Confederations Cup Diary: USA show the world how to beat Spain

Internationals / Jonathan Wilson / 25 June 2009 / 1 Comments

Jonathan Wilson explains how the USA went about finally ending Spain's unbeaten run, and it had a lot to do with tactically outwitting them.

Nobody, it is fair to say, expected that. I confess that as we zipped down the N1 towards Bloemfontein again, there was a large part of me wondering whether it was really worthy it. But now I can say I was there when Spain lost. I was there when their 16-game winning streak,
their 35-game unbeaten run stretching back to a 1-0 defeat to Romania in November 2006, came to an end in the most unlikely circumstances, as they lost 2-0 to a USA side who only reached the semi-final thanks to an improbable pair of results in the final set of group games.

All through this tournament, teams have been wondering how to beat Spain. Iraq showed that defending deep could frustrate them: lay out two bands of players, allow Spain possession, and force them to try to pass their way through. The danger is that that allows Fernando Torres
heading chances, but with Cesc Fabregas, playing on the right, drifting constantly inside, the only crosses are going to come from Alberto Riera on the left. If the supply to him can be stopped, then Spain, while not entirely neutered, are certainly less potent than
when permitted space.

Iraq bolstered their system with a sweeper and two holding midfielders, but the USA took a different approach. Bob Bradley, their coach, has - rightly - been criticised for some of his tactical decisions in this tournament, but his decision to play 4-4-2 proved inspired. The midfield four was very narrow, but then Spain also lack width.

Orthodoxy would suggest fielding a fifth midfielder to try to overman Spain in central areas, but Bradley took a more offensive route, and fielded the burly and willing Jozy Altidore (a sort of American Emile Heskey) alongside the rapid Charlie Davies. Neither are hugely gifted technically, but they troubled Spain with their differing physical threats.

Suddenly Xabi Alonso, playing at the base of Spain's diamond midfield, had to help out defensively, which is not his strong point - and his retreat effectively took half a man out of midfield, giving the USA an advantage. Sergio Ramos's forward surges from right-back are a great feature of Spain's play, but that leaves space behind him; Davies
exploited that brilliantly until fatigue forced him off midway through the second half.

USA did not dominate, but equally when they took the lead it didn't come as a huge surprise. Davies had gone close with an overhead just wide, and Clint Dempsey, one of those tucked-in wide players, had sent a low drive from outside the box scooting just wide. The goal was scored by Altidore and was characteristic of him: a Heskey goal by a Heskey player. Using his strength to hold off Joan Capdevila he turned on the edge of the box and struck his shot hard, but straight at Iker Casillas. The keeper, anticipating a more conventional shot towards the corner, was already falling to his left, and could only push the ball in off his right-hand post.

USA rode their luck, of course. Tim Howard made a string of fine parries. David Villa and Torres both missed chances. Xavi should have had a penalty when he was bundled over by Landon Donovan. Ricardo Clark made a barely credible block as Sergio Ramos seemed certain to score. Play this game another nine times, and USA may not win again, but that is not to diminish their achievement. Howard was superb, and so too was Jay DeMerit. At one point he made a challenge on Torres that was reminiscent of Booby Moore's on Pele in Mexico in 1970.

And then, with 16 minutes remaining, came the second, the goal that finally broke Spain's siege and made the improbable suddenly very likely. Ramos should have reacted quicker as Donovan's cross was deflected to him off Gerard Pique, his hesitancy allowing Clint Dempsey to hook the ball over the line.

So suddenly USA are in the final and [4.5] to win the competition, and Spain's position as World Cup favourites is under threat. They are [5.8] to win the tournament next summer (USA are [60.0]) and, frankly, one slightly unlucky result after such a long run of success should not alter the impression of them as an exceptional side. The question, though, is whether this is just a one-off, or whether USA have exposed flaws on which other sides can capitalise.

Comments (1)

1. tom | 26 June 2009

   A very good analysis. In addition the US used two additional qualities; speed and height. With a back-line with an average of OVER 6 feet, the US dominated the box . Spain had over a dozen corner kicks at least 4 free kicks but could only get a few shots on frame and most were handled easily by the US's best player, their goalkeeper.

   The old adage: Go to your strengths, served the US well. The US defense allowed a lot of room on the flanks, knowing that the height advantage and agility of the back line could deal with balls in the box. This had the additional advantage of compacting the defense and making an attack through the center very difficult. The number of blocked shots (probably in the dozens) illustrated this point.

   The other advantage was the US strength and speed of its players. Both US goals came off NOT due to a steady buildup, but rather of speedy counter-attacks that did not allow the formidable and very disciplined Spanish defense to organize well. The US's speed also allowed the quick shifting of the defense when Spain switched the point of attack, which they did often.