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New formation pays dividends

Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 18, 2002

Surprise success Patriotism stirs passion for soccer U.S.: 'We want to win it' Upset stirs memories of '50 Cup More than just defeat for southern neighbor New formation pays dividends Brazil blanks Belgium en route to quarters

JEONJU, South Korea -- Bruce Arena almost never changes his formation -- unless he's playing Mexico with a chance to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.

Arena has steadfastly stuck with four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards. But with defender Jeff Agoos out for the tournament with a calf injury and left back Frankie Hejduk suspended for Monday's second-round game after getting two yellow cards in the first round, Arena went with a three-man backline and five midfielders.

He shifted captain Claudio Reyna from the center of the field to the right flank and put Eddie Lewis, who had played just 16 minutes in the first round, on the left.

A run by Reyna up the right side created the first goal in the Americans' 2-0 victory and a run by Lewis up the left created the second goal.

Eddie Pope was in the center of the defense with Gregg Berhalter to his left and Tony Sanneh to his right. Arena put Pablo Mastroeni in a defensive midfield spot, John O'Brien in the center of the midfield and Landon Donovan, who scored the second goal, at attacking midfield.

He saved Earnie Stewart, his usual right flank midfielder, for a second-half sub role. Stewart missed the 1-1 tie against South Korea after straining his groin in the opener against Portugal and was not at full strength in Friday's 3-1 loss to Poland.

Josh Wolff, who had played just nine minutes, started at forward in place of Clint Mathis, paired with Brian McBride. Wolff made the key pass to McBride for the first U.S. goal in the eighth minute.

"I thought we needed some fresh legs in here today," Arena said. "It's been a difficult tournament with a number of games in a short period. I felt Eddie Lewis' time has come.

"Reyna played a position he was not used to and he came through big."

BLANK SHEET: Brad Friedel had the first shutout for a U.S. goalkeeper since Frank Borghi in the 1-0 upset of England in the first round in 1950.

Friedel made a pair of point-blank saves on Cuauhtemoc Blanco in the 35th minute. Ramon Morales had an open net to shoot at from the middle in the 15th minute but hooked the shot wide.

In the 53rd minute, Friedel got his fingertips on a shot by Braulio Luna, knocking the ball into the crossbar and over. And he escaped in the 58th minute when Sigifredo Mercado's pass sailed past Jared Borgetti, who was set for a header.

SEEING YELLOW: Five U.S. players were given yellow-card warnings in the rough game: Pope, Mastroeni, Wolff, Berhalter and Friedel.

Any of the five who gets another yellow card against Germany would be suspended for the semifinal if the Americans get that far.

MAJOR GOALS: While much of the soccer world maligns Major League Soccer as strictly minor, both U.S. goal-scorers Monday were from MLS.

HISTORY: The last time the U.S. advanced this far in the World Cup was 1930, when it beat Belgium and Paraguay, both 3-0, in the first round before losing to Argentina 6-1 in the semifinals.

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