Breaking Down the USMNT's June, and How Landon Donovan Can Fit In Again

Its been a great month for the USMNT

Remember back before the Hex when the US was coming off a loss at Jamaica, having only a very underwhelming four points after three matches? Or in February after a loss in Honduras when a column came out questioning Jurgen Klinsmann's leadership, making it appear there could be a problem in the Yank's locker room? That certainly seems like a long time ago, long before the United States pulled off four straight wins and the flood gates have finally opened for Jozy Altidore. After a gutty performance and getting a scoreless draw in Mexico City has turned the tables for the United States. Now the United States are sitting pretty at the top of the Hex, just a couple steps away from Brazil and some are questioning if this is the best the National Team has ever looked. Suddenly the team looks like what was envisioned when Klinsmann took control. The ball is moving around the pitch, chances are being created and dangerous runs are being made. The team as a whole has really started to gel together, they are playing more as a unit. The extended time together has really paid dividends and has created an impressive run of success.

Belgium 4 - USA 2 (Cameron, Dempsey)

Cameron has become very versatile

While letting in four goals is never good, this game was not as nearly as painful as the score indicated. With the starting 11's in for the first half, the United States weathered the chances that Belgium brought and a set piece goal by Geoff Cameron had the two teams 1-1 at halftime. Subs were made and eventually the athleticism of Christian Benteke  and Romeu Lukaku wore down the US and made it a tough 4-2 result. Despite the ugly scoreline, things were learned. Most importantly that the spine of the US defense going forward is the MLS duo of Omar Gonzales and Matt Besler.

USA 4 - Germany 3 (Altidore,Own Goal, Dempsey 2)

Deuce is still in form for the Yanks

When Graham Zusi's picture perfect cross came into the box, and Jozy had cleared his mark, it seemed like you could tell how the entire match was going to go. Altidore struck it true, right into the back of the net and you could feel the pressure that had grown from all the goals he had scored in the Dutch League. Then Marc-Andre ter Stengen's disaster own goal doubled the lead. A pair of beautiful Dempsey goals sent the crowd at RFK into a frenzy with the 4-1 lead. The two late goals by Germany made for a couple nervous moments, but that can be attributed to a lack of focus due to some incredibly unlikely circumstances. The most important take away from this match was the formation and strategy the US used, using Dempsey in a supporting role freed up Altidore to make up runs that devastated the German back line and freed up space in the midfield for Dempsey and Jermaine Jones to work. Also, a solid performance from Brad Evans put him in the lineup for the next match, which proved pretty important.

USA 2 - Jamaica 1 (Altidore, Evans)

Lets all take a minute to thank Brad Evans

For the first time in the Klinsmann era, the US had the same lineup two games in a row, and it worked well in the first half. Again, Zusi to Altidore was the first goal, and it agains was a beauty. The US looked the better team for the entire match, however, they just couldn't get that second goal. When a team can't get that second goal, there is usually an equilizer. Sure enough Jermaine Beckford got a goal late and looked to send the Yanks home with just a point. But then Brad Evans happened. In a World Cup qualifying cycle there is always an unexpected performance in a road game that ends up being huge. Last cycle Conor Casey's two goals against Honduras was that performance, this year? It was Brad Evans.

USA 2 - Panama 0 (Altidore, E. Johnson)

Sometimes you need a Grown Ass Goal

With all the warm and fuzzy feelings from the late win at The Office, the US was set to have a dominant performance at home. With the game coming at Seattle, it was expected to be a spectacle. The crowd, the goals, the win, all of it, and everyone delivered. The fans were fantastic, after the match the players gave praise to possibly the best United States crowd ever. Aside from that, Altidore scored again, the second goal came from a grown ass man, to the delight of his hometown crowd. Even Damarcus Beasley came flying into the box and was just a post away from scoring one of the most beautiful goals in US Soccer history.

Eddie Johnson's backheel to Michael Bradley led to a beautiful arial pass that Dempsey chested down to Altidore. Beasley came flying in on a 50 yard run and collected a beautiful through ball from Altidore, if only his shot ended up just a couple inches to the right, we would be talking about the most amazing goal from the United States.

USA 1 - Honduras 0 (Altidore)

4 Games for Jozy. 4 Goals for Jozy.

Heading into the match, chants of "We're going to Brazil" came from the American Outlaws. Nine points were in the grasp of the team, and the best possible end to the Qualifiers were in sight. The US again kept attacking. They created chances and looked like the more dangerous team. The United States kept searching for a goal that they thought would surely come. It took over 70 minutes, but in the most poetic way possible it came from Altidore. It was another goal that came from steady build up from the midfield, giving Altidore a goal in four straight matches.

Overall Thoughts:

Being one of the giants in CONCACAF, the US always gets compared to fellow giant, Mexico. Part of the feeling that the US is on top can also be attributed in part to their struggles. In 2013, the US has looked full of movement and winning games they need to. Mexico has looked predictable and not as dangerous as a team with Giovani Dos Santos and Chicharito should. The US have gone 5-2-2 in 2013, scoring 13 goals during that time. Mexico has gone 2-1-8 and only scored 9 goals despite playing two more matches. That run included four scoreless goals in World Cup Qualifiers. What the United States is doing so much better is the build up in the midfield. Michael Bradley has teamed up with both Jermaine Jones and Geoff Cameron masterfully. They have sent balls out wide to Fabian Johnson and Zusi or letting Dempsey and Altidore make their runs. This increased movement is what has been promised by Klinsmann when he took the job.

Where does Landon fit in the US attack?

So how can Landon Donovan make a smooth transition back in? With the National Team firing on all cylinders, the most important thing will be putting in Donovan without messing with the rhythm others have found. The good news is that the formation that Klinsmann has started using will work well with Donovan out on the right wing replacing Zusi. Donovan's best goals come from the counter attack, which is still part of the way the United States plays, but is not the focal point like it was with Bob Bradley. Also with Altidore scoring goals, they will want to keep it that way, two of those last four goals came from crosses from Zusi, the one making way for Donovan, in fact over half of Jozy's goals in a USA uniform have come from a high or low cross inbetween the six yard box and the penalty spot. While Zusi clearly can send in a better cross, Donovan can still whip in a low ball into the box for Jozy's and Dempsey's runs, he also has a dynamic that Zusi doesn't have.

Here is the start of first goal against Jamaica. It starts with Zusi taking his man on one-on-one, Zusi can send in a great cross, but he can't cut it inside like Donovan can. In this shot, there is plenty of room between the backline and the midfield, room created due to the runs of the two forwards. With Donovan in the game, another attacking element is created, one that can stretch the centerbacks and give Altidore and Dempsey even more space in the box. Zusi will be a solid right wing for the Yanks for years to come, but for the upcoming World Cup, the way the United States is playing now could be set up perfectly for Donovan's return. Well whether or not Jurgen has planned for this is not certain, but he definitely deserves some credit for the growth this team has displayed.