For the first 45 minutes of Saturday night’s highly-anticipated friendly, the Argentine national team ran circles around the United States, and suddenly a match with so much promise was looking like an exercise in futility and a harsh examination of the flaws of the current U.S. squad.
Two substitutions, and one formation change later, the Americans put on a second 45 minutes that turned a seeming lost cause into a 1-1 draw against Argentina and helped give USA fans a reason to feel optimistic about the team’s future.
Juan Agudelo and Timmy Chandler came in as half-time subs and helped change the flow of a game that had been dominated in the first half by Argentina, which overwhelmed the United States with its crisp passing and the dangerous moves of Lionel Messi, Angel DiMaria and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Only the heroic efforts of goalkeeper Tim Howard kept the match from being a blowout early. Howard made save after save in a performance very similar to his career night nearly three years ago in a scoreless draw against Argentina, also in New Jersey.
While Messi ran circles around the U.S. midfield, Howard kept the game close and it took a rebound off a Howard save for Esteban Cambiasso to break through and give Argentina a 1-0 lead just before half-time. The goal looked like it might be the first of many for Argentina, but the U.S. team’s half-time adjustments helped turn the tide.
The second half was more of what we’ve come to expect from the United States in the past. Stout defending and dangerous counterattacks, with Agudelo providing the key ingredient for an offense that couldn’t get anything going in the first half. He scored his second goal in three national team appearances, helping the United States salvage a draw in a match the Americans looked destined to lose.
Blame for the early American struggles fell on a 4-5-1 formation that gave the defense too few outlets to relieve pressure, and left Jozy Altidore too isolated. Argentina did its part, playing with precision and leaving the Americans scrambling to try and defend with numbers.
Agudelo and Chandler helped change the dynamic by boosting the U.S. offense and forcing Argentina to do some defending of its own. With two forwards to pass to, suddenly American defenders began handling pressure better, and Chandler’s marauding runs on the right flank produced a handful of dangerous crosses.
Chandler’s international debut was an encouraging one for the 20-year old German-born defender who just recently expressed his desire to play for the United States. The son of an American serviceman father and German mother, Chandler has risen to prominence with Bundesliga side Nurnberg in recent weeks and his form against Argentina confirmed that he is, in fact, a legitimate right-back prospect.
"For a player who comes on for the first time, it was a good first half," Bradley said of Chandler. "He helped the team a lot. As we worked with Timmy this week, his movements coming forward are good. His crossing, I think has been good, I thought he got three good crosses in tonight.
"So far, he’s come in with a really good way about him," Bradley said. "Maybe nervous the first day, but after that eager, and I know that this was a good way to get going."
Agudelo took another step toward showing that he’s more than just a flashy prospect, but rather a prodigious striker ready to take on a bigger role with the national team. He didn’t seem fazed a single bit by the packed house, or the high-profile opponent. The 18-year old just proceeded to go right at Argentina and immediately form a natural partnership with Altidore.
"For a young player, Juan, whenever you put him on the field you can tell he has confidence," said U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley. "He puts himself in good positions, and when the ball comes he’s strong. He has something where he’s looking to try things. Things that make sense.
"We had the chance to bring him in and feel like he’s improving," Bradley said. "He came on and certainly helped. He’s had a knack now for turning up in some good spots to get goals so we’re pleased with the things that we see."
The efforts of Agudelo and Chandler, as well as Howard’s most recent masterpiece, helped put an encouraging spin on a night with plenty of worrisome questions. Questions that include whether the United States should scrap trying the 4-5-1, and whether the United States defense is capable of dealing with high-powered offenses like Argentina, and like the strong attack Mexico is sure to bring to this summer’s Gold Cup.
The United States has plenty to work on in the coming months, but for now, the most encouraging aspect of Saturday night’s draw is the emergence of two young prospects who look ready to give the national team a much-needed boost.
USA vs. ARGENTINA PLAYER RATINGS
Jozy Altidore (5): Frustrating first half saw him struggle without support, but when Agudelo came on Altidore really came alive and put pressure on Argentina.
Landon Donovan (5.5): Not his best day from an offensive standpoint, but he put in a ton of defensive work and it was his free kick that led to Agudelo’s equalizer.
Clint Dempsey (5): Struggled to get involved offensively, and also squandered some decent looks with poor touches. More involved in the second half, but overall not one of his better nights.
Maurice Edu (5): Looked lost playing in an advanced role in the first half, but looked very good with more space to operate in when the team switched to a 4-4-2.
Michael Bradley (6): Messi put some nasty moves on Bradley (among others) but Bradley was all over the field and a key factor in the U.S. team’s ability to defend well and limit Argentina to one goal. Lack of playing time at Aston Villa didn’t hurt him.
Jermaine Jones (4.5): Covered plenty of ground and delivered some tough tackles, while also getting forward at times. Interested to see him in a 4-4-2.
Carlos Bocanegra (5.5): His header helped lead to Agudelo’s equalizer, but Bocanegra was beaten a few times.
Jay DeMerit (6): His first national team appearance in nine months went well. He was the stronger of the two centerbacks, stepping into several crucial tackles and showing no signs of rust.
Oguchi Onyewu (4.5): Looked extremely uncomfortable on the ball, and had some truly shocking moments. Settled down in the second half but a strong showing vs. Paraguay will ease some concerns about his form.
Jonathan Spector (4.5): Beaten for pace repeatedly, Spector recovered well at times, but he spent his 45 minutes scrambling and never did get forward, something that was magnified by Timmy Chandler’s successful runs forward.
Tim Howard (8): Another standout performance against Argentina for Howard, who’s positioning was impeccable and aggressiveness helped avert disaster repeatedly.
SUBS
Juan Agudelo (7): Provided instant energy and delivered the vital equalizer. His mobility and ability to go at defenders forced Argentina to be more honest defensively, and his presence opened things up for the U.S. attack.
Timothy Chandler (6.5): Steve Cherundolo is the incumbent starting right back, but Chandler’s first 45 minutes for the national team were a clear sign that he’s good enough to jump right behind Cherundolo on the depth chart. He could have earned higher marks, but Chandler did get exposed defensively on a handful of plays.
Ives Galarcep is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering Major League Soccer and the U.S. national team.
