USA vs. Panama: USMNT dominates in front of raucous Seattle crowd

While Chepo’s sixth new starting XI in as many competitive matches had the same problems as the previous five squads, Klinsmann’s fifth team in as many competitive matches looked better than they ever have during his tenure. It wasn’t down to luck or the United States playing a weaker opponent than Mexico did. It happened because Mexico didn’t make any changes to the way they played while the U.S. adjusted their tactics to fit the players they had on the pitch and accounted for their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

Costa Rica manager Jorge Luis Pinto brilliantly anticipated Mexico’s changes in personnel and their inability to change their strategy. He switched to a back five with two central midfielders for the second time in the Hex and Mexico made no adjustments to account for the strengths and weaknesses of Los Ticos’ setup. If Mexico switched to playing with a single central striker and an added body in the midfield while moving away from lofted crosses into the penalty area, they probably would have created matchup nightmares for Costa Rica.

Of course, I am an American and that leads me to generally hope that the United States do well. I watch all of their games and I’ve never cheered for an opponent, but I’m not a fan in the same way that my friends in American Outlaws are fans. I want the U.S. to win, but more than that, I want to see good games.

Something changed for the USMNT this June. They’re not just scoring goals and creating chances, they’re doing it with confidence and a carefree attitude that’s rarely been seen from this team or any of its players in the past. Whether it’s a change in Klinsmann’s tactics, the evolution of various players, a new attitude among the players or a combination of all of these things isn’t entirely obvious. But the effect from whatever’s changed is more interesting than the cause, at least to me, personally, as someone who almost gave up on following this team for entertainment purposes.

Panama played defensively in the first half, allowing the U.S. to have possession, so the Americans’ counter-attack to setup the goal was a bit of a rare one. Bradley did the bulk of the work, beating a pair of Panamanian defenders with an impressive dribbling move through the center before he sprayed the ball wide for Fabian Johnson. The United States’ left midfielder crossed early to the back post for a waiting Altidore, who had made a brilliant run and was in the perfect spot to apply an easy finish.

The United States went into the halftime break up 1-0 and kept the pressure on Panama to start the second half, pushing hard for a second goal. It didn’t take them long to find it, and once again, it came through rather fast and direct means instead of through a slow build-up.

• USMNT needs a win without key starters

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This game is the second of a doubleheader on ESPN in the United States and follows the World Cup qualifier between Mexico and Costa Rica. It is available on television and online, in both English and Spanish.

Update: The opening minutes of the game will be on ESPN2 due to the delayed start of the Mexico-Costa Rica game.

At his best, Bradley is perhaps a more influential player than Dempsey or Donovan has ever been, simply because Bradley is a central midfielder. Donovan and Dempsey were -- and should remain -- important to the team because they provide technical quality, creativity and an ability to score from nothing that other American players don’t possess, but it’s impossible for them to have the same comprehensive impact on a game as a top-notch two-way central midfielder (which is what Bradley is at the top of his game).

The path that Bradley followed to obtain his current role in the team was an odd one. He was primarily an attacking midfielder at Heerenveen and Borussia Mönchengladbach, though he eventually transitioned into a deeper role with the latter club. His father and former coach, Bob Bradley, regularly played him as a box-to-box or defensive midfielder, causing a number of fans to call for Michael to be moved into a more attacking role.