By Jared Launius
Less than a month ago, the U.S. played a pretty inspiring second half against rival Mexico. It was only 45 minutes, but that was more than enough to send the media and fans alike into a tizzy over the free-flowing, forward-flying style new coach Jurgen Klinsmann deployed.
Tonight, we can all watch Klinsmann's second act in charge of the U.S. against a very young Costa Rica team also under new management.
Here's what I'll be watching for as Klinsmann continues in his quest to liberate the soccer spirit from what has long been a too-rigid side.
Exactly how much can be changed by a philosophical adjustment?
Sure, that was a fun half of soccer. Landon Donovan looked more spritely in a national team shirt than he had since the World Cup. Brek Shea and Juan Agudelo punished tired Mexican defenders. Robbie Rogers turned in his best performance in a U.S. kit.
But, well, it was just one half. And a friendly.
The most interesting thing to watch for Klinsmann's side in the short term is whether a change in philosophy and tactics will really be enough to convert a historically rigid soccer nation into an expressive Germany-lite.
Klinsmann is certainly saying all the right things: promising to foster experimentation, creativity and innovation without the threat of being admonished for making a mistake doing so. But these aren't 14-year olds he's coaching. They're established professionals raised in a soccer culture that stresses organization and risk-limitation. I'm recalling something about old dogs and new tricks.
I don't mean to say it can't be done, but it will be certainly be interesting to watch. Is it really so simple as turning Agudelo, Shay, Donovan, Dempsey et al loose? Is that really what Bob Bradley was just failing to do? Or did he play the system he did because his players aren't the most expressive?
This is obviously something to track over several games, not just one friendly against a CONCACAF side nearly a year before qualifying begins. But every game will tell us something.
What formation will we see?
Last time out, Klinsmann deployed a 4-5-1/4-3-3. This came as a mild surprise to many of us, I think, as Klinsmann has traditionally deployed a 4-4-2. Was the 4-5-1 a one-time thing, sticking to the formation Bradley had the team featuring to keep things easy? Jeff Carlisle says Klinsmann has hinted at using Donovan as the support striker beside Jozy Altidore. Does that mean it's back to the 4-4-2?
Can Edgar Castillo acquit himself better this go round?
The Mexican-American left back struggled in his second U.S. appearance last month, looking disheveled on the ball and offering little going forward. But it was just one start and, well, there's not exactly a ton of competition at his position. Castillo, actually, was the only player called into camp that plays primarily as left back.
Castillo is technically strong on the ball and has a reputation for really getting up and down the flanks. I watched him play with Club America against Juventus during the World Football Challenge, and I was pretty impressed with the player then. Perhaps knowing the manager won't yank him after one off performance will calm him some. He's certainly a near lock to start both games.
Can the U.S. get a win?
Yes, it's only a friendly, but it would be nice to see Klinsmann's men come out and beat an inferior opponent at home. Costa Rica will be without its best player in Bryan Ruiz, as he's off in West London familiarizing himself with Clint Dempsey and Fulham. It's also a very youthful side called in by new coach Jorge Luis Pinto, and one Donovan and company should be able to get a few goals past.
Can Jozy Altidore bring his form into the national team?
Based on early returns, there's no question which Yank fared best during the summer transfer window. Jozy Altidore seems to have a found a club in AZ Alkmaar interested in fully developing his talents. The results have been instantaneously felt, as Altdiore has 3 goals in four league games and 5 goals in five total appearances.
I noted this in my review of Klinsmann's roster, but I'll mention it again – what has me most excited about Altidore's form of late isn't just the goals (though they're quite nice), it's the attitude he's taken. I obviously have no idea what is really going on inside Altidore's head, but he gives the impression – and the game of his I watched supports this – he's really interested in being coached.
Now, he comes into a camp with a former top striker as coach who's taken a serious interest in player development. I was always of the opinion Jozy wasn't going to turn any corners with his play until he realized his physical gifts weren't enough at the top level. His play recently suggests he's getting there. I'm very excited to see if that manifests itself on the field.
Players to keep a close eye on:
Jozy Altidore – for the reasons just listed
Brek Shea – can he repeat his inspiring performance? Does he have anything in the tank right now with all the minutes he's logged for FC Dallas the last two weeks?
Edgar Castillo – for the reasons listed above
Jose Francisco Torres – Klinsmann is a fan, which has to be a nice change from Bradley's mistrust. Will he reward his new coach?
Landon Donovan – the press is saying he'll be shifted up to a support striker's role – how will the U.S.'s all-time leading goal scorer respond to a new part of the field?
Maurice Edu – with Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley and Kyle Beckerman missing this one, Edu is a near lock for a big chunk of minutes in central midfield. Can he do anything to move up the depth chart?
Prediction:
U.S. 2-0 Costa Rica with goals from Donovan (on a penalty) and Altidore
Enjoy the proceedings, folks.
