Flying high. Total domination of a bedraggled Cuban side missing Ariel Martinez, their best player, who had defected very wittingly before the match (strengthening his case for asylum: smart move, don’t mess with the USA!). Three others had previously defected.
No matter. Deuce scored his first national hat trick. Timmy Chandler actually put in a correct foot forward to Dempsey for the first strike. Fabian Johnson, probably the USA’s best player provided Gyasi Zardes with USA’s second goal. And it kept coming with Michael Bradley lofting the ball over for Aron Johannsson to smartly chip the ball over Diosvelys Garcia. The first half rout was complete when Omar Gonzalez stuck an opportunistic leg out for his goal from a corner. It got worse for Cuba in the second half as Deuce added another with a spot kick and completed his hat trick sweeping home Bradley’s pass.
A few things we learned:
Aron Johannsson has the speed along with the quickness of mind which Jozy Altidore does not possess.
Good things happen when the USMNT uses the flanks to open up the game providing delivery to players in the box who can score.
Alejandro Bedoya and Fabian Johnson provide a real threat down the left flank with their combinations, overlapping runs, and pinpoint service.
Timmy Chandler put in a beautiful cross for Dempsey’s goal. But one swallow does not a summer make. He’s still a liability.
Michael Bradley plays much better when Kyle Beckerman literally has his back.
USMNT players not named Clint Dempsey can score. Which is a great thing.
Now, its off to face Jamaica’s Kemar Lawrence and Wes Morgan led defence which will provide a much sterner test.