beIN SPORTS

By Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven)

Jurgen Klinsmann’s USA national team has developed a rather inconvenient trait. The Yanks have lost four of their last five matches, losing late goals in nearly every instance. Wednesday’s defeat to Denmark was just another such case.

With 82 minutes gone the Americans led 2-1 following goals from Jozy Altidore and Aron Johannsson. Then the customary collapse came. Nicklas Bendter netted twice to complete his hat-trick and secure a 3-2 win for the hosts Denmark. 

“Obviously what we don’t like are late goals because of losing focus for a second or losing your marker or heavy legs,” said Klinsmann after the defeat in Aarhus. “You never want to give a game away when you’re 2-1 up. Overall it’s frustrating in the end, especially when you lose last minute.”

On the balance of play Denmark probably deserved their win, given that they had controlled much of the contest and created the better of the goalscoring opportunities, but the manner of the defeat will surely be of concern to Klinsmann.

Of course, a number of new faces turned out for the US in Aarhus, as Klinsmann experimented to an extent. Gyassi Bardes was handed a starting spot on the right side, with Johannsson partnering Altidore up front. That partnership in attack, which produced both USA goals provided a rare highlight for Klinsmann.

Alfredo Morales was brought on as a second-half substitute, turning in a reasonably impressive display, with Rubio Rubin and Ventura Alvarardo also introduced late on for a taste of the international scene. Different players, but the same play from the US national team.

Klinsmann’s appointment was meant to herald a new age for American soccer, bringing the country’s soccer programme in line with the rest of the world’s. With his hiring, the German was identified as the man to lead a more technical adept and possession based side into the 2014 and 2018 World Cup cycles.

And yet this US team has regressed in its comfortability in bringing the ball out from the back. Against Denmark the notion of counter-attacking seemed to swing on the success (and more often failure) of a somewhat aimless hoof down field. Klinsmann’s side looked short of ideas whenever they had the ball.

The paradox of this approach is that the Americans themselves appeared susceptible in defence when faced with a long ball from the Danes, as proved to be the case for Bendtner’s third and the game winner. John Brooks - the Berlin-born hero of last summer’s World Cup for the Yanks - started strongly, but was soon dragged down to the below-par standard of his teammates.

Unsurprisingly the Americans’ most consistent performer since the World Cup has been Michael Bradley, who was paired with Alejandro Bedoya in the centre of midfield. The duo were effective in combatting Denmark’s three-man central unit , with Bradley the pass-master and Bedoya the source of drive and energy going forward.

This American side looks to have developed in attacking areas, with Altidore once again firing after a dismal season in the Premier League at Sunderland and Johannsson showing promise as the supplementary striker. But if the US is to make progress they must make good on Klinsmann’s view and learn how to control games, whether they are exhibition fixtures or not.

Once that progression is made Klinsmann’s side will naturally become more adapt at seeing out matches, and stopping Bendtner hat-tricks. With the World Cup cycle yet to start again, the German can be afforded room for trial and error. But he must be wary, because the rule of trial and error counts on there being at least some success.