Joe Gyau’s first USMNT appearance was impressive. Reminds one of Charlie Davies with his power and speed.
Alejandro Bedoya’s strike gave the USA its first ever victory over the Czech Republic. The winger smartly finished Petr Cech’s parry off a cracking Mix Diskerud shot. The USA were in the ascendency in the first half, The second, saw the USA step off the pedal, and lose steam. The Czechs controlled the midfield and were able to slip in a number of searching crosses and chips, some not taken advantage off, the others saved by an outstanding Nick Rimando. Defensively, the USA were solid with Timmy Chandler and Fabian Johnson channeling the flanks, Brooks and Michael Orozco at the center. In particular, Brooks making important blocks and challenges.
The attack was patchy, for all the energy and pace, not too creative and breaking down with little end product. Jozy Altidore was anonymous. For someone of his physique, his hold up play is a disappointment. He gets the ball but either through poor control or inaccuracy, loses out. The disconnection made the work of Diskerud, the Rosenborg man, much harder, but it was his heads up play that led to the goal. Down the right, Joe Gyau, was a handful in his USMNT debut, hard to stop with his power and speed, but running out of ideas and team mates.
Apart from Gyau, Klinsmann rolled out Greg Garza and Emerson Hyndman in the second half. Julian Green got his first USMNT start.
Tomas Rosicky, Arsenal’s little Mozart, was off his touch and pace for the Czechs, who looked like they needed a Lewandowski or a Mandzukic. .
Match highlights: