Surviving the Group of Death may have been the easy part.
The United States finished 1-1-1 to finish behind Germany in Group G and get to the Round of the 16 in the World Cup.
But if they plan on going further, a different tack may be need for Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad, which takes on Belgium on Tuesday.
“I wonder if we have to step it up in that department and keep the ball a little bit more,” said Sirius XM FC host and U.S. national team great John Harkes.
“I think that it’s been great what we’ve done and we continue to outrun and outchase the competition, but when you do get to the point where it can wear you down playing that style and you need something a little bit different. And sometimes keeping the ball is something that relieves pressure for a lot of different players and creates opportunities, and that’s where we’ve been lacking a little bit.”
The U.S. was able to overcome that against Ghana, but not against the Germans who prevailed 1-0 on Thursday. The U.S. got some help with Portugal’s 2-1 win over Ghana, which allowed them to advance.
“We need goals — that’s what relieves pressure more than anything else,” Harkes said. “That comes from the composure of not just one guy, but three or four players. Can we find different players that can contribute to the goal-scoring situation? That would be ideal.”
The Americans are no strangers to the knockout stage having reached it in two of the past three World Cups. But they only advanced past the Round of 16 once, in 2002, when they were dumped by the Germans in the quarterfinals.
Four years ago, the Americans were riding high on the momentum of Landon Donovan’s last-minute goal in the group stage only to be beaten by Ghana in the Round of 16.
Harkes said he believes it is wide open now that they have made it back.
“Anything can happen for any team,” Harkes said. “We’ve seen it in this World Cup more than anywhere, the parity that’s across the board. You can definitely see how narrow the gap is. It’s been proven that teams can be ranked 40th, ninth or second and it’s going to be really close.”
The opportunity is there to move on again against the Belgians, who came in with high expectations, but were underwhelming despite going 3-0 and topping Group H.
“Such a young team with an enthusiastic approach back on the World Cup stage,” Harkes said. “And with that comes high expectations. Eden Hazard has had a tremendous year at Chelsea and is dynamic on and off the ball. His movements are great and you have to keep an eye on him throughout the whole match.
“At times they are a little susceptible to the transition play and the US can get on them with the counterattack. The U.S. has found ways with their pace and breakout speed, especially with Fabian Johnson, who has been absolutely tremendous in this World Cup. He’s a key for the U.S. to do well in the next game.”