Nicklas Bendtner's hat-trick seals victory for Denmark over USA
|
Version 0 of 1. There has been a disturbing pattern to United States friendly games since the World Cup and it was emphasized yet again in Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat to Denmark in Århus. Nicklas Bendtner’s first international hat trick – with two goals coming in the last 10 minutes after the US had just taken a 2-1 lead – turned what would have been a decent away win into the latest disappointment of the post-World Cup period. Against Ecuador and Honduras in October, against Colombia and Ireland in November and Chile in February, the United States gave up late goals after fading badly in the second half. Indeed, 10 of the 14 goals given up by the US since Brazil have come after the 60-minute mark. And if the excuse for that is that the numerous second-half substitutions in friendlies can be disruptive, perhaps that suggests less in-game tinkering might be in order. There was an air of inevitability about the way this game turned out, especially after Klinsmann’s questionable decision to change his defense when 2-1 up by bringing on Ventura Alvarado for his debut in the 80th minute. Quite what Klinsmann hoped to gain from that substitution is hard to fathom. There is little a striker or midfielder can hope to do in the final 10 minutes, but a central defender is only going to try to avoid trouble. And while it would be harsh to blame Alvarado for the two goals, there seemed little point in disrupting the defence by taking out Michael Orozco, even if, as Klinsmann suggested after the game, the Mexico-based player had indicated he was tiring. If the coach wanted to give Alvardo a taste of international soccer, he could have done it earlier or left it to Tuesday’s friendly in Switzerland. These games are about experimentation and learning – for both the players and the coach – but it is doubtful that Alvarado will feel there was much positive experience gained from his 10 minutes on the field. Overall it is doubtful that Klinsmann learned much from this game and, predictably, it was two very familiar faces who delivered the brightest moments. Jozy Altidore’s post-Sunderland rehabilitation continued with a confidently taken goal in the 19th minute, collecting a hopeful cross from Timmy Chandler and blasting home a diagonal strike. Bendtner brought Denmark level 14 minutes later, with a simple tap in after the Danes worked their way through the American defense with unnerving ease. Then it was another unsurprising source of quality that put the US back in front, when captain Michael Bradley offered a reminder of his class with a fine ball to his Toronto FC team-mate Altidore, who set up Aron Johannsson for the 66th minute-lead. Then came Bendtner’s two strikes: the first a straight-forward finish at the back post after a Thomas Delaney cross in the 83rd minute, the winner a superbly taken strike after the Wolfsburg forward raced on to an excellent through ball from Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen. What Klinsmann would give for a player with Eriksen’s skill and guile. The German continues to rotate his squad and give chances to new players in the hope that a few will deliver performance that make them automatic selections in the future. Yet in the nine months since the World Cup there have been few new faces that have really put themselves forward as international qualit ey players. Greg Garza at left back is one and he again was solid. Alejandro Bedoya was given a chance to play the central midfield role he plays with his French club Nantes, but made little impression. Gyasi Zardes, a promising striker with LA Galaxy in MLS, looked lost playing on the right flank. There were flashes of talent from Alfredo Morales. John Brooks and Orozco, neither of whom would be first choice in the center of defense but who gave decent enough displays. And Johannsson, back in the team following injury problems, got on the score sheet and showed signs of a possible partnership with Altidore. But in the end, the biggest ‘learning moment’ was once again the United States’ failure to close out a game. The results may be secondary in such friendlies, but losing late is becoming a habit and one that Klinsmann and his team need to unlearn quickly. |