State of the States | April, 2011

It’s been a long off-season, and while there were crumbs to nibble at of late, this past month was a smorgasbord for American soccer fans. The US Men’s National Team was back in action, MLS logged its first couple of weeks, and Real Salt Lake advanced MLS’s cause in the CONCACAF region’s highest level of club competition.

USMNT Back in Action

After having to cancel the Egypt friendly last month, the full US Men’s National Team got back into action in a big way, taking on World Cup regulars Paraguay and world power Argentina. Bob Bradley’s first-choice team struggled through the first half against Argentina, forced largely into a defensive posture and going into the break down 1-0. But the second half was a much more even affair, with teen starlet Juan Agudelo, a halftime sub, snatching the equalizer for a 1-1 result. Bob Bradley fielded a more experimental and weakened side against Paraguay, and although they controlled much of the match, a set piece breakdown and inability to finish cost them in a 1-0 loss.

Much of talk in the wake of the friendlies surrounded a solid debut for right back Timmy Chandler and the continued rise of Tim Ream and Juan Agudelo. While Bradley was quick to point out that Chandler needs to adapt to the way the US “wants to play,” I’m curious to see what effect Agudelo’s emergence has on Bradley’s tactical decisions. The US started the Argentina match in the sort of 4-2-3-1 set that’s rapidly become the international standard, something Bradley’s been flirting with for some time. But with three defensive-minded central midfielders and Jozy Altidore unable to hold the ball up as the lone striker (and Argentina, admittedly, being in imperious form), the US found themselves under constant pressure and rarely in possession for sustained spells. The introduction of Agudelo and the subsequent move to a more familiar 4-4-2 with Agudelo forming the missing link between Altidore and the rest of the team saw the US recover well and play more effectively.

The challenge for Bradley will be to find a balance between his own tactical desires and what Agudelo potentially offers the team without banking too much on the continued contributions of a teenager or putting too much pressure on him. Oh…that and finding a left back. Between Chandler, Lichaj, and Cherundolo, the right back spot looks pretty well covered. But left back, so long a weakness of this team, is still an issue.

MLS First Kick

This past month also saw the start of the 2011 Major League Soccer season. Though we’re only a few weeks into the season, there are a few emergent trends, particularly as regards expansion franchises and league powerhouses. There’s been a lot of excitement, particularly in the northwest, about Vancouver and Portland entering the league, renewing a three-way rivalry that dates back to pre-MLS days and bringing more passionate supporters into the league. But while Portland and Vancouver are expected to struggle (though Vancouver look fairly MLS-ready), there is some worry about Seattle. The Sounders draw terrific crowds and have an Open Cup to boast of in their short history in the top flight, but they’re still not meeting their own lofty league expectations.

In a similar boat are the Red Bulls, who seem to be going all-in to build a league powerhouse. Already blessed with a strong roster stocked with international stars and emerging domestic talent that was further enhanced by international acquisitions in the off-season, the biggest transfer move of the early season has seen them ship players and a first round pick north to Toronto to land perennial MLS All Star Dwayne De Rosario. This looks like a strong play for league glory in 2011. At the moment, the two biggest stumbling blocks in their way would seem to be Real Salt Lake and the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids, both of whom look very strong out of the gate. But it’s a long season and there’s a grueling summer ahead for others to take advantage of.

RSL Book Their Passage

Adding to Real Salt Lake’s growing prestige as a “model” MLS franchise has been their progress in the CONCACAF Champions’ League. After disposing of Columbus in the quarterfinals, they faced a difficult semifinal against regional power Saprissa of Costa Rica. Holding serve at home with an excellent 2-0 result, they headed south, where MLS teams have traditionally struggled. Despite losing 2-1 away, a solid, professional performance in tough conditions saw them advance to the final, a first ever CCL final (in its modern incarnation) for an MLS side, where they will face Monterrey of Mexico later this month.

Looking Forward

What should the discerning American soccer fan be keeping their eye on in the month ahead?

• RSL have cleared the first Central American hurdle on the international front. Mexican opposition will probably provide a much sterner test; a test they will face April 20th and 27th.

• The USMNT has already suffered a blow in the quest for the Gold Cup this summer when Stuart Holden went down with injury. Will there be further complications?

• While RSL and Colorado have made their case on the field and the Red Bulls in the transfer market, it’s tough to make a solid claim for MLS Cup favorites yet. Will we have more clarity with a month and a half of action under our belts?

• On a more recent note, I’ll be interested to see if there’s any fallout from the US U-20’s failure to qualify for the U-20 World Cup. Does Rongen keep his job?

Okay, that about wraps things up for this month. I’ll see you on the far side of April.

Michael S. Hund is the creator of the Fullback Files, a blog covering DC United, the US National Team, and Major League Soccer.