US v Slovakia
Great to see NYRB Daniel Edelman as captain as the US looks to improve from 2-0, with 4 goals for none against them. Such numbers already have them into the knockout rounds.
Slovakia moves the ball well many first time passes in tight defense and get off a shot that goes wide. Vargas with a lead pass to Wiley and the offside whistle is blown. Edelman is playing a different style than with his club team, great to see such versatility in him as he moves the ball very fast. Edelman plays a dangerous ball over the end line. The US Is clearly dominating the early going with possession & great teamwork in finding the open player. Off the corner two great headers go on goal by Che of the US. Cowel with a great run almost blocked by his teammate, then a long distance rip by Vargas, his ball had some movement, but Medina was able to keep it out of the net. Cowell gets a great ball from Craig over the top, beats the GK, but kicks the ball into himself. He gets one, Cowell dances through the defense with the ball on a string, beating 3 as he steals the ball at midfield and sends it home. Leo Sauer from beyond the area, denied by Slonina.
Big adjustments needed by Slovakia to get back in the flow of this game, though one but goal. it seems to be the teams are worlds apart. Luna, with a great feed from Cowell goes just high off the inside of his foot. A 25 yard shot is wide for Slovakia. Cowell again in on goal, kicks straight at the GK, foot save. Cowell, yes he has the goal and has held the ball, I feel rightfully so on a handful now of occasions where he was no able to get it done, should try laying the ball off. Luna rattles the right post with a well taken shot. Edelman and Vargas off for Jack and Tsakiris &McGlynn of Middle Village now ready to enter the game. Lots of pushing and shoving in the 6 as the corner of the US comes in, its boxed out by Medina, go again. Medina picks it out of the air no issues. Another US corner, McGlynn is over the ball, his inswinger is played out. Cowell & Luna, so disruptive with their attacking styles are out, Yapi & Sulivan are in. Let’s see what impact this has on the US attacking game. The corner by Craig through the six and over the end line. Gomez, with the first goal for the US in this tourney is in for Wiley at 77’. 82’ Jack with another corner as the last was driven, this one, he takes some off, Hallliday wins yet another corner for the US. Sullivan with a quick shot it is blocked out for another corner, back to Jack at 84’. A 90’ attempt on an Olympico drifts just high on Slonina. 7’ of extra time and before the firs ends, Slonina is forced to ground. Halfway through the extra time DFK for Slovakia from 50 yards, Slonina just steps up and takes it. Goal US by Tsakiris makes it 2-0 with 1’ to go.
A dominant performance. I would say they were 75% better, the rest of the world best take notice. No goals let up yet by the Young Americans.