USA v. Portugal - Post Germany-Ghana

Actually, post Germany-Ghana and post Argentina-Iran. And there is reason for both the US and Portugal to fear the match tomorrow. Real, tangible, fear. The kind of thing you can smell in the sweat on your skin, that you can taste in the back of your throat. Delicious drama it will be tomorrow.

Fear for the USA

Let's start with the player that has been the only real competition Christiano Ronaldo has had for the FIFA Player of the Year award for some time - Messi. He scored a fabulous goal in second half stoppage time to give Argentina a 1-0 victory - exactly the kind of danger that "CR7" presents Sunday to the US. (If you haven't seen Argentina-Iran, to a degree, I apologize but really, what have you been doing with your life today?)

Every time you see the US play conservatively, defensively, tactically at times tomorrow, remember that. And remember that Nani is on the other side and is anything but a slouch. Both wings represent severe danger to the US chances to advance. To be sure, the US will need to attack. Absolutely, parking the bus is certain failure. But at the same time, this a time for tactical advances - at specific times, specific moments in the game, specific situations. Not for anything near even half the time.

Fear for the Portuguese

Now let's talk about the tie. Ghana showed itself very capable of competing in the Group of Death today, which should embolden the US to a large degree. Yes, Portugal, the team that beat you rather badly - embarrassingly, in fact -  had to fight from behind to TIE the team that we beat on Monday. Let that sink in, y'all. The US beat the team that just made a team that owned you on Monday wet their pants.

The Reality

As with everything, the reality is somewhere in the middle, and both teams have to deal with the implications of today's result.

First, let's look at the numbers, then we can talk about What It Means afterwards.

A tie puts the table as so:

Germany on 4 points after 2 games

USA on 3 points after 1 game

Ghana on 1 point after 2 games

Portugal on 0 points after 1 game

This prevents Germany from advancing based on a result in the USA-Portugal match. More importantly, it keeps Ghana's hopes alive. More on that in a moment.

A few more facts based on just the math.

A USA win tomorrow and Los Estados Unidos is guaranteed to advance out of the Group of Death.

A draw tomorrow puts the US and German team on four points, with Portugal and Ghana on 1 each.

A Portugal win tomorrow leaves Germany at the top at 4 points, with Portugal and the US tied on 3 points and Ghana on 1 points.

What Does It All Mean

First off, as it relates to Matchday Three - Thursday - no matter what happens tomorrow, other than a US win, Ghana will have something to play for against Portugal. This should be in the heads of the Portuguese as they can't look for "if we win today, we will play a defeated Ghana and it will be easier." None of that. In fact, no matter what happens on Sunday, I could very well see Ghana winning on Thursday as they came out of the game today with enough confidence to be quite a handful.

As much trouble as Portugal have had with mental fortitude, that could very well play into a lack of belief and add an additional layer of pressure that will, as discussed before, grow exponentially as the minutes tick by on Sunday.

Second, it should give the US position more strength across the board - a level of confidence that what they accomplished on Monday was quite relevant and in no way superfluous. The opposite of if Ghana had gone into the game and gotten squashed - leaving the US thinking, "oy, we fought tooth and nail to beat them and Germany crushed them just like Portugal...."

Of course, especially those of us who follow major College Football know that who played who is an inexact science at the best of times. But frankly, as important as confidence and mentality is in the World Cup, I'll take any edge I can get.

Beyond that, though, none of that matters one whit if the US loses. Which brings us back to how to apply it.

Sunday

This is an incredibly important game in the group - for every team. Portugal wins and everyone has something to play for on Thursday. Considering the way this World Cup has gone, that would be typical.

But for the US, the incredible opportunity that presents itself with a tie and the amazing reality of advancing after two games with a win have to be mouth-watering possibilities.

I think it starts with the reality that the US comes into the game from a distinct position of strength, at least in terms of their position in the group. And Portugal is a relatively known commodity. So take what I wrote earlier in "What are we going to do about this" and "Attacking Options", and let's get a little more specific.

I am all the more convinced that a 4-2-3-1 is called for. Actually, more of a 4-1-1-3-1 with Beckerman being the "stay at home at all times" d-mid and Jones being the second "keep defensive shape, but if the right situation presents itself, get forward in a safe way" d-mid, Bradley in the hole and Bedoya and Zusi on the wings.

Additionally, barring an amazing opportunity like what presented itself in the early moments of the US-Ghana match, stay home and stay compact, then find spots to put pressure on Portugal's unsettled back line, and for the love of all things, finish your chances.

Again, the longer the game goes, the more pressure will mount on Portugal. The trick is going to be finding times to possess high, and to attack. That has to happen, and it has to be effective when it does. Again, hence why Zusi is the player I peg to fill Altidore's spot on the lineup. But if the US can be tactically smart, situationally aware and take advantage of their chances - like they have against Mexico numerous times, including against them in the World Cup in 2002, as well as against Spain in 2009, a similar result is entirely possible.

Danger, Will Robinson - Danger!

It must be said, though, the vastly important difference between effective attacking at strategic times and what we saw for much of the Ghana match - an attempt to do just that (defend in an organized way, attack strategically) that frankly, failed. A large majority of the match, anything in the Ghana half was ineffective due to bad passing, bad decisions - generally, a lack of composure, not a lack of effort.

I don't think that will happen for a couple of reasons. First, I think a big part of that had to do with a formation not designed to do that, but rather to attack, and second, the injuries, especially to Altidore and Dempsey. Finally, the abject ineffectiveness of Michael Bradley. Relatively speaking of course, but I don't think we have seen a game that poor from Bradley in quite some time - certainly not since he originally went to AS Roma.

So going into the game knowing that we have a different tactical plan than the Ghana match, with personnel that fits that plan a bit better, and surely Bradley can't have two awful games in a row, can he?

There is one other thing, and this is something that probably surprised many, not just me - all the musculature issues. Beyond Altidore, also Besler and Cameron. And what is Bedoya's status? Remember, he was subbed out for injury late for Zusi. Remember, this game is in the Amazon - so the weather will be a factor. 

In most situations, I would favor the US over anyone from Europe, Asia or North America in terms of fitness. In Brazil, I would give South American sides the benefit of the doubt and Central and South African teams are just so athletic. So according to Hoyle, we would have the advantage on Portugal. But the injuries we had in the Ghana match give me pause. This will be something to watch.

A Tie Is Very Good

As excited as we might get about a win, even if a win doesn't happen, a tie is likely and that is a fantastic result for the US at this point in the tournament. If nothing else, it lays the foundation where both Germany and the US advance with a tie - and Germany advancing as the first seed. 

Considering what appears to be the relative weakness of Group H, or simply the fact that the US would have advanced out of the Group of Death, I don't see where the US would want to try to win that game and risk losing their position of advancement, and Germany would be happy to advance as the No. 1 seed. Frankly, I wouldn't expect Germany to just "let" the US tie them, but I can't see them opening up too much to try to get the win.

We will see how it plays out, but I am more and more encouraged by the history of the US being able to frustrate a talented but frustratable side, especially considering what appears to be a very unified and focused US team.

The questions will be (A) will the be set up tactically the right way, (B) can they  execute that plan, (C) will they be fit and healthy enough, and (D) can they keep their composure as the match temperature rises. Time will tell, but those are the things to watch for.

That and the next installment of the Jack Bauer video.

Sleep well, folks, for tomorrow, we dine in Hell! 

2014 FIFA World Cup - general expectations

So I finally filled out my brackets for the World Cup - with only moments to spare...!

While I am a Student of the Game, and have been involved with the game professionally since 2005, I am in no way a deep-throat kind of expert. What I intend on doing in this post is just sharing some general insights based on my past experiences attending, studying and following past World Cups. For what it is worth, that includes an in-depth analysis of past World Cup games, following the World Cup since 1994 and including attending the 2002 and 2006 editions. I worked for FC Dallas of Major League Soccer from 2005 until 2012 and am currently writing for MLSSoccer.com and the Dallas Morning News soccer blog, 3rd Degree.

Home-Hemisphere Advantage

First, let's talk generalities. The strongest of European sides will advance, surely, but the home-field advantage of being on the home continent - or at least, the same hemisphere - will likely still have some impact. Do not underestimate the impact of the larger number of fans who will be able to travel to Brazil from Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, and even Ecuador and Chile, and the passion they will bring to the stadiums. That is the one thing that I absolutely miss every time I am not in-country for the World Cup....

Mexico

I like Mexico to advance out of their group for a few reasons.  First, Mexico has traditionally played Brazil well - styles matter in football, and sometimes you run into a team that is your kryptonite. Well, Brazil doesn't really have a kryptonite, but just like the US usually gives Mexico fits, same for Mexico to Brazil. Second, Croatia is a good but not great European side - the travel will hit them. Cameroon is a wild card, but between the transition from Africa over and the fact that they aren't the strongest of African sides at the moment makes me think that this isn't their year to advance. Then again, the weather similarity may work to their advantage. But I still have Mexico advancing.

Chile

Here is the first real test of my Home-Hemisphere Advantage. Chile is a wonderful team, with attacking flair should make Brazil blush at times. Playing well, and in front of a lot of home fans, I think they push both Holland and Spain. Do they advance? It depends on Spain-Holland. If those teams draw on Friday, then I think Chile will have their work cut out for them. If one of those two were to get the full three points, I think Chile will take the second spot at the expense of the loser.

Some call this a group of death and I find that doubtful. Simply put, Australia are not as strong as either the US or Ghana.

Colombia

Another strong South American country, I see Colombia doing well, certainly winning the group. The rest of Group C is quite the enigma. Greece? Mid-level Euro side half a world away, without a lot of attacking power. Japan - lots of athleticism and some playmaking ability, but again, half the world away without some of the quality seen on other teams in the group. Ivory Coast? One of the strongest African sides, this is my pick to advance, but it is a tenuous one as their tour in the US was not as successful as they might have wanted it to be.

Group D - England v. Italy and Uruguay in control

On the Home Hemisphere theory, I see Uruguay making it out of the group. I fear for my England friends that they will be left back at the expense of Italy just because I sense more cohesion and committment - and confidence - from the Azzurri than the Three Lions.

Group E - France, Switzerland and Ecuador

Because of Honduras, this isn't really a group of death, but certainly, you have three quality teams in this group and I have no real idea who will emerge. Ecuador is not as strong as some South American sides, and with France losing Ribery, it is hard to really say that one of the three is going to dominate, leaving us to decide between the other two.

Argentina

What a walk-through group this appears to be for Leonel's side. Iran will be a competitive side, but only to the extent that they won't be Saudi Arabia circa 2002. Nigeria is not at its best. Bosnia-Herzegovina, on the other hand, will be a very dangerous side at the group stage level, but Argentina has the class to draw with them, and do better on goal differential in their wins over the other group teams to come out on top of this group.

(Skipping Group G - saving the best for last)

Belguim

This is Belguim's group to win, leaving Russia to likely hold off South Korea, but when you travel halfway around the world, who knows which team will do better. Cappello will likely get more out of Russia than Bo will out of Korea, hence my lean in that direction.

The Group of Death - Group G

In many ways, this could be its own article, and probably will be. For now, though, know that like Chile in Group B, for Ghana and the US, what happens in the other game will define their ability to advance. If there is a tie between Germany and Portugal, both European juggernauts will make it very difficult for either the African or North American sides to advance. If Germany or Portugal wins, though, and there is a winner out of the Ghana-US match, then they have a chance. Draws all around on Monday is very possible and that would throw things wide open. I do see Germany as the class of the group, with Portugal a clear second and Ghana and the US very hungry right behind that.

The Unexpected

Someone always comes out flat. France in 2002 ring a bell? Who knows who it will be this time, but that will be something to watch for. I think I have highlighted the possible sleepers and surprises, although to be fair, mostly I am leaning on the usual advantage playing close to home has on teams. Either way, it should be fascinating to see, especially with the groups that have three teams with legitimate resumes to advance (A, B, D, E and G).

Put on your big boy pants and get in line now - it is going to be quite a ride!

The Emergence of a Footballing Nation - USA v. Portugal, June 5, 2002

So it was my first World Cup. It is June, 2002 and the last US World Cup effort was an embarrassment. Not an embarrassment like the disappointment of 2006 where we were better than we showed, but worst team in the tournament, lost to Iran embarrassment.

And now we were on our way to play the Golden Generation of Portugal. Luis Figo of Real Madrid fame, and the like.

So what expectations did I have?

Then again, I was AT THE WORLD CUP! And I was wearing my heart on my sleeve no matter what, standing in Sam’s Army, surrounded by like-minded supporters – some of which I knew, some not, but all brothers and sisters in arms and we were going to give it our all.

Thing was, the group I was going with had a few people in tenuous contact with the team itself, and word the morning of the match was shocking – no Claudio Reyna, no Clint Mathis. So for comparison, no Bradley, no Altidore. Going against a dark horse to win it all. I think they were ranked No. 4 in the world at the time.

Gulp!

But then again, then as now, the US wasn’t a feared juggernaut, so we were going to be underdogs to begin with. So either way, it was going to be a gut-check time no matter which way you sliced it. The advantage, though, was of those who stood and cheered for the USA, a very large majority of us were here, in-country. The percentage of supporters who didn’t make the trip is never what you want, but there weren’t the hangers-on, the johnny-come-latelys (because they didn’t really exist just yet).

This is a band of brothers/sisters that had deep belief in the team and each other, borne from a long, treacherous qualifying campaign and supporting the US in the sport of soccer.

As we are in transit to Korea, we see Saudi Arabia get killed by Germany. Ouch. As we are one of the last groups to play, it seems everyone is breaking the nervousness with their first match and it just pours on the pressure on us.

Getting on the bus to the stadium, I have “One Little Victory” by Rush in my ear. “A certain measure of innocence – a willingness to appear naïve. A certain degree of imagination, a measure of make-believe.” Why not us? Why not now?

And that has been the general mindset of US supporters anyway – “Figo who?” and “We’d rather have Clint Mathis than Figo” chants, and others like it, were all over the place. Of course, a lot of it was hopeful/dreaming/throw-caution-to-the-wind and maybe even tongue in cheek, but there was a true kernel of belief underlying it all. After all, we beat England at Belo Horizonte back in the day, we beat Colombia in ’94 – anything can happen.

The thing of it was, though, I truly, deeply, terribly believed that US soccer would one day explode with an amazing result and shock the world – probably more than I believed in anything else in the material world.

I just didn’t think that I’d be 20 rows from it when it happened, and that was going to happen on June 5, 2002 in Suwon, Korea.

The nervous energy is flowing now as we enter the stadium. I am kicking myself for not bringing a drum as I was used to doing for Dallas Burn matches.  But we’re with others that we know – some from Dallas, some from other US games we’ve met at qualifiers and friendlies – and the camaraderie is strong.

The national anthem, the unfurling of the Flag of Greatness. We’re all on our feet, singing at the top of our lungs.

But still, any hope is the hope of blind faith. But that ember is still there, waiting, burning quietly.

Wait, what? Landon Donovan, the wonderkid, is starting? Bruce Arena had been feeding him minutes and everyone could see he had talent, but is he really ready to START? Against PORTUGAL? And DeMarcus Beasley? Really? The beginnings of my faith in coaches starts here, by the way. More later.

The game starts. We’re pressing high, Portugal is responding well early. The back and forth is crazy. We’re talking the first moments of the match – most of which is played in our defensive half.

And then it happens. The series begins with a foul on McBride (contrary to Bruce Arena’s “First foul, first shot, first goal” speech) for a free kick in the middle of the field. A shot in by Earnie Stewart is touched out of bounds for a corner, right in front of the US supporters section.

Earnie puts the ball down for the corner with emphasis – using both hands, with determination. It seemed a little melodramatic at the time, but then again, it was very much a “let’s do this” feeling at the moment.

The corner comes in – McBride fights off a player to get a header towards goal and the initial anticipation wanes just a moment, but the ball isn’t clear – the heart is still high in the throat. A save is made, but not controlled – where is the bounce going to go?!?!?!?

And then, John O’Brien takes the clearest, cleanest, most important finish of his career, and we explode!

Not only are we in the game, but we are LEADING! In the FOURTH MINUTE! Wow, it is early, so it is going to be a LONG game, but better to lead than not, eh? If we were pouring everything we had into the game before, now we are searching for our deepest part of the well because the ember has some oxygen to burn – we really do have a chance to get a result!

The next 25 minutes are back and forth, with Portugal trying to get back in it. It isn’t crazed just yet because we really do have a lot of game to play. But the pressure is building with every moment they don’t score. The chances keep coming for the US, including a chance by Eddie Pope that goes just wide.

And then the craziness takes another, more serious turn.

That same Landon Donovan plays the ball in from the US right side, and it is a mess at the back – an OWN GOAL! The US has scored again!?!?!?!?

I can’t breath, I have lost my voice, I can barely see straight – we really, actually, could WIN! The craziness, the frenzy in the section is fantastic now.

Then again, there still is 60 minutes of soccer to play. That is a LOT of time – lots can happen in that time. No way we can take the foot off the gas now.

A scary moment – Beto goes into the US penalty area, and the whistle blows. Wait, what? What is going on? It is in the other end of the field, hard to see. But Portugal is walking away from the goal with their heads down, and Beto is shown a yellow. Simulation. Wow – big call there….

And then before we can really wrap our heads around that, Tony Sanneh – who? Yeah, Tony Sanneh gets free along the right side of the US attack, and he plays in a gorgeous ball that Brian McBride cleanly, elegantly slams home with a diving header – after splitting two Portugal defenders. It is the 36^th minute and the US is beating Portugal 3-0!?!?!?!?!?

I truly, deeply  lose my mind at this point. I am running up and down the stairs in amazement. I mean, not only the goals, but the glory and beauty of that last goal is just overwhelming.

As I get to the top of the section (and of 50+ rows, I was around row 20 to start with – so you get how out of my mind I was), I run into a friend of mine from Dallas that I didn’t know was making the trip. That clinched it – this was too good to be true, yet here we were. He was my reality check that this wasn’t a dream.

Oh. My.Goodness.

And by the time I got to my seat, I had gained enough composure to realize that our work had just begun. Now we were going to have to be the support, the belief that the team could finish this off. The heaving lifting had begun.

And it was soon after that moment that Beto finally did get on the scoreboard, finishing a bit of a mess in front of goal that put the score at 3-1. They had their goal and now some belief of their own.

Halftime. A chance to regroup. Beto’s goal made it all the more dangerous of a second half, so the challenge was clear. A little bit of celebration, but mostly it was “we have a LONG way to go, and now it is real work, serious work, work that matters.” This wasn’t an intellectual exercise, no longer child’s-play, a fun little dream to play with in our mind. This is a real chance to DO SOMETHING.

The second half, really, is a blur of blind support. Frankly, the own goal by Agoos didn’t even register – we were nervous about the way the game was going to go from the beginning of the second half, and that goal only gave a tangible feel to the pit in our stomach. The thing of it was, it was late enough that we did feel like it was do-able.

As the minutes ticked by, and the night got darker and darker, the belief was building as they missed chance after chance.

And then, it was over – the game was won! The lack of belief was still in the air, but the reality sunk in moment by moment as the celebrations ramped up – we had done it!

And in the stands, it was a sense of accomplishment like you wouldn’t believe. Here we were, halfway around the world, and the puny US soccer team not only had shocked the great Portuguese, but they had done so with thousands in the stands cheering them on – well. It was true, blue football support, recognizable anywhere in the world for what it was. When our team needed a voice in the stands, they had it in their most important hour.

The rest of the tournament was to come, but now it was a completely different tournament than the one we feared – now it was one of “how far can we go?” We weren’t the worst team in France anymore – now we were the team that felled the mighty Portuguese, with host Korea and a quality (but recently defeated) Poland to go. Certainly the Portuguese were now going to win out – they had to. So if we can get ties the rest of the way, a very doable goal, we just might advance!

But so much soccer was to happen before we really could think about that. The thought of facing 80,000 screaming Koreans (and boy, it absolutely was that) was sobering enough, but for the most part, tonight was a night to celebrate. We will think about the Koreans tomorrow – tonight, we had slayed the dragon and we had done so in impressive fashion. It was the emergence of a true soccer nation – and the culmination of the dream that began when the US was awarded the 1994 World Cup, through the embarrassment of that tournament that the team advanced, but we had no real supporters culture to speak of, to now standing tall in a foreign land, against one of the world’s footballing giants, and come out victorious.

I leave you with a link of the youtube highlights from that match, and a tease that the story of the match against Korea is around the corner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rX1bbTaJ40

Digging Deeper into the Donovan Decision

It has been days, and still the decision to not include Landon Donovan in the US National team going to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup is a talking point.

As I have talked with fans and players alike, and read more than a few articles - some rather fire-breathing - I must admit I am more confused than when the discussion began, but I do know a few things more than when I wrote my first article - enough that I felt it worth another piece.

Before I go into that, though, I want to say that I have no direct knowledge of Landon Donovan or Jurgen Klinsmann, or anyone involved with the current US National Team program, so everything you see here is me doing as you probably are - sifting through various facts and details that are not continuous and contiguous. In fact, the quotes below are from the ESPN "Inside: US Soccer's March to Brazil" and therefore are not directly in context of "Why was Donovan left off the team."

I am going to break these into two groups of themes. The first group will continue where I left off in my previous article - possible reasons for Klinsmann's decision. The second group will touch on the concerns I am left with after evaluating the first group.

But I want to highlight something - I learned a long time ago not to make concrete judgments about a coach, certainly not without being in the middle of the practices and training sessions, and with the coaching background that professional coaches have, and with an intimate knowledge of the players themselves.

That comes from seeing things at the local level in Dallas (six different head coaches over nineteen seasons) and from the Korea and Germany World Cups, as well as various other matches in the US. Time and again, things impacted the way the teams played that there simply was no way to see from the outside. This may very well be another one of those times.

The Arguments For The Decision

Not a lot has changed in the public reasons for leaving Donovan off the roster, but certainly the vitriol has risen. Throw in Donovan scoring MLS goals 135 and 136 - breaking the record for most goals by a player in league history - and you have a cauldron of discussion all across the Twitterverse, Facebook and the internet.

But we do seem to have more details fleshed out for what I break into three different reasons why Donovan may have been left off the roster.

Grit?

It is probably unfair, but Donovan has been dogged by complaints that he hasn't shown consistent, professional grit - specifically, he hasn't taken on the challenge of European football and found a way to stick. I have always felt that this is unfair in large part because what it takes to make it to be a professional athlete is amazing - the physical work, the skill work, the mentality. It takes monumental grit to get to where Donovan has been in MLS and for the US.

But in this moment, the past doesn't matter. What matters is does (the player in question) have the (specific variable) to help the US National Team succeed in the toughest group in the 2014 FIFA World Cup?

And in this situation, does Donovan have the grit to keep pace with Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey?

"We have to know what it means to compete at the highest level," Bradley said in the aforementioned ESPN piece. "We have to be a group that is ready to stick together and fight like a bunch of warriors together for 90 minutes."

"I've always been taken by athletes who aren't necessarily the best, the most skillful, the most talented players, but the ones who know what it means to compete and fight."

Chemistry?

I can't even say I know anything about this topic other than I know it is an open question. Considering the waves of support Donovan has been getting, from all over the place including public statements from players like Bradley and goalkeeper Tim Howard, I am tempted to say this is the least likely of the three, but there is enough there that I feel it must be mentioned.

"When we get to Brazil, those three games, the biggest thing is going to be our togetherness," Tim Howard said, again from the ESPN piece. "All the rest of it, we will have done. We will have done all the running, our lungs will be filled, we'll have the strength. Its going to be the togetherness."

Burn Out?

This is another topic that there really is no way to know from the outside, but is Landon Donovan able to play at a high level, consistently? He took a sabbatical for a reason, and clearly credit should be given to him for recognizing that and going and doing it. And you have to admit, he looked rather strong Sunday night. But one quote struck me the most from the ESPN piece, and this is probably the one that is most on point and most germane to the conversation. Of all the quotes, this one is clearly in context.

"Jurgen has made it clear to me that he needs me to be consistent and performing, "Donovan said. "Sometimes its a little difficult for me. I can't train 12 straight days in a row and have 12 straight great days in a row. Physically, its not possible. My body breaks down, I'm getting older."

"I want to make sure that when I get to camp in May that I'm performing at my absolute best."

And that is probably the ultimate question - was he?

Arguments Against

But I am left with some lingering questions. Ultimately, while the reasons above may give why he isn't a first choice starter, I - and I think most who question the decision - can't seem to shake the feeling that he still has a lot more to bring to the team than players who are less experienced, less well-rounded, less skilled or less athletic. I am not going to name names, but I think we all know different players that those terms could apply to.

And here is where I get uneasy, because when you look at the successes of the US national team in the World Cup, so much of it leans on depth, where being able to play a fresh player is the difference between getting out of a group or not.

My most vivid moment of me learning "I know not what the coach should do" was the USA-Portugal match in 2002. I happened into some information before the game - that Claudio Reyna, Earnie Stewart and Clint Mathis were not going to be available for the game. I was floored. We were scared enough of the Golden Generation of Portugal as it was - don't take away our No. 10 and two of the best players on the roster too!

But then, the game that awoke a soccer nation happened, with a certain Landon Donovan playing an integral role. This was the youthful, inexperienced, but supremely talented kid that coach Bruce Arena had force fed minutes throughout the post-qualification process. It seemed almost every match in preparation for Korea included significant time for Donovan, and it paid off in spades. Of course, it wasn't just Donovan that day, but he surely was a big part.

So on one hand, I want to give Klinsmann the benefit of the doubt as so often, it has been made clear to me that coaching professional soccer is a high art and no amount of research will make Monday Morning Centerbacking effective. I know I had a lot of doubts about the young Landon Donovan as Arena kept giving him game after game after game in the lead up to 2002.

But I can't help think that after we have played Ghana, and gotten a result, that in the next two games - massive matches against the Nos. 2 and 3 teams in the world - being able to start Donovan would bring more to the table than to start someone who currently has zero World Cup experience, someone who doesn't bring the range of skill or athleticism or experience playing alongside Dempsey, Bradley, etc.

Personally, I don't think it was Donovan over the youthful players. I *think* it was other players that Klinsmann believes will be a better part of the overall unit, come off the bench strong when asked to, not start and still be ready to go 100% when his name is called, whether it is because of a perception of a drop in form of Donovan, or whether it is the up and down nature of his ability over the last years, or ultimately is it this - a perception that Donovan wants to be the lead dog, isn't any more, and like many many many other former greats, isn't able to make that transition that other players in the US kit have to a smaller role.

And only time will tell whether Klinsmann got it right. I do maintain my somewhat blind faith in a coaching staff that is that professional, has that experience, including World Cup experience. I am sure he has sounded out some in his his leadership cadre and gotten their take on whether Donovan should be in the 23, and has more than just personal reasons for keeping one of the greatest players to ever wear the US kit out of this World Cup.

But after more than a few days to marinate on this, I can't shake a feeling of unease that maybe we over-emphasized certain issues at the expense of the overall equation - that the World Cup is a grind of epic proportions, and in this World Cup, the US faces a tougher group than they have ever faced, and a player of Donovan's ability and experience can be managed into a situation where he is a motivated, energized part of a collective heartbeat that can get the all important results against Portugal or Germany, or if the US finds a way to advance, against its opponent in the Round of 16.

And if not, is that a reflection of Donovan, or Klinsmann?