Analysis

Howard saves U.S. men in 0-0 draw with Argentina in match of tired teams.

By Robert Wagman
SoccerTimes

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Sunday, June 8, 2008) -- In a somewhat strange match, the United States men played good defense and received a terrific seven-save performance from goalkeeper Tim Howard in holding much superior Argentina to a 0-0 draw before a sell-out crowd of 78,682 at Giants Stadium tonight.

The match was really about the first 45 minutes as the two teams, tired from midweek friendlies and subsequent travel, faded after intermission. The Argentines, led by Barcelona superstar striker Lionel Messi, showed the kind of form they displayed last week in a 4-1 waltz over Mexico Wednesday in San Diego. Their passing was crisp and, while the U.S. defended bravely, it was Howard that kept the U.S. in the match.

The second half was a much different affair. The stifling heat and humidity took its toll on both sides and both coaches substituted liberally in the second half. With Messi out, the Argentine offense became disjointed, but the Americans could take little advantage, especially after going a man down in the final 20 minutes. Then, a lightning storm broke out and the match degraded considerably.

"I think we're getting stronger," U.S. coach Bob Bardley said after his team went scoreless for a third straight match after falling 2-0 at England May 28 and 1-0 at Spain Wednesday. "We're understanding how to play together as a team, we feel good about the depth that we have and these are things that we are building to put us in the right direction."

The U.S. created a number of scoring chances, including one where Oguchi Onyewu hit the crossbar and another where fellow defender Heath Pearce's powerful blast in the 35th minute forced Argentine keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri to make his only difficult save of the night at his right post.

Late in the second half, the U.S. had a series of three corner kicks with the Argentine defense only able to clear the first two over its end-line. By that time, Onyewu had left the match and the U.S. had no one in the center of the penalty area capable of getting a head on the ball.

The Americans were reduced to 10 players in the 70th minute on a grievous error by Salvadoran referee Joel Aguilar. On a harsh foul committed by Maurice Edu, wearing jersey number 26, Aguilar instead booked another U.S. midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, number 25. That became Mastroeni's second yellow card and he was ejected, despite his protests.

The U.S. was left to defend like crazy until Argentina also had a man sent off, Javier Mascherano in the 86th minute.

Argentina is difficult to play because it employs an unusual style. "Most other teams play a certain style and you can watch them or watch tape and see what they do and prepare how to counter it. But with Argentina, they really have no specific style and you can't do it," Bradley said.

Argentina started with a solid, veteran defense, one of the best in the world, but the key is its three world-class forwards -- Messi, Sergio Aguero and Julio Cruz -- who are allowed to go where they want, when the want. They are constantly on the move and attack from any side, initiated by any of the three. Their unpredictability makes it hard to counter.

Tonight, Cruz was most problematic, being fed by Messi. Howard was forced to make five saves on him.

Several players did very well for the U.S., but overall its attack struggled while its defense, though scrappy, was certainly far from elegant. Considering the caliber of the opponent, and the oppressive heat and humidity, and the obvious fatigue of the Americans after three matches in 11 days against Top 10 opponents, the result was not so bad.

"Argentina is totally different (from its two previous games), especially when Messi is on the field," Bradley said, "The first half, we had to deal with a lot tactically and Tim Howard, of course, made some very big saves .The second half, we showed some real resolve, both handling the red card and adjusting to different things tactically at different times. It means that, at the end, we feel very good about getting a result tonight."

The U.S. heads into its first round of World Cup qualifying with a home-and-home series with Barbados, beginning Sunday at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calf.