Men's soccer improves, holds Japan to tie

Team has tough game against Britain on Tuesday

by Sarah Segal on September 6, 2009

The U.S. Men's Soccer Team players, as they stepped on the field with a glint of gold in their eyes and the sun on their faces, looked like a different team during their Sunday afternoon game against Japan. Although the game ended in a 0-0 draw, the Americans demonstrated progress since their Friday game against Ireland, which they lost, 2-0. In the wake of the women's win against Germany on Saturday and the Opening Ceremony that night, the men appeared mentally prepared and raring to go hours before the game. Apparently inspired by these two events, the Americans displayed better footwork absent in the Ireland game, and their offense and midfield game improved with long, better passes down the pitch rather than lateral passes with too much pressure on the ball. The turning point of the game came in the second half when goalkeeper Chris Jones caught the ball after the Japanese were granted a penalty kick. The referee racheted up the tension when he recalled the kick because Jones allegedly had moved. The athletes and audience, nearly emotionally and physically drained from exhaustion and frustration with the referee, animatedly leapt up with a roar when Jones caught the ball the second time. Jones continued to keep a clean sheet throughout, enlivening the spirits of fans in the stands as well as the players on the field. Jessie Zamichow, goalkeeper of the U.S. Women's Team said she was impressed with the men's improvement. "It was a hard game," she said, "They did good." However, no team can transform overnight. Reagan Anders, the women's team captain, said the chemistry between the offenders needs tightening up and that, though she saw better passing among the players today, "there were too many fly outs." The offenders' inability to get past defense as well as their missing nine opportunities throughout the game for a free kick particularly disappointed Coach Ken McDonald and assistant coach George Danner. "They improved slightly, but not enough to win," McDonald said. "And we play to win." The team has more to worry about than simply upping the ante for their next game, against Great Britain on Tuesday. Starter Mike Hansen suffered a critical injury in the remaining 25 minutes of the game, tearing a ligament in his back after being struck by a Japanese player in a scramble for the ball. Hansen will not play in Tuesday's game against Great Britain, McDonald said. "I'm hoping that Mike gets better soon," women's player Jessie Zamichow said. "He's a great starter and has heart." The men go into a tough match Tuesday against Great Britain, current world champions and who they will need to defeat to advance to the playoffs.

Men's soccer improves, holds Japan to tie

Team has tough game against Britain on Tuesday

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