Goalkeeper Tim Howard’s anger when he thought Trinidad & Tobago had scored in last month’s World Cup qualifier in Chicago illustrates how badly the U.S. defense takes conceding a goal, writes Frank Dell’Apa. Even with the side leading 3-0, Howard punched the ground and then started shouting at his teammates until he realized the goal had been disallowed for offside.
The U.S. has not surrendered a goal in five World Cup qualifying games so far this year, Dell’Apa recalls. Although the attack is not yet firing properly, “when it comes to defense, the U.S. has learned to clog the midfield and transition. The defenders are not only physically imposing, their sense of anticipation and positioning are improving. Not to mention Howard has become the best goalkeeper in the region.”
Dell’Apa says it’s simplistic to say defense wins titles, but it “can definitely get you through World Cup qualifying.” Once at the finals, though, “all those shutouts against Barbados, Cuba, Guatemala and the Soca Warriors will not do much good if your left back gets caught upfield and a freight train like Jan Koller is steaming in to finish a cross in the World Cup opener.”
But this U.S. team is setting a high standard for preventing goals, with the last one conceded against European champions Spain in Santander on June 4. Argentina was shut out four days later, proving that “even the best teams in the world have trouble penetrating the U.S. midfield. Michael Bradley and Maurice Edu are the latest examples of the country’s propensity for producing defensive midfielders.” Nonetheless, the real tests lie ahead in the final round of qualifying against likely opponents Mexico and Costa Rica.