Other than Rays-Rangers Game 5 of the ALDS last night, there really wasn't anything on TV in terms of sports besides the U.S. vs. Colombia friendly in Chester, PA.
I watched bits and pieces of the soccer game (mostly for the site) between the baseball game and when I saw it ended 0-0 I should have just caught my losses there.
However like a drunk or drug addict, I couldn't say no and I found myself watching it last night at home while Shimer simultaneously watched it at his house. I made the mistake of watching the second half while he made the wise decision to turn in for the night.
With a new 4-3-3 lineup and five changes from the Poland game, it had all the makings of an ugly, forgettable match and it lived up (down?) to those low expectations.
Forward Brek Shea and defender Eric Lichaj both made their U.S. debuts, probably the most interesting aspect of the last U.S. home match of 2010. Shea looked completely overmatched and was rightly subbed out at halftime.
Lichaj came on to start the second half and the young Aston Villa product looked very promising in his short 45 minute spell. He wasn't afraid to go forward, as best evidenced by his great cross in the 86h minute to Jozy Altidore that the striker headed right to Colombia's goalkeeper. Is he the answer for a U.S. defense that continues to look for answers? It's impossible to make that grand statement yet but his debut makes him worthy of many more looks.
Oguchi Onyewu captained the team for the first time, foreshadowing how many of the good players were back with their clubs (Bocanegra, Cherundolo) or started out on the bench (Dempsey, Howard).
One of the few U.S. players that stood out besides Lichaj was my man Stuart Holden. During the broadcast, it was noted that he leads the EPL in tackles and while he's not a dirty player by any means, he clearly excels in the physical rigors that the EPL demands.
The U.S. is now 3-9-4 all-time vs. Colombia; they last beat Colombia in 2007 in Copa America. The last U.S. match of the calendar year is November 17 back in South Africa.
On the other side, Colombia (one of the top teams of the 1990s-see ESPN'S 30 for 30 "Two Escobars") last made the World Cup in 1998. In qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, they came one point short of Uruguay, who won its playoff vs. Costa Rica then surprised everyone by finishing fourth. I wasn't impressed by Colombia, they lack a goal-scorer (they scored 14 goals in 18 World Cup qualifiers) and any real game-breaking talent. The U.S. should have beat them on most nights.
Michael Parkhurst, the former New England Revolution, was another sub to start the second half. It was his first U.S. appearance in over two years.
Altidore had another uneven game. He cannot take guys on so it was hard to watch him do that multiple times last night and fail. The goal vs. Poland was his 10th with the U.S. but he bungled what was the U.S.' best chance last night: he was offside as he received a free kick pass and then passed it to Michael Bradley (also offside) who scored. He received a yellow for a rough challenge.
Jermaine Jones had a more stable performance after Poland's up and down debut. He was booked late with a yellow for a Colombia flop but I already enjoy the toughness and smarts he brings to what is a loaded U.S. midfield. Looking forward to watching him with Donovan and the full squad. He had a nice ball to Altidore that Jozy couldn't do anything with.
Brad Guzan played goalkeeper and other than an early diving stop, he wasn't forced to do too much.
The U.S. is 0-7-1 in its last eight matches vs. South American teams.
Do yourself a favor and don't watch this game if you still have it on your DVR, frankly it's a waste of your time.
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