Advertisement
Looking Back

Here's how the US media reacted to their team's comprehensive defeat by Ireland

Robbie Brady and David McGoldrick were among the Irish players singled out for praise.

THE US MEDIA was largely critical of its team while being impressed by Ireland following the hosts’ 4-1 win at the Aviva Stadium last night.

Writing for Sports Illustrated, Grant Wahl focused on the US team’s ostensible hangover from the 2014 World Cup in the summer.

“How do you manage the roster coming out of the World Cup with all the emotional things that happened in our country and get these players back on track?” he wrote.

“He didn’t say it, but this is something new for Klinsmann too, at least as a national team coach. His term as the Germany coach ended after the emotional high of the 2006 World Cup, and he didn’t have to work his way through the challenges that followed that tournament with the German national team. Yes, Klinsmann had to learn how to handle success as a player, but doing it as a coach isn’t the same thing.”

Wahl’s colleague at Sports Illustrated, Liviu Bird, was similarly scathing in his assessment of the US performance, tweeting:

“Ireland “B” team shredded US defence at will. US with no real identity or style of play. Bad all around.”

He also pointed out the Irish team’s “poor defending” for the visitors’ only goal of the evening.

Meanwhile, New York Times journalist Brian Sciaretta emphasised the stark difference between the sides, explaining:

“Bottom line: Ireland goes out w/ a young lineup, plays with energy & tries new things. The #usmnt? The complete opposite on all of the above.”

On MLSSoccer.com, Jesse Marsch added that the US didn’t “compete” against a team “full of second-team guys trying to establish themselves”.

He added that the Irish team exploited “tonnes of space” afforded to them in midfield.

The Press Association focused on two Ireland players in particular, singling out Robbie Brady’s “superb double” and also noting the influential display of Ipswich striker David McGoldrick.

Finally, SB Nation highlighted the performance of Alejandro Bedoya as the only real positive note for the US team, while suggesting that the second-choice US team was considerably weaker than their first XI, with Kevin McCauley writing:

“When the United States has a first choice XI that trains together, they can play with anyone in the world. When they make wholesale changes, go experimental and rest some of their best players? Well, you get results like this. No one looked great for the USMNT on Tuesday, but the defence, in particular, really struggled.”

First published at 14.06

Irish supporters’ group ‘shocked and angered’ by treatment during FAI protest>

Sturridge suffers new setback after picking up thigh strain in training>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
8
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.