Morris

You’ll soon realize that I’m a huge soccer fan (have every FIFA game since ’08) and that America has a spot in my heart right next to Carrie Underwood and Domino’s Pizza so covering the USMNT is a no brainer. Plus it’s a proven fact that our new kits are certified fuego.

After our performance last summer in Brazil, we have gotten respect in the global soccer community but we are far from competing with the powerhouses of the world (Spain, Germany, the Dutch, ect.). We’ve struggled as of late versus Switzerland and Denmark, but I attribute it to Jurgen mixing and matching young talent and the absence of our real star players. Clint Dempsey’s been a bit hurt and Tim Howard is busy in the BPL (Yeah, it’s Barclay’s Premiere League; don’t hit me with that EPL shit). Bear with me as this blog was written in real time. Anyway’s lets get into it:

Pregame:

Nice 22-man roster despite no Jozy Altidore (suspension for red card v. Switzerland) or Clint (hamstring). Howard also did not suit up, instead Rimando put on the gloves. Jordan Morris, a Stanford University student, gets his first start up top due to Jozy’s absence. The crowd is primarily USA which is incredibly surprising since the game is in San Antonio and a strong Mexican fanbase was expected going in to today.

1st Half:

Bradley looked great back at a box-to-box midfielder. People gave him a lot of shit in the WC but he was not playing where he belongs due to Jozy’s injury. Bradley had a great series of moving the ball in the 5th minute and nearly created a scoring chance for Zardes before getting broken up by the Mexican defense. The US, in gerenal, had great offensive shape and moved the ball proficiently against Mexico but the defense looked a bit shaky giving up a few shots that shouldn’t have happened. Beckerman and Corona had a good start in midfield. Starting in the 20th minute, Mexico had a solid 2 minute sustained attack against the US but we withstood it. a few minutes later Bradley delivered a cross into the box and Morris was just unable to put is head on it. Morris looked good out on the field getting many chances but unable to capitalize. Gonzalez was our anchor at centerback deflecting multiple cross of the Mexican offense and keeping the pressure on as the ball progressed over half. As the match drew close to half, the US again had to endure a prolonged Mexican attack, just barely escaping allowing a goal by inches. Tempers got a little hot in the 44th as the ref had to break up a few of the players.

Halftime Observations:

Mexico has the momentum. US unable to sustain attack as the game progressed. Morris looking good in his first but he needs to be able to put a shot on if he’s going to be getting all these chances. Bradley and Beckerman are having great games so far. The field has gone to shit and has caused problems for Rimando in net as the ball’s bounce has nearly become unpredictable. Play is sloppy as players cant stay on their feet due to the slick conditions.

2nd Half:

SUBS: D: Brek Shea (Garza), M: Ibarra (Corona), G: Yarbrough (Rimando)

Right off the kick-off the US storms down the pitch and places multiple shots on goal. Remember what I said about Jordan Morris? Somehow he got my message for him (We must be twins separated at birth with some psychic link). Off a poor execution by the Mexican defense and spectacular ball-movement by Bradley and Zardes, Morris put one right past the keeper to put the US up 1-0 early in the second. Morris scores his first goal in his first USMNT game, kudos Jordan. The game soon became a back-and-forth kicking match but the US seemed to steal all momentum Mexico carried into the half. Scary news comes in the 60th minute as Beckerman (thigh contusion) limped off the field after a collision going for the ball. He didn’t get carted off, but you never want to see such a key player to this roster leave prematurely. Jump to the 65th, Morris subbed out to thunderous applause for Agudelo. The Mexicans would provide some pressure soon after bringing on fresh legs. The US was able to repeal the attack from great defense from Yedlin. We turned our defensive stand into great transition ball, getting the ball quickly downfield to Agudelo (yes, the same Agudelo who plays for the Revolution) for the 2-0 lead (72′). Bradley continues to have a great game after earning an assist on Agudelo’s goal nearly setting up another off a cross in the 79′ (Bradley’s corner-kick was just barely cleared off the goaline). Evans comes on at RB for Diskerud in the 81′ as Mexico would go into desperation mode to get on the board. In the end, the USA earned their 6th straight victory over Mexico.