Slovenia vs. USA, 15 November 2011 [R]

Grant Wahl: Three thoughts from USA-Slovenia

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• Klinsmann's changes sparked the U.S.'s offensive breakout.
• The defense still needs work.
• Are two classic forwards the way to go?

Steve Davis: U.S. player ratings against Slovenia

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M, Brek Shea, 5 -- Shea's first two crosses (upon entering in the
61st minute along the left for Johnson) needed more precision, maybe
just a little more patience. Once he settled in, Shea was handy in
helping his side keep possession. Overall, perhaps Johnson's presence as
another viable left-sided option will push Shea as the new year
approaches.

ESPN: Formation switch sparks U.S. win

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M Brek Shea, 6.5: Shea brought good energy after coming on in the 61st minute but became less and less involved as the U.S. bunkered in.

Steve Davis: The next six weeks just got easier for Jurgen Klinsmann, USMNT

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It must be qualified with this reality: Slovenia
doesn’t look anything like the close-knit, highly organized side that
swept shockingly into World Cup 2010, riding role players and a heavy
dose of esprit de corps. So, let us temper the day with that cold splash of reality.


That said, a win in Europe is a win in Europe. First in three years, in fact. In the big picture, it was an important result, as I explained in the previous post.

New York Times: Player Ratings: Slovenia (2) vs. U.S. (3)

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Brek Shea: Replaced Johnson in the 62nd minute and had
so little impact that you kind of wished Johnson had stayed on. Has a
lot to learn about killing a game, too; when you’re coming down the wing
in the 90th minute with a one-goal lead, you go to the corner. You
don’t try to split two veteran defenders and cut inside. Rating: 4.5

Yahoo Sports: U.S. snaps scoring drought with 3-2 win

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This can be seen as a genuine step in the right direction for the
Klinsmann camp. This long-awaited success against a tough European
opponent will boost confidence and should convince the coach about the
value of using a more open and positive style.

It was that kind of prospect that made national team followers excited
about Klinsmann’s arrival in the first place, and this performance has
helped ease emerging doubts.

Ridge Mahoney: U.S. player ratings

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4 Brek Shea (FC Dallas, 9/0). He
gave away the ball a few times and didn’t get much going offensively in
his 30 minutes of action, but did team up with Beckerman to close down a
late threat.

Mike Woitalla: At last, the U.S. offense breaks out

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TWO STRIKERS A MUST. Such is the sad state of modern
soccer that it’s news when a team fields two true strikers. After a
catenaccio look in last Friday’s 1-0 loss to France, Klinsmann simply
had to field a more attack-minded formation. Pairing Buddle and Altidore
on the frontline, and giving Dempsey a free role behind them, resulted
not only in goals, but enabled the Americans to play more of the game in
the opponents’ half. A lone forward lineup should never again be
considered for a U.S. national team.