There’s no denying disappointment that the U.S. national team has zero wins and one goal in its first three matches (0-2-1) under new coach Jurgen Klinsmann. It also comes as no surprise as the German manager tries to exert his attacking mindset and find the right players who can best embody that philosophy. In Tuesday’s 1-0 loss at Belgium, Klinsmann deployed a single defensive midfielder — former Maryland Terrapin Maurice Edu — behind a four-man midfield and a lone striker. The formation was aimed at getting the most offensively from Jose Torres and Clint Dempsey in the middle. But instead, it left the U.S. with glaring gaps to cover and very little possession as the Belgians dominated the opening 45 minutes.
Ironically, the best portions of the match for the Americans came after halftime when Klinsmann swapped in second and third defensive midfielders, changes which allowed Dempsey to roam more freely.
Funny, it also looked a lot like the 4-2-3-1 formation that Bob Bradley had gravitated toward late in his tenure.
In addition, for two straight games, Klinsmann’s preference for a lone striker has been exactly that: a striker left alone with little service and generating few scoring chances. Tuesday’s halftime substitution of 18-year-old Juan Agudelo for Jozy Altidore added a dose of youthful exuberance and energy but not nearly enough actual threat.
In many ways, it was a move that personifies Klinsmann’s approach, which doesn’t lack in confidence or determination but for now remains unrefined, with limited evidence of success and will require patience to develop.
– Craig Stouffer
