USA vs. Slovenia: 5 Things We Learned from the 3-2 Win

Jurgen Klinsmann got his second win today as head of the US national team, with an entertaining 3-2 victory over Slovenia. The heavy fog that set in from the Alps reminded the US that they were not at home and maybe did a little to motivate them to their first win in Europe since 2008. Goals from Edson Buddle, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore were all that were necessary as it was by far the best game to watch under the German’s reign.

The contest got off to a good start as both teams were sharing possession in the other half. Nervy moments came and went in the opening minutes, until Buddle rattled a cracker off the post and in. The ball fell nicely to him on top of the box. After taking a touch to corral it in, he hit it on the half volley to give the US the lead in the ninth minute.

Slovenia would level the scoring about half way through the first stanza when Tim Matavz would get on the end of a through ball and fire it over the shoulder of Tim Howard.

Just before the half Clint Dempsey would put the US ahead on a well placed header served from Michael Bradley on the right wing. Minutes later, Fabian Johnson would draw a penalty in his first start ever in the red, white and blue. Altidore stepped calmly up to take it, sending the keeper the wrong way and the US into the locker room with a 3-1 half time lead.

The second half would be just as entertaining as the first with Slovenia hitting the woodwork twice within a matter of seconds.

They would eventually claw one back to make for an exciting finish, but the US held on to the 3-2 victory. Here are five things fans can come away with from today’s win.

The reason behind Klinsmann’s insistence in playing Beckerman has been the most dumbfounding for me. The Real Salt Lake midfielder has dipped in form over the past year to the point where he is as much mistake prone in the MLS as he is the national team.

He offers no real advantage in being in the starting lineup as his touch, decision making and skill are all sub-par and better options lie around him.

Today he played just in front of the backline in a 4-4-2 formation. His role is to shut down any quick counter attacks and keep balls from being sent through behind the back line. There were a few occasions when Slovenian forwards beat or almost beat the US offside trap. That was in part the fault of Beckerman, who is not applying pressure early enough to the midfield, allowing them to time their passes perfectly to the forward's run.

He also was falling back way too far and in line sometimes with the back four. This cannot happen because 1) it messes up the formation of that back line and 2) he is not a good defender. The second was on display as he took a very poor angle toward the ball carrier on Slovenia’s second goal.

Perhaps it is because Klinsmann is trying things out or they are undermanned forcing Bradley out wide. Whatever the reason is, he should get over it quickly and put Beckerman on the bench where he belongs

The replacement of Bob Bradley was probably taken harshly by his son and rightly so. In the past few US games Bradley had not featured much, but he was getting more and more playing time with Chievo and performing well. Klinsmann had to recognize it and started Bradley today to great success.

I will be the first to admit that, when Bradley was put on the team back in ’07, I though it nothing more than nepotism. In his first few matches my suspicions were confirmed, as he played border line horrendous.

But, over the past few years, he has really developed into quite some player. Never known for flash or ingenious style, he plays a simple game, but one that is consistent and rarely mistake-prone. It is really all you could ask for in your holding midfielder.

Today he was played out wide on the right wing. Though not his typical spot, he made it his own, getting forward in the attack and shutting down that side of the midfield defensively. His cross to Dempsey gave the US the lead and his corners kept the Slovenian goal under pressure on set pieces.

I am not sure why he has been absent from the Klinsmann-era, but, hopefully today, the boss took notice and will give him the consistent playing time he deserves.

Let’s just go ahead and say it: the day of the single striker is dead. At least if that striker is 22 years old and not really that good. But if you can relieve some of the pressure off that same kid, well then he may even look like a baller.

Jozy Altidore did well against France, but nothing came of it. It was not because he missed or had one of his pity parties for not getting calls. It was because he was asked to go all alone against some very, very good defenders.

Today, Klinsmann decided to change things up, giving him a striking partner in Buddle and a support player in Dempsey shadowing just behind him. How did it pay off? All three had a goal.

If you are looking at stats or individual performances, Altidore did not do much. But if you look at the run of play and the flow of the game, he was integral in every single goal the US scored.

When he is all alone, the center backs just focus on him and, let’s be honest, he is not Drogba. But, with a striking partner, he was able to get more room to move and attracted more attention to himself, creating space for others.

A triangle of Buddle, Altidore and Dempsey probably won’t keep the likes of Puyol and Pique up at night, but when given the support he needs, Altidore can really help the team—unlike he has in the past.

Perhaps the best thing about today’s game was that I made it all the way through without taking shots of caffeine to keep me from falling asleep. It was by far the most entertaining match of the Klinsmann era. With five goals split between the teams and spaced out nicely, it kept the energy up.

What most have criticized about the US has been their inability to score. Their three goals today was one more than their total from the first six games under the new boss. The way they went about getting them was nice too—a great shot, nice header and a well deserved penalty. It shows that they indeed have the talent to score.

However, it also shows that their inability to score in the past was based on a formation that protected the goal and did so well. This was the first time they had conceded multiple goals and were somewhat fortunate that it was not more.

It was almost as if today Klinsmann was trying to prove to fans that, “yes we can score, but here is the risk and why I have not let them yet.” You could easily imagine that, had this formation been used against the likes of France on Friday, the US would have gotten one or two goals, but ultimately left Paris conceding four or five.

Klinsmann is going to have to play a very delicate game of strategy to ensure that the US continues to score and entertain, but also does not get so caught up in the attack that the feeble back line is exposed too often.

Let me preface this by saying US fans should be happy.

This is a good day for American soccer, or at least as good an away friendly against a semi-decent side can get. But we must keep this in the context of the match.

Slovenia is a good side and even with the US in both terms of their recent past (2-2 draw at the World Cup in a group which was left to the final minutes of who would advance) and their FIFA rankings (US #34 and Slovenia #27).

To be able to go into their home and win is a good thing.

However, this was a different Slovenian team than the one faced in June. They just got a new coach and this was his very first game after only three weeks in charge. They were obviously not familiar with his system and he is trying to learn his players the same way the US players are still not familiar with Klinsmann’s and he is trying to learn them.

There was also a bit of side commotion outside the stadium. If you were watching the game and wondering why the stadium seemed so empty, as ESPN commentator Ian Drake pointed out, there is a protest going on over ticket prices of the Slovenian FA. Though I am sure this did not distract the players, it is much easier to play an away game against a ¾ empty stadium, than a full one.

Furthermore, as I alluded to in the previous slide, the US is not a complete team yet. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done so that the formation does not dictate the score line. As a fan, I should not be able to look at the starting formation and predict if it will be a 4-3 game or a 1-0 game.

The road to contender is a long one and takes time. But matches like this, where there is noticeable improvement from the last, is what Klinsmann needs to keep his job, the players need to stay motivated and the fans want so we keep the faith.