Win over Algeria no slam dunk for U.S.
Americans need to pick up pace on offense, tighten up their defense
Elise Amendola / APLandon Donovan, top right, scores the United States’ first goal against Slovenia on Friday. The U.S. will need to be aggressive the entire game against Algeria to have a chance to advance to the second round.
OPINION
By Stefan Lovgren
NBCSports.com contributor
updated 7:35 p.m. ET June 18, 2010
 | Stefan Lovgren |
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - The headlines after the United States’ 2-2 draw with Slovenia focused on the never-say-die attitude the Americans showed in battling back from a 2-0 half-time deficit.
They hailed man-of-the-match winner Landon Donovan and the unstoppable rocket of a goal he scored from an almost impossible angle to kick off the comeback.
Most of all, the stories centered on the inexplicable refereeing call that robbed the U.S. of what looked like a perfectly legitimate late-winning goal.
But focusing solely on the positives — and the sense of aggrievement that the U.S. might feel over a disallowed goal — threatens to deflect attention from some serious questions that have to be asked of this U.S. team.
For as impressive as the second-half comeback was, the team's performance in the first half against Slovenia was abysmal.
The central defense, which looked shaky in the opening stages against England, again looked exposed.
The opening Slovenian goal came after U.S. defenders failed to close down midfielder Walter Biers, whose swerving shot from 30 yards out whizzed past a motionless Tim Howard in the U.S. goal.
The U.S. defensive marking again broke down when Slovenia scored its second goal. This time, Oguchi Onyewu, who looks to be struggling in his return from injury, failed to pick up his man.
Things didn't look much brighter for the lumbering offense, with U.S. attacks again and again fizzling out against a resolute Slovenian defense.
The fact is, the U.S. is still winless in this World Cup.
Yes, this team still has matters in its own hands and stands a very good chance of advancing to the second stage.
But for that to happen, the U.S. must score its first win in the final group match against Algeria on Wednesday. (See all the scenarios for the U.S. to advance.)
That will probably require a better performance from the Americans than in Friday’s game.
Algeria, which many had written off after an anemic display in its opener against Slovenia, put on a spirited performance against a lethargic England in Friday’s other group match. The shocking 0-0 draw in that game leaves the group wide open, with all teams having a chance to go through.
Then again, the U.S. might relish having expectations lowered.
This, after all, is a team that reluctantly had to relinquish the underdog role it had embraced previously against England in order to face a Slovenian team that ranks among the minnows in European soccer.
In a game that was more of a must-not-lose than a must-win, the U.S. looked hesitant, struggling to find its rhythm.
Against Algeria, it will be up against an industrious team that seems perfectly beatable on paper but in its match against England showed tireless energy, speed and strong technical ability on the ball.
The Algerians look most threatening down the left side with marauding left-back Nadir Belhadj and tricky winger Karim Ziani.
Like the U.S., it's a team that lacks marquee names but draws strength from its spirit of togetherness.
To beat them, the U.S. will need to find a way to play with the same kind of aggressiveness it did in the second half against Slovenia, but from the start this time.
"We need to start games that way," Donovan told reporters after the Slovenia game.
| 2010 World Cup actionTop images from the World Cup games, including Spain's 1-0 win against the Netherlands in the final. NBCSports.com |
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Added goalkeeper Howard, "It seems like we play better when we're emotional."
Several of the U.S. players spoke of the American spirit that infused the great comeback against Slovenia.
"There are not many teams that could do what we did," Donovan said.
Now the U.S. has its back against the wall in a do-or-die clash with Algeria in a World Cup that is becoming increasingly topsy-turvy.
"We will win," Howard said confidently.
Unlike against Slovenia, the U.S. has no choice this time. Anything but a win and the U.S. World Cup adventure is likely over.
Stefan Lovgren is the producer and director of "Africa's Game," a documentary about soccer in Africa. He writes about African soccer and the World Cup at http://africascore.blogspot.com/
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More newsGary Bogdon / Getty Images Landon Donovan returned to the U.S. national team following an eight-month absence and scored his first international hat trick in five years, leading the Americans over Scotland 5-1 in a friendly Saturday night.
Landon Donovan's hat trick helps the U.S. to a convincing 5-1 win over Scotland.
