In venturing into Sarajevo on Wednesday, the United States, on the strength of a remarkable summer in World Cup qualifying and in the Gold Cup, came into the night as arguably one of the hottest national teams in the world at the moment. Indeed, the Americans' eleven game winning streak coming into the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina meant that they were only a handful of wins away from setting a new international record for consecutive wins--no small feat in this day and age.
Of course traveling into such hostile territory against a side that is just about running rampant at the top of Group G in European World Cup qualifying was never going to be easy, and the absence of Jürgen Klinsmann's current first-choice center back pairing of Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler against the ever-dangerous strike partnership of Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic was always going to be a cause for concern, especially as Hertha Berlin youngster John Anthony Brooks made his debut in their stead.
There can be little argument that the first 45 minutes were something of a nightmare, as a defensive lapse and a missed offside call meant that the Bosnians, through Dzeko and Ibisevic respectively, found themselves in the well-deserved ascendancy on the stroke of halftime. Refreshingly, and almost expectedly these days, the Americans proved that the 90 minutes weren't up yet, and in turn gave us a few talking points.
Jozy Altidore's evolution continues
As I have written in recent months, though it certainly bears repeating, it is quite unfathomable to think that, coming into this summer, Jozy Altidore had gone without a US goal since the end of 2011. Yes, those days seem like an eternity ago now.
While Altidore has been nothing short of fantastic in recent months, what we saw from him on Wednesday was a masterclass performance. It is not hyperbole to say that the best strikers in the world would have been envious.
It was not merely the hat-trick in and of itself that is so deserving of praise; it is the manner in which he scored and, additionally, provided the assist on Eddie Johnson's goal that initially brought the Americans back into at 2-1. Bradley's long ball to Altidore for the opening US goal was spectacular, but Altidore's deft touch to Johnson was equally sublime. Sandwiched between Altidore's coolly taken first and third goals was a perfectly hit and bent free kick that few could have seen as being part of Altidore's arsenal.
Indeed, Altidore is in the midst of a massive transformation as a striker, and it comes not a moment too soon for the United States. Sunderland fans must be salivating now as well.
Aron Johannsson lived up to the early hype
Much had been made of Aron Johannsson's decise to play for the United States instead of Iceland in recent days, but based upon his second half cameo againt Bosnia, such excitement from the American soccer scene is indeed warranted. He was lively, had no hesitation in taking defenders on, and on another day might have even gotten a goal out of the couple of chances he had.
Early returns definitely suggest that Johannsson has a place in this team to strive for, and a strong season at AZ Alkmaar will only make that a reality. Given the dearth of striking options that the United States have had at their disposal over the years, the prospects of having Altidore, Eddie Johnson and now Johannsson leading the line are tantalizing.
John Anthony Brooks passed the eye test
What a week it has been for John Anthony Brooks. In Hertha Berlin's return to the Bundesliga last weekend, Brook scored their second goal in what turned into a 6-1 drubbing of Eintracht Frankfurt. Only a few days after making his Bundesliga debut with such aplomb, he was pulling on a US shirt for the first time.
Was his debut perfect? No, as he conceded a couple of fouls that weren't exactly necessary and was beaten in an aerial battle with Edin Dzeko that gave Bosnia a way back into the game at 4-3 in the dying moments. That is not to say, however, that there wasn't plenty to be encouraged about from his debut. He looked strong in the air, solid in his challenges, and independent of the goal he gave up to Dzeko, he did well overall against world-class opposition.
Brooks is still young and maybe a bit raw, but his future looks to be bright, both for club and country.
With this grueling, if not oddly timed, friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina out of the way, it is of course never to early to look ahead to next month's pivotal World Cup qualifiers against the likes of Costa Rica and Mexico. On the heels of what is now a 12 game winning streak that has featured stellar performances against some quality opposition, one can forgive American fans for feeling like this streak may have a few more wins left in it yet.
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