LONDON
United States manager Jürgen Klinsmann contemplated the importance of playing a side like Colombia in the buildup to the friendly tonight at Craven Cottage.
Klinsmann rather astutely noted the experience provided by confronting the World Cup quarterfinalists on unfamiliar soil. It is a test of both mettle and skill for this evolving outfit. The challenges posed by the Colombians offer a vital test to assess the progress made over the past three friendlies and measure the work still ahead as this cycle whirs to life and the focus shifts to the responsibilities down the road.
“To be successful in big tournaments, you have to play against the best teams in the world,” U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “When you have the opportunity to play the games like we do tomorrow night, you use these games to better yourself as an individual, but, more importantly, you use it better the team. You use these games to prepare for the bigger stage, which is ultimately the World Cup.”
Colombia shined on that particular platform during the summer. This group is also in the midst of retooling after reaching the last eight, but many of the components from the successful run remain in place. This edition of Five Points outlines the areas to watch as the Americans confront their strongest opponent since leaving Brazil.
Coping with Colombia’s incessant and incisive movement
Colombia impressed at the World Cup with its ability to lean on its creative players to slice apart the opposition in the defensive third. Juan Cuadrado and James Rodriguez operated as tormentors in chief by using their freedom to search for profitable lines of inquiry. Their work on the break often proved the most effective, but their willingness to dart into dangerous areas presented a constant threat.
Considerable pressure falls on the revamped American back four to ensure Cuadrado and Rodriguez -- plus the pair of forwards up front if José Pekerman once again plumps for 4-4-2 in the absence of the injured Radamel Falcao -- do not locate the time and space necessary to create havoc.
The selected rearguard members (Jermaine Jones could feature in central defense again after impressing against Honduras, while Geoff Cameron is also back in the fold) must figure out a way to maintain their proper positions (particularly if the mobile and willing Teo Gutierrez earns the nod up front and roves around as usual to draw markers away from Carlos Bacca or Adrian Ramos) and transfer marking responsibilities adroitly as the Colombians float and switch in the attacking half. Extra support from midfield is a must (Kyle Beckerman, Cameron and Jones all present intriguing options as holding players to disrupt the rhythm), while the fullbacks must perform to the highest standards in order to survive this encounter.
Setting the right course at fullback
The task ahead against Colombia underscores why DaMarcus Beasley earned a recall for the first time since the World Cup. Beasley is the most complete left back in the pool, a seasoned figure capable of holding at the right times and pushing forward when prompted. Those qualities -- if he holds off the inevitable challenges from Timothy Chandler and Greg Garza -- will prove particularly important given the emphasis on wide play in this match.
Colombia excelled at the World Cup by sending its fullbacks high up the field to provide latitude for Cuadrado and Rodriguez to float inside. The absence of Juan Zuniga (right knee sprain) strips away some of the verve at right back, but Pablo Armero remains a vibrant option on the left.
Beasley (or the player poised to supplant him) and Fabian Johnson (if he features at right back instead of a bit further up the field) must pick the right times to advance without sacrificing that solidity. It is tempting to embrace a track meet given the emphasis on playing more expansively, but that tempo favors Colombia. Instead, this group must figure out a way to parry those forays and then respond intriguingly to exploit the advantages ahead.
Numerical superiority in midfield presents a chance to dictate cadence
Controlling the tempo of the match starts by exploiting the anticipated numerical superiority in midfield. Pekerman usually opts of a pair of players in that department, a dedicated holding player (Alexander Mejia or Carlos Sanchez) and a more adventurous partner (Abel Aguilar at the World Cup, Carlos Carbonero against Canada). Their role, essentially, is to provide a firm base of operations to allow Cuadrado and Rodriguez to thrive.
There is an opportunity for the Americans to assert a bit of dominion here through sheer numerical might. Klinsmann must select his course wisely: a pair of dedicated holding players supplies additional cover against Cuadrado and Rodriguez, while the inclusion of two more adventurous option (perhaps the renewed partnership of Alejandro Bedoya and Mix Diskerud in front of a deep-lying option like Beckerman, for example) may create more opportunities going forward. Either way, the chosen setup in the center of the park must wield some influence over the game to regulate the proceedings.
Pushing numbers at the right times to support Jozy Altidore
The absence of Clint Dempsey (playoff commitments with Seattle) leaves Altidore without a natural partner from the outset. Klinsmann could thrust another forward into the fray to retain the 4-4-2 shape used in the 1-1 draw against Honduras next month, but it might make more sense to rely on the mobility of others to join the play from midfield instead.
All of the tinkering must result in enough thrust to ensure Altidore receives the proper backing and supply in the final third. Altidore toils willingly for the team, but he offers little threat if left isolated on his own. He needs help from central midfield (particularly Bedoya or Diskerud if deployed there) and from the wide areas to ensure he garners the chances necessary to strike.
Taking chances when they arise to guard against another late-game demise
Results are not the primary objective in these friendlies, but the sight of throwing away late leads against Ecuador and Honduras will provoke a desire to rectify the issue if at all possible. There were opportunities in both matches to make the proceedings more comfortable along the way. The inability to take them ultimately led to somewhat disappointing results in the end.
This affair presents a twist on those familiar concerns. Colombia huffed and puffed for long periods against a resolute Canadian outfit last month (Rodriguez rescued a victory with a stunning free kick), but its menace in the attacking third persists nevertheless. This U.S. side must convert reliably when it stitches together promising moves or wins free kicks in good areas. Otherwise, it could prove difficult to keep pace with the often prolific opposition on foreign soil.
