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Manaus, Brazil–Pure disappointment and heart break for the United States (US) fans and team after watching Silvestre Varela dive for the ball, and as a result was able to head the ball right past Tim Howard into the goal. All the US team needed to do, was to keep the ball and run the clock for the last 26 seconds of the game. If they would have done that, then we would be singing a different tune. But instead, Cristiano Ronaldo’s masterful cross to set up a dramatic header by Silvestre Varela for the score, which led to the end result of 2-2. All I can do is shake my head in disappointment. I feel Michael Bradley, US mid-fielder, missed a critical defensive opportunity when the ball was in the mid-field and he did not get it from Portugal. They wanted the ball more, the ball was kicked to Reynaldo, he tapped it once and quickly crossed it to Varela and as a result dove for the ball, headed it straight into the goal. This was an unbelievable drive from the Portugal team. The US team had an opportunity to advance, while Portugal would have gone home but instead they gave them an opportunity to score and tie the game.
In American Football there is a saying, “Offense wins games and defense wins championships.” Where was the defense during this game? Sure Jermaine Jones scored a goal in the 64’ and Clint Dempsey in the 81’ to be in lead 2-1; however, where was the drive and motivation from the defense and mid-fielders, such as DaMarcus Beasley, Graham Zusi, and Michael Bradley in the last 94 minutes of the game?
Portugal set the tone for the game at 4 minutes and 50 seconds, when Luis Carlos Almeida da Cinha commonly known as “Nani” scored their first goal due to a weak defense from Geoff Cameron. Even though Portugal attempted a total of 20 shots, only 9 of them were on goal. They possessed the ball 52% of the time vs.48% of the US possessions. Portugal was more aggressive during this game and the US knew that; however, they started showing signs of exhaustion in the 88’. I feel that is what hurt them in the end. With this game now a thing of the past, let’s look ahead to Germany
MSN-Press Association Team Analysis states Germany Strengths as “They registered an average of 3.6 goals per game, should concern any defense.”The weaknesses of the US “Repelling free kicks was also something their defense found difficult…Taking points from Portugal and Germany will obviously be a challenge.” I am really worried that Germany is going to beat the US on Thursday, June 26, 2014 because they need to tighten up their defense and not get complacent if they are up. They are going to have to give 110% both offensively and defensively throughout the game if they are serious about wanting to win and advance especially since Germany has scored a total of 21 goals and the United States only 15. You guys are going to have to step up your game if you want to see a “W” in your near future. Like Nike always states, “Just do it!”Go USA!!!
Araceli Mendoza is a Writer for Couch Rider Report Follow her on Facebook.