June 4, 2011 – U.S. 0:4 Spain (Att.: 64,421). Biggest U.S. loss, and their biggest crowd, in Foxborough
Post by frankdellapa@gmail.com
A wide gulf in talent and tactical acumen resulted in an embarrassing defeat for the U.S. national team against Spain. Santi Cazorla (28’, 41’) and Alvaro Negredo (32’) provided a 3-0 halftime lead and El Niño Torres added a 73rd-minute goal for the Spaniards, who had played once before in Foxborough, sustaining a 2-1 extra time loss to Italy in the World Cup quarterfinals at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 53,400) July 9, 1994.
My Boston Globe story noted the U.S. style of play is one dimensional: one speed, 100 mph, 100 percent commitment – if it is not working, there’s nothing to fall back on: http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston-sub/doc/870531405.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+8%2C+2011&author=Dell%27Apa%2C+Frank&pub=Boston+Globe&edition=&startpage=C.1&desc=US+team+too+crude+for+these+friendlies
And I don’t think much has changed since then, unfortunately. The concluding line was “ … the Revolution must improve their possession game, or else leave another negative impression on a huge crowd.” That did not happen, as the Revolution lost, 4-1, to Manchester United before a 51,523 crowd at Gillette Stadium July 13, 2011. Chris Aduama photo
6/4/2011 US-SPAIN 0-4 at Gillette Stadium
U.S.: Howard; Spector, Onyewu (Goodson 46’), Ream, Lichaj; Rogers (Cherundolo 46’), Jones (Bradley 46’), Edu (Dempsey 46’), Kljestan; Altidore (Wondolowski 46’), Agudelo (Bedoya 66’).
SPAIN: Reina (Casillas 76’); Ramos (Capdevila 65’), Piqué, Albiol, Arbeloa; Cazorla, Busquets (Soriano 46’), Alonso; Silva (Valero 65’), Negredo (Torres 46’), Villa (Iniesta 46’).
Referee: Roberto Silvera. Goals: Cazorla 28’, 41’; Negredo 32’, Torres 73’. Attendance: 64,121.
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY