On Thursday night in Seattle, the United States Men’s National Team took another step towards figuring out who they are. In a 2-1 victory that saw the USMNT reach the Copa America semifinals, the team took another step towards something that they used to have, but seemingly haven’t for the last few years.

Throughout the Copa America we’ve seen the US develop consistency. They play with a consistent tactical game plan, and a consistent lineup. While questions remain over the use of certain players in that lineup, it’s visibly evident on the field that for the first time under Jurgen Klinsmann the US national team knows the plan going into the game. The squad appears confident in their ability to implement that plan. They’ve found some sort of identity. While some of the things we’re seeing from the U.S remind us of previous versions of this USMNT, teams that played solid defensively, outworked opponents, and hit teams on the counter, there’s also something obviously different about the way this national team plays. On Thursday night against Ecuador, we saw clear evidence of that.

At least until the Jermaine Jones red card so both teams reduced to ten men. Before then, the US was on the front foot like they tend to be against lesser opponents, but rarely are against teams like Ecuador or higher level opponents. Previous versions of the USMNT would dominate lower opponents and then bunker in and hope to hit on the counter against higher-level opponent and escape with a 1-0 win. But not this team. This team pressured Ecuador from the outset. They looked to press the attack, move the ball proactively, and looked confident all over the pitch. It wasn’t a perfect performance, and there’s still things that need to be improved on it, but it’s clear this team is taking a step forward. For the first time under Klinsmann, the US national team is headed in the direction that has people excited.

USMNT Reach Copa America Semifinals: The Good, Bad and Ugly

The Good

The U.S. had a game plan they stuck with. The backline, especially the centerback pairing of John Brooks and Geoff Cameron were solid throughout. That built into confidence going forward. The attack was dangerous, not just on the counter (which was effective), but even in possession. For the first time in a long time, the team looked like they had ideas for what to do with the ball. In previous times, Bobby Wood probably shoots from a poor angle instead of playing the ball he passed to Jones for the assist on Clint Dempsey’s goal, rather than holding the ball up, drawing two defenders to him and out of position, and finding the open man. For at least the first 52 minutes, the U.S. looked like they had a plan. They knew how to execute it, and were confident in their ability to execute it.

The Bad

When Jermaine Jones got sent off in the 52nd minute, moments after Antonio Valencia got himself sent off for Ecuador, things started to go a bit awry for the U.S. Yes, the second goal came after the game was ten on ten, but the USMNT took too long to adjust to playing with ten men. When they did adjust, they made at least partially the wrong adjustment. First, they played for a few minutes without changing tactics at all. They simply played on with the hole Jones left in the midfield, until finally Klinsmann was able to get Bobby Wood to move to the wing. Alejandro Bedoya was moved to the middle, and Dempsey was the lone striker.

However, that didn’t exactly fix things. After Gyasi Zardes scored in the 65th minute to put the U.S. up 2-0, it was like a flip switched. The U.S. started playing like they had ten men, but they started playing like they had ten and Ecuador was at full strength. They gave up any semblance of trying to possess the ball to kill the game; instead just clearing it repeatedly and inviting the Ecuador attack. Eventually this cost them, and Ecuador were probably unlucky to only get one goal.

The Ugly

Jermaine Jones. Jones has been a rock for the US in this tournament. Despite having a reputation for being a bit reckless and picking up stupid cards, Jones had never received a red card while playing for the USMNT. That is until he absolutely lost his mind Thursday night. There really is no explaining it. Regardless of the severity of the punch, in that situation (or any) you simply can’t put your hands near an opponent’s face. It’s asking for trouble. Then Bobby Wood got a reckless yellow, earning himself a suspension for the semi-final. Then Bedoya, who probably should have been substituted earlier as he was plainly running on empty, was cautioned himself. This means the U.S. will be without three key players for the semi-final.

Conclusion

The U.S. did a lot of things right in order to get to the semi-final of Copa America. They bounced back after a rough start to the tournament. They stood tall when faced with challenges in the group stage. The US came out and dominated Ecuador for 50-60 minutes, and then lost their heads. Maybe the suspensions won’t matter. Maybe this is a team of destiny and they’ll advance regardless. Maybe Argentina is too good and even full strength the U.S. would lose by multiple goals. Either way, while getting to the semi-final is undoubtedly a significant accomplishment, they made it harder on themselves than they needed to. All three of the players who will be missing could have and should have avoided the cards they received.

All that said, it’s still a significant moment for the U.S. men’s national team. Jurgen Klinsmann set out a goal before the Copa America of reaching the semi-finals. They’ve done that. Likely facing Argentina, it will be a big ask. But, if we’ve learned anything in this tournament, it’s that this team finally might know who it is, and what it’s purpose is. With John Brooks clearing and cleaning up at the back, and Dempsey with maybe one last magical run in him, who knows what can happen.

Main Photo:

Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images.