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For a country so small in the world’s biggest game, forgive me for my celebrations after miniscule events, but U.S. soccer just might be turning a corner.
After facing a 45-minute display of the Argentina National Team’s passing drills, the United States and their new, fancy red jerseys — eco-friendly, I might add — turned on the heat in the second half and forced a draw against one of the top three national teams in the world.
Before I get my red, white and blue boxers in a bunch, I realize they weren’t the finest Argentina team Sergio Batista could field, with at least five world-class strikers all on the sideline — but the infamous striped jersey was donned Saturday night in Newark, N.J., by the world’s best player, Lionel Messi.
While the 5-foot-5-inch magician was as magnificent as ever on U.S. soil, the Barcelona member still has yet to score against the Yanks.
One player who did score and likely announced his name to the global stage was New York Red Bulls striker Juan Agudelo. The Columbian-born, U.S. national scored in his second international cap, tying things up just after coming in as a sub at halftime.
The arrival of Agudelo could provide wonders for a U.S. national team still feeling the effects of losing Charlie Davies for a considerable length of time a year-and-a-half ago after a horrific car accident.
That story has a happy ending, as Davies returned for D.C. United and scored two goals in his first game back from the accident that nearly took his life. Entering in the 52nd minute, Davies snaked his way to his first goal.
After a teammate was taken down in the penalty box, Davies pleaded to take the penalty kick, eventually doing so and finding the net to solidify his comeback. He added a second during live play to let everyone know the speed he possessed prior to the accident hadn’t fully left him.
Even though Davies had to come back to America to find his way on the pitch, the U.S. is making more splashes than ever across the pond.
Arguably the country’s best player, Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey broke the European scoring record for an American last weekend, scoring on his U.S. teammate and Everton keeper Tim Howard. It was Dempsey’s 10th goal of the season, more than double that of the second on his team.
Dempsey passed former U.S. soccer great and former Fulham attacker Brian McBride, who scored nine goals in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Dempsey has been a staple in the U.S. attack for some time now and has earned a feisty reputation in England.
Another overseas American that has been turning heads is 25-year-old Stuart Holden, who has been superb in the midfield for Bolton until colliding with Manchester United defender Johnny Evans on a tackle that drew a red card for the Red Devil.
Holden scored two goals and set up two others this season in helping Bolton from staying out of the relegation zone.
A future of Agudelo, Holden and Aston Villa midfielder Michael Bradley combined with the experience Dempsey, Howard and L.A. Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan could provide plenty of excitement for those counting the days until Rio Di Janeiro in 2014.
