FRISCO, Texas - When looking at just the scoreboard, it appears the US national team took care of business on both ends of the field in their CONCACAF Gold Cup opener against Honduras on Tuesday, a 2-1 win.
But the score does not always tell the full story, as the US back line was tormented by the Honduran attack – particularly for much of the first half and in the waning stages of the game – creating concern for the rest of the tournament.
“I think they really took over for the first 20 minutes,” Klinsmann said of the Honduran pressure early on. “You’ve got to give them a big compliment on how they played. They created chances, and we had to kind of come back into that game, especially our back line – they needed to settle.”
Prior to Clint Dempsey's opening goal, there were multiple occasions on which the Honduran attack reached the US penalty area, putting goalkeeper Brad Guzan in a couple of precarious situations that could have put the US an early hole.
“I don’t think we were at our best,” Guzan said. “I think we turned the ball over quite easily too many times and maybe put ourselves under some undue pressure. But in saying that, good teams find a way to win. Especially in this tournament, it’s not always the prettiest; it’s about finding a way.”
The Red, White and Blue were fortunate that Guzan found a way in the early stages, saving an Anthony Lozano one-on-one challenge inside the penalty area in the third minute, as well as a shot from former D.C. United Homegrown Player Andy Najar from 30 yards out not too long after.
Klinsmann was pleased with his ‘keeper’s ability to hold down the the fort, especially considering Guzan’s bumpy season with Aston Villa.
“It was tough to swallow,” Klinsmann said of Guzan’s benching at the end of Aston Villa’s season. “He knew he was going to be our No. 1, so he wanted to come in with all the confidence in the world.”
With a back line that had seen scant minutes together prior to the tournament, center backs Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks were put under pressure often on Tuesday. While Fabian Johnson played all 90 minutes at left back, Timothy Chandler looked shaky enough at right back that he was replaced by Brad Evans after 63 minutes.
The defenders seemed to compose themselves as the second half commenced, taking Klinsmann’s message to heart.
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“Just be set enough to be calm,” Klinsmann said of what his young backs needed to do to reverse the tide. “Keep it simple, nothing complicated. Just finding a rhythm, and I think the second half was much better.”
While the head coach would not fully commit to keeping the same core in the back throughout the tournament, he is confident his back line will continue to improve – which will be necessary, especially if the US progress out of the group stage.
“I think it’s something that will get better in the future time,” Klinsmann said. “All four of them have speed and technique. They need more experience. This will come only by experience, by games, by growing, basically. But I think it’s very promising for us to have a back line like that looking ahead.”
