WHAT GAME WAS BOB BRADLEY WATCHING?:

USA goes airborne to ground El Salvador (Steve Pastorino, 9/06/09, Salt Like Tribune)

[L]ed by first captain Landon Donovan, with Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey flying as co-pilots, the Men's National Team used a barrage of crosses in front of dizzy El Salvador goalkeeper Miguel Montes late in the first half to fly away with three points with a 2-1 victory. [...]

Donovan, who put forth a signature tireless effort, finally delivered with two world-class assists in a five-minute span.

The first one, in the 41st minute with the USA surprisingly down a goal, found Dempsey off a corner kick while a quartet of his teammates appeared offside.

The in stoppage time, he curled one convincingly between flat-footed Salvadoran defenders and Jozy Altidore had no problem putting it way.

"Jozy and Charlie give us a physical dimension... speed, strength and keeping defenders on their heels," said a relieved coach Bob Bradley following the game.

The goals predictably came from Altidore and Dempsey (including the one that was absurdly disallowed), though it looked like Davies might have been useful as a sub at the end, when there was tons of open space as everyone slowed down.

The goal against was a function of atrocious goalkeeping--where was Howard going?

The defending--sans Gooch & Clark--was a tad scary.

And, as a general principle, Coach Bradley's insistence on not closing down the ball leaves opposing offensive players with absurd amounts of room to work in.

The highlight of the night for the US was just getting out of there without any more yellow cards, especially given how bad the refereeing was.

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 6, 2009 7:15 AM