Hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but questions must be raised about Bob Bradley’s lineup choices today. He is obviously privy to more info than I, but first off, Onyewu must have been seriously unable to go. Not only is he the USA’s best defender, but is also one of their few threats in the air. The succession of crosses and corners that went unfulfilled underscores his importance. Both of Ghana’s goals were the result of poor center-back play, where Onyewu might have been able to do better were he healthy.
Of greater impact today was the decision to start Clark and Findley. Clark’s inclusion is understandable, even though he had not played since the opening match. Using him as the holding midfielder allows Michael Bradley more liberty to go forward. Unfortunately, Clark’s mistake led directly to Ghana’s first goal, and the yellow card he picked up shortly thereafter indicated that he was clearly rattled. Pulling him off after only 30 minutes may have been necessary, and Bradley’s display of fatherly affection was both proper and wise, but it only underscores the issue raised of his inclusion.
As for Findley, he was largely invisible, with the exception of one chance that was smartly saved by Ghana’s keeper Kingson. The chance could have been better taken, though. Once again, he made way at halftime for Feilhaber.
With Feilhaber’s entrance, Dempsey moved up alongside Altidore, and the USA’s offense almost immediately sprang into life. This begs an obvious question – why not start Edu and Feilhaber, with Dempsey up front in what is almost a 4-3-1-2 or 4-4-3, with Donovan in the hole or as a true winger?
The absence of Charlie Davies, although barely commented upon as far as I can tell, looms over this. Davies and Altidore form a solid partnership, with Davies in the role of playing off Altidore. This leaves Dempsey to play off them as well, with Donovan as the playmaker. Almost a 4-2-2-2 or 4-3-1-2 with Dempsey in the hole.
As I stated at the beginning, this is all hindsight, but different lineup choices might have produced a win. Despite which, Bradley did show an ability to make intelligent changes throughout the tournament.
