What went wrong: Five reasons why the United States went out in the first round

In 2002, the United States entered the World Cup as an underdog, an unknown. They were able to advance to the quarterfinals partially because they came out in a variety of attacking formations: a 4-4-2 in the win against Portugal, the tie of South Korea, and the losses to Poland and Germany. Bruce Arena also fielded a 3-5-2 in the 2-0 Round of 16 win over Mexico.

This year, it was the same, ugly, defensive song for the United States--a 4-5-1 formation. Even when the United States absolutely needed a win against Ghana, Bruce Arena chose to only play Brian McBride up front.

McBride’s a great player in the air, a player that can take a lot of abuse. But with no other forwards to take the defense’s attention, McBride was bottled up.

Playing five in the midfield, an uncommon practice for the United States in the past under Arena, also shoehorned players into unfamiliar roles: DeMarcus Beasley on the right wing against the Czechs and as a left-central midfielder against Ghana; Landon
Donovan in this undefined floating role that apparently didn’t suit his game; Eddie Lewis as a left back against the Czechs when he’s been a midfielder his whole career, etc.

This was supposed to be the tournament where Landon Donovan took The Next Big Step.

Four years ago, the then-20-year-old Donovan started every game and scored two goals (and caused another goal when his cross was deflected into the goal by a Portuguese defender).

Playing in more of a midfield role for the National Team over the past few years as his passing game evolved, Donovan is considered second only to Claudio Reyna among American playmakers.

And here he was, back in Germany, a place where he spent time with Bayer Leverkusen but left twice in order to move back to the United States and be closer to home, assuring everyone that he could still be a star playing in Major League Soccer rather than the pressure cooker of European play.

Instead of showing how far he’d come, Donovan showed how far he needed to go.

He only took one shot in three matches and his free kicks and corner kicks were often over-hit.

But the biggest thing that seemingly was different from four years ago was confidence.

In Korea, Donovan was everywhere, demanding the ball, taking on players with his dribbling, getting into dangerous positions.

This year, he never seemingly got into the game, particularly against the Czech Republic and Ghana. There was a play in the Ghana game late where Donovan got the ball about 18 yards away from goal with his team down and needing a win to advance.

Instead of going forward into space and giving himself a better angle to shoot or just pulling the trigger from there, Donovan cut the ball back and tried to make a pass to Ben Olsen, a pass that was easily cleared.

Donovan’s still got plenty of soccer in him, but he’s got to find a way to raise his game.

To do that, he needs to suck it up and go to Europe.

Like his friend and teammate Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley was a revelation four years ago despite battling injury problems.

Beasley’s speed, dribbling ability, and fearless aggressiveness made him a handful for defenders, but we saw little of that this time around.

True, Beasley was playing out of position one, maybe two, out of three games, but it seemed like he was playing negatively, always looking to pass back instead of go forward or take on a player with his dribbling.

Against Italy, Beasley came on late in his natural position on the left side, but didn’t fully take advantage of his speed and fresher legs to open up the game.

Beasley’s problems could stem from nagging hamstring injuries in the past year, and, like Donovan, he still has plenty of soccer in him, but he must find the free-spirited player that he was.

At this level, mistakes are punished.

The United States made two mistakes against Ghana: Claudio Reyna getting his pocket picked, and Carlos Bocanegra’s misplayed header that led to the penalty kick being called on Oguchi Onyewu.

Those two mistakes gave Ghana two goals.

Against Italy, late tackles resulted in Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope being red-carded. A foul set up the free kick that was headed home for the only Italian goal.

Against the Czechs, a quick clear from Kasey Keller caught the U.S. defense out of position and led to a goal.

When you’re playing a defensive-minded 4-5-1, it’s harder to make up for mistakes.

In 2002, the Americans gave up an own goal against Portugal yet won because their offense got them three goals. The margin for error is much smaller with one striker.

Hopes were high for this American team. They were called the best U.S. team ever (a claim I still argue is correct). After the run to the quarterfinals in 2002, I think the casual soccer fan expected the same sort of thing this time around.

Not helping things was the USA’s top-five FIFA ranking. The FIFA rankings are dismissed as bogus by anyone that follows soccer (how is the Czech Republic ranked second in the world when they hadn’t qualified for a World Cup for 16 years?), but it’s a stat that was brought up on shows like Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn.

And then you have the group.

In 2002, the United States was faced with: Portugal, a team that had high expectations and ability but was in its first World Cup in 16 years (oh, and by the way, a team that didn’t even bother to scout the United States); South Korea, the hosts but a squad that had never won a game in the World Cup up to that point; and Poland, who was also making their first appearance in 16 years.

In 2006, the United States drew: the Czech Republic, who, like Portugal, hadn’t been in this tournament in 16 years but took the United States seriously and ripped the American scouting report to shreds; Italy, a three-time champion and perennial power that the U.S. still has never defeated; and Ghana, a team that had done much at the youth level but was in its first World Cup, but turned out to be the best African squad in the competition.

The United States was a known quantity this time around. It’s a compliment, but it turned out to also be somewhat of a curse.