The Official Site of Landon Donovan

Fri, Jun 18th 2010, 13:47

US rallies for 2-2 draw against Slovenia

Entering the pivotal group C encounter between USA and Slovenia, Bob Bradley and company appeared poised to come out in a confident and successful manner. The tactical tides had turned from the England game, with the Americans now expected to retain a majority of the possession and chip away at Slovenia’s compact and defensive 4-4-2 system. The USA was finally cast the unfamiliar role of the ‘favorite’ in a world cup fixture. However, the unfamiliar odds couldn’t quell a very familiar start to the game. Just like the England match, the United States put themselves into a hole within the first 15 minutes. After what seemed like a slightly lazy build up, Slovenian forward Valter Birsa was able to find some space in the gap between the defensive center midfielders and the defensive backs. Receiving the ball, Valter put the ball on his favorite left foot and found the corner of the net for one of the few goals outside the 18-yard box that this tournament has seen.

In a post game interview, Landon Donovan said, “We can’t keep putting ourselves in holes like that.” Why not? Well, after such an early goal, the US was forced to change its tactical mindset, and that was especially evident with the surprise starter José Torres. The inclusion of the Torres into the starting 11 was an effort from Bob Bradley to win the game through possession soccer. With the early goal from Slovenia, the US midfielders became a little less patient going forward, and were caught in possession dribbling a number of times. However, there were glimmers of hope when the US got the ball out on the wings where there was a lot more space. Landon Donovan on the left, and Clint Dempsey on the right, both looked threatening down the flanks with a number of crossing chances. In the 36th minute, Jozy Altidore started to find his touch, and made a looping solo run down the right wing to draw a foul deep in Slovenia’s defensive third. Torres stepped up to have a shot which was saved nicely by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. As it got later in the half, USA began to settle down in its build up, and also get good numbers into the box. In the 40th minute, an interchange of passes between Findley and Dempsey led to a cross which skimmed across the 6 yard box and was cleared away just before Donovan could apply the finishing touch. Then, just as the US looked like it was starting to get a grip on the game, they were caught out on the break with some poor communication and positioning from the back line. As Slovenia brought it up the field, USA defenders Cherundolo, Bocanegra, and DeMerit seemed to set their defensive line between the half way line and the 18-yard box. Oguchi Onyewu, however, was set up 10 yards behind them. When the entrance pass came into forward Andrej Komac, Onyewu was caught between two minds of closing down the attack or staying with the through run of Zlatan Ljubijankic. In the end, he did neither, and kept Ljubijankic onside as he received the pass and slid it past Tim Howard in the 42nd minute.
For most USA fans, the 15 minute halftime was a much needed break to think, “What is going on here?” However, for Bradley, halftime was used to make some strategic substitutions (Edu for Torres and Feilhaber for Findley) and rally the troops. Boy did it work. The US could not have asked for a better start, when in the 48th minute Cherundolo placed a carefully measured through ball to the now right winged Landon Donovan, who continued with the ball into Slovenia’s box. With his head up, looking for the perfect crossing pass, Donovan eventually opted to try his luck, and hammered a beautiful shot into the upper netting. From that moment, you could feel the momentum start to swing in the US’s favor. The sense of belief from the beginning of the game returned, except now, with some fight and tenacity along with it. Throughout the second half, the United States maintained possession, but this time, in very dangerous areas. It forced Slovenia into a number of fouls, which highlighted the US threat on set plays. As the game moved into the latter stages it became stretched. Individuals were given the freedom to make runs wherever they pleased, with those such as Donovan and Bradley just trying to conjure up some spark of creativity to find the equalizer. In the 80th minute Bob Bradley made his final sub, taking out Onyewu for forward Gomez, and moving to an attacking 3-4-3 formation. Finally, all the emotion and fight of the second half got its reward in the 82nd minute when Donovan sent a long ball into the box for Altidore, who laid the ball off with his head into the oncoming run of Michael Bradley. With an outstretched lunge, Bradley kept his composure and finished past Handanovic to make it 2-2. The stadium erupted into red, white, and blue frenzy and to the tune of a million bees. With 8 minutes left of regular time though, the US looked set to push for a third.

In the 85th minute, Donovan sent a free kick into the box, and Maurice Edu looked like he had the winner. However, to the disbelief of the players, and the baffling astonishment of all who saw the replay, the referee somehow disallowed the goal. When the final whistle sounded and the game ended 2-2, the drama was not over. USA players stormed the referee with a barrage of complaints, which judging by video evidence of the play, were warranted. After an uninspiring first half performance and a 2-0 deficit, the US was robbed of a most improbable and emotional comeback. In a post-game interview Donovan commented, “I’m proud of our guys. I don’t know that there are many teams that would have responded that way after going down 2-0. I am a little gutted to be honest. I don’t know how they stole that third goal from us. That was a fair goal I think. I saw a good finish and a good goal. I am not sure what the call was. He wouldn’t tell us.” Despite the lingering controversy, the point keeps the US alive as they head into their final match.

As we look back at this match, let’s remember the character and spirit that produced such a comeback, and look forward to the game which will determine our knockout stage fate. The US next face Algeria, while controlling their own destiny. The Americans will advance to the knockout stage with a win, while a draw would see them through provided Slovenia defeats England in their match, or those sides draw 0-0 or 1-1.