TheNearPostThe second half was obviously different. First, Bob Bradley tightened up the space in front of his defense by replacing Jose Francisco Torres with Maurice Edu, a holding midfielder by trade. Then he further added to his midfield by sacrificing striker Robbie Findley and bringing on the crafty Benny Feilhaber. Feilhaber came in off the flank into the central midfield to help the U.S. with build-up play and keeping possession. Dempsey was in a more advanced, second forward role just off of the lone striker Jozy Altidore.

Slovenia clearly let up due to the pressing in the first half, but the U.S. were already playing better. The first goal was a result of Altidore's movement. He drifted deep and to the flanks all of the second half and this drew the fullbacks up field a bit. This allowed Landon Donovan to slip into the channel between the fullback and centerback. Bostjan Cesar was a tad slow in coming out to deal with a Steve Cherundolo longball into the channel, and Donovan was let in behind for his superb finish.

06.11.2012