More of the same

Watching the US at Azteca is like watching the Tigers try to hit in the clutch. They really try, but failure is inevitable.

Mexico was shell-shocked in the beginning, as a brilliant pass from Donovan sprung Charlie Davies (or "Davis" as Marcelo Balboa likes to call him). Davies, dribbling the ball, still had enough speed to outpace the Mexican defense, and he slotted home a brilliant goal in the 9th minute. That, unfortunately, is when the US's tactics went south.

What started as a 4-4-2 regressed into an 8-2. The entire midfield bunkered, leaving acres of space for the Mexicans. After a non-call foul on Donovan, Mexico countered, finding Castro alone 25 yards out. Castro took one touch and hammered home a brilliant long-range bomb. 1-1. Unfortunately, the bunker continued.

It wasn't until the 25th minute that US actually regained possession - 16 straight minutes of Mexican domination. And it wasn't until the 35th minute that the US had the ball in Mexico's box. Other than a handful of restarts, the US rarely threatened the Mexican goal. Mexico's keeper did not register a single save. On the other side of the field, Dos Santos had a fantastic opportunity, courtesy of a backheel pass from Blanco. Dos Santos sent his shot wide.

In general, the US defense actually played well. It was perhaps Gooch's strongest game for the nats. Yet, when they won the ball, they had nowhere to pass. The US midfield was nowhere to be found. The US simply gave the ball back to Mexico, and the cycle continued the entire game. Not helping the US's cause was inconsistent calls from the ref. In the first half alone, Gooch, Demerit, and Bocanegra all received questionable yellow cards. Mexico, despite hard tackles of their own, received none. It wasn't until a Torrado tried to lift an injured Davies off the ground that the ref booked a Mexican player.

Around the 60th minute, Bradley inserted Feilhaber - the first US player with ability to possess the ball. It made some difference. Mexico was actually gassed a bit too. In the 62nd minute, Holden, a 2nd half sub, sent a fine cross into the box. Charlie Davies dove toward the ball but missed by a few inches. That was as close as the US came in the entire half. Mexico had a handful of corner kicks that amounted to nothing, and Dos Santos botched another chance to give his team a lead. Yet, in the 82nd minute, a Mexican sub Juarez, split the US defense. Dribbling toward the US goal line, he cut the ball back to a wide open Sabah who buried the shot. 2-1 Mexico. Game over.

The loss was expected. And the tactics were expected too. I just wish the US would try a little something different. The bunker still resulted in a loss. Take the game to Mexico. Force them to play a little defense! I truly believe the US has the players to match Mexico even in Azteca. They'll never have the possession ability, but they don't have to bunker.