cup early next year. "If we can be at fault for anything, it would be the way we started. We lacked confidence and it took 20 minutes to get into the game." The rocky start the U.S. got off to cost them the match. Argentina displayed deft passing and blinding speed in the early going, and sowed confusion in the midfield. The Americans, who advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, did not get a shot on target until the 38th minute when Chris Klein drilled a 20-meter shot that was awkwardly handled by goalkeeper Sebastian Saja. "We really missed our older guys out there today," said U.S. midfielder Pablo Mastroeni regarding the lack of European-based veterans. "We needed guys who would demand the ball and take responsibility." The U.S. was able to generate more attacks in the second half and nearly grabbed an equalizer in the 55th minute when a Landon Donovan free kick was headed wide at the right post by Carlos Bocanegra in the six-meter box. A minute later, Chris Klein, who also had to be very busy on defense, fired wide to the left from 20 meters and in the dying minutes, the Americans had four corners in succession, but failed to find the net. As the second half progressed that speed differential between two teams did dissipate, allowing the game to open up. But the Americans were still forced to make several yeoman efforts in the back, including Beasley's sharp denial of Ariel Garce in the 63rd and Howard's fingertip save of Cesar Garignano a minute later. The Argentines also effectively hamstrung Donovan, removing him and striking partner Clint Mathis from the match. It was a solid game for the Americans, who displayed grit and skill against a faster squad. The Americans learned Saturday that the central defense of Carlos Bocanegra and Danny Califf could indeed deflect attacks, that DaMarcus Beasley continues to impress and improve at maintaining possession, and that Sasha Victorine probably isn't the answer at right back. U.S. carries perfect record to Kingston The U.S has never lost to Jamaica, holding a 7-0-5 record against the Reggae Boyz. Despite the unbeaten record, the Americans have only one victory in five matches at "The Office" in Kingston, dating back more than eight years. The U.S. is continuing its preparation for participation in two major tournaments this summer. Eight teams from around the world, led by 2002 World Cup champion Brazil, will compete for the FIFA Confederations Cup championship from June 18-29 in France. The U.S. will then look to defend its confederation championship in the CONCACAF Gold Cup to be held from July 12-27 in the United States. The U.S. team departs Monday night for Kingston in advance of their match at the National Stadium at 7 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcast on Telemundo via tape delay at 11:30 p.m. ET and PT. Bielsa adds Gonzalez to squad for Dutch game Midfielder Luis Gonzalez, who has scored twice in his first three international matches, was added to Argentina's otherwise all European-based squad on Saturday to face the Netherlands in a friendly on Wednesday. "I will be taking Gonzalez with me [to the Netherlands]," coach Marcelo Bielsa said. Gonzalez also scored when Argentina's young side, who started the tour with just two caps between them, beat Honduras 3-1 eight days ago. He also played in the 1-0 win over Mexico in midweek. SummaryUnited States 0 Argentina 1 - result International soccer friendly Scorer: Luis Gonzalez 9 Halftime: 1-0; Attendance: 27,196 Red card: Andres D'Alessandro (Argentina) 90 Teams: United States: 18-Tim Howard, 15-Bobby Convey, 2-Dan Califf, 4-Carlos Bocanegra (13-Steve Ralson 90), 12-Sasha Victorine (3-Nick Garcia, 56), 7-DaMarcus Beasley, 25-Pablo Mastroeni, 14-Ben Olsen (11-Taylor Twellman 46), 17-Chris Klein (20-Jeff Cunningham, 79), 10-Landon Donovan, 9-Clint Mathis Argentina: 1-Sebastian Saja, 2-Nicolas Burdisso, 4-Ariel Garce, 5-Sebastian Battaglia, 6-Gabriel Milito, 3-Pablo Guinazu, 7-Mariano Gonzalez (19-Cesar Garignano, 46), 8-Luis Gonzalez, 9-Diego Milito (16-Clemente Rodriguez, 85), 11-Federico Inzua (18-Leandro Romagnoli, 77), 15-Andres D'Alessandro. Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala) Misconduct Summary: ARG - Andrés D'Alesandro (caution) 13th minute
Reuters and Sportsticker contributed to this report.
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