Thoughts:
Paraguay has been playing their set pieces very close to Guzan, forcing the big keeper off of his line. Brad has done well punching as well as collecting when called upon.
In the first 20 minutes Paraguay have been dangerous on the counter, with the USA struggling to break down the opposing defense centrally. After the red card the roles switched and suddenly it was Paraguay who couldn’t create and USA who was dangerous on the counter.
Paraguay are playing very physically, and using fouls and throw-ins to break apart USA attacks, slowing down the US attack and allowing men to get behind the ball.
USA scored on their first shot from the run of play. They weren’t necessarily the most creative team but they got the goal and the clean sheet, which will always be enough to win.
Paraguay push their left back Samudio forward in a pseudo 3-back formation with the ball. And defend with 4 at the back
John Brooks has had to cover both Johnson and Cameron on several occasions, making crucial tackles to prevent goal-scoring opportunities. He has been immense all tournament for the United States, and is proving his talent with each game.
What was Yedlin thinking? Having just been booked he should have been more mindful of his challenges, especially once he got the first yellow. He was unlucky in the fact that he slipped while closing the ball down, but was reckless enough that a yellow was warranted. After getting the first caution he would have done well to calm down and play a bit more passively.
Since being put up as a lone striker Wood has done terrifically on the counter, but also pressing when needed. While he didn’t score he did put in a wonderful shift, and could easily have an assist if Zardes had slotted his chance.
Bradley might not have had the best game offensively, but it is hard to knock his commitment defensively. He is incredibly hard to get by and brings so much to the team besides creating offensively from deep areas. Likewise Jermaine Jones has been running nonstop and has been great offensively and defensively. He offers cover for the backline but also runs the channels, giving space for the forwards to operate.
Game recap:
The United States took on Paraguay Saturday night with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line. A draw would be good enough for the yanks, but Paraguay needed a win to move on, barring a Costa Rica win versus Colombia.
The game started out with both teams trying to feel out the other side, poking and prodding for an opening. The referee Julio Bascuñan from Chile gave a lot of fouls in the early moments, including several in the attacking third for each team. These early set piece opportunities were mostly wasted, with Paraguay serving balls to close to Brad Guzan, and US being rather wasteful as well.
An early break for Paraguay resulted in a great chance and a corner. John Brooks was given the task of defending 3 Paraguay players by himself. When the ball was played around him he gave a terrific effort to get back and make a last ditch sliding tackle to prevent a goal scoring opportunity.
Paraguay had a early penalty shout in the 18th minute when Fabian Johnson took Dario Lezcano down in the box. The Paraguayan was able to get back up and serve a peach of a ball to the back post. Antonio Sanabria’s header just feet from goal and at a tight angle was batted away by Guzan.
Dempsey had a chance in the 25th minute off of a freekick just 20 yards from goal. He opted to shoot back-post, around the wall. His rocket of a shot flew high and wide by only a couple feet.
The first goal of the night came courtesy of Clint Dempsey. Gyasi Zardes took his defender to the end line on the left side, and rolled a perfect pass across for Dempsey who hammered his shot past Villar in goal to give the US the lead. For as much slack Zardes has been getting, he deserves all the credit on this one, creating space for himself and giving Dempsey a chance on a platter.
Paraguay had another great opportunity in the 45th minute. Derlis Gonzalez slotted Daniel Lezcano behind the US defense, and put 1-on-1 with Brad Guzan. The US goalkeeper made himself big, and blocked the near post effort to keep the United States in the lead going into halftime.
The second half started with some bickering by both sides after an early foul, which resulted in a yellow card for DeAndre Yedlin. He apparently didn’t realize he had just been carded and dove in recklessly again, and received a second yellow in a matter of seconds as the US were put down to 10 men with the entire second half yet to play.
As the sun set in Philadelphia and as the game approached the hour mark Paraguay looked out of ideas. USA attempted to just sit in and defend their lead, being down to 10 men, while Paraguay rushed themselves, trying desperately to get an equalizer, and then the go ahead goal.
The US should have extended their lead in the 63rd minute when Bobby Wood beat his defender, starting a counter attack. He found Zardes streaking to his left, and gave him a golden opportunity 1-on-1 with Villar. Zardes took too long, and was closed down by Paulo Da Silva. Villar was able to calmly pick the ball up after Da Silva’s goal saving tackle.
In an unusual turn of events, head referee Bascuñan started cramping in the 67th minute, bringing a halt to the game, and allowing the US a much needed break to come together and discuss their plan for the remaining 25 minutes. The respite came to an end minutes later as Jones took the drop kick, returning the ball to Paraguay.
The United States continued to sit deep, forcing Paraguay into wide areas. The South Americans could not find a way to break down the US defense going into the final stretch, relying solely on service from the wings and chipped balls through the middle, which the big US center backs, Brooks and Cameron, were content to head away.
A chance eventually came from the one of the several crosses by Paraguay. Juan Iturbe found enough space on the left side to get a cross off. His center found the head of Dario Lezcano, who connected to the ball at the peak of his jump but was just under the ball as his header flashed over the goal.
Guzan was called upon yet again in the 82nd minute when he came up with a double save from point blank range. His first save came from a shot from a tight angle, where he did well to make himself big and block the shot. The rebound fell to Lezcano who took a snap shot on goal, only for Guzan to get back up and make yet another save, sprawling on the ground to knock the ball away.
Paraguay thought they had the equalizer in the 89th minute, when Gustavo Gomez just drifted past the US backline. His well-placed finish was called off for offside. A second look at the replay shows he was off by more than the home fans had originally thought, as a sudden sense of shock came around the stadium. The relief when the whistle blew was palpable.
Paraguay was close yet again, as Gomez was just inches away from a terrific early cross by Iturbe. The defender was left unmarked, but the cross fizzed by his outstretched foot, and then just feet from Guzan’s back post.
As the final whistle blew a sense of relief fell amonng the players and the crowd. A well-fought 1-0 victory despite being down to 10 men will be enough to put the US through to the quarterfinals. The realization has not set in, however, that the United States will likely face off against heavyweights Brazil in the next round. For now the players earned a long rest, and will take some time off before they rise to the next challenge. Paraguay on the other hand will feel they deserved more from this tournament, despite only scoring 1 goal, that being in a loss to Colombia. They played well for much of the tournament, stuck to their game plan, and even gave group favorites Colombia a run for their money. They should be proud, yet disappointed in their early exit.
As the night drew on and the Costa Rice, Colombia game came to an end. Costa Rica, despite being eliminated, put in a great performance and ended up with a win against Colombia. Because of this result, USA will top the group, and will likely play Ecuador, or maybe Peru in the next match, while Colombia will have to play Brazil.
Line-ups and summary:
Paraguay
Justo Villar (1)
Paulo Da Silva (14), Fabian Balbuena (2), Gustavo Gomez (3), Miguel Samudio (6)
Victor Ayala (20), Celso Ortiz (16)
Derlis Gonzalez (10), Miguel Almiron (17)
Dario Lezcano (19), Antonio Sanabria (9)
USA
Clint Dempsey (8) Bobby Wood (7)
Alejandro Bedoya (11) Jermaine Jones (13), Michael Bradley (4), Gyasi Zardes (9)
Fabian Johnson (23), John Brooks (6), Geoff Cameron (20), DeAndre Yedlin (2)
Brad Guzan (1)
Summary:
Yellow PRG: Celso Ortiz 13’
Goal USA: Clint Dempsey 27’
Sub PRG: Juan Iturbe (15) on for Fabian Balbuena (2)
Yellow USA: DeAndre Yedlin 47’
Yellow/Red USA: DeAndre Yedlin 48’
Sub USA: Michael Orozco (14) on for Dempsey (8) 50’
Sub PRG: Rodrigo Rojas (8) on for Celso Ortiz (16) 55’
Yellow USA: Michael Bradley 58’
Yellow PRG: Rojas (8) 71’
Sub USA: Graham Zusi (19) on for Alejadro Bedoya (11) 75’
Yellow PRG: Victory Ayala (20) 78’
Yellow USA: Michael Orozco (14)
Sub USA: Kyle Beckerman (15) on for Bobby Wood (7) 83’
Yellow USA: Jermaine Jones (13) 88’
