“Use Speed to Penetrate Weaknesses Here And There”

Korea’s second World Cup final opponent, U.S.A., has shown significant underlying strength during the evaluation match with Uruguay in Washington on the 13th, as it claimed victory of 2-1.

The U.S. team showed off its peculiar organizational energy in offense, but its defense exposed some weak points here and there against the opponent’s offense.

As if the U.S. tried to make it up for the past depression, two consecutive defeats from Germany and Ireland, it rushed with fierce offense from the beginning. Especially, rookie DaMarcus Beasley was impressive, as he stirred the Uruguayan defense to a great extent.

To Korea, it means that there is another player to be watched. The U.S. also showed its strength in set-plays, as Tony Sanneh made a heading-goal in the 6th minute from Jeff Agoos’ corner kick. Also, Beasley added another goal in the 40th minute.

On the other hand, the U.S. defense had difficulty blocking the Uruguayan strikers. In the second half, when stamina had fallen, many opportunities were given to the Uruguayan offense, and the defenders seemed weak on the strikers who ran in behind the defense’s back. The U.S. defense was helpless when Uruguayan midfielder Alvaro Recoba ran into the right penalty zone and made a shot. The ball then bounced off the U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel’s hand and fell right in front of Sebastian Abreu, and he did not miss the chance. Although Abreu had several more chances since then, he had no luck over offside call and Friedel’s brilliant defense.

Meanwhile, U.S. defensive midfielder Chris Armas hurt his knee severely during the match that his participation in the finals will have a setback. Armas, who is a veteran player having had participated in as many as 45 A-matches (match between national teams), collapsed without physical fight, ripping the right knee ligament in the first half’s 16th minute. Absence of his role as the link between the defense and offense in the U.S. team will bring damage in the U.S. midfield.

The U.S. team is to conclude training for the World Cup after holding evaluation matches with Jamaica on the 17th and Netherlands on the 20th.

Sung-Won Joo swon@donga.com